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T-shirt printing 101: picking inks, fits and fabrics

July 22, 2026 · 6 min read

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Ordering custom tees for the first time feels like learning a language: DTG, plastisol, ring-spun, discharge. Here's the plain-English version our studio gives every new customer.

Start with the fabric

Ring-spun cotton is the everyday favourite — soft, smooth and kind to detailed prints. Heavyweight cotton feels boxier and vintage, great for streetwear cuts. Blends (cotton-poly) resist shrinking and hold athleisure shapes. If your design has fine lines or gradients, smoother ring-spun wins every time.

Then pick the ink

Plastisol sits on top of the fabric: bold, opaque, perfect for bright graphics on dark shirts. Water-based inks soak in for a soft, breathable feel that vintage lovers adore. For single detailed pieces we print direct-to-garment — photographic detail with no screens and no minimums.

Fit matters as much as print

A modern retail fit flatters most bodies; classic fits suit workwear and events. When in doubt, order one sample in your own size — a $40 test now beats 200 shirts nobody wears. Our size range runs S to 3XL, and every product page lists exact garment measurements.

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