Where can you buy long sleeve shirts for screen printing?

Choosing the right long sleeve shirt for screen printing¹ can make or break your design. With so many options in 2025, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

For screen printing, the best long sleeve shirts come from wholesale suppliers² that offer cotton-rich blends, smooth surfaces, and consistent sizing—available online or through specialized B2B platforms.

When I started producing custom orders for clients, I quickly realized: not all blanks are created equal. Some wash out, some shrink, and others just don’t hold ink well. Here’s where to find the good ones.

What Makes a Long Sleeve Shirt Ideal for Screen Printing?

Not every shirt takes ink the same way. Good prints start with good fabric.

The best shirts for screen printing are soft, smooth, tightly woven, and stable—so your designs come out crisp, vibrant, and long-lasting.

Shirt Printing

Which fabrics and blends give the best print results?

100% ring-spun cotton³ is the industry favorite. It’s soft, smooth, and absorbs ink well. Cotton/poly blends (60/40 or 50/50) also work well—especially for reducing shrinkage—but may impact color vibrancy slightly.

Fabric Type	Print Quality	Durability	Shrinkage
Ring-Spun Cotton	Excellent	High	Moderate
Carded Open-End Cotton	Fair	Medium	High
60/40 Cotton-Poly	Good	Very High	Low
Tri-Blend (Cotton/Poly/Rayon)	Good	Soft feel	Minimal

Should you choose pre-shrunk or ring-spun cotton?

Ring-spun is better for softness and print clarity. Pre-shrunk helps avoid sizing issues after washing. Ideally, choose shirts that are both ring-spun and pre-shrunk for the best results and fewer returns.

Top Online Platforms to Buy Blank Long Sleeve Shirts

Buying online is fast and convenient, but you need to know where to click.

Sites like Amazon or Etsy can be useful for quick orders, but professional printers usually prefer niche suppliers like ShirtSpace, Bella+Canvas, or Next Level for consistent quality.

Is Amazon or Etsy reliable for bulk blank shirts?

They can work—but with limits. Amazon is best for small, fast orders. Etsy leans toward handmade and boutique blanks. However, stock inconsistencies and seller variations can affect reliability for larger printing projects.

What advantages do specialty suppliers like ShirtSpace or Bella+Canvas offer?

These platforms focus on print-ready apparel. That means better consistency, better pricing, and shirts designed with printing in mind.

Supplier	Strengths	Ideal For
ShirtSpace	No account needed, bulk pricing	Small to mid-size printers
Bella+Canvas	High-quality blanks, retail fit	Premium brand builders
SanMar	Huge variety, trusted by pros	High-volume B2B orders
AlphaBroder	Tiered discounts, top brands	Agencies, promotional firms

Best Wholesale Suppliers for Custom Printing Projects

Want to print in bulk? Go wholesale.

Top wholesale suppliers offer deeper discounts, higher quality control, and larger stock levels—making them ideal for custom printing businesses.

Where do print shops source affordable long sleeve blanks?

Most go through wholesalers like:

• SanMar – Industry favorite, huge catalog
• TSC Apparel – Now part of AlphaBroder, good deals on basics
• S&S Activewear – Great selection, includes retail-inspired fits
• Next Level – Known for soft and consistent cotton/poly blends

These suppliers usually require a reseller permit or business license to access wholesale rates.

Are there minimum order requirements or bulk discounts?

Yes, but they vary. Some offer price breaks starting at just 12 units, while others require full-case purchases (typically 36–72 units). The more you buy, the cheaper per piece.

Pro tip: Always ask about tiered pricing or custom fulfillment options if you’re scaling up.

How to Choose the Right Shirt for Your Printing Needs

Fit, color, and durability all affect your final product—and your customer satisfaction.

For best results, choose long sleeve shirts that align with your brand’s style, and test how well they hold ink after multiple washes.

What’s the difference between retail fit and classic fit for printing?

• Retail Fit: Slimmer sleeves, tapered waist, higher neckline. Better for fashion-forward brands.
• Classic Fit: Looser all around. Easier to print on and fits more body types.

Printing on retail fits can require more precision due to tighter spaces—especially on sleeves or across the chest.

Should you prioritize color options or shirt durability?

Durability comes first. You can always adapt artwork to a limited color palette, but if the shirt pills or warps after printing, it reflects poorly on your brand. That said, versatile color ranges (heather grey, black, white, navy) are always a safe bet.

What Are the Common Mistakes When Buying Shirts for Screen Printing?

Even seasoned buyers slip up—especially when rushing a project.

Using the wrong fabric, skipping test runs, or choosing a poor fit can ruin prints, waste ink, and disappoint clients.

Can the wrong fabric ruin your screen print design?

Yes. Fabrics that are too rough, stretchy, or treated with chemicals (like some polyesters) can resist ink or distort prints. Ink can crack, wash out, or simply not bind well.

Avoid shirts labeled “performance” unless you’re using special inks or sublimation processes.

Why is testing a sample shirt before bulk order essential?

Because not all shirts behave the same—especially under heat and pressure. Always test print one shirt and wash it at least once. Look for:

• Color bleeding
• Shrinkage affecting design placement
• Ink cracking or fading

That one test run can save you thousands.

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Conclusion

Finding the right long sleeve shirts for screen printing in 2025 is easier when you know what to look for: fabric quality, fit, supplier reliability, and smart testing. Whether you print for a brand or a business, it all starts with the right blank.

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