What blank garment is best for DTF printing?

100% cotton or cotton-rich blends work great for DTF. Colors are vibrant and the transfer adheres well. Polyester and synthetic blends also work. Bright Designs in St. Joseph can advise on the best blank for your design.

What fabric do you need for sublimation printing?

Sublimation requires 100% polyester or polyester-coated blanks. The higher the polyester content, the more vibrant the colors. Cotton does not work for sublimation.

Can Bright Designs help me choose the right blank garment?

Yes. Our team in St. Joseph will help you pick the right blank based on your decoration method, budget, and end use. Call (816) 83-SHIRT or visit bdshirts.com to start.

Can I provide my own blank garments to Bright Designs for printing?

Yes. We can print or embroider on customer-supplied blanks. Just bring them in or ship to our St. Joseph facility. We’ll advise on whether your blanks are suitable for the decoration method you want.

What does Bright Designs & Business Solutions do?

Bright Designs creates custom apparel, custom T-shirts, DTF transfers, embroidery, signs, banners, logos, web design, marketing materials, team stores, corporate stores, and small business branding support.

Where is Bright Designs located?

Bright Designs is located at 2308 N Belt Hwy in St. Joseph, Missouri, and serves customers across St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Northwest Missouri, and nearby communities.

Who does Bright Designs serve?

Bright Designs works with local businesses, schools, sports teams, churches, nonprofits, event organizers, fundraisers, contractors, restaurants, clubs, families, and organizations.

How do I start a custom apparel order?

You can start by calling 816-4-BRIGHT, texting 816-83-SHIRT, emailing sales@bdshirts.com, or using the online design and estimate tools at bdshirts.com.

What is DTF printing?

DTF printing, short for direct-to-film printing, is a custom apparel method where a design is printed onto transfer film and then pressed onto a garment. It works well for colorful designs, small runs, event shirts, business apparel, and repeat designs.

What is embroidery best for?

Embroidery is best for polos, hats, jackets, workwear, uniforms, and branded apparel that needs a professional, long-lasting look.

Do you offer team stores or corporate stores?

Yes. Bright Designs can help set up team stores and corporate stores for schools, teams, clubs, fundraisers, employee apparel, uniforms, and repeat group orders.

How to Choose Blank Garments for Custom Printing | Bright Designs

Bright Designs
May 11
2 min read

The blank garment is the foundation of your custom apparel. The best print in the world looks mediocre on a poor-quality shirt — and the right garment makes everything look better. Here's how to choose the right blanks for your project.

Cotton vs. Polyester vs. Blends

100% Cotton — soft, breathable, and great for DTF printing. Colors are vibrant. The most popular choice for everyday custom tees.
100% Polyester — required for sublimation. Lightweight and moisture-wicking, ideal for performance wear and jerseys.
50/50 Blends — combines softness with durability. Works well with DTF. Common in budget-friendly team shirts.
Tri-blends and softstyle fabrics — premium feel, great drape, popular for retail-quality custom apparel.

Shirt Weight Matters

Garment weight is measured in ounces per square yard. Heavier shirts (5.5 oz and up) feel more substantial and hold up better over time. Lighter shirts (4.5 oz and under) are more comfortable in warm weather and have a softer, more fitted feel. For most team orders and event shirts, a mid-weight cotton or softstyle tee is the right call.

Color Matters for Print Quality

DTF printing works on any color garment — dark, light, bright, or pastel. The white underbase in the transfer process ensures your colors stay true regardless of the shirt color. Sublimation, on the other hand, only works on white or very light-colored polyester garments — the ink bonds with the fabric and the shirt color affects the final result.

Can I Bring My Own Garments?

Yes — we accept customer-provided garments. However, we are not responsible for mistakes, misprints, or damage to items you supply. If you want complete peace of mind, let us source the garments. We have access to a wide range of brands, styles, colors, and sizes from XS through 4XL with youth sizes available.

We Help You Choose

Not sure what blank is right for your project? That's a normal question — just tell us what the item is for, who's wearing it, and how it'll be used, and we'll point you to the right garment. We've been helping customers make these decisions for nearly 20 years.

Call or text (816) 83-SHIRT, email sales@bdshirts.com, or visit bdshirts.com to get started.

Tier	Rate
12–49"	$0.60/in
50–99"	$0.55/in
100–239"	$0.50/in
240"+	$0.45/in
Wholesale from $0.40/in

How to Choose Blank Garments for Custom Printing | Bright Designs

Cotton vs. Polyester vs. Blends

Shirt Weight Matters

Color Matters for Print Quality

Can I Bring My Own Garments?

We Help You Choose

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Cotton vs. Polyester vs. Blends

Shirt Weight Matters

Color Matters for Print Quality

Can I Bring My Own Garments?

We Help You Choose

Comments

P.A.N.D.A. Program Estimate Calculator

Your Garments

Add-Ons

Contact Us for a Custom Quote

Your Estimate

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Gang Sheet Builder

Sheet Setup

Add Designs

Actions

Layers

Pricing Reference

Want us to print this?

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Garment Mockup Generator