Worried your final print quality will be poor? Unsure which fabric is best for your team? Ordering for a large group can feel like a logistical nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. Getting incredible custom t shirts for your company, team, or event should be simple and exciting. When you’re investing in gear to represent your brand, you need a result that is professional, vibrant, and something people will actually love to wear. You need confidence that you’re getting it right, every single time.

That’s exactly what this guide delivers. We are cutting through the confusion to give you the expert playbook for ordering high-quality shirts in bulk. You will learn everything you need to know to make smart decisions-from choosing the most comfortable and durable fabrics to selecting the most cost-effective printing method for your design. We’ll show you how to streamline your order, get the best possible price, and create a professional-looking shirt that makes a powerful statement. Let’s get started.

Why Custom T-Shirts Are a Must-Have Promotional Tool

Forget flimsy flyers and forgettable digital ads. Why settle for a simple giveaway when you can create a walking billboard? Custom t shirts transform your audience, employees, and supporters into active brand ambassadors. From a simple undergarment to a global style icon, the history of the t-shirt shows its power as a canvas for expression. Today, that canvas belongs to your brand, turning every person who wears it into a moving, talking endorsement.

See just how easy it is to bring vibrant designs to life with modern printing techniques:

Compared to the fleeting impact of a pay-per-click ad, a high-quality custom shirt delivers impressions for months or even years, offering an incredible return on investment (ROI). It’s more than just marketing; it’s about connection. A great design showcases your brand’s personality-bold, fun, or sophisticated-while building a powerful sense of community. They unify teams, create lasting keepsakes for special events, and give fans a tangible way to show their pride.

For Corporate Events & Giveaways

Equip your team with professional, unified apparel for trade shows and conferences. Ditch the cheap pens and offer high-quality swag that clients and employees will wear with pride. It’s a simple, effective way to reinforce your brand identity and present a polished, cohesive image that makes a lasting impression long after the event is over.

For Sports Teams & Schools

Ignite team spirit and get the crowd roaring! Custom apparel is essential for boosting fan engagement, creating durable practice uniforms, and raising funds for booster clubs. From championship games to spirit week, give your athletes and supporters a powerful way to wear their pride on their chest and show everyone who they stand for.

For Large-Scale Events & Promotions

Make your event unforgettable and your staff instantly recognizable. Whether you need official merchandise for a music festival or a mass giveaway to promote a product launch, custom tees put your brand in front of thousands. They are the ultimate tool for driving massive brand recognition and creating a memorable experience for every single attendee.

Choosing the Perfect Shirt: A Fabric & Style Breakdown

Your logo is the star, but the shirt is the stage. The foundation of high-quality custom t shirts is the blank garment itself. The right choice impacts everything-wearer comfort, design vibrancy, and how long your message lasts. Before you print, you must consider the fabric and style to ensure your shirt perfectly matches your audience, climate, and event. Get this right, and you create a promotional tool people will love to wear again and again.

Fabric Deep Dive: Cotton vs. Polyester vs. Blends

The feel and function of your shirt start with the material. Each fabric offers distinct advantages for different applications, directly impacting print quality and wearer experience.

• 100% Cotton: The undisputed classic. Incredibly soft, breathable, and a perfect canvas for vibrant screen printing. Ideal for company giveaways, casual events, and everyday brand apparel where comfort is key.
• 100% Polyester: The performance champion. This synthetic fabric is durable, wrinkle-resistant, and excels at wicking moisture away from the skin. It’s the go-to choice for sports teams, 5K races, and staff working in active environments.
• Cotton/Poly Blends: The best of both worlds. You get the softness of cotton combined with the durability and moisture-management properties of polyester. This versatile option is a crowd-pleaser for its amazing comfort and longevity.
• Tri-Blends: The premium upgrade. A mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon creates an exceptionally soft, lightweight shirt with a modern, slightly heathered look. Perfect for retail brands, high-end promotional gifts, or any time you want to make a high-quality impression.

Matching Style to Your Event

Beyond fabric, the cut of the shirt defines its look and suitability for your occasion. Choosing a style that aligns with your brand and event is crucial for creating custom t shirts that get results, and for brands aiming for a modern, high-end feel, specialized manufacturers like Athleisurebasics are setting new trends in athleisure apparel.

• Crewneck: Timeless and versatile. The standard crewneck is a can’t-miss choice for any group, from corporate events to family reunions. It offers a large, clean print area for maximum brand impact.
• V-Neck: A modern alternative. The V-neck provides a more stylish, contemporary look that works well for staff uniforms, retail merchandise, and fashion-forward promotional campaigns.
• Long Sleeve: Built for cooler weather. An essential option for fall events, outdoor work crews, or as a base layer. It also provides added sun protection and more “real estate” for sleeve designs.
• Performance Tees: Engineered for action. These shirts, often made from polyester or special blends, are designed for athletic activities. They are the only choice for sports teams, fitness events, and any physically demanding job.

Printing Methods Explained: The Right Choice for Your Design

The success of your custom t shirts hinges on one key decision: the printing method. This choice impacts everything-the final look, the texture of the design, durability, and your budget. Choosing the right technique ensures your logo or artwork is vibrant, crisp, and built to last. We’re the experts, and we’ll help you select the perfect method to make your design a massive success.

Screen Printing: The Gold Standard for Bulk Orders

This is the powerhouse of the t-shirt printing world. Screen printing works by pushing ink through a stenciled mesh screen directly onto the fabric, one color at a time. It’s the undisputed champion for large quantities, delivering incredible cost-efficiency and a durable, vibrant print that withstands wash after wash. This makes it the top choice for corporate events, team uniforms, and any large-scale promotional giveaway where quality and budget are key.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG): For Photos and Detailed Artwork

Need to print a full-color photograph or a design with complex gradients and fine details? DTG is your answer. This method uses a specialized inkjet printer that applies water-based inks directly to the shirt. It allows for an unlimited color palette and photorealistic quality, making it ideal for smaller batches or highly intricate artwork. While less cost-effective for massive wholesale orders, DTG offers unmatched detail for custom apparel that needs to truly stand out.

Heat Transfer (Vinyl/Digital): For Names & Numbers

When personalization is the goal, heat transfer is the MVP. This technique involves applying a design from a special transfer paper or vinyl onto the shirt using heat and pressure. It’s the perfect solution for adding individual names and numbers to sports jerseys or creating bold, simple graphics with a sharp, clean edge. The result is a durable, opaque finish that sits on top of the fabric, offering a distinct and professional look for personalized gear.

Design Like a Pro: Tips for a Shirt People Will Love

A great design is the difference between a shirt people wear proudly and one that ends up in a giveaway pile. Your goal is to create a walking billboard, not a forgotten piece of cloth. The key is an impactful, clean design that instantly communicates your brand’s message. Don’t overcomplicate it-focus on professional execution to get maximum results.

Key Design Principles for T-Shirts

To create amazing custom t shirts, you need to nail the fundamentals. Our design experts focus on these core principles to guarantee a high-quality, professional look for every order. Keep these tips in mind for a design that truly stands out.

• Logo Placement: Think about visibility. Classic spots like the left chest, full front, upper back, and sleeves each serve a different purpose. Choose the placement that best fits your design and goals.
• Color Theory: Contrast is king. A dark design on a dark shirt will disappear. Use bold, contrasting colors to make your logo and message pop off the fabric for a vibrant, eye-catching look.
• Typography: Your font choice matters. It must be readable from a distance and match your brand’s personality. Whether you’re bold and modern or classic and refined, choose a font that sends the right message.
• Less is More: The most effective shirt designs are often the simplest. Avoid cluttering your design with too much text or too many graphic elements. A clean, focused design looks more professional and is easier to remember.

Preparing Your Artwork File for Printing

Submitting a print-ready file is the most critical step for ensuring a flawless final product. The quality of your file directly impacts the quality of the print. We handle thousands of orders and know exactly what it takes to get it right. For the sharpest, most vibrant results, follow these industry standards.

• Use Vector Files: Files like .AI, .EPS, or .PDF are best. Vectors can be scaled to any size without losing quality, ensuring your logo is crisp and clean.
• High-Resolution Rasters: For printing methods like DTG, a high-resolution raster file (.PNG with a transparent background is ideal) is acceptable.
• Minimum 300 DPI: DPI stands for “dots per inch.” Anything less than 300 DPI will look blurry and pixelated when printed. Always start with a high-resolution source.
• Outline Fonts: Convert all text to outlines or shapes to prevent font substitution errors during printing. This locks your typography in place.

Common Design Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your investment pays off. A single mistake can compromise the entire batch of your custom apparel. We check every file for these errors, but starting with a solid design is the best way to guarantee success.

• Using low-resolution images that print blurry or pixelated.
• Choosing colors with poor contrast that make the design hard to see.
• Making the design too large or placing it in an awkward, unflattering position.
• Forgetting to proofread! A single typo can ruin a great design.

Ready to create a design people will love to wear? Our team is here to help you get it right. Get an INSTANT Quote NOW!

Ordering in Bulk: A Simple Process for Maximum Impact

Ready to outfit your entire team, company, or event? Wholesale ordering is the single most cost-effective way to transform your group into a unified force. At Rally Towels, we make the process incredibly simple. We are the trusted partner for major sports leagues and Fortune 500 companies, and we bring that same level of expertise and efficiency to your order of custom t shirts. Forget the logistical headaches-our streamlined system ensures a smooth journey from your initial quote to final delivery.

How to Maximize Your Budget with Wholesale Pricing

Getting the best value is about smart planning. We help you stretch every dollar without sacrificing quality. Follow these expert tips to get the most out of your budget:

• Volume is Your Advantage: The fundamental rule of wholesale is simple-the more shirts you order, the lower your price-per-shirt becomes. This unlocks significant savings for large groups.
• Limit Your Colors: Each color in your design requires a separate screen for screen printing. By limiting your design to one or two colors, you directly reduce production costs.
• Simplify Print Locations: Sticking to a single print location, like the front chest or back, is more efficient and budget-friendly than printing on multiple areas like sleeves and sides.
• Plan Ahead: Last-minute orders often incur rush production and shipping fees. Planning your order a few weeks in advance is an easy way to avoid these extra costs.

Streamlining Your Group Order

Organizing a large order of custom apparel doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve perfected a simple checklist to ensure accuracy and speed from start to finish. Our experts are here to guide you, but taking these steps will guarantee a flawless process:

• Use a Spreadsheet: The best way to collect names and sizes from your group is with a simple, shared spreadsheet. This eliminates confusion and provides a clear master list for your order.
• Order a Few Extras: Always add a few extra shirts in common sizes (M, L, XL). This saves you from the stress and cost of a small re-order for a new hire or a last-minute addition to the team.
• Confirm Your Proof: Before we print a single shirt, you will receive a digital artwork proof. Review every detail-spelling, colors, and placement-and give your final approval. This step ensures your vision comes to life perfectly.

Ready to see how easy and affordable it is to get high-quality custom t shirts for your entire group? Take the first step now.

Get an INSTANT Quote on Your Bulk T-Shirt Order NOW!

Bring Your Vision to Life with the Perfect Custom T-Shirts

You’re no longer just ordering apparel; you’re creating a powerful mobile billboard for your brand, team, or event. This guide has equipped you with the insider knowledge to make strategic choices-from selecting the perfect fabric blend and style to matching your design with the ideal printing method. A great shirt is more than just clothing; it’s a statement, a unifier, and a memorable piece of merchandise that people will actually want to wear.

Now, it’s time to partner with a team that can execute your vision at scale and with unmatched quality. At Rally Towels, we are the experts in high-volume, wholesale promotional orders. We are the trusted choice for professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, as well as Fortune 500 companies, because we guarantee high-quality printing for durable, vibrant designs that make a professional impact.

Your next great promotion is just a click away. Design Your Custom T-Shirts and Get a Wholesale Quote Today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best file format to submit my logo or design in?

For the highest quality print, we demand vector files. Submit your logo in AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, or a high-resolution PDF format. These files allow us to scale your design to any size without losing sharpness or clarity, ensuring a crisp, professional look on your final product. JPEGs or PNGs can work if they are at least 300 DPI, but vector is always the superior choice for a perfect print. Get your design ready and order now!

How do I choose the right t-shirt sizes for a large and diverse group?

For a diverse group, use the “bell curve” method. A great starting point for 100 shirts is: 10 Small, 25 Medium, 30 Large, 25 X-Large, and 10 XX-Large. This distribution covers the most common sizes effectively, ensuring most people get a comfortable fit. We can always adjust these ratios for your specific audience, whether it’s for a corporate event or a sports team. Let us help you get the perfect size mix.

What is the typical turnaround time for a bulk custom t-shirt order?

We are the #1 producer for a reason: speed and quality. Our typical turnaround time for bulk orders is 10-14 business days from final art approval to shipping. This includes production time to ensure every shirt meets our high standards. Need them faster? We offer rush services to meet your tight deadlines. Contact us with your event date, and we will make it happen. Get an INSTANT Quote NOW!

Can you print on the sleeves or the back of the t-shirts as well?

Absolutely! We are customization experts. We can print your logo or design almost anywhere on the t-shirt. This includes the standard front chest and full back locations, as well as the left or right sleeves and the yoke (just below the back collar). Transforming a simple tee into a fully branded piece of apparel is what we do best. Let’s create a truly unique design for your brand and get your order started today.

What’s the main difference between a unisex t-shirt and a women’s-fit t-shirt?

The main difference is the cut. A unisex t-shirt has a classic, straight-sided fit that’s looser and works for a wide range of body types. A women’s-fit t-shirt is more contoured. It typically features shorter sleeves, a more tapered waist, and a wider hip area to create a more form-fitting silhouette. For large events with diverse crowds, unisex is often the safest and most popular choice for broader appeal and easier distribution.

Is there a minimum quantity for ordering custom t-shirts?

To deliver wholesale pricing and the highest quality screen printing, our minimum order quantity for custom t shirts is typically 24 pieces per design. This allows us to cover the setup costs for screens and ink, ensuring a vibrant and durable print on every garment. For smaller needs or more complex designs, other printing methods may be available. Contact our team to discuss your project specifics. We handle orders of all sizes!

How can I ensure the colors in my design will look accurate on the final shirt?

We guarantee color accuracy by using the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Provide us with the specific PMS color codes for your logo, and we will custom-mix our inks to match them precisely. This ensures your brand colors look consistent and vibrant on the final custom t shirts. If you don’t have PMS codes, our expert design team can help you select the closest match from our stock colors to bring your vision to life perfectly.