Not all t-shirts are the same. The blank garment underneath your print determines how the product feels, how it wears, how it photographs, and whether your audience actually reaches for it again after the first wash. For event merch, club tees, and branded giveaways, choosing the right blank is one of the most important decisions in your order.

Fabric composition

100% cotton is the classic. Soft, breathable, comfortable against skin, and it takes print exceptionally well. The downside: cotton shrinks more than blends, wrinkles more easily, and isn't ideal for performance applications. For casual event tees and merch, pure cotton remains the standard.

Cotton/polyester blend (typically 50/50 or 60/40) combines the comfort of cotton with the durability and shape-retention of polyester. Blends shrink less, hold their shape better over time, and are generally lighter. The trade-off: they don't feel quite as soft as premium cotton, and DTG printing can be less reliable on high-polyester blends.

Tri-blends (usually cotton/polyester/rayon) produce an extremely soft, draped fabric with a heathered texture. Popular in premium streetwear and retail. The heathered appearance means solid-colour printing is less vibrant — works better with muted tones and vintage-style graphics.

100% polyester is for performance and sport applications only. Moisture-wicking, lightweight, dries fast. Not the right choice for printed merch sold or given at events — it doesn't have the hand feel or print quality of cotton for this purpose.

Fabric weight

Weight is measured in grams per square metre (GSM) and determines how substantial the tee feels.

• Under 150gsm: Very lightweight. Feels thin. Good for dry-fit athletic applications but not ideal for most event merch.
• 150–180gsm: Standard weight. The range most mid-tier promotional tees fall into. Acceptable but not premium.
• 180–200gsm: Solid mid-weight. The AS Colour 5001 Classic Tee sits at approximately 180gsm — this is the benchmark for quality event and club tees in Australia. Comfortable, holds its shape, takes print well.
• 200–240gsm: Heavy mid-weight. More substantial. A noticeably higher-quality feel that commands a higher sell price if you're retailing the product.
• 260gsm+: Heavyweight. The territory of premium streetwear and retail. Products like the AS Colour Heavy Tee. Significant hand feel and drape. Best for retail merch where the product quality is part of the brand story.

Fit

Fit has shifted dramatically in the last five years. The oversized silhouette that was niche streetwear is now the mainstream preference for younger Australian demographics. Understanding your audience's preference matters before you commit to a cut.

Classic/standard fit: Traditional proportions. Works across age groups. Not too fitted, not oversized. The safe choice for mixed-age audiences like community clubs and corporate events.

Slim fit: Tapered through body and sleeve. Better suited to younger, fashion-conscious audiences. Tends to flatter but is less comfortable for larger body types. Less popular as a universal event tee for this reason.

Relaxed/oversized: Wider body, dropped shoulder, longer hem. Highly popular with 18–35 demographics. If your audience is younger, this is likely what they want. Typically runs large — communicate this clearly when collecting orders.

Women's or fitted cut: When ordering for a predominantly female audience, a women's cut tee with a more fitted silhouette is significantly more popular than a unisex tee sized down. Worth offering as a separate option when demographics support it.

The AS Colour benchmark

In Australia, AS Colour has become the de facto benchmark for quality blank apparel. Their 5001 Classic Tee is the most commonly ordered blank for club tees, event merch, and branded apparel for a reason: consistent sizing, reliable quality across production runs, wide colour range, and excellent print surface. If you're unsure what blank to use, starting here is rarely the wrong decision.

The decision framework

• Casual event or club tee for a mixed adult audience: AS Colour 5001 or equivalent 180gsm cotton
• Premium retail merch for a brand or creator: 240gsm+ heavyweight cotton
• Sport or training application: polyester performance blend
• Youth or younger demographic: relaxed fit in a mid-weight cotton
• Corporate branded tee: standard fit mid-weight cotton, consider a colour beyond basic black or white

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