If you’re planning custom t-shirt printing in Australia, choosing the right blank tee is just as important as the design itself.
The wrong shirt can lead to:
- poor print results
- fading or cracking
- unhappy customers
The right shirt?
👉 clean prints, better feel, and merch people actually want to wear.
In this guide, we break down the best t-shirts for screen printing in Australia in 2026 — based on quality, print performance, and real-world results.
🥇 1. AS Colour (Best Overall)
AS Colour is the go-to choice for most Australian brands — and for good reason.
Why it’s the best:
- Consistent sizing and quality
- Smooth surface = better print detail
- Great for both water-based and plastisol printing
- Premium feel customers actually notice
Popular options:
- Staple Tee (5001) – best all-rounder
- Classic Tee – heavier, more structured
- Heavy Tee – premium streetwear feel
👉 If you’re printing merch, brand tees, or anything retail — this is the safest bet
🥈 2. Gildan (Budget Option)
Gildan is widely used for bulk orders and budget jobs.
Pros:
- Lower cost
- Good for large quantities
- Easy to source
Cons:
- Rougher fabric
- Less premium feel
- Print quality not as sharp as AS Colour
👉 Best for:
- events
- promotions
- short-term use
🥉 3. JB’s Wear / Biz Collection (Workwear)
If you’re printing for trades or uniforms:
Why they work:
- durable
- practical fits
- designed for work environments
👉 Best for:
- workwear
- construction
- business uniforms
🎯 What Actually Matters for Printing
Most people focus on the brand — but these matter more:
✔ Fabric Type
- 100% cotton = best for screen printing
- Blends = can affect print clarity
✔ Fabric Smoothness
Smoother shirts = sharper prints
👉 This is why AS Colour performs better
✔ Weight (GSM)
- 160–180 GSM → lighter, cheaper
- 200–220 GSM → premium feel
- 240+ GSM → heavy streetwear
✔ Print Method
Different shirts behave differently depending on print style:
- Water-based ink → soft feel, premium finish
- Plastisol → bold colours, high opacity
- DTF → good for small runs
💀 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing the cheapest shirt → hurts your brand
- Ignoring fit → customers won’t wear it
- Using rough fabric → poor print results
- Not matching shirt to print method
🔥 What We Recommend (Simple Answer)
If you’re unsure:
👉 Go with AS Colour Staple or Classic Tee
It gives you:
- reliable print quality
- premium feel
- better long-term wear
🚀 Ready to Print?
If you’re looking to get t-shirts printed:
- bulk orders
- merch for your brand
- event or business tees
We offer:
- fast quotes
- premium screen printing
- flexible quantities
👉 Get a quote today and we’ll help you choose the right shirt for your job
📍 Local & Australia-Wide
Based in Sydney, we offer:
- local pickup in Narrabeen
- fast delivery across Australia