TopTex guide: choosing the right t-shirt for personalisation

At TopTex, your satisfaction is our priority, which is why we’ve come up with this article to help you choose the right t-shirt for personalisation, depending on the needs of your customers.

What is the first step in selecting the most suitable item? Ask yourself the right questions and, most importantly, ask your end customer! Here are some examples to inspire you:

• What is the t-shirt’s primary purpose? Is it a promotional object or a fashion item?
• How will the t-shirt be used? Will it be put through its paces? Will it have to withstand bad weather and sweat? Will it be frequently worn, soiled and washed?
• What fit, finish and level of comfort is expected by the end customer who will wear the t-shirt?
• What quantities and sizes should be supplied?
• Should restocking be expected? How often?
• What marking technique will be used for decoration access? What design will be flocked, printed or embroidered onto the t-shirt: logo, photo, text? Will it be identical for the whole series?
• Will a brand logo be applied to the label on the final version of the t-shirt?
• What is the overall budget?

In short, clearly defining all these criteria in advance is THE secret to making a sensible and appropriate choice. Once all this information has been gathered, it’s time to look at the available options.

Technical characteristics, examples of use and style recommendations: let us help you decipher the most important factors when it comes to the various t-shirt ranges available at TopTex.fr Follow the guide!

Then it comes to fabric, there’s often no shortage of cotton: soft, comfortable and absorbent, it’s known for being affordable. Carded cotton (which has undergone a process that uses only the short cotton fibres) is even more affordable although slightly rough to the touch. For a softer and more stable version, combed cotton makes a good alternative; its very smooth surface is also particularly suitable for personalisation.
In terms of weight, light t-shirts (between 110 and 150 g/m2) are the most popular for reasons of budget and comfort in summer.
Screen printing, transfer or printing: the choice of marking technique will depend on the budget, motif (simple or intricate, number of colours, etc.) and quantities. Prices also decrease for large quantities with the same design.

The TopTex selection

KIDS

Personalised t-shirts for a company and its teams

To strengthen a sense of belonging and cultivate corporate bonding within a company, it’s common to give out t-shirts personalised with the company logo to employees. Again, the options are many and depend on how the t-shirt will be used. Will it be worn on a daily basis? Does the end user work in a warehouse, for example, and may therefore sweat, be required to handle dirty objects or materials?

Some companies choose several options: a light-weight summer style, a winter style with long sleeves, or even different black and white versions. For something a bit more original, some styles are available in more than 10 colourways! When it comes to sizes, the ideal is to match them as closely as possible to the end users, who will have the opportunity to choose from classic S, M, L, and XL sizes.

Which fabric should you choose? For frequent use in a physical work setting, polyester tends to be favourable: it is hard wearing, non-crease, wicks away sweat and is easy-care. Don’t forget that for employees in the logistics or security sector, hi-vis t-shirts with reflective strips can also be personalised.
On the other hand, oil or grease stains will be harder to remove from polyester, which can only be washed at low temperatures (max. 40°).

To personalise a polyester t-shirt, sublimation is the most suitable technique for the material, if the t-shirt is white or light in colour. But in general, screen printing, transfer or some printing techniques (like DTF) can also work very well.

For a corporate t-shirt for more classic use, in an office for example, this may be an opportunity to choose an eco-friendly composition: recycled materials, organic cotton or even in-conversion cotton. And if the fabric is thick enough (180 g/m2 minimum), the company logo can be embroidered, guaranteeing elegance, durability and quality.

The TopTex selection

HIGH VISIBILITY

Hard-wearing t-shirts for sports use

Sports tournaments, races and competitions of all kinds: when it comes to sports, the choice often turns to a t-shirt made from synthetic fibres, such as polyester. Why? Because unlike natural plant fibres, synthetic materials are “hydrophobic”, which means they repel water and therefore perspiration. During effort, the t-shirt dries quickly and keeps you dry.

To give greater elasticity to the fibre and make it even more flexible and comfortable, polyester is often combined with elastane. All this is enough to win over those running a marathon or charity race, for example, who need a fabric that suits their body type and follows their movements perfectly. Finally, when it comes to care, a polyester t-shirt can be washed by hand or in a machine at 40°. It dries very quickly in the open air and does not need to be ironed. What could be easier?

As for cotton, slightly less common in sports t-shirts, this fabric is still popular for its comfortable, breathable and absorbent features. It can also be combined with other fibres, as in the PROACT® PA4011 men’s sports t-shirt, to create a mix called triblend that combines the comfort of cotton and hydrophobic properties of polyester, while adding weight to the fabric through viscose, so that it falls properly.

The TopTex selection

TRIBLEND

Fashion t-shirts for ready-to-wear shops

The t-shirt is a “first layer” and is therefore worn next to the skin. It will be washed often, which can impact its shape or alter its colour.
To make the right choice, it’s important you know the goals of your customer, which may be a fashionable clothing store looking for a basic that is well cut, high quality and hard wearing. Or maybe it’s a souvenir store that offers affordable pieces in a range of colourways.
Whatever the case, the criteria used to choose will not be the same. Let’s explain.

For top of the range, natural materials are the most sought-after, particularly cotton, of course. More and more brands, like those that are part of KARIBAN BRANDS, are taking care to offer sustainable alternatives, such as organic cotton with the GOTS label, certified OEKO-TEX® cotton or in-conversion cotton.
The premium choice is embroidery on a Supima® cotton t-shirt. Its extra long fibres make it particularly hard wearing, soft and comfortable.

For more affordable options, carded cotton may be a solution. For example, this Fruit Of The Loom (SC6) t-shirt is a timeless piece that can be easily personalised. Thin and comfortable, it comes in plenty of fashionable colours.

Finally, for a good quality/price ratio, polycotton makes a great compromise. The combination of polyester and cotton provides a smooth surface, perfect for decoration by transfer, printing or screen printing. These materials are easier to care for and less fragile than premium cotton. One further advantage is that choosing a jersey knit gives the fabric more elasticity, which will make it even more comfortable to wear.

Once the placement has been approved and the materials chosen, it’s time to refine the details: V-neck or slash neck, oversize cut, long t-shirt or fitted top…
And of course, remember to start thinking about any restocking you might need!

The TopTex selection

BASIC

Customisable t-shirts for a private event

Personalised t-shirts for a private event, reception or opening are always popular.
You can opt for carded cotton if your budget is limited. On the other hand, if you want to focus on quality so that your guests can enjoy their t-shirt even after the event, we recommend looking at more elaborate options. Jersey, combed ring spun cotton or polycotton, you’ll be spoiled for choice depending on the level of comfort and durability you’re looking for.
For a private conference with an ecological theme, it may well be relevant to favour eco-friendly pieces: in addition to being comfortable and pleasant to wear, a t-shirt made from organically grown cotton will have a limited environmental impact, which may be an important consideration for your customer and their guests.

In terms of shape, short sleeves remain a classic, combined with a crew neck that suits most body types. Our t-shirts are often available from S to 3XL while some styles offer larger sizes such as 5XL. Think about whether you would prefer a unisex or more fitted cut, as this sizing information could help you make your choice.

Equally, the motif will be decisive when it comes to picking the material of the t-shirt to be personalised. For example, for a stag or hen do, if the goal is to print a good-quality photo, you need to consider several parameters.
If the t-shirt is white and mainly made of polyester, sublimation will offer an accurate and long-lasting finish. If you choose an organic cotton t-shirt, DTG (Direct to Garment) printing will allow for a perfect finish and reduced environmental impact.

It’s important to remember that budget and order quantities can be decisive. For example, a similar motif printed on a large series will inevitably bring down costs. On the other hand, different motifs on each piece or a visual with several colours may require a special set-up during the personalisation process, which will inevitably increase prices. All these elements must therefore be carefully considered to offer the right t-shirt.

The TopTex selection

LARGE SIZE