Tee buyer's guide: weight, fit and which blank to pick
The shirt matters as much as the print. A 6.1-ounce PC61 on a drilling crew and a 4.5-ounce PC450 on a coffee shop's merch shelf are both the right call, and swapping them would be wrong both ways. Here is how Battle Born Clothing picks, with the numbers.
The comparison
| Style | Fabric | Weight | Fit | Blank | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port & Company PC61 | 100% cotton | 6.1 oz | Classic | $6.04 | Crews, work, anything that gets abused |
| Port & Company PC54 | 100% cotton | 5.4 oz | Classic | Quoted per job | Events, fundraisers, giveaways |
| Port & Company PC55 | 50/50 blend | 5.5 oz | Classic | Quoted per job | Hot-weather crews, hot washes |
| Port & Company PC450 | Ring spun cotton | 4.5 oz | Modern | Quoted per job | Merch, startups, gyms |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | Ring spun, garment-dyed | 6.1 oz | Relaxed | Quoted per job | Premium merch, breweries, outfitters |
| Gildan 64000 | Ring spun cotton | 4.5 oz | Semi-fitted | Quoted per job | Budget giveaways |
| Sport-Tek ST350 | 100% polyester | 3.8 oz | Athletic | Quoted per job | Runs, teams, summer field work |
Weight: what the ounces mean
Ounces per square yard. Six ounces is a heavyweight: thick, holds its shape, hides what is under it, warmer. Four and a half is a lightweight: drapes, feels like a retail tee, cooler in a July heat wave. Five and a half sits between. Heavier is not better; it is better for work and worse for merch.
Fabric: cotton, blend, polyester
- 100% cotton (PC61, PC54, PC450, 1717, 64000): breathes, prints with any ink including discharge, shrinks a little, the standard.
- 50/50 blend (PC55): less shrink, dries faster, plastisol only (no discharge), good for crews that wash hot.
- 100% polyester (ST350): wicks, no shrink, needs low-bleed ink or DTF, the race and team shirt.
Ring spun vs open-end
Ring spun cotton (PC450, 1717, 64000) is smoother and softer because the fibers are twisted tighter. Open-end cotton (PC61, PC54) is a little coarser and tougher. The print looks slightly crisper on ring spun. For a crew tee the difference does not matter; for merch people buy, it does.
Garment-dyed
The 1717 and the PC099 Beach Wash are dyed after they are sewn, so the color is softer and slightly varied shirt to shirt. That is the look. Keep the art simple and expect shade variation. They cost more than a PC61 and are quoted per job.
Fit and sizing
Classic fit (PC61, PC54, PC55) is roomy through the body; order true to size. Modern or semi-fitted (PC450, 64000) is trimmer; some people go up one. Athletic (ST350) runs close. For a crew where you cannot try shirts on, classic fit is the safe choice. Sizes 2XL and up carry the supplier upcharge, usually $1 to $7 by size. Youth sizes exist in the PC54Y and the ST350.
Why we default to Port & Company
Port & Company is our go-to budget blank. We consider it quite a bit better than Gildan at the same money: more consistent color between dye lots, a better collar, fewer seconds. The Gildan 64000 is on this site because some giveaway budgets need it, not because we prefer it.
Quick picks
- Crew tee for a roofing contractor: PC61.
- 500 giveaway tees for a conference: PC54 or 64000.
- Brewery merch: PC450 or 1717.
- Summer landscaping crew in a hot climate: PC55.
- 5K participant shirts: ST350.
- School spirit wear with youth sizes: PC54 and PC54Y.
Ask which blank fits your order
Questions
Can I mix styles in one order?
Yes. Same art on a PC61 for the crew and a PC450 for the office is one order and one set of screens if the art is the same size.
Do you have ladies' cuts?
Yes for most styles; ask. Ladies' versions are quoted per job.
Can I see a blank before ordering?
Samples can be arranged. They ship UPS Ground, or Nevada buyers can pick up in Yerington by appointment.