Introduction
Choosing the right blank garment is just as important as the quality of your DTF transfer. Press a great transfer onto the wrong fabric and you'll end up with poor adhesion, cracking, or a stiff hand feel that kills the finished product.
At Vision Print Designs, we've been pressing DTF transfers for 6+ years — and we've tested a lot of blanks. This guide breaks down the garment brands we actually carry and stock, so you can match the right blank to your next project with confidence.
New to DTF? Start with our Best DTF Supplies for Beginners Guide before diving into blank selection.
What Makes a Blank "DTF-Friendly"?
Before we get into brands, here's what to look for in any blank you plan to press DTF transfers onto:
- Fabric content — DTF bonds best to cotton and cotton-poly blends. 100% polyester works but requires lower temps and careful peeling.
- Surface texture — Smooth, tight-knit fabrics give sharper transfer edges. Heavily textured or waffle-knit fabrics can cause incomplete adhesion.
- Color — DTF prints on any color, including dark garments — no white underbase needed.
- Pre-shrunk — Always press pre-shrunk garments to avoid post-wash distortion of your transfer.
The Brands We Carry — and When to Use Them
Gildan Heavy Cotton G5000 (Unisex) & Gildan Women's Heavy Cotton
Best for: Everyday custom tees, bulk orders, budget-conscious projects
Gildan's Heavy Cotton line is the workhorse of the blank garment world — and for good reason. The 5.3 oz. 100% cotton construction gives DTF transfers a solid surface to bond to, and the pre-shrunk fabric means your transfer won't warp after the first wash.
- Great for dark and light colorways
- Affordable price point makes it ideal for large runs
- The women's cut offers a more fitted silhouette for custom apparel shops serving female customers
DTF tip: Press at 305–315°F for 12–15 seconds with firm pressure. Cold peel for best results.
Tultex Fine Jersey T-Shirt (Unisex)
Best for: Retail-quality feel, fashion-forward blanks, softer hand feel
Tultex's Fine Jersey is a step up in softness and drape from standard cotton tees. The combed ring-spun cotton gives it a smoother surface — which means your DTF transfers lay flatter and look sharper.
- Ideal for boutique or retail-style custom apparel
- Lighter weight (4.5 oz.) for a more fashion-forward feel
- Works beautifully with detailed, full-color DTF artwork
DTF tip: Slightly lower pressure works well on lighter-weight jerseys to avoid over-pressing.
M&O Gold Soft Touch T-Shirt (Unisex & Youth)
Best for: Premium feel, youth apparel, soft-hand transfers
The M&O Gold Soft Touch lives up to its name. This is one of the softest blanks we carry, making it a great choice when the end customer experience matters — think branded merch, gift items, or youth apparel where comfort is a priority.
- Available in both adult unisex and youth sizing
- Ring-spun cotton for a premium, retail-quality feel
- Youth sizing makes it a go-to for kids' custom apparel
DTF tip: The soft surface bonds exceptionally well with DTF — expect a very soft hand feel post-press.
Core365 Performance T-Shirt (Unisex & Youth)
Best for: Athletic wear, moisture-wicking applications, sports teams
Core365's Performance tee is a 100% polyester moisture-wicking blank built for activewear. DTF on polyester requires a bit more care, but the results are excellent for sports teams, gyms, and athletic brands.
- Available in adult unisex and youth sizing
- Moisture-wicking, snag-resistant fabric
- Ideal for team uniforms, athletic clubs, and performance apparel
DTF tip: Press at a lower temp (290–300°F) on polyester to avoid dye migration. Do a test press first — especially on dark polyester.
Related: See our DTF vs Sublimation Guide to understand when sublimation might be a better fit for 100% polyester garments.
Threadfast Apparel 6oz. Dyed T-Shirt (Unisex)
Best for: Vintage aesthetics, unique colorways, fashion-forward projects
Threadfast's dyed tee brings a garment-dyed, lived-in look that's trending hard in custom apparel right now. The slightly heavier 6 oz. weight gives it a substantial feel, and the unique dyed colorways make every shirt slightly one-of-a-kind.
- Garment-dyed for a vintage, washed aesthetic
- Heavier weight = more premium feel
- DTF transfers pop beautifully against the rich, saturated colors
DTF tip: Garment-dyed fabrics can have slight surface variation — do a test press to confirm adhesion on your specific colorway.
LyfeLyke DTF 50/50 T-Shirt (Unisex)
Best for: Everyday wear, balanced softness and durability, DTF-optimized blanks
The LyfeLyke DTF 50/50 is specifically designed with DTF printing in mind — a 50% cotton / 50% polyester blend that balances softness, durability, and transfer adhesion. If you want a blank that's been engineered for DTF, this is it.
- Optimized fabric blend for DTF adhesion
- Soft feel with added durability from the poly content
- Great all-around blank for a wide range of custom apparel projects
DTF tip: The 50/50 blend is forgiving — press at 305–310°F for 12–15 seconds with medium-firm pressure.
Independent Trading Co. 8.5oz. Midweight Hoodie (Unisex)
Best for: Premium hoodies, cold-weather apparel, high-value custom pieces
When it comes to hoodies, Independent Trading Co. (ITC) is a fan favorite in the custom apparel world. The 8.5 oz. midweight fleece is thick, structured, and holds DTF transfers exceptionally well — especially on the chest and back panels.
- Heavy, premium feel that customers love
- Large print area for bold DTF artwork
- Available in a wide range of colors
DTF tip: Pre-press the hoodie for 3–5 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles before applying your transfer. This is especially important on thicker fleece.
Quick Comparison: Which Blank Is Right for Your Project?
| Brand | Weight | Fabric | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan G5000 | 5.3 oz | 100% Cotton | Bulk orders, everyday tees |
| Tultex Fine Jersey | 4.5 oz | Ring-spun Cotton | Fashion/retail, soft feel |
| M&O Gold Soft Touch | 4.5 oz | Ring-spun Cotton | Premium feel, youth apparel |
| Core365 Performance | Lightweight | 100% Polyester | Athletic, moisture-wicking |
| Threadfast Dyed Tee | 6 oz | Cotton blend | Vintage/fashion aesthetic |
| LyfeLyke DTF 50/50 | Mid | 50/50 Cotton-Poly | All-around DTF-optimized |
| ITC Midweight Hoodie | 8.5 oz | Cotton-Poly Fleece | Premium hoodies, cold weather |
Pro Tips for Pressing Any Blank
- Always pre-press — 3–5 seconds removes moisture and wrinkles for better adhesion on any garment.
- Test before you commit — Press one transfer on a test garment before running a full order.
- Match your temp to your fabric — Cotton runs hotter (305–320°F), polyester runs cooler (290–305°F).
- Use a Teflon sheet — Protects your platen and prevents scorching on lighter fabrics.
- Cold peel = safer — When in doubt, let it cool before peeling.
Need help with sizing your transfers? Check out our DTF Print Size Guide and Oversized DTF Print Size Guide to match your artwork to your blank perfectly.
Shop Our Blank Garments
All of the brands featured in this guide are available directly from Vision Print Designs — so you can source your blanks and your transfers in one place.
- Gildan Heavy Cotton T-Shirt (Unisex)
- Gildan Women's Heavy Cotton T-Shirt
- Tultex Fine Jersey T-Shirt
- M&O Gold Soft Touch T-Shirt (Unisex)
- M&O Gold Soft Touch T-Shirt (Youth)
- Core365 Performance T-Shirt (Unisex)
- Core365 Performance T-Shirt (Youth)
- Threadfast Apparel Dyed T-Shirt
- LyfeLyke DTF 50/50 T-Shirt
- Independent Trading Co. Midweight Hoodie