When it comes to custom t-shirt printing, one of the most common questions we get asked is:
"Can I just buy a shirt from Temu, Shein or Kmart and have you print on it?"
The short answer? Sometimes.
The better question is whether it's going to give you the result you're hoping for.
At Shirt Happens, we've spent more than 10 years in the garment printing industry, and one thing we've learned is that a great print can only be as good as the garment underneath it.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap T-Shirts
It's easy to look at a $5 shirt online and think you've found a bargain.
But when it comes to custom apparel, workwear, event shirts and branded merchandise, the cheapest garment isn't always the most cost-effective choice.
Lower-priced garments can vary significantly in quality, including:
- Fabric weight and feel
- Stitching quality
- Sizing consistency
- Shrinkage after washing
- Shape retention
- Dye consistency between batches
- Print surface quality
While a shirt may look similar in a product photo, the difference often becomes obvious once it's been worn, washed and put to work in the real world.
Why We Choose AS Colour
At Shirt Happens, our preferred garment supplier is AS Colour.
We don't recommend AS Colour because they're the most expensive. We recommend them because they're one of the most consistent garment brands available in Australia.
Consistency matters.
When you're ordering uniforms for your team, merchandise for your brand, shirts for an event or apparel for your business, you want confidence that the next shirt will fit, feel and print the same as the first one.
AS Colour garments are known throughout the industry for their quality fabrics, modern fits and reliable construction. They also offer a huge range of styles that stay current with fashion trends, rather than simply producing generic blank garments.
The result is apparel that looks professional, feels comfortable and provides an excellent surface for DTF garment printing.
We Have Options for Every Budget
One of the biggest misconceptions about AS Colour is that every garment is premium-priced.
In reality, their range covers a variety of budgets and applications.
For customers looking for an affordable option, styles such as the AS Colour Block Tubular offer excellent value while still delivering reliable quality and printability.
At the premium end of the range, garments such as the AS Colour Heavy Tee provide a thicker, more structured fit that has become incredibly popular with clothing brands and customers looking for a more substantial feel.
Neither option is right or wrong.
The best garment depends entirely on what you're using it for.
Choosing the Right Shirt for Your Project
Different projects have different priorities.
Small Business Uniforms
For businesses, durability and consistency are often key. Staff uniforms need to wash well, maintain their shape and continue looking professional over time.
Startup Clothing Brands
For clothing brands, fit, fabric weight and overall garment quality often become a major part of the customer experience. The blank garment is just as important as the artwork printed on it.
Events and Fundraisers
For events, budget can play a larger role. The goal is often to find the best balance between cost, comfort and presentation.
Promotional Merchandise
For merchandise, it's important to choose a garment people will actually want to wear again after the event is over.
What About BYO Garments?
We can often print on customer-supplied garments, however it's important to understand that not all shirts are created equal.
Different fabrics, dyes, treatments and manufacturing processes can affect print quality and durability. Unfortunately, we can't verify the suitability of every garment purchased elsewhere, which is why we generally recommend garments we know and trust.
It's not about selling the most expensive shirt.
It's about helping you achieve the best possible result.
See and Feel the Difference for Yourself
One of the advantages of working with a local garment printer is that you don't have to guess.
If you're unsure which garment is right for your project, come and visit us in-store. We have a range of sample garments available to view, compare and try on, allowing you to feel the difference between styles, weights and fits before placing an order.
Whether you're launching a clothing brand, ordering business uniforms, organising an event or printing a one-off custom t-shirt, we're happy to help you find the right garment for your budget and goals.
Because at Shirt Happens, we believe great printing deserves a great garment underneath it.