Blank Tee Brands Ranked: From Gildan to Los Angeles Apparel

The Blank Tee Is Everything

Your blank tee is the single most-worn item in your wardrobe. It goes under hoodies, under jackets, under flannels, and it stands alone on days when you cannot be bothered to think about your outfit. A good blank tee makes you look put-together with zero effort. A bad one makes you look like you got dressed in the dark at a gas station.

The difference between the two is not obvious on a hanger. Both are plain tees. But on your body, the differences in fabric weight, cut, neck construction, and shrinkage behavior are enormous. And with blank tees ranging from $3 to $50+, understanding what you are paying for matters.

We have worn, washed, and evaluated tees from every major blank brand. Here is the definitive ranking.

The Ranking Criteria

Every tee was evaluated on:

• Fabric weight and feel — How substantial does it feel? Is the hand feel pleasant?
• Fit and silhouette — Does it drape well? Are the proportions modern?
• Shrinkage — How much does it change after washing?
• Durability — How does it hold up after 20+ washes?
• Neck construction — Does the collar stretch, warp, or hold its shape?
• Value — Quality relative to price

Tier 1: The Best (Worth the Money)

1. Los Angeles Apparel 1801GD (Garment Dyed)

Price: ~$16-20 each Weight: 6.5 oz Fit: Slightly oversized, dropped shoulders, boxy body

The 1801GD is the blank tee king for a reason. The 6.5oz garment-dyed cotton has a weight and drape that feels premium without being stiff. The fit is modern — slightly boxy, dropped shoulders, and a length that works tucked or untucked. The garment-dyeing process gives each color a rich, slightly lived-in look from day one.

After 20+ washes, the 1801GD softens further without losing shape. The ribbed neck holds. Colors fade gracefully. This is the tee that small streetwear brands use as their blanks for a reason — it makes everything printed on it look better.

Best for: Anyone who wants the current streetwear silhouette at a reasonable price. This is the default recommendation.

2. Pro Club Heavyweight

Price: ~$8-12 each Weight: 6.5 oz Fit: True oversized, wide body, longer length

Pro Club is the West Coast streetwear blank. The heavyweight version has been a staple of hip-hop and chicano streetwear culture for decades, and its reputation is earned. At 6.5oz, the cotton is dense and opaque — no see-through issues, no clinging, no riding up.

The fit is genuinely oversized. If you are used to modern "oversized" fits from fashion brands, Pro Club is the original. Wide through the body, long in the torso, and built like the tee your dad wore in 1998. That is either exactly what you want or too much.

After washing, Pro Club shrinks about half a size, mostly in length. Size up if you want to maintain the full oversized look post-wash.

Best for: True oversized fit lovers, budget-conscious buyers who want quality, anyone building a streetwear wardrobe on a budget.

3. Lady White Co.

Price: ~$55-65 each Weight: 6.0-6.5 oz Fit: Relaxed, slightly boxy, beautifully proportioned

Lady White Co. is the premium option, and the price reflects it. The cotton is sourced from specific suppliers, the construction includes cover-stitched seams, and the fit is refined in a way that cheaper blanks cannot match. The ribbed collar is the best on this list — tight enough to hold shape, not so tight it chokes you.

Is it worth $55? For a basic wardrobe piece, that depends on your budget. The quality is genuinely superior to anything in the $10-20 range. Whether that quality difference justifies a 3-5x price increase is a personal calculation. Read our Essentials vs Nike Basics comparison for thoughts on pricing premium basics.

Best for: People who want the absolute best blank tee regardless of price. The buy-once, keep-forever approach.

Tier 2: Solid Options (Good Value)

4. Comfort Colors 1717

Price: ~$7-10 each Weight: 6.1 oz Fit: Relaxed, true to size, classic proportions

Comfort Colors has become the default for the college and young adult market, and for good reason. The garment-dyed cotton is soft from the first wear, the color range is massive, and the price is accessible. The fit is more traditional than LA Apparel — less boxy, less fashion-forward, but versatile.

The downside is that Comfort Colors tees shrink more than competitors. Size up, especially in length. The collar can also stretch after extended wear, though washing usually resets it.

Best for: Budget-friendly garment-dyed tees with good color options. Perfect for graphic tee printing.

5. Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight

Price: ~$8-12 each Weight: 7.5 oz Fit: Oversized, boxy, extremely heavy

Shaka Wear is the heaviest blank on this list. At 7.5oz, these tees feel like lightweight sweatshirts. They are structured, opaque, and have a presence that lighter tees cannot match. The oversized fit is comparable to Pro Club but with even more fabric weight.

The problem: in warm weather, these are unwearable. They are also stiff when new, requiring several washes to soften. If you live in a cold climate or want winter tees that layer under hoodies without bunching, Shaka Wear excels.

Best for: Cold weather, people who want maximum fabric weight, layering under hoodies and jackets.

6. Uniqlo U Crew Neck

Price: ~$20-25 each Weight: ~5.5 oz Fit: Relaxed, slightly cropped, wide body

Christophe Lemaire's design influence on Uniqlo U gives these tees a fashion-forward cut at a fast-fashion price. The width is generous through the body while the length is slightly shorter than typical, creating a proportion that looks intentional without being extreme.

The fabric is lighter than most tees on this list, which makes it a genuine summer option. The Supima cotton blend is smooth and holds color well. The main weakness is durability — after 15-20 washes, these tees show their fast-fashion origins with some pilling and softening at stress points.

Best for: Summer wear, people who want a fashion-forward blank without streetwear brand pricing.

Tier 3: Acceptable (Fine for What They Are)

7. Hanes Beefy-T

Price: ~$5-8 each Weight: 6.1 oz Fit: Standard, true to size, slightly tapered

The Beefy-T is the dependable workhorse. Not exciting, not terrible. The fabric weight is decent for the price, the fit is standard American cut, and the construction holds up reasonably well. It will not win any style awards, but it will not embarrass you either.

The collar is the weak point. After 10+ washes, it starts to stretch and curl. The fabric also shrinks noticeably in the first wash, so size up.

Best for: Layering pieces where the tee is not visible on its own. Undershirts, gym shirts, or base layers.

8. Champion Heritage Tee

Price: ~$18-25 each Weight: ~5.5 oz Fit: Relaxed, slightly athletic

Champion's blank tee benefits from the brand's jersey knit expertise. The cotton is smooth and comfortable with a slight athletic feel. The fit sits between standard and relaxed — roomier than a fitted tee but not oversized.

The small Champion "C" logo on the sleeve adds brand recognition without being overbearing. Whether that logo adds or detracts value depends on whether you want a truly blank tee or a branded one.

Best for: People who want a brand name on their basics without paying premium brand prices.

9. Next Level 3600

Price: ~$4-6 each Weight: 4.3 oz Fit: Slim, fashion-forward, lighter weight

Next Level dominates the custom printing market, and their 3600 (CVC blend) is the most popular blank for small brands that want a soft, fitted tee. The fabric is notably lighter and softer than most blanks, with a slightly heathered appearance from the CVC (cotton, viscose, polyester) blend.

The slim fit and light weight make this feel like a completely different category from the heavyweight blanks above. It works for layering and for summer, but it will not satisfy people who want substantial tees.

Best for: Small brand printing, summer wear, people who prefer lighter fabrics. Not for the heavyweight blank tee crowd.

Tier 4: Skip (Not Worth It)

10. Gildan 5000

Price: ~$3-5 each Weight: 5.3 oz Fit: Boxy, stiff, awkward proportions

Gildan is the default blank for events, promotions, and "we needed the cheapest tee possible" situations. The fabric is stiff when new, never fully softens, and the fit is neither intentionally oversized nor properly fitted. It exists in an awkward middle ground.

After washing, Gildan tees shrink unpredictably and the collar stretches into a boat neck. The only positive is the price — if you genuinely need the cheapest possible tee and do not care about how it looks or feels, Gildan is $3.

Best for: Painting, yard work, sleeping, or any situation where the tee's appearance is irrelevant.

The Sizing Reality

Every blank brand fits differently, and the size on the tag is more of a suggestion than a fact. Here is a practical guide:

If You Wear Medium in Standard Brands (Nike, Adidas)

• LA Apparel 1801GD: Medium (it runs slightly oversized already)
• Pro Club Heavyweight: Medium for oversized, Small for relaxed
• Comfort Colors 1717: Large (it shrinks)
• Shaka Wear: Medium
• Gildan 5000: Large (it shrinks and the medium is too narrow)

The Wash Test

Before committing to buying in bulk, buy one of each brand in your estimated size. Wash it twice in warm water, tumble dry on medium. The tee that emerges from this process fitting the way you want is the one you buy ten of.

Blank Tees and Streetwear Style

The "Expensive Blank" Look

A plain tee can look expensive with the right combination: heavyweight fabric, perfect fit, earth-tone color, and intentional pairing with the rest of your outfit. No branding needed. This is the earth tone trend at its simplest expression.

Under Layers

When a tee is going under a hoodie, jacket, or overshirt, fabric weight matters more than anything else. A thin tee under a hoodie bunches and disappears. A heavyweight tee maintains its presence and provides the visible hem, collar, or sleeve exposure that layered outfits depend on.

Color Rotation

Build your blank tee collection in this order:

1. White
2. Black
3. Cream or off-white
4. Grey (heather or solid)
5. Navy
6. Olive or sage

These six colors cover every outfit combination you will ever need. Add colors beyond these only when you have specific outfits that call for them.

Where to Buy

LA Apparel: Direct from losangelesapparel.net. Best prices on bundles. Pro Club: Amazon (Pro Club Heavyweight 3-Pack) or direct from Pro Club. Comfort Colors: Amazon (Comfort Colors 1717) or through screen printing suppliers. Shaka Wear: Amazon (Shaka Wear Heavyweight) or direct from Shaka Wear. Lady White Co.: Direct from ladywhiteco.com or stockists like Canoe Club and Bodega.

The Final Ranking

1. Los Angeles Apparel 1801GD — Best overall. Modern fit, great weight, fair price.
2. Pro Club Heavyweight — Best budget heavyweight. Proven, reliable, affordable.
3. Lady White Co. — Best premium. Worth the price for those who can afford it.
4. Comfort Colors 1717 — Best garment-dyed budget option.
5. Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight — Best for maximum weight lovers.
6. Uniqlo U — Best lightweight fashion-forward option.
7. Hanes Beefy-T — Best no-frills workhorse.
8. Champion Heritage — Best branded basic.
9. Next Level 3600 — Best for printing and slim fit preferences.
10. Gildan 5000 — Best for not caring.

Your blank tee is the foundation of everything you wear. Invest in it accordingly. The difference between a $5 tee and a $16 tee is massive. The difference between a $16 tee and a $55 tee is real but diminishing. Know where your comfort zone is and buy the best your budget allows.

A great blank tee is the most worn, most versatile, and most important piece in streetwear. Treat it like one.