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According to a report by Grand View Research, the global print on demand (POD) market size was valued at $6.18 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $67.59 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 26.71%. Print-on-demand apparel, specializing in personalized and customized clothing, is the largest segment of the POD market, accounting for over 50% of the market share in 2022. This makes it a winning product for POD entrepreneurs in the upcoming years.
Shirts are a versatile product that can be worn for a variety of occasions and personalized with names, photos, designs, and text, making them a popular choice for gifts. In this article, we will walk you through the different types of shirts for print on demand, compare the pros and cons of each type, and provide you with best practices for choosing the right shirt for your POD business.
Different types of shirts for print on demand
This section will walk you through several different types of shirts that are most popular for print on demand. However, it’s important to target your audience to pick out the most suitable product for your business. For example, if you target hot-climate regions, selling sweatshirts and hoodies may not be a good idea. Go for T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, or tank tops instead. Still, you can consider adding a few winter products to your store as seasonal products or just to bring your customers more options.
T-shirts
According to Statista, revenue in the T-Shirts market amounts to $43.94 billion in 2023 and will grow at a CAGR of 3.31% from 2023 to 2028, making T-shirts one of the most popular apparel globally. T-shirts are also a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. They came in all shapes, sizes and length, with short sleeves or long sleeves, collars or bands. Most t-shirts are made from 100% cotton or blended fabrics with desirable properties, such as cotton/polyester, cotton/viscose, cotton/rayon, or cotton/linen.
There are a number of reasons why T-shirts are so popular worldwide, including but not limited to:
- T-shirts are comfortable and functional, can be dressed up or down, from casual to formal occasions.
- T-shirts are affordable for everyone, regardless of budget. Customers can easily select a T-shirt at any price, from regular markets and online stores to high-end brands, making T-shirts a good value clothing option.
- T-shirts are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. There is always a T-shirt to suit every taste, from plain white T-shirts to graphic tees with unique designs.
- Wearing T-shirts is a popular way to express personal style. Customers can show support for a favorite music band, to express their political beliefs, or simply to showcase their unique personality through a simple T-shirt.
These reasons make T-shirts a winning product for every POD business. And they’re budget-friendly, easy to make, and potential to sell. You can even start your own print on demand T-shirt business at home within a few simple steps.
Hawaiian shirts
Hawaiian shirts (also called aloha shirts) are a relaxed type of loose-fitting short-sleeved shirt made from lightweight, breathable fabrics featuring colorful, bold floral, tropical, or Hawaiian-inspired prints.
Hawaiian shirts were first popularized in the early 1900s by Filipino workers who came to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations. The workers brought their traditional Filipino clothing with them, which included loose-fitting, brightly colored shirts. The shirts quickly became popular with the local population, and eventually became a symbol of Hawaiian culture.
Now, people all over the world wear Hawaiian shirts. The shirts make people think of relaxing, having fun, and the Hawaiian way of life. Many people like to wear them on vacation, to the beach, or just for casual days. Hawaiian shirts are a fun and colorful choice for many occasions.
Button-down shirts
A button-down shirt, also known as a dress shirt, is a type of shirt with a collar and a full-length opening at the front, which is fastened using buttons. Button-down shirts are commonly made from cotton or linen, and they come in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles. Button-down shirts are a staple of any wardrobe and a classic and timeless garment that can be worn for many years to come.
This type of shirt is typically more formal than other types of shirts but still suitable for casual occasions. Button-down shirts can be worn for work, business meetings, special events, dinners and even parties.
Polo shirts
Polo shirts, also known as tennis shirts or golf shirts, are a type of short-sleeved shirt with a collar and a few buttons at the placket. Most polo shirts are made from knitted cotton, such as piqué, and are famous for their comfort, breathability, and adaptability.
Polo shirts were first introduced in the early 1900s by René Lacoste, a French tennis player. Lacoste wanted to create a shirt that was more comfortable and breathable than the traditional long-sleeved white shirt that was worn by tennis players at the time. He also wanted a shirt that would look more stylish on the court.
Polo shirts quickly became popular among tennis players and other athletes, and they soon became a popular choice for casual wear as well. Today, polo shirts are a great addition to any wardrobe and worn by people of all ages and genders for both formal and casual occasions.
Bleached shirts
A bleached shirt (or acid-washed shirt), is a shirt that has been treated with a bleach solution to create a faded, distressed look. There are many ways to bleach a shirt, each results in a different effect, such as:
- Dip bleaching: The shirt is dipped into a bleach solution for a short period of time, then removed and rinsed. This technique commonly produces a subtle, even fade.
- Spray bleaching: In this method, the shirt is sprayed with a bleach solution using a spray bottle, resulting in a more irregular, distressed look.
- Brush bleaching: Bleach is applied to the shirt using a brush. This technique can be used to create specific designs or patterns.
Bleached shirts are an interesting choice for casual wear, as it brings a vintage and edgy look to the wearer. You can leverage your bleached shirt catalog with a variety of long sleeve or short sleeve, tank top or V-neck shirts.
Sweatshirts
A sweatshirt is a long-sleeved pullover shirt typically made of thick, brushed cotton or polyester fabric. It is comfortable, versatile, and can suit both casual to athletic style, making it a great option for print on demand products. Common variants of sweatshirts include crewneck, V-neck, and zippered sweatshirts.
Sweatshirts are typically characterized by the following features:
- Thick, brushed fabric: This fabric is soft and comfortable, and it helps to keep the wearer warm.
- Pullover design: Most sweatshirts are pulled over the head, rather than buttoned or zipped up.
- Long sleeves: Sweatshirts usually come with long sleeves, which can provide additional warmth and protection from the elements.
- Ribbed cuffs and hem: Sweatshirts often have ribbed cuffs and hem, which help to keep the shirt in place and prevent it from riding up.
- Sweatshirts can be worn in a variety of ways. For a casual look, pair a sweatshirt with jeans or shorts. For a more athletic look, pair a sweatshirt with leggings or sweatpants. Sweatshirts can also be layered under a jacket or coat for added warmth.
Hoodies
Hoodies are basically sweatshirts with a hood that can be pulled up over the head. Though hoodies have been around for many years, they became especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s. They were often associated with hip-hop culture and skateboarding. There are numerous features that make hoodies popular:
- Comfort: Hoodies are made from soft, comfortable fabrics such as cotton, polyester and fleece that are perfect for relaxing or working out.
- Warmth: The hood on a hoodie can be pulled up over the head for maximum warmth and comfort on cold days.
- Versatility: Hoodies can be worn for a variety of occasions, from casual to athletic. They can also be layered with other clothing items.
- Style: Hoodies are available in a variety of colors, styles, and designs, making them a great choice for expressing one’s unique style.
Today, hoodies come in a variety of styles, such as sleeveless hoodies, short sleeve hoodies, blanket hoodies, or hoodie dresses, allowing print on demand sellers to sell them all year round.
Jersey shirts
Jersey shirts are knitted shirts, typically made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers. They are soft, comfortable, and stretchy, making them popular for sports uniforms and casual wear alike. are a versatile apparel that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
Jersey shirts offer a number of advantages over other types of shirts, such as:
- Soft and comfortable
- Breathable
- Stretchy and movable
- Durable
- Easy to care for
There are many ideas and style to make a Jersey shirts distinctive, including:
Tank tops
Tank tops, or sleeveless shirts, are a type of shirt with wide shoulder straps and no sleeves. They are typically made from a lightweight, breathable fabric such as cotton or jersey. Tank tops are a great choice for hot weather, casual wear, activewear, and swimwear.
Tank tops were first introduced in the early 1900s as a type of underwear for women. However, they quickly became popular as an outer garment as well. Tank tops became especially popular in the 1920s and 1930s, when they were often worn by women to participate in new sports such as tennis and swimming.
Besides classic tank tops, you can go beyond the line and surprise your customers with extraordinary variants, such as a sleeveless dress, criss cross open back tank top, or polo tank top.
Pros and cons of different shirt types for print on demand
We understand that selling different types of shirts at a time may be difficult, especially for new entrepreneurs. Therefore, we’ve compiled a handy comparison between the pros and cons of the most popular types of shirts for POD below so that you can pick the most potential and suitable product.
| Shirt Type | Pros | Cons |
| T-shirts | Most popular type of shirt for POD, versatile, affordable | Can be less durable than other types of shirts, may not be suitable for all occasions |
| Button-down shirts | More formal than t-shirts, can be dressed up or down | Can be more expensive than t-shirts, may not be as comfortable as some other types of shirts |
| Polo shirts | More casual than button-down shirts, but still more formal than t-shirts | Can be more expensive than t-shirts, may not be as cool as some other types of shirts in hot weather |
| Long-sleeve shirts | Good for cooler weather, can be dressed up or down | Can be more expensive than t-shirts, may be too warm for hot weather |
| Hoodies | Casual and comfortable, good for cold weather | Can be bulky, may not be suitable for all occasions |
| Sweatshirts | Casual and comfortable, good for cold weather | Can be bulky, may not be suitable for all occasions |
| Tank tops | Good for hot weather, can be dressed up or down | May not be suitable for all occasions |
Important factors to consider for a successful POD shirt business
When selling print on demand shirts, it is important to consider four key factors: fabric, fit, color, printing method, as these all have a significant impact on the overall quality and effect of the shirt.
Fabric
It’s no doubt that fabric is the most fundamental factor that affects the user experience. Picking the right shirt materials can make a huge difference in how comfortable a shirt is to wear. For example, natural fabrics like cotton and linen are more breathable than synthetic fabrics like polyester. Materials can also affect the performance, durability and appearance of a shirt. For instance, a shirt made from a moisture-wicking fabric will be more suitable to wear during exercise than a shirt made from a non-wicking fabric.
Fit
The fit of a shirt refers to how it conforms to the wearer’s body. Main factors to determine the fit of a shirt are the sleeve length, shoulder width, chest width, waist circumference, and overall length. There are also four main types of shirt fits, including:
- Regular fit is the most common type of shirt fit and can go with most body types.
- Slim fit is more tailored and contours to the body, making it a good choice for people with a lean build.
- Athletic fit is designed to accommodate a muscular build. It is a good choice for athletes and bodybuilders.
- Relaxed fit is loose and comfortable, suitable for people who prefer a more casual look.
By offering a variety of shirt fits, you are giving your customers more options to choose from, and you are increasing the chances that they will find the perfect shirt for their needs.
Color
Today, shirts are available in a wide range of colors, with new trends emerging all the time. For example, the trending colors of 2023 include Viva Magenta, Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue, and Verdigris. As customers are often drawn to trending colors, selling shirts in these colors can boost your sales and increase customer satisfaction.
To capture customers’ attention and stand out from the competition, you must stay up-to-date on new color trends, level up your color game, and create unique and stunning designs with creative use of colors.
Printing method
Selecting the right printing method is the key to enhance the appearance and durability of print on demand shirts. Today, there are multiple shirt printing methods, like Screen Printing, Heat Transfer, Digital Printing, etc. Each method comes with its own pros and cons, and works best on different types of fabrics. For example, the Dye Sublimation is most effective on synthetic fibers like polyester, spandex, and blends, but it is not compatible with natural fibers like cotton or silk.
Conclusion
Now that you have the basics of different types of shirts, you’ll be able to figure out which type would work best for you and run your print on demand business more effectively. Together with proper product research, quality control, and excellent branding will help you succeed in the long run.
Partnering with a trusted Print On Demand partner like Merchize can help you with your branding efforts by providing you with high-quality products and tailored branding services. We provide a range of branding options, from customized packing bags to thank-you cards to increase your brand awareness and customer satisfaction. Sign up for Merchize today and start your successful journey with us!
