Top Trendsetters: Must-Have Brands for Printed T-Shirts

When it comes to expressing individuality through fashion, printed T-shirts have become a staple in wardrobes around the globe. Featuring everything from witty quotes to intricate designs, these tees are not only versatile but also a canvas for personal expression. Several brands have mastered the art of creating high-quality printed T-shirts that combine comfort with style, making them sought-after pieces in the fashion industry. Below, we explore some of the best brands that offer the finest printed T-shirts in today's market.

Illustration of printed t shirts

Best brands of printed t shirts in 2025

Nike

Nike is one of the leading brands in the apparel industry, particularly notable for its dominance in athletic footwear and apparel, including custom and printed t-shirts. As of 2023, Nike holds a significant market share of 27.62% in the apparel, footwear, and accessories industry. The company's strong financial performance, with over $50 billion in revenue in recent years, and its production of over 800 million pairs of shoes annually, underscore its capability and influence in the market. Nike's market share in athletic footwear has grown substantially, from 17.9% in 2011 to 27.4% in 2020, and is expected to reach 30% in 2023. This growth is driven by high consumer demand and the company's innovative and stylish product offerings.

Adidas

Adidas is a leading producer of high-quality printed t-shirts, leveraging its strong position in the sportswear market with an 8% global share in 2022 and a 14.70% share in the sneaker market. The company's apparel segment, which accounts for 39% of its sales, includes a wide range of printed t-shirts that benefit from Adidas's innovative designs and accessible prices. In 2023, Adidas reported global net sales of approximately 21.4 billion euros, with a significant portion coming from apparel sales. The company's focus on both lifestyle and performance products, such as the popular Adicolor line, contributes to its success in the t-shirt market. Adidas's global presence, operating in over 150 countries, further solidifies its position as a top producer of printed t-shirts.

Supreme

Supreme, founded by James Jebbia in 1994, is a renowned streetwear brand known for its high-demand printed t-shirts, particularly the iconic Box Logo design. In 2023, Supreme generated $523.1 million in revenue, although this marked a 7% drop from the $561.5 million in 2022. The brand's products, including its coveted Box Logo Hoodie, often sell out quickly and resell at substantial premiums, with one hoodie fetching $90,000 at auction in 2017. Supreme's global appeal is evident in its 15 stores across Japan, the United States, Europe, and the UK. Despite a decline in recent sales, Supreme remains a significant player in the streetwear and fashion industry. For more information, visit the Supreme official website.

Uniqlo

Uniqlo stands out as a leading producer of high-quality, innovative clothing, including printed t-shirts, through its robust business model and commitment to innovation. The brand, valued at USD 9.2 billion, produces approximately 500 million articles of clothing annually, with about 80% made in China. Uniqlo's focus on in-house fabric and design innovation, such as its HeatTech and AIRism technologies, sets it apart from competitors. The company's efficient supply chain and strategic production planning allow for rapid replenishment of stocks and cost savings, enabling affordable prices for customers. With over 2,500 stores worldwide, Uniqlo caters to a broad customer base, including men, women, and children.

H&M

H&M is a leading producer of printed t-shirts, churning out 3 billion garments annually, with a significant presence in the global apparel market. The brand dominates the fast fashion sector, although it faces challenges related to sustainability, such as managing $4.1 billion worth of unsold clothes as of 2019. To address these issues, H&M is investing $100 million over five years to develop and scale up sustainable recycling technologies like the Green Machine. This initiative aims to make recycled fibers competitive with virgin ones, with recycled polyester costing only two cents more per t-shirt. H&M's supply chain involves over 574 commercial product suppliers and 1,027 tier 1 factories, employing around 1.4 million people, 63% of whom are female. For more details on their transparent supply chain efforts, visit H&M's supply chain transparency page.

Zara

Zara is a leading brand in the apparel industry, particularly notable for its printed t-shirts, with a global sales growth of 11.4% in the nine months to October 2023. The brand holds a 1% market share in the clothing and apparel industry and is known for its fast fashion strategy, combining affordability and a strong supply chain. Zara's customer base is diverse, with the 25-34 age group accounting for 32.93% of its customers. The brand enjoys high brand awareness, especially in the UK where 86% of fashion online shop users recognize the brand. Zara's eCommerce revenue has significantly increased, reaching $6.16 billion in 2022.

Patagonia

Patagonia stands out as a leader in sustainable and innovative apparel, particularly in the production of printed T-shirts. The company's Tee-Cycle shirts, launched in 2022, are made from 70% pre-consumer recycled cotton and 30% Infinna post-consumer recycled cotton, significantly reducing textile waste and carbon emissions. These T-shirts are part of Patagonia's commitment to a circular economy and are Fair Trade Certified. Since 2005, Patagonia's Common Threads program has successfully recycled over 6,000 kg of garments, and the company continues to expand its recycling initiatives. With sales quadrupling to over $1 billion annually in the last decade, Patagonia's focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing has been instrumental in its success. For more insights, visit their first circular T-shirt launch news.

Graphic Tees by Threadless

Threadless is a prominent producer of graphic tees, known for its innovative approach to design and production. The company leverages a crowdsourcing model, where approximately 1,000 designs are submitted and voted on by the community each week. By 2006, Threadless had achieved a significant profit of $6.5 million, and it continues to expand its product line, including the adoption of direct-to-garment (DTG) printing since 2011. Threadless prints around 1,800 shirts in the first print run for each design, generating substantial revenue from both initial and reprint sales. The company's commitment to quality and community-driven design has made it a leader in the graphic tees market.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters, while not exclusively a producer of printed t-shirts, is a notable retailer that has seen significant growth in its apparel segments. In the second quarter of 2023, Urban Outfitters Inc. logged a record quarterly sales of $1.27 billion, with a 7.5% increase, driven partly by higher initial markups and lower merchandise markdowns across its brands, including Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People. Despite a 14.1% decrease in sales for the Urban Outfitters brand itself, the company's other brands, such as Free People, saw a 26.9% increase in sales. The company's clothing rental service, Nuuly, also experienced substantial growth, with an 85% increase in subscribers. However, Urban Outfitters is more broadly recognized for its diverse retail offerings rather than being a specialized producer of printed t-shirts.

AllSaints

AllSaints is a premium British fashion brand that has excelled in producing high-quality printed t-shirts, as evidenced by its record sales and profits. In the year to January 2023, AllSaints saw a remarkable 36% increase in sales to £457 million, with significant growth driven by product development, e-commerce excellence, and a growing global store network. The brand's focus on intense product development and rigorous inventory management has been key to its success. AllSaints' entry into mainland China and the strong performance of its acquired brand, John Varvatos, further highlight its market strength. The brand's graphic t-shirts, hand-drawn in their East London Studio, offer a variety of styles and prints.