Tie-dye has made a triumphant return in recent years, and many fashion enthusiasts are eager to create their own colorful masterpieces. To achieve the perfect tie-dye look, selecting a quality shirt that can hold vibrant colors is essential. From heavyweight cotton tees to lighter blends, there are countless brands offering products suitable for this artistic technique. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the best brands for shirts that work exceptionally well for tie-dye projects.
Illustration of shirt for tie dye
Best brands of shirt for tie dye in 2025
Gildan
Gildan Activewear is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, affordable shirts ideal for tie dye, producing approximately 1.2 billion shirts annually. With a dominant 80% market share in the North American Printwear industry, Gildan offers reliable and cost-effective options, such as their popular Gildan Heavy Cotton™ T-Shirt - 5000, which sells to distributors for around $1.3 to $1.5 per unit. Their vertically integrated manufacturing process, including yarn spinning, garment dyeing, and sewing, ensures efficiency and lower production costs. Gildan's commitment to environmentally safe production and fast lead times, typically 4 days, further solidify its position as a top choice for tie dye enthusiasts. The company's investments in manufacturing enhancements and expansion plans continue to support its growth and market leadership.
Hanes
Hanes, a leading brand in the apparel industry, is renowned for its high-quality shirts that are ideal for tie-dye processes. As the number one selling apparel brand in the United States, Hanes is found in nine out of 10 U.S. households and covers a broad range of product categories, including T-shirts, fleece, and more. In 2018, Hanesbrands Inc. reported net sales of $1.8 billion from its Activewear segment, which includes T-shirts, representing approximately 26% of total net sales. Hanes' products are widely distributed across mass merchandise retailers, e-commerce sites, and department stores, making them a reliable choice for tie-dye enthusiasts. The brand's commitment to comfort, style, and value ensures that its shirts are a popular choice for various textile dyeing techniques.
Bella + Canvas
Bella + Canvas stands out as a premier producer of tie-dye shirts, adhering to a USA-strong approach to production where almost the entire manufacturing process, including design, dyeing, and cutting, takes place in America. They use high-quality Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, with a unique process that removes impurities and creates a smooth consistency, ideal for printing. The company's advanced cutting facility in Los Angeles can cut millions of pieces a week with unmatched precision, and they use only 3 gallons of water per pound of fabric dyed, significantly less than other manufacturers. Their garments are assembled in the U.S. or Central America, ensuring sweatshop-free and Platinum WRAP Certified production. With over 1,000 employees in their Los Angeles facility and a production of 10 million units per year, Bella + Canvas maintains high standards of quality and environmental responsibility.
Fruit of the Loom
Fruit of the Loom, known for its comfortable and stylish apparel, is an excellent choice for shirts suitable for tie-dye projects. Their shirts, often made from 100% cotton or cotton-rich blends, absorb dye well and retain vibrant colors. For optimal results, using a 100% cotton shirt from Fruit of the Loom is recommended, as cotton fibers respond best to the tie-dye process. This ensures that the colors remain bright and durable even after multiple washes. By choosing Fruit of the Loom, you can create unique and long-lasting tie-dye designs.
Comfort Colors
Comfort Colors is renowned for its high-quality, tie-dye inspired shirts, utilizing the innovative Pigment Pure™ dyeing process that reduces water usage by three times and energy consumption, while also cutting the dyeing time by approximately 40% compared to traditional reactive dyeing. The brand, which has been perfecting its dyeing techniques over 45 years, is known for its 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton shirts that offer exceptional softness and comfort. Comfort Colors' pigment-dyed shirts achieve a unique, vintage look with a wide array of nature-inspired hues. The brand has become a household name, especially popular among consumers for its soft and comfortable feel, as well as its environmental benefits. With a vast color palette of 95 different shades, Comfort Colors continues to stand out in the apparel industry. Discover more about their innovative dyeing and quality craftsmanship on their official website.
Next Level Apparel
Next Level Apparel is a leading brand in the promotional apparel industry, particularly renowned for its high-quality shirts ideal for tie dye. Founded in 2003, the company pioneered the development of a 65% poly 35% combed ring-spun cotton fabric, which is highly suitable for sublimation and other embellishments. Their fabrics, such as the tri-blend jersey made from 50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon, offer exceptional softness and stretch. Next Level Apparel has been committed to delivering premium blank apparel, making it a favorite among customers for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. Despite a 3.6% revenue decline from 2021 to 2022, the company continues to innovate and ensure ethical practices in its supply chain.
American Apparel
American Apparel is renowned for its efficient and comprehensive production process, making it a standout in the apparel industry, particularly for tie-dye shirts. The company's downtown Los Angeles factory, the largest garment factory in the US, handles everything from fabric knitting and dyeing to sewing and quality control. Notably, it takes only two minutes to sew a basic t-shirt, and the sewing department, comprising about 3,000 employees, ensures high-quality garments. In 2020, despite COVID-19 impacts, the US apparel industry, which includes American Apparel, still saw significant market presence, with imports supplying 96.5% of apparel in the US market. This robust production and quality control make American Apparel a reliable choice for tie-dye shirts.
Jerzees
Jerzees is a renowned brand in the apparel industry, particularly esteemed for its high-quality t-shirts ideal for tie dye projects. Since its inception in 1984, Jerzees has maintained a strong reputation for delivering durable and versatile clothing. Their t-shirts, often made from a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, offer pre-shrunk fabric that ensures minimal shrinkage and excellent color retention, making them perfect for tie dye and screen printing. The brand's products are widely used by screen printers and embroiderers due to their excellent value and reliability. Jerzees' commitment to quality and everyday value has made it a leader in the wholesale t-shirt market.
Anvil
Anvil is a renowned brand in the wholesale apparel industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality shirts ideal for tie dye. Established over 130 years ago as a workwear manufacturer, Anvil has evolved to become a leading producer of blank knitwear and t-shirts, offering over 70 styles that include eco-friendly and organic fabrications. Known for their lightweight, soft fabrics and trendy color options, Anvil shirts are a favorite for custom and bulk orders. The brand's commitment to quality and comfort has made it a top choice for events, team gear, and casual wear. With no order minimums and instant bulk discounts, Anvil shirts are both affordable and versatile.
Port & Company
Port & Company is renowned for producing high-quality tie-dye shirts, utilizing 100% cotton and prepared-for-dye blanks without optical brighteners or bleaches, ensuring vibrant colors and a standard fit. The tie-dye process infuses each garment with unique character, allowing for slight color variation. Available in a range of sizes from S to 4XL, these shirts cater to a broad audience. The brand's attention to detail and commitment to quality make it a standout in the apparel industry. With a weight of 5.4 ounces per shirt, these tees are both comfortable and durable.
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