Are baseball tees and raglan shirts the same thing?

Yes, they're the same style. Raglan sleeves extend from the collar to the underarm in one piece (rather than a shoulder seam), creating the classic baseball tee look. They typically feature contrasting sleeve colours.

What print method works best on long sleeve shirts?

Screen printing and DTF both work excellently on long sleeve shirts. Screen printing offers the lowest cost for orders of 24+ with simple designs. DTF is better for full-colour artwork, photos, or small quantities. Both methods are durable through repeated washing.

Do long sleeve shirts shrink more than short sleeves?

Shrinkage is based on fabric, not sleeve length. 100% cotton shirts may shrink 3-5% on first wash. Pre-shrunk cotton and cotton-poly blends minimize shrinkage. Always check if the garment is pre-shrunk and consider ordering one size up for 100% cotton.

When is the best time to order long sleeve shirts?

Long sleeves are popular from September through April. Order 3-4 weeks before you need them to ensure availability, especially for popular colours and extended sizes. Summer is actually a great time to order for fall events when demand is lower.

Custom Long Sleeve Shirts Guide

Everything you need to know about custom long sleeve shirts: crew necks, henleys, baseball tees, performance styles, and decoration options for Canadian orders.

10 min read Updated October 2026 T-Shirt Elephant Team

50+

Long Sleeve Styles

$22.99

Gildan 2400, 24 Pieces

5-7

Day Turnaround

Free

Shipping Over $250

Why Choose Long Sleeve Shirts?

Custom long sleeve shirts offer versatility that short sleeves simply can't match. They provide sun protection for outdoor workers, extra warmth for fall and winter events, and a more polished look for professional settings. From casual crew necks to stylish henleys and athletic raglan tees, there's a long sleeve style for every purpose.

Long sleeves also offer more real estate for your designs. Sleeve printing has become increasingly popular, allowing for arm logos, text running down the forearm, or coordinated designs that span the entire garment. This makes long sleeve shirts ideal for brands, events, and teams wanting maximum visual impact.

What This Guide Covers

Long sleeve shirt styles (crew, henley, raglan, performance), fabric options, decoration methods and placements, sizing considerations, use cases, and pricing for orders of all sizes.

Long Sleeve Shirt Styles

Not all long sleeve shirts are created equal. Here's your guide to the most popular styles:

Crew Neck Long Sleeve

The classic long sleeve t-shirt with a round neckline. Most versatile option for printing.

Best For: Events, uniforms, casual wear
Popular: Gildan 2400, Bella+Canvas 3501
Fit: Regular or relaxed

$22.99 each for 24 Gildan 2400s, one-colour print

Henley

Features a buttoned placket at the neckline. Upscale casual look popular with lifestyle brands.

Best For: Breweries, outdoor brands, retail
Popular: Next Level 6072, Bella+Canvas 3150
Fit: Slim or regular

$37.99 each for 24 ATC8064 thermal henleys

Raglan / Baseball Tee

Diagonal seam from collar to underarm with contrasting sleeves. Classic athletic look.

Best For: Sports teams, youth groups, retro designs
Popular: Bella+Canvas 3000, Next Level 6251
Fit: Unisex, relaxed

$21.99 each for 24 Gildan 5700 raglans

Performance Long Sleeve

Moisture-wicking polyester for athletic activities. Often with UV protection and mesh panels.

Best For: Sports, outdoor work, fitness
Popular: Sport-Tek ST350LS, A4 N3165
Fit: Athletic, fitted

$24.99 each for 24 ATC S350LS

Style Comparison

Style	Formality	Print Area	Best Use
Crew Neck	Casual	Full front, back, sleeves	General purpose
Henley	Smart Casual	Left chest, back, sleeves	Retail, hospitality
Raglan	Casual/Athletic	Full front, back (avoid seams)	Teams, youth
Performance	Athletic	Full front, back, sleeves	Sports, outdoors

Fabric Options

The right fabric depends on how the shirt will be worn:

100% Cotton

Classic feel, breathable, and takes prints beautifully. Best for casual wear and mild temperatures.

Weight: 4.5oz - 6oz
Shrinkage: 3-5% (unless pre-shrunk)
Print quality: Excellent

Cotton-Poly Blend

Best of both worlds: cotton comfort with polyester durability. Less shrinkage, wrinkle-resistant.

Common: 50/50 or 60/40
Shrinkage: Minimal
Print quality: Very good

Tri-Blend

Cotton, polyester, and rayon. Ultra-soft "vintage" feel. Premium option for retail and branded apparel.

Typical: 50/25/25
Feel: Softest option
Print quality: Good (heathered look)

100% Polyester

Moisture-wicking, quick-dry, and durable. Essential for performance and athletic wear.

Weight: Lightweight 3.5oz - 4.5oz
Shrinkage: None
Print quality: DTF recommended

Pro Tip: For fall/winter events, choose heavier 5.5oz-6oz cotton. For layering under jackets, lighter 4.5oz works well and adds less bulk. For heavier warmth, consider custom sweatshirts as an additional layer option.

Decoration Methods & Placements

Long sleeve shirts offer unique printing opportunities beyond standard front and back prints:

Print Locations

Location	Max Size	Best For	Add-on Cost (one colour, 24 pieces)
Full Front	12" x 14"	Large logos, graphics	Included
Left Chest	4" x 4"	Corporate logos, uniforms	Included
Full Back	12" x 14"	Names, large graphics	+$12.04
Upper Sleeve	3" x 3"	Small logos, numbers	+$12.04 per sleeve
Forearm (vertical)	3" x 10"	Text, brand names	+$12.04 per sleeve

Print Methods

Screen Printing

Best value for orders of 24+ with 1-4 colours. Screen printing provides vibrant, durable prints that last for years.

Ideal for: Bulk orders, simple designs
Durability: Excellent (50+ washes)
Setup: $25.00 per colour per location

DTF (Direct-to-Film)

Full-colour DTF printing with no colour limits. Great for photos, gradients, and small orders.

Ideal for: Complex designs, low quantities
Durability: Very good (30+ washes)
Setup: None

Popular Use Cases

Long sleeve shirts excel in these applications, particularly for corporate apparel programs:

Corporate Uniforms

Fall/Winter Events

Outdoor Workers

Sports Teams

Retail Merchandise

School Spirit Wear

Special Categories

Women's long sleeve shirts feature fitted cuts with contoured silhouettes. Youth long sleeves are available from YXS to YXL, perfect for schools, sports teams, and family events where everyone needs to match.

Pricing Guide

A Gildan 2400 long sleeve blank is $5.50 more than its short sleeve counterpart, the Gildan 2000. Here's what to expect with a one-colour print at 24 pieces:

Budget

Basic Cotton

$22.99/shirt (Gildan 2400)

Gildan 2400, Fruit of the Loom

100% cotton, 6oz
1-colour print included
Great for events, giveaways

Popular

Premium Soft

$26.99/shirt (Bella+Canvas 3501)

Bella+Canvas 3501, Next Level

Ringspun cotton, soft feel
Modern retail fit
Best for merchandise

Performance

Athletic

$24.99/shirt (ATC S350LS)

Sport-Tek, A4, Under Armour

Moisture-wicking polyester
UV protection available
Sports teams, outdoor work

Save More: Prices drop at 12, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 500 and 1,000 pieces. For larger quantities, our bulk t-shirt printing service provides maximum savings on custom long sleeve orders. A one-colour print on a Gildan 2400 is ~29% off per shirt at 100 pieces against 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a long sleeve t-shirt and a henley?

A long sleeve t-shirt has a standard crew neck, while a henley features a buttoned placket (typically 3-5 buttons) at the neckline. Henleys offer a more casual, layered look and are popular for outdoor brands, breweries, and lifestyle companies.

Can you print on the sleeves of long sleeve shirts?

Yes! Sleeve printing is popular for long sleeve shirts. Common options include small logos on the upper sleeve, text running down the forearm, or numbers on both sleeves. Each sleeve is priced as its own print location. A one-colour screen print adds $12.04 per shirt at 24 and $6.75 at 100, on top of the blank.

What's the best fabric for long sleeve shirts?

For year-round comfort, 100% cotton or cotton-poly blends (60/40 or 50/50) work well. For athletic use, moisture-wicking polyester keeps you dry. For layering in cold weather, heavier 6oz+ cotton provides warmth without bulk.

How much do custom long sleeve shirts cost?

A Gildan 2400 long sleeve blank is $5.50 more than its short sleeve counterpart, the Gildan 2000. With a one-colour print at 24 pieces, expect $22.99 for a basic cotton Gildan 2400, $26.99 for a Bella+Canvas 3501 and $24.99 for an ATC S350LS performance long sleeve.

Can I order long sleeve shirts in youth sizes?

Yes! Most long sleeve styles are available in youth sizes from YXS to YXL. Popular options include the Gildan 2400B Youth Long Sleeve and Bella+Canvas 3501Y. Great for school spirit wear, sports teams, and family events.

What's the minimum order for custom long sleeve shirts?

T-Shirt Elephant has no minimum order requirement. You can order as few as 1 long sleeve shirt or scale to thousands. Prices drop at 12, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 500 and 1,000 pieces.

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