Custom 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt
From $6.95 · Printed in Canada · ★ 4.8 (958+ Google reviews this year)
| Standard | around Fri, Oct 23 | No rush fee |
| 2-Day rush | by Wed, Oct 14 | +100% |
| 3-Day rush | by Thu, Oct 15 | +75% |
| 5-Day rush | by Mon, Oct 19 | +50% |
| 7-Day rush | by Wed, Oct 21 | +30% |
| 2-Day pickup | by Thu, Oct 8 | +100% |
| 3-Day pickup | by Fri, Oct 9 | +75% |
| 5-Day pickup | by Wed, Oct 14 | +50% |
| 7-Day pickup | by Fri, Oct 16 | +30% |
| Pickup | around Tue, Oct 20 | No rush fee |
Dates are for delivery to Ontario, or pickup at our North York shop. "By" dates are guaranteed: if we miss one, we refund the rush fee. Rush fees are a percentage of your product total, for in-stock blanks, and your date is confirmed in your cart. 2-Day isn't available for embroidery.
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What Our Customers Say
Was a bit hesitant given the one off cost of a custom tshirt (although the price still really isn't unreasonable), but I wasn't disappointed. It is better than I had hoped for. The shirt material quality is exactly what I had wanted (and researched for) with a vintage feel to the material, and the quality of the printed graphics couldn't be better. I'll definitely order more.
Received my shirt and it was exactly as I created it on the website. Turned out so good! The shirt itself is good quality, doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart, comfortable to wear. Design and print held up after washing as well, no cracks or breaking. Still, as with any graphic tee, would suggest washing inside out in cold water and hanging to dry to give it the best chance of success.
Great quality sweater and high quality image printing. A very professional looking sweater. Used this for my children's book world to promote the characters. This was a trial run. Will definitely order more from T-shirt Elephant.
Have ordered twice now, both times were excellent. Lots of apparel to choose from, and good tools to help with designing your own.
Very happy with my shirt! Great quality, can't wait to wear it.
I decided to give T-Shirt Elephant a try because I’m considering using them for a project I’m working on, and I have to say, they exceeded my expectations. What impressed me most was the range of choices. Whether you’re working within a budget or looking for a higher-quality product, there are plenty of options to fit the needs of your project.
The website was easy to use, the ordering process was straightforward, and the quality of the finished product was excellent. Very happy with my experience and I’ll definitely be using them again.
The quality of apparel and print are top notch - the graphics look amazing, will use again for future purchases!
We recently ordered zip-up hoodies for our team of four from T-shirt Elephant, and we couldn't be happier with the experience! The quality of the hoodies is great, and the service was wonderful from start to finish. A special shout-out to Jason, who confirmed our order promptly and went above and beyond to ensure everything arrived on time despite our tight deadline. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was our second order and the quality is always the best. The team is very reactive and accommodating.
Fantastic. Quality is great. Price is very reasonable. Took 2-3 weeks to get, but I'm in no rush. Website is easy to use. Would definitely recommend over other companies I've attempted to try.
Great quality print company and CANADIAN! Was looking to get two shirts printed fast and they delivered. I even accidentally clicked the wrong shipping option and emailed them asking to pay for upgraded delivery time. They did it at no charge! Very happy I was able to get the shirts in time!
I have had a great experience ordering from T-Shirt Elephant. I ordered custom ball caps. Justin helped me with the colors, he also helped to ensure the order was submitted correctly. My order was shipped to me on the date that I was told it was going to ship and I received it a couple days later. We are grateful for the service and also the quality of the product. We are going to try the apparel next. I highly recommend T-Shirt Elephant, from the customer service support, the excellent variety of products they carry, the ease of use to create the custom ball caps and the delivery of the product.
Highly recommend. Very professional, responsive, and quick turnaround. Lots of selection and even provide design help and tips. Jason and team are great!
I ordered a hoodie with my business logo. It was ready really quick and the colour, quality and fit are great! I'd definitely order more!
Was a little hard to find, however service was good and my apparel looks great. Thank you!
Great shirt quality and very helpful customer service. Highly recommend!
I had a fantastic experience working with Jason and the team here. We needed 350 printed tote bags for a conference on a strict three-day turnaround, and they completely delivered. Jason was incredibly helpful in getting everything set up quickly and provided a very reasonable price. I’m thrilled with the final quality and look of the bags. I will definitely be back for future projects - highly recommend!
great quality and also delivered on time. Jason was helpful and direct, and I appreciate the quality of the sports fabric.
Shirt arrived right on time, great quality and exactly what I ordered. Website very easy to use with lots of options to create your own design.
Great quality and nice to support a Canadian company!
T-Shirt Elephant came through for us! We ordered custom aprons with our logo for an event and were working with a very tight deadline, placing our order just days before we needed them. We were not sure they would arrive in time, but the team at T-Shirt Elephant was responsive and assured us they would be delivered on schedule. They kept their word, and the aprons arrived right on time and looked great. We are very grateful to their team for making it happen and would happily order from them again.
Great transaction.
Very pleased with the t-shirt
Appreciate this Canadian retailer.
Ordering was straightforward with a quick turnaround time. The sweaters ordered are of a good quality. Looking forward to the next one!
Good quality t-shirt and my custom image came out great. Prices are reasonable for a custom 1-off shirt.
Product Description
American Apparel 1301 Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt — Premium Streetwear-Quality Custom Tee
The American Apparel 1301 is a true heavyweight cotton t-shirt built for customers who want a premium, fashion-forward blank tee. At 6.0 oz of 100% ringspun cotton, it has a thick, substantial feel that's become the standard for streetwear brands, independent designers, and anyone who wants their custom t-shirts to feel like a retail product — not a cheap giveaway.
This is the shirt you choose when quality perception matters. Printed in Canada with no minimums, 10-day turnaround, and free shipping on orders over $250.
Fabric & Construction
- 100% ringspun combed cotton — ultra-smooth hand feel with a dense, premium weight
- 6.0 oz / 203 GSM — true heavyweight construction that drapes and holds structure beautifully
- Ringspun combed cotton yarn — finer, tighter twist produces a smoother surface and softer feel than open-end cotton
- Side-seamed construction — shaped fit that follows the body naturally, eliminating the boxy look of tubular shirts
- Double-needle stitching on sleeves and bottom hem for reinforced durability
- Ribbed crewneck collar — durable rib knit that holds its shape without stretching
- Shoulder-to-shoulder taping — reinforced neck seam for durability and comfort
- Preshrunk — minimal shrinkage after washing
Fit & Sizing
- Unisex modern fit — slightly more generous than slim fit, but not boxy. Hits the sweet spot between relaxed and tailored
- Available in XS through 3XL
- Runs true to standard American Apparel sizing — customers familiar with the brand can order their usual size
- For an oversized/streetwear aesthetic, size up one or two
Why the American Apparel 1301 is the Go-To for Premium Custom Tees
- Streetwear-grade quality — the same heavyweight construction used by independent clothing brands, streetwear labels, and premium merch lines
- Superior hand feel — ringspun combed cotton feels dramatically different from standard cotton — customers notice immediately
- Side-seamed construction — eliminates the centre twist that plagues tubular shirts, maintaining a clean silhouette wash after wash
- Thick enough to feel premium — at 6.0 oz, it has substance and structure that says "this is a quality shirt," not a thin promotional tee
- Excellent opacity — the heavyweight fabric prevents show-through, even on white and light colours
- Fashion-forward colour palette — curated colours that appeal to design-conscious customers, not just the standard basics
American Apparel 1301 vs Gildan 5000 — When to Upgrade
- Weight: The 1301 is 6.0 oz vs the 5000's 5.3 oz — noticeably thicker and more substantial
- Cotton quality: The 1301 uses ringspun combed cotton; the 5000 uses standard cotton. The difference in softness is immediately obvious
- Construction: The 1301 is side-seamed (shaped fit); the 5000 is tubular (straight cut)
- Perception: The 1301 feels like a retail purchase; the 5000 feels like a solid custom tee
- Price: The 1301 costs more, but the quality premium justifies it for merch, retail, and corporate gifts
- Recommendation: Choose the Gildan 5000 for maximum value on bulk orders. Choose the 1301 when you want your custom tees to feel like a retail product worth keeping.
Best Print Methods for the American Apparel 1301
- Screen Printing — exceptional results. The ringspun cotton surface produces the sharpest, most vibrant screen prints. The heavyweight fabric handles multi-colour and oversized prints without any warping or distortion.
- DTG (Direct-to-Garment) — outstanding on 100% cotton. The smooth, dense surface absorbs ink deeply for rich, photographic-quality prints with incredible colour depth. The premium choice for small-batch merch.
- DTF (Direct-to-Film) — works beautifully on all colours. The heavyweight fabric means transfers sit smoothly without stiffness.
- Embroidery — the 6.0 oz fabric provides a rock-solid base for embroidered logos. No puckering, no distortion.
- Heat Transfer / Vinyl — excellent adhesion on the smooth ringspun surface.
Popular Uses for Custom American Apparel 1301 T-Shirts
- Streetwear & Fashion: Independent clothing brands, limited edition drops, capsule collections, pop-up shop inventory
- Band & Artist Merch: Tour merch, album release tees, artist collaborations — the quality fans expect when buying merch
- Corporate Premium: Executive gifts, client appreciation, VIP event merch, premium employee swag
- Retail & E-Commerce: Online clothing stores, Etsy shops, print-on-demand — the shirt customers will re-order
- Creative & Art: Art prints, gallery merchandise, designer collaborations, photography merch
- Events: Premium conference merch, VIP packages, charity auction items
Related Styles
- Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt — the value leader at 5.3 oz with 68+ colours
- Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton T-Shirt — another heavyweight option at 6.0 oz
- Gildan 6400 Softstyle T-Shirt — lighter weight ring spun cotton for a softer feel
Care Instructions
- Machine wash cold with like colours
- Tumble dry on low heat
- Do not bleach
- Do not iron directly on print or decoration
- Inside-out washing recommended for printed garments
- Ringspun cotton softens further with each wash
Specifications at a Glance
- Brand: American Apparel
- Style: 1301
- Fabric: 100% Ringspun Combed Cotton
- Weight: 6.0 oz / 203 GSM
- Fit: Unisex Modern
- Sizes: XS - 3XL
- Colours: 20+
- Construction: Side-seamed
- Collar: Ribbed crewneck
- Stitching: Double-needle sleeves and hem
- Shoulder: Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
Order Custom American Apparel 1301 T-Shirts from T-Shirt Elephant
T-Shirt Elephant is Canada's leading custom apparel printer. We stock the full American Apparel 1301 colour range and offer:
- No minimum order — order 1 shirt or 10,000
- 10-day standard production — rush available
- Free shipping on orders over $250 across Canada
- Free digital proof before production
- Screen printing, DTG, DTF, embroidery — all methods available
- Printed in Canada — supporting Canadian business since 2010
Technical Specifications
Key Features
- Premium quality construction
- Wide range of colors available
- Perfect for custom printing
- Comfortable fit for all-day wear
- Durable for repeated washing
- Ideal for screen printing and embroidery
Compatible Print Methods
Perfect For
This versatile product is perfect for custom printing and embroidery projects of all sizes.
American Apparel 1301 FAQ
Common questions about the American Apparel 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt
Yes! The American Apparel 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt is excellent for screen printing. Its smooth surface and cotton blend provide crisp, vibrant prints that last wash after wash.
The American Apparel 1301 is available in sizes from S to 5XL (size availability may vary by color). Check the size chart above for exact measurements.
Absolutely! We have NO minimum order requirement. Order 1 shirt or 1,000 - we treat every order with the same care and quality.
Machine wash cold inside-out, tumble dry low. Avoid ironing directly on the print. Following these steps will keep your American Apparel 1301 looking great for years.
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