Custom American Apparel 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-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