Custom American Apparel 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt
From $6.95 · ★ 4.8 (804+ Google reviews this year)
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What Our Customers Say
I ordered 3 shirts and 2 hats. After I placed my order, I emailed them to confirm a detail, that was after hours. They responded first thing the next business day and were quick to respond after that.
The quality of the shirts and hats are great and the printing came out perfect.
I definitely recommend Tshirt Elephant for printing jobs, especially if you don’t need a lot as they allow any amount of printing.
The ordering and pick up process was easy and we are very happy with the final product.
This wasn't our first time ordering from Tshirt Elephant, and it won't be our last!
The shirts look great! The delivery didn't show up on the original timeframe, but life happens and sometimes things don't go to plan! The important part is how Tshirt Elephant handled the delay. They fielded my panic, were kind, and very fast responses from customer service. I would absolutely use again!
A wonderful company! We have been in correspondence with Jason, and we are very happy with the help and guidance he has offered for our apparel needs. We recommend T-Shirt Elephant to all of our friends.
5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Needed a few tactical shirts with our logo done for an event on the same day, and they made it happen!! The turnaround was incredibly fast, the shirts came out exactly how we wanted, and the whole process was seamless. Couldn't have asked for better service. Highly recommend!
T-Shirt elephant is excellent for small to medium run custom branded clothing. They do good design work. Can provide you with a proof before production and provide reliable consistent service
Always a pleasure working with T-shirt time to supply our merch for kids camps
Fast shipping, great communication, high quality product. Couldn't be happier!
Creating my design was easy and fun! After purchasing my apparel I also realized I neglected to use the promo code they were offering, so I emailed them and asked if it could be applied and they graciously offered it in a timely manner. Great company to use!
I made Tshirts for my daughter. They came very pretty, nice colours. She loves them and wears them constantly. I washed and dried them multiple times and print holds very well. Very pleased with my purchase. I’ll definitely order more.
The ordering process was easy, and the t-shirts arrived in a timely manner and seem nice. The printing was good quality. The only minor complaint I can make is that the web site gave me no updates on the progress of my order --- even now, having received the t-shirts, it still says my order is "being processed". So I had a couple of uncomfortable weeks wondering what was happening with my order and if it would even come. Still, in spite of that the t-shirts arrived within a day of the original estimate at the time I placed the order.
T-shirt elephant did an amazing job getting our shirts done on a tight timeline, and the quality was excellent. Couldn't recommend them more!
Great and fast work.
I am very happy with the tees I recived.
Jason was incredibly helpful in creating my design and getting the order placed. Delivery was quicker than promised, and the tee shirts are great! Thank you.
Love the shirt good quality printing I’ll definitely be going back for all my printing and embroidery needs
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Amazing job! My husband loves his shirt!
Great selection of items at a reasonable cost. The print was amazing. I just wish they had quicker turnaround times. Overall, very satisfied!
Customer service was great, T-shirt is exactly what I wanted!
Really good job. They couldn't do embroidery like they initially said they would but the finished product was still very nice. They turned the job around quicker than advertised too which was great. Would definitely use them again.
Had a great experience working with T-Shirt Elephant and Jason to order 250 hats for our business. He was competitive, quick to reply to messages and delivered the order when requested. All around, it was a great experience and I would be happy to work with them again. :)
T shirt elephant was incredibly accommodating with me. I had many questions and requests in regards to making my work shirts.
They were very clear in explaining my options and in the end the result was incredible. I will be using this company for my work shirts moving forward without a doubt.
High quality lettering on my shirts. Pretty fast delivery for customized items
the shirts are exactly as ordered and they came so quickly!! very pleased!
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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