Custom 1301 American Apparel - Unisex Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt
From $6.95 · ★ 4.8 (916+ Google reviews this year)
Select Sizes
Instant Price Quote
What Our Customers Say
Really good quality shirts. I’ve ordered from T-Shirt Elephant before and have always been happy with how they turned out. The shirts feel good and the printing is great. I recommend them for sure!
Ordered a blank shirt in the style I needed and was pleased with the speed it was delivered and inexpensive shipping cost. Will shop here again.
Very pleased with the order - well-crafted and delivered on time.
This is my 3rd order from t shirt elephant, and I’ve been very satisfied with all of my orders. They are pretty fast as well!
Fits perfectly and the price is right !!
Good quality and easy pickup! Recommended.
The quality of the shirts were really nice for the price! Satisfied with both the material and the print quality. They were also super helpful in ensuring our shirts were ready in time for our event.
Fantastic quality of print, and the organic cotton shirt itself is very soft and well made.
It was delivered within about 2 weeks and was well worth the wait. I’ll be ordering from this place again.
We had a great experience with T-Shirt Elephant. The quality of the shirts is excellent, and the customer service was outstanding throughout the entire process. They were responsive and helpful. We’re very happy with the final product and would definitely recommend T-Shirt Elephant!
I had a short time line for shirts to be made and shipped across the country. T Shirt elephant did not disappoint even got the shirts to me early !! so beyond impressed with this company
Excellent screen printing quality, and excellent selection of high quality garments. Love that I can order just 1 item instead of a large minimum order most custom garment companies require.
I've ordered a number of custom t-shirts from T-Shirt Elephant and have always been pleased with the results. The design software is easy to use, and the selection of colours and fabrics is endless. Turn-around time is short, normally just a few days before my products are in my hands. Recommended!
Was very happy with my order. Our hats look great!
Great turn around time for our team shirts and easy to contact when we had additions to our original order!
Easy to use website, quality product and effective service and delivery
The process of creating my custom hoodie for my partner was easy and clear on T-shirt elephants site. This was my first time making and ordering anything custom and they made it super easy. I chose them for that reason, and they are Canadian. No weird tax cross border stuff. my order even shipped earlier than was estimated which was awesome as it was a present. I highly recommend them.
Got a good quality shirt. They responded quickly over email when I was worried it would not arrive in time and got it to me on time.
Fast and affordable pick up for single items!
Great shirts and prices for small batches. Will use again!
Hi Jason,
I just wanted to let you know that the T-shirts worked out really well! The sizing was spot on, the quality exceeded my expectations, and the design turned out exactly as I had submitted it. Thank you for all your help throughout the ordering process. I really appreciate your assistance and responsiveness. Everyone was very happy with how they turned out.
Thanks again!
Very good service and product quality!
I used T-shirt Elephant to make t-shirts for my son's birthday. The website is easy to navigate and the customer service team was helpful. It took about 2weeks for my order to be delivered and I was very happy with the quality of the t-shirts and prints on them. I will definitely use T-shirt Elephant again for making custom t-shirts in the future.
The Quality of the print has been great. The design tool is very helpful as well.
I’ve placed another order and will be sharing my experience with my contractor friends.
I had a great experience with this company! I ordered custom aprons and needed them on a pretty tight timeline, so I asked if they could accommodate a rush order. They were very responsive and were able to have everything ready by the deadline I requested, which I really appreciated. The aprons turned out great and I’m very happy with the final product. Excellent service and would definitely recommend!
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.
You May Also Like
