If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of white blank tees wondering which one is actually going to take dye well, hold up to washing, and not feel like cardboard, you are not alone. The white shirt you start with matters a lot, and the honest answer to which one to buy is that it depends on what you’re making and who it’s for.
So I bought 12 different white shirts for tie dye, folded each one identically, and dyed them on the same day with the same dyes. One variable, twelve answers. Whether you’re picking up a single shirt for a weekend project or sourcing white t-shirts in bulk for a party or your Etsy shop, this post covers cheap options under three dollars, mid-range workhorses, and premium picks. Stick around for sizing notes (including which white shirts run small and which run roomy) and a full FAQ at the end.
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Table of contents
- How I Tested These White Shirts for Tie Dye
- The Quick Comparison
- Next Level Apparel
- Gildan Heavy Cotton
- Gildan Softstyle
- Gildan Light Cotton
- Hanes Essential-T
- Hanes Authentic
- Bella + Canvas
- Goodfellow from Target
- Comfort Colors
- George Brand from Walmart
- American Apparel
- Tultex
- Which White Shirt Runs Smallest, and Which Runs Biggest
- Soda Ash Burn Notes
- My Picks: Best White Shirts for Tie Dye by Use Case
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of white shirts work best for tie dye?
- What are the best fabric blends for tie dye?
- Where can I buy blank white t-shirts in bulk for tie dye?
- What’s the cheapest white t-shirt for tie dye?
- Where can I find high-quality white blank shirts for tie dye?
- Can I tie dye toddler and kids’ white shirts?
How I Tested These White Shirts for Tie Dye
Every shirt got the same treatment so the only variable was the blank itself.
- Size: All shirts are XL.
- Fold: Deity roll, sleeve and sleeve fold, traced with a small bowl for the top semicircle and a larger semicircle for the bottom. If you’ve never done a deity roll, the technique is in my free fold ebook (more on that in a minute).
- Setup: Each shirt sat in a 2-foot section of gutter so I could see how the dye flowed with gravity.
- Dyes: Kingfisher Blue and Black 404 from ProChemical and Dyes. Side note, the 404 ended up reading more teal than black on every single shirt. I have a separate post comparing 17 black dyes if you want to dig into that.
- Soda ash: Sprinkle method, applied outside to help the ice melt.
- Drying: Hung dry, no machine, no iron, so wrinkles you see are real.
- Fabric: Every shirt I tested is 100 percent cotton. More on why that matters in the FAQ below.
I’ll call out where I think a result might have been user error versus a real difference between blanks. I want this to be useful, not just a leaderboard.
The Quick Comparison
Here’s a high-level look at all 12 white shirts before I get into the detail. Prices are from Jiffy Shirts unless noted.
| Brand | Style | Price | Length | Pit to Pit | Side Seams | Softness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next Level Apparel | Unisex Cotton | $5.25 | 30″ | 21″ | Yes | Very soft |
| Gildan | Heavy Cotton | $2.79 | 29.5″ | 22″ | No | Stiff and scratchy |
| Gildan | Softstyle | $3.25 | 29″ | 23″ | No | Pretty soft |
| Gildan | Light Cotton | $5.20 | 31″ | 22.5″ | No | Pretty soft |
| Hanes | Essential-T | $3.07 | 30.5″ | 22″ | No | A little stiff |
| Hanes | Authentic | $4.51 | 29.5″ | 22.5″ | No | Like cardboard |
| Bella + Canvas | Unisex Jersey | $4.78 | 30″ | 22.5″ | Yes | Buttery soft |
| Goodfellow | Target | $5.00 | 29″ | 22″ | No | Quite soft |
| Comfort Colors | Heavyweight RS | $7.49 | 30″ | 23″ | No | Stiff |
| George | Walmart | $3.00 | 31.5″ | 23″ | No | Soft, undershirt feel |
| American Apparel | Heavyweight Cotton | $4.91 | 29.5″ | 23″ | No | Stiff as a board |
| Tultex | Fine Jersey | $4.76 | 29.5″ | 24″ | No | Quite soft |
Now the detail.
Next Level Apparel
This one surprised me. Next Level was the smallest shirt of the group with a 21 inch pit to pit, a full inch narrower than almost everything else. The length is 30 inches, the sleeve is 9 inches, and it’s one of the few shirts in this lineup with side seams, which I personally love because it makes finding the center so much easier.
It is also possibly the softest shirt I tested, with the wrinkles to match. The softer the shirt, the wrinklier it tends to be, and Next Level proves that rule. The color came out beautifully.
If you have a customer who wants a fitted look, or you are dyeing for someone who is between sizes, Next Level is the shirt I would reach for.
Gildan Heavy Cotton
This one is controversial in the dyeing community. Some buyers see Gildan Heavy Cotton in a listing and immediately scroll past. Others are totally fine with it. It is inexpensive and takes color really well, which is why it stays popular.
It comes in at 29.5 inches long, 22 inches pit to pit, with no side seams. The tag is centered and removable. The color saturation was great. The downside is it is stiff and scratchy. Not the shirt for someone who wants soft.
If you’re selling, just know that some buyers will not accept Heavy Cotton. If you’re dyeing for yourself or for a party, the price makes it worth a look.
Gildan Softstyle
Softstyle is a popular pick because it is inexpensive and noticeably softer than Heavy Cotton. It runs a bit wider at 23 inches pit to pit and a bit shorter at 29 inches. No side seams, removable tag, but the tag was not centered on mine.
Two callouts. First, this was the wrinkliest shirt of the entire group. Second, it had some soda ash burn. That may have been on me with the sprinkle method, but the same process did not produce burn on most of the others, so it’s worth noting.
The color came out well, but the construction is not the strongest. You get what you pay for.
Gildan Light Cotton
Light Cotton is the third Gildan in the lineup. It’s the longest of the three Gildans at 31 inches, 22.5 inches pit to pit, with the tightest neck I measured at 6.5 inches. That tight neck is something to flag for customers if you sell.
It’s pretty soft, not too wrinkly, and the color came out nicely. The thread quality is the weak spot. I noticed some loose stitching on the inside, and the thread has that white seam look against dyed fabric that some sellers try to avoid.
The big takeaway across all three Gildans is that they do not fit the same. If you’ve been buying Gildan blanks assuming they’re interchangeable, you may want to take measurements before your next order.
Hanes Essential-T
This is the shirt I sell in my own shop, so I had a lot riding on this test. It is 30.5 inches long, 22 inches pit to pit, no side seams, with a centered removable tag. At around three dollars per shirt at scale, the value is hard to beat.
The color saturation was excellent. The white space stayed nice and white. It is not the softest shirt out of the package; there is a little stiffness to it. With more washes and a fabric softener, it absolutely softens up. For my customers, the price-to-performance balance is what keeps me coming back.
Hanes Authentic
If Essential-T is the workhorse, Authentic is the heavyweight. This shirt is thick. I’d call it the scratchiest shirt of the group, almost like cardboard out of the package. It might soften with washes, but it’s a real adjustment if you’re used to a Bella and Canvas type feel.
It comes in at 29.5 inches long, 22.5 inches pit to pit. Tag is centered and removable, which is a plus. Color came out beautifully and it barely wrinkled, which makes sense given how stiff the fabric is.
I would only recommend Authentic if your customer specifically wants a heavyweight shirt and knows what they’re getting.
Bella + Canvas
The buttery soft favorite. Bella and Canvas is what a lot of dyers swear by, and the test confirmed why. Out of the package this shirt is one of the softest of the entire group, and the color came out gorgeous.
Sizing-wise, you’re at 30 inches long and 22.5 inches pit to pit, with the longest sleeve in the lineup at 9.5 inches. It has side seams, which makes centering folds easier. The tag was not centered on my shirt, but it’s removable, so not a dealbreaker.
The tradeoff is wrinkles. It is one of the wrinklier shirts I dyed. If your photography setup includes a quick iron or a steam, this is not a problem.
Goodfellow from Target
Goodfellow is the convenient option. If you have a Target nearby, you can pick these up today, which is real value when you need shirts in a hurry. They run about five dollars each in a four-pack.
Sizing came in at 29 inches long, 22 inches pit to pit, sleeve length 8.5 inches. No tag, just a stamp, and the stamp was nicely centered. The shirt itself is quite soft, not too wrinkly, and the color came out really pretty.
The catch is the price. Five dollars adds up fast when you’re buying in volume. If you can plan ahead and order from Jiffy or another wholesaler, you’ll do better. For one-off projects or last-minute parties, Goodfellow is a solid pick.
Comfort Colors
Comfort Colors is the premium option in this lineup at $7.49 per shirt. Some dyers swear by them, and after this test I understand why.
The construction is excellent. This was the only shirt I tested that uses cotton thread instead of polyester, which means the seams take dye too. No more white seam lines against your color, which is something a lot of dyers chase. The color saturation was the best of the group.
Sizing is around 30 inches long and 23 inches pit to pit. The big drawback is the tag. It is not removable. If you sell and your brand voice depends on a clean inside neck, that’s a real consideration. The shirt itself is also stiff, not soft, so manage expectations on that front.
George Brand from Walmart
The cheap one. I got a five-pack for around 17 dollars, so we’re looking at about three dollars a shirt. Sizing came in big at 31.5 inches long, the longest of the group, and 23 inches pit to pit. No tag, just a stamp, and the stamp was not centered.
This was also the wrinkliest shirt I dyed. The fabric feels like an undershirt, and there was a small amount of dye peeling. Not the shirt for resale.
That said, for a family tie dye party where the kids are going to absolutely destroy these things, George is great. If somebody messes up a fold, you don’t lose any sleep over a three dollar shirt. There is a real place in tie dye for the cheap option.
American Apparel
American Apparel surprised me. It is stiff as a board out of the package, even more than Gildan Heavy Cotton. With washes I’d expect it to soften, but right now it is firm.
Sizing is 29.5 inches long, 23 inches pit to pit. Tag is centered and removable. The thing that stood out is the color result. The dye didn’t travel as far on this shirt, which sounds like a negative but actually meant the white space stayed gloriously white. The contrast is gorgeous. If you love a high-contrast tie dye, this blank deserves a try.
Tultex
Last one. I love Tultex hoodies because they’re 80 percent cotton, which is hard to find. The fine jersey tee is a similar quality story. It comes in at 29.5 inches long and 24 inches pit to pit, the widest of the group.
The color flow was beautiful and the white space looked great. The hard part is the soda ash burn. Tultex picked up the most burn of any shirt I tested. It may have been my fault for using the sprinkle method outside on a sunny day, but every shirt got the same treatment, and Tultex is the one that ended up with the most damage. Worth knowing if you decide to give them a try.
Which White Shirt Runs Smallest, and Which Runs Biggest
Two findings on sizing.
Smallest: Next Level Apparel. The 21 inch pit to pit is a full inch narrower than anything else I tested. If your customer wants a slimmer fit, or you’re dyeing for a smaller frame, Next Level is your shirt.
Biggest: George brand from Walmart, with the longest length at 31.5 inches and tied for the widest pit to pit. Tultex was actually the widest on a single measurement at 24 inches across, so if you specifically want a roomy chest, Tultex is your pick.
The Gildans deserve their own callout because they are not consistent with each other. Softstyle is wider and shorter. Light Cotton is longer with a tight neck. Heavy Cotton lands in the middle. Don’t assume Gildan is one fit.
Soda Ash Burn Notes
Two shirts had visible soda ash burn after dyeing: Tultex and Gildan Softstyle. I used the sprinkle method outside on all 12 shirts, and only those two showed it. That tells me there’s something about how those specific fabrics react to soda ash that’s worth being aware of, even if the bigger factor is how you apply it.
If you’re worried about soda ash burn, switch to a soda ash soak instead of a sprinkle, and keep your shirts out of direct sunlight while the dye is processing.
My Picks: Best White Shirts for Tie Dye by Use Case
There is no single best blank. There is a best blank for what you’re trying to do.
- Best white shirts for tie dye if you sell on Etsy: Hanes Essential-T. Good price, takes dye beautifully, white space stays white. This is what I stock.
- Softest white shirts for tie dye: Bella and Canvas or Next Level Apparel. Both are buttery, both wrinkle more.
- Best premium white shirts for tie dye: Comfort Colors. Cotton thread means no white seams, and the color is unmatched. Just know the tag is permanent.
- Best white shirts for high-contrast tie dye: American Apparel. The white stayed shockingly white.
- Cheapest white shirts for tie dye: George brand at Walmart at around $3 per shirt in a five-pack. Gildan Heavy Cotton at Jiffy is $2.79 if you’re okay with a stiffer feel.
- Best white shirts for tie dye in bulk: Hanes Essential-T or Gildan Heavy Cotton from Jiffy Shirts. Both come in case quantities and stay under or around three dollars per shirt.
- Best white shirts for tie dye parties: George brand from Walmart. Three dollars per shirt, no guilt if a fold goes sideways.
- Avoid for resale: George (feels like an undershirt) and Gildan Heavy Cotton (some buyers refuse it on principle).
I link to most of these blanks in my Amazon storefront for the ones I keep on hand, and I order the rest from Jiffy Shirts in bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of white shirts work best for tie dye?
100 percent cotton shirts work best for tie dye. Fiber reactive dyes (the kind that produce vibrant, long-lasting tie dye) bond chemically with cellulose fibers like cotton, linen, and rayon. Polyester does not bond with fiber reactive dye, so polyester blends will look washed out compared to all-cotton. Every shirt I tested in this comparison is 100 percent cotton, which is why color saturation was a fair test across the board.
What are the best fabric blends for tie dye?
If you need a blend (some people prefer how a blend drapes or wears), aim for at least 80 percent cotton. My favorite hoodie blank is Tultex at 80/20 cotton-polyester, and the dye uptake is still solid. Below 80 percent cotton you’ll see significant color loss, and 50/50 blends look heathered, which can be a cool effect on purpose but is not what most people picture when they imagine tie dye.
Where can I buy blank white t-shirts in bulk for tie dye?
Jiffy Shirts is my go-to wholesaler for bulk orders, and you can see prices for everything I tested in the comparison table above. Most of those blanks ship in cases of 72 or break-pack quantities. For smaller bulk orders, Goodfellow at Target comes in four-packs for around 20 dollars, and George at Walmart comes in five-packs for around 17 dollars.
What’s the cheapest white t-shirt for tie dye?
George brand from Walmart, at around three dollars per shirt in a five-pack. Gildan Heavy Cotton at Jiffy Shirts comes in just slightly cheaper at $2.79 per shirt in bulk, but the texture is stiffer and scratchier. If you want soft and cheap, Hanes Essential-T at $3.07 is the better balance.
Where can I find high-quality white blank shirts for tie dye?
Comfort Colors at $7.49 per shirt is the highest-quality blank I tested. Cotton thread (no white seam lines), excellent color saturation, and solid construction. The tradeoff is the permanent tag, so factor that in if you sell. Bella and Canvas is the next step down on price and offers excellent softness and color.
Can I tie dye toddler and kids’ white shirts?
Yes. Most of these brands offer the same blanks in youth and toddler sizes, including Gildan, Bella and Canvas, Hanes, and Next Level. The fits I tested are all adult sizes. For a toddler or kids tie dye party, search for the youth version of any brand on this list. George brand and Gildan Heavy Cotton in youth sizes give you a low-cost option that won’t break the bank if shirts get destroyed.
What size of white shirt should I buy for tie dye?
If you’re dyeing for a smaller frame, Next Level Apparel runs the smallest at 21 inches pit to pit. If you want a roomy fit, George brand at Walmart and Tultex are the largest. Most other brands cluster between 22 and 23 inches pit to pit at adult medium, which is the size I tested.
Do I need to wash white shirts before tie dyeing them?
Yes. Most blank shirts have a residue from manufacturing that can interfere with how dye binds to the fabric. Run them through a single wash with no fabric softener before you dye, and skip the dryer sheet too. This step is one of the cheapest ways to improve your color results.
What’s Next
Now that you know which white shirt to grab, the next question is what to do with it. I ranked the 6 most popular tie dye patterns by difficulty, from absolute beginner to advanced, and that post pairs perfectly with everything you just read. The deity roll I used here makes an appearance, along with five more folds you can practice on whichever blank you choose.
Happy dyeing.
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