SHOP FAVORITES: THE BLANKS WE LOVE TO PRINT (AND WEAR)

Walk into the Colorcube Print Co. shop on any given Tuesday, and you’ll find more than just the hum of the dryer and the rhythmic "shuck-shuck" of the manual press. You’ll find a team of people who are genuinely obsessed with fabric. We don’t just see t-shirts as a canvas for your logo; we see them as pieces of gear that people: ourselves included: actually want to live in.

After years of pulling thousands of garments off the belt, we’ve developed some pretty strong opinions. We’ve seen which shirts hold their shape after fifty washes and which ones end up looking like a discarded dishcloth. We know which hoodies take embroidery like a champ and which ones are a nightmare to register.

When clients ask us, "What’s the best shirt for my brand?" the answer usually depends on the vibe they're after. But if you ask us what we wear when the shop lights go down, the list gets a lot more specific. Today, we’re opening up the vault and sharing the "Shop Preferred" collection: the blanks that make our jobs easier and your merch look like it came off a high-end retail rack.

The Vintage Vibe: Comfort Colors 1717

If you’re looking for that "I’ve owned this since 1994" feel without having to spend three years breaking it in, Comfort Colors is the undisputed king. Specifically, the 1717 Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt.

What makes these special is the garment-dye process. Unlike traditional shirts where the yarn is dyed before the shirt is sewn, these are dyed after they’re fully constructed. This results in soft, muted tones and a slightly weathered look around the seams that screams authenticity. It’s a 6.1 oz, 100% ring-spun cotton beast that manages to be incredibly soft despite its weight.

From a Screen Printing perspective, Comfort Colors offers a unique challenge and a huge reward. Because of the way they are dyed, they can occasionally be prone to "dye migration," but when handled by a pro team, the result is a print that feels like it’s part of the fabric. It’s the perfect base for a "vintage-inspired" design or a minimalist chest hit. We love these for local coffee shops, outdoor brands, and anyone who wants their merch to feel like an immediate favorite.

The Modern Standard: ASColour Stencil Hoodie

When it comes to hoodies, there is a massive gap between "good" and "great." A "good" hoodie is fine for a giveaway, but a "great" hoodie becomes the only thing you wear from October to April. The ASColour Stencil Hoodie is, in our humble opinion, the greatest blank hoodie on the market right now.

ASColour is an Australian brand that has absolutely disrupted the US market by focusing on premium quality and ethical sourcing. The Stencil Hoodie (Style 5102) is a 350 GSM (heavyweight) blend of 80% cotton and 20% recycled polyester. It has a modern, structured fit that isn't too baggy but doesn't feel restrictive. The "anti-pill" fleece means it stays smooth and professional-looking even after heavy use.

Why do we love it in the shop? The surface. The cotton face of ASColour garments is incredibly tight and smooth, which is a dream for high-detail screen prints. But where this hoodie really shines is our Embroidery department. The density of the fabric allows for heavy stitch counts without the puckering you see on cheaper, thinner blanks. Whether we’re doing a 3D puff embroidery or a subtle tonal logo, the Stencil Hoodie provides a stable, premium foundation that elevates the entire project.

The Workhorse: Bayside Pocket Tee

Not every shirt needs to be a fashion statement. Sometimes, a shirt needs to be a tool. For our contractors, landscapers, and blue-collar crews, we almost always point them toward the Bayside Pocket Tee.

Bayside is a brand that leans hard into the "Made in the USA" ethos, and their construction reflects that. These are rugged, heavy-duty shirts that can take a beating on a job site. The pocket isn't just for show; it’s reinforced to handle pens, screws, or whatever else you’re hauling around.

In the shop, we appreciate the Bayside 5100 because it’s a "true-to-size" American fit. It’s got a bit more room in the shoulders and a longer body, which is exactly what you want when you’re actually working. When we screen print on these, we tend to go with high-opacity plastisol inks that can withstand the rigors of industrial laundry and heavy UV exposure. If you’re looking to outfit a crew that actually gets their hands dirty, this is the one.

Why the Blank Matters

You might be thinking, "It’s just a shirt, right?" Wrong. The blank you choose is 50% of the final product’s value. You could have the most incredible, award-winning graphic design in the world, but if you print it on a scratchy, ill-fitting "value" tee, no one is going to wear it.

When you choose a "shop preferred" blank, you’re investing in longevity. You’re making sure that your brand stays in the "top of the drawer" rotation. That’s how you get the best ROI on your merch: by making sure people actually put it on their bodies.

At Colorcube Print Co., we’ve curated this collection because we want our work to last. We take pride in every squeegee pull and every needle drop, and it hurts our souls to see good work go onto bad fabric. Whether you’re looking for a custom merch strategy or just a quick run of shop tees, starting with a quality blank is the first step toward success.

In-House Excellence: Screen Printing & Embroidery

Everything we do is handled right here under our roof. We aren't some middle-man website that farms out your order to the lowest bidder in another state. When you work with us, you’re working with the people who are actually mixing the ink and hooping the garments.

Our Screen Printing setup is designed for precision. We use high-mesh screens for detailed work and premium inks that offer a soft hand-feel. For our hoodies and heavier blanks, we ensure the cure temps are perfect so your design doesn’t crack or peel.

Our Embroidery department is where we get to show off our attention to detail. We digitize designs in-house, ensuring that every stitch direction and thread color is optimized for the specific fabric we’re working on. A Bayside pocket tee requires a different approach than an ASColour hoodie, and we have the expertise to navigate those nuances.

Let’s Build Your Collection

Choosing the right garment can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of options out there, but you don't have to navigate them alone. We’ve done the legwork, we’ve worn the samples, and we’ve seen the results.

If you’re ready to stop settling for "standard" and start creating "shop preferred" merch, we’re here to help. Whether you need a rugged workwear set or a high-end retail line, our team can guide you to the perfect fabric for your vision.

Ready to get started? Head over to our Quote Page to tell us about your project, or check out our Services Index to see the full range of what we can do. If you’re a returning client looking to restock those favorites, you can hit up the Reorder Form and we'll get the presses rolling.

At Colorcube Print Co., we don't just print shirts. We build the gear that defines your brand. Let's make something iconic together.