If you're starting a clothing brand, printing merch for clients, or you're just over tees that look tired after three washes, the blank you choose is the biggest call you'll make. The print gets all the attention. The blank is what people actually live in.

So what makes a blank t-shirt premium? And how do you find the right one in Australia without ordering ten samples from ten different suppliers? Here's exactly what we look at. We've been in apparel for over 12 years, so we've seen the good, the bad and the see-through.

What actually makes a blank premium?

It's not the price tag. A premium blank gets six things right: the fabric, the weight, the fit, the construction, the colour consistency, and knowing who made it. Cheap blanks cut corners on at least one of those. Usually you don't find out until after it's printed.

1. Start with the fabric

Fabric is everything. It decides how the tee feels, how it washes, and how your print sits on it.

We use GOTS certified organic cotton across our range. GOTS checks the whole chain, from the farm through to the finished garment, so it's not just a nice word on a swing tag. It's also combed cotton, which means the short, scratchy fibres are brushed out. You get a softer, smoother tee and a cleaner surface to print on.

Want something with a bit more texture? Hemp blends are worth a look. Our Simple Tee Hemp 302H is 55% hemp and 45% cotton. Strong, breathable, and it gets softer every wash.

2. Get the weight right

Weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). Quick version:

• 160gsm: light and breezy, great for summer merch
• 180gsm: the everyday sweet spot
• 220gsm: heavier, more structured, feels premium the second you pick it up
• 350gsm and up: sweater and hoodie territory

Heavier isn't automatically better though. A well made 180gsm tee will outlast a badly made 220gsm one every time. We go deeper in What is GSM and how do you choose the right weight.

3. Pick a fit that suits your brand

Fit is where a lot of brands get stuck. Our two most popular blanks are a good example of how different two tees can be:

• Simple Tee 302: a classic fit at 180gsm. Clean, easy, works on everyone.
• Slouch Tee 303: oversized and boxy at 220gsm. Our best seller, and that extra weight is a big part of why.

Not sure which suits your crowd? Check out our Simple vs Slouch fit guide. Our top tip: lay a tee you already love flat, measure it, and compare it to the size guide. Way more reliable than guessing.

4. Think about how you'll decorate it

Screen print, DTF, DTG or embroidery, the blank makes a real difference to the result. A tight, smooth knit gives you sharper edges and better colour. Have a read of Screen printing vs DTG vs DTF if you're still deciding.

Two things we always tell printers:

• Check your blanks before you print. Sizes, colours and quantities against the packing slip. Once it's printed, it can't be returned.
• Chat to your printer about discharge printing. Our garment dyed blanks aren't designed for it, so results can be inconsistent.

5. Check the colours (and the consistency)

A great colour range is fun. Consistent colour is what really matters, especially if you're reordering. All our colours are developed using Pantone references, and you can see the full range on our colour chart.

Because we work with natural fibres and garment dyeing, you can get slight shifts between batches. That's normal, and honestly it's part of the character. If you're doing a big run that needs to match, let us know and we'll help you keep it consistent.

6. Know who made it

This one matters to us more than anything. A lot of blanks come from factories nobody can name. Ours are made in our own production units in Vietnam and Bangladesh, with teams we know personally. We publish our wages, and we're always happy to talk about how our garments are made.

If your brand stands for something, your blank should too. Read more on Our Commitment page.

7. Feel it before you commit

Photos only tell you so much. Before a big order, grab a sample or come and see us at our showroom in Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast. Picking a tee up and feeling it is honestly the fastest way to decide. Get in touch to book a visit.

Going beyond the tee: MINDFUL LUXE™

Premium doesn't stop at tees. MINDFUL LUXE™ is our own fabric blend of lyocell, hemp and GOTS organic cotton, knitted into a heavyweight 425gsm rib. It's soft, it's structured, and it feels completely different to anything else in the range. Basically everything we love about natural fibres, turned up a notch.

You'll find it in the Womens Scoop Singlet 206 and the Womens Court Short 210. Wear them together as a set or style them with your favourite blanks.

Buying blanks in bulk

Depending on what you're doing, there are a few ways to order:

• Printers and embroiderers: apply for a trade account to get trade pricing on in stock blanks. Find more on our printers and embroiderers page.
• Brands and boutiques: wholesale accounts are set up for resale.
• Want your own colour, labels and finish? Our made to order service lets you customise our blanks, from 150 units per style and colour.

Your quick checklist

• Is it certified organic (GOTS) and combed cotton?
• Is the GSM right for the season and the feel you want?
• Does the fit match your brand?
• Will it print well with your method?
• Can you get consistent colour on a reorder?
• Do you know who made it?
• Have you felt a sample?

Tick all seven and you've found a premium blank.

Browse the full range at mindfulmerch.com.au, or reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.