The biggest difference for me is the ringspun cotton. That makes the t-shirts very soft and makes a good first impression on the buyer. I think people are more likely to wear your comfortable ringspun cotton t-shirt over another t-shirt.

If you're not worried about the ringspun, Hanes has a 6.1 ounce t-shirt that isn't ringspun for much less than the beefy. I think it's the 5250, but I'm not 100% on that. I would go for the heavier weight shirt instead of the 5.5 oz.

 

Ringspun cotton is definitely great for softness, but on the other hand I prefer a lighter weight shirt. Between the tight collar, close-knit fabric, and heavy weight... I very very rarely wear my Hanes Beefy T's (all three things contribute to them being way too hot).

Some customers prefer heavy, some light - depending on the market you're aiming at the ratio will differ.

I'm not saying I wouldn't use the Beefy T (it's a good shirt), but it is certainly a dilemna for you as it's not just a question of money - different customers have different needs.

 

Thanks for the posts, very good information.

The biggest problem I'm having is being objective about which shirt to get. Personally I like to wear very lightweight shirts. If I could find a shirt that had the same weight as a shirt made of papertowels I would wear that 24/7.

As I look at successful sites that sell to the same market I notice the majority use a 5.5oz 100% cotton heavyweight. This is making me lean more towards the 5280.

Thanks again for the information.

 

If you like really light weight t-shirts, you should get some samples from alternativeapparel (or just wait for the t-shirtforums t-shirts to be printed and shipped )

 

I'd ask around to friends or people you know that you think would be in your market.

Personally, I like lighter weight shirts, like American Apparel, and Alternative Apparel, but I'm going with Beefy-T as our main shirt because the people I've given our shirts out to so far really like how comfortable it is. So I wouldn't really base it on personal preference unless you are certain that is your market, just don't get a cheap shirt to save money, it may bite you in the *** later on.

After our site is up and if people hate Beefy-T and want something else, I have no problem switching them to another brand...they are the ones buying the shirts, not me. I can always print the ones for myself on anything I want.

 

I can always print the ones for myself on anything I want.

That's what I've been doing lately. I use one style for resale, and since I like a different style (50/50 fruit of the loom), I get some extras printed on that brand.

 

Can someone comment on Solmu's comment regarding the "tight collar" on the Hanes Beefy T (5180)? Personally I hate it when the collar of a t-shirt seems small and I feel like I'm being strangled.

Is there really a difference in the collar?

 

Can someone comment on Solmu's comment regarding the "tight collar" on the Hanes Beefy T (5180)?

I have a 5180 and a Hanes tagless here in my office and the collars seem pretty similar. I actually think the Beefy T is goodly proportioned in regards to size.

They both seem to have coverseamed necklines, so I'm not sure where the difference would be.

Your best bet is to buy a few samples from different places and see which one you think your customers would prefer and which ones you can rule out based on your own standards of quality.

Like a lot of people like the Gildan Ultra cotton and I got a charlie brown t-shirt from t-shirts.com today that's printed on a Gildan and while it's a nice t-shirt, I personally wouldn't use it for my brand. My customers might love it, but they'll never get that choice because I wouldn't feel right Conversely, I like 50/50 t-shirts, but I don't think a majority of customers would like to wear them, so I don't use them for my brand.

 

Beefy-T does have a tight collar for the most part, but its going to vary shirt to shirt. I've noticed it more on some of my black shirts than any other color.

I would just buy one and see what you think. The white shirts are also much more light weight than the colored shirts.

 

they are the ones buying the shirts, not me. I can always print the ones for myself on anything I want.

Exactly. I commonly print on shirts I'd never wear myself, because it's not about what I'd wear.

I'm hoping to find a brand that both myself and customers can be happy selling/buying, but in the meanwhile it's more important they like it than I do.

 

I have a 5180 and a Hanes tagless here in my office and the collars seem pretty similar.

I meant the Hanes Beefy T as opposed to other brands (FOTL, Gildan, etc.) rather than as opposed to other Hanes tees.

Beefy-T does have a tight collar for the most part, but its going to vary shirt to shirt. I've noticed it more on some of my black shirts than any other color.

I have a couple of black and a heather grey. I haven't noticed a difference between any of them (except that the heather grey shirt is incredibly soft), but I've only worn them each a few times apiece.

 

Yeah the heather gray shirts are softer...not sure if thats because they are 90% cotton 10% polyester or what.

Beefy-T is a good all around shirt, I've just noticed weird sizing inconsitencies from color to color. Maybe I just got a bad batch, I'm not sure.