Decoration Compatibility Guide
Decoration Compatibility Guide
Quick reference showing which Three Layer blanks work best with each decoration method. Use this chart to choose the right blank for your printing, embroidery, or heat transfer projects.
| Product | Weight | Fabric | Screen Print | DTG | Embroidery | Heat Transfer / HTV | DTF | Sublimation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1003 Combed Cotton Tee | 4.5 oz | 100% Cotton | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| 1005 Heavy Cotton Tee | 6.0 oz | 100% Ringspun | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| 5108 Premium Hoodie | 7.8 oz | 80/20 | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ |
| 5109 Full Zip Hoodie | 7.8 oz | 80/20 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ |
| 3130 Sleeveless Hoodie | 8.0 oz | 80/20 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ |
| P280 Midweight Hoodie ★ | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ |
| CR280 Crewneck | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ |
| 7770 Fleece Shorts | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| 8801 Fleece Joggers | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| 15001 Heavyweight Hoodie | 12.0 oz | 80/20 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| Y300 Youth Hoodie | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
| Y5501 Youth Jogger | 8.8 oz | 70/30 | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ✗ |
Legend: ★★★ Excellent | ★★ Good | ★ Fair | ✗ Not Recommended
Decoration Method Quick Guide
Screen Printing
Best blanks: All Three Layer products rate Excellent for screen printing.
Why: High cotton content provides excellent ink adhesion. Smooth fleece and jersey surfaces accept plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks cleanly. Tear-away labels make relabeling easy for private label jobs.
Tips: Use 110-156 mesh for fleece, 200-230 mesh for jersey tees. Flash cure at 320°F for heavyweight fleece. Underbase white on dark garments.
DTG (Direct to Garment)
Best blanks: 1003 Tee, 1005 Tee, 5108 Hoodie, P280 Hoodie, CR280 Crewneck, Y300 Youth Hoodie
Why: DTG works best on high-cotton fabrics. 100% cotton tees deliver the most vibrant results. 70/30 and 80/20 blends work well with proper pretreatment.
Tips: Pretreat all garments (even white). Use heat press at 330°F for 15 seconds. Allow 24 hours before washing.
Embroidery
Best blanks: CR280 Crewneck (seamless body, no seam interference) and 15001 Heavyweight Hoodie (thick fabric holds stitches perfectly)
Why: Heavier fabrics support dense stitch counts without puckering. Seamless construction eliminates registration issues from side seams.
Tips: Use cut-away stabilizer on fleece. Reduce stitch density by 10-15% on heavyweight blanks. Avoid large fills on lightweight tees.
Heat Transfer / HTV
Best blanks: All products rate Excellent. Cotton-poly blends handle heat well.
Why: Smooth surfaces accept vinyl cleanly. Heavy cotton content ensures adhesion. Double-needle stitching withstands repeated heat press applications.
Sublimation
Honest assessment: Three Layer blanks are NOT ideal for full-vibrancy sublimation. Sublimation requires polyester fibers, our highest poly content is 30% (in our 70/30 blends).
However: Cotton-poly blends can achieve a trendy vintage/muted sublimation effect. The cotton fibers resist dye while polyester fibers accept it, creating a heathered look popular in streetwear.
Best options for vintage sublimation: P280 (70/30) and CR280 (70/30) in light colors only.
Not sure which method is right for your project? See our Product Comparison Chart for a complete side-by-side view, or contact our team for personalized recommendations.