American Apparel Shirt Guide for DTF Printing

American Apparel shirts are good for DTF printing: the best-known blank, the 2001 Fine Jersey tee, is 4.3 oz combed ring-spun cotton with a smooth, tightly knit surface. American Apparel went through bankruptcy and is now owned by Gildan, but its blanks are still sold for custom printing. This guide covers what the 2001 is made of, how it compares with other blanks, what happened to the brand and how to press DTF on it.

Are American Apparel shirts good for DTF printing?

Yes. The American Apparel 2001 Fine Jersey t-shirt is made of tightly knit, combed ring-spun cotton, which gives a smooth printing surface that holds fine detail. It is a lightweight tee at 4.3 oz, so it presses at standard cotton settings of 300 to 325°F, and a pre-press helps remove moisture. It suits retail and fashion orders where a soft hand matters more than a heavy feel.

American Apparel 2001 specifications

These are the published specifications for the 2001 Unisex Fine Jersey tee, as listed by blank distributors. Specs can change, so check the current sheet before you order a case.

The 2001 is a lightweight, soft tee, similar to the Next Level 3600 and Bella+Canvas 3001, and well below a Gildan 5000 or Hanes Beefy-T in weight.

For measurements, see the unisex t-shirt size chart, and compare against the Bella+Canvas size chart and Next Level size chart. The premium tee vs classic tee guide explains why a ring-spun tee like this one suits retail.

What happened to American Apparel?

The original American Apparel, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 14, 2016. On February 8, 2017, Gildan acquired the American Apparel brand and certain assets in a court-supervised auction, with a winning cash bid of about $88 million. Gildan has since sold American Apparel wholesale products under the brand name, and said it would relocate manufacturing during the transition. Availability and country of origin can vary by style and period, so check the distributor listing and the tag claims before you promote a shirt as made in a particular place.

How to press DTF on an American Apparel shirt

Use standard cotton settings:

1. Pre-press for 3 to 5 seconds.
2. Press the transfer at 300 to 325°F for 10 to 15 seconds at medium-firm pressure.
3. Cold peel after the film cools.
4. Cover with parchment and press for 5 to 10 seconds more.

A thin tee needs a light touch, so avoid long dwell times. For the Heather Grey color, which contains polyester, drop the temperature toward the blend range of 290 to 310°F. See the press settings guide and the temperature and time chart.

Where to buy American Apparel blanks

Wholesale distributors and single-piece sellers carry the 2001, though stock varies by color and size. Compare prices on the day you buy. The wholesale blank apparel guide lists the main sources, and the custom t-shirts guide covers print options.

Frequently asked questions

Is American Apparel still in business?

The brand is. The original company went bankrupt in 2016, and Gildan bought the American Apparel brand in February 2017. Wholesale blanks are sold under the name, though styles and stock change.

Who owns American Apparel now?

Gildan Activewear acquired the American Apparel brand and certain assets in 2017, after the original company filed for bankruptcy in November 2016. The price was a winning bid of about $88 million.

What is the American Apparel 2001 made of?

The 2001 Fine Jersey tee is 100% combed ring-spun cotton at 4.3 oz, except Heather Grey, which is 90% cotton and 10% polyester. It has a tubular body and shoulder-to-shoulder tape.

Are American Apparel shirts better than Gildan for printing?

They are softer and smoother than a Gildan 5000, which suits detailed designs and retail products. The Gildan 5000 is heavier and cheaper, and suits budget bulk orders.

Do American Apparel shirts shrink?

Cotton can lose a little length in a hot dryer. Pre-press before you print, and wash printed shirts inside out in cool water and tumble dry low.