Port & Company PC380 Performance Tee: The Best Budget-Friendly Shirt for DTF Printing

If you're printing for sports teams, local 5K races, pickleball tournaments, or any athletic event, you need a performance tee that won't destroy your margins. That's where the Port & Company PC380 comes in — and honestly, it's our favorite cost-friendly performance shirt for DTF printing.

At just over $3 wholesale, the PC380 delivers moisture-wicking performance, UPF 50 sun protection, and a solid color selection — all on a 100% polyester canvas that plays beautifully with DTF transfers. Let's break down everything you need to know.

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Why the PC380 Is Our Go-To Performance Tee

The Price Is Unbeatable

Let's start with what matters most for high-volume jobs: cost. When you're quoting 50+ shirts for a rec league or charity run, every dollar counts. The PC380 sits in that sweet spot just above $3 at wholesale — significantly cheaper than premium performance brands while still delivering a quality product your customers won't complain about.

For context, here's how the PC380 stacks up on price:

The PC380 consistently comes in at the lowest price point while matching or beating the competition on features.

Dry Zone® Moisture-Wicking Technology

Nobody wants to wear a soggy shirt at mile marker 3. The PC380 features Port & Company's Dry Zone® moisture-wicking technology that pulls sweat away from the skin and helps it evaporate quickly. This is the same technology you'll find on shirts costing twice as much.

UPF 50 Sun Protection

For outdoor events — 5Ks, pickleball tournaments, soccer leagues, field days — the built-in UPF 50 rating is a genuine selling point. That's blocking 98% of UV rays. Mention this to your customers when quoting outdoor event shirts. It adds perceived value without adding cost.

3.8-Ounce Lightweight Construction

At just 3.8 ounces, the PC380 is light and breathable. Athletes and event participants appreciate a shirt that doesn't feel like a weighted vest, especially in summer heat. The lightweight construction also means faster heat transfer times during DTF pressing since there's less material to heat through.

Tear-Away Label

The PC380 features a tear-away label, which means easy relabeling for custom brands or a clean, tag-free neck for comfort. This is a detail your customers notice and appreciate.

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PC380 Size Chart: Complete Measurements

One thing to know upfront: the PC380 runs a little big. Keep this in mind when helping customers choose sizes, and mention it on your order forms. Someone who normally wears a medium in a Gildan 5000 might want to stick with medium or even consider a small in the PC380.

Adult PC380 Size Chart

Width measured 1" below armhole. Length measured from top of collar to bottom hem. Actual dimensions may vary ±1".

Youth PC380Y Size Chart

The youth PC380Y uses the same Dry Zone® technology, UPF 50 rating, and 100% polyester construction as the adult version — perfect for youth sports leagues and school events.

Sizing tip: Since the PC380 runs a bit generous, consider ordering a sample pack before committing to a large team order. This lets your customer try on actual sizes rather than guessing, and it prevents costly returns.

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DTF Printing on the PC380: Settings & Tips

The PC380 is 100% polyester, which means you need to adjust your DTF approach compared to cotton blanks. Here's what works:

Recommended DTF Press Settings for PC380

### Why Lower Temperature Matters on Polyester

This is critical: do not use your standard cotton DTF settings on the PC380. Standard cotton DTF temps of 300°F–325°F will cause problems on 100% polyester:

• Dye migration — The polyester dyes can bleed through your transfer, causing discoloration (especially on dark or bright colors like Red, Deep Navy, and Neon shades)
• Scorching — Polyester has a lower heat tolerance than cotton and can develop a shiny, scorched appearance
• Shrinkage — Excessive heat can cause the fabric to pucker or shrink around the transfer area

Always test press a sample before running a full order. This is especially important with the PC380's darker and neon colorways where dye migration is most visible.

DTF Tips Specific to the PC380

1. Pre-press the shirt for 3–5 seconds before applying your transfer. This removes moisture from the Dry Zone® fabric and ensures better adhesion.

1. Use a pressing pillow inside the shirt to create an even pressing surface. Performance fabrics can be slippery, and a pillow prevents the back of the shirt from sticking.

1. Wait for warm peel — Don't hot peel polyester. Let the transfer cool to warm/lukewarm before peeling. This dramatically improves adhesion and wash durability.

1. Post-press for 3–5 seconds after peeling to re-activate the adhesive and lock the transfer into the polyester fibers.

1. Watch for dye migration on neon colors — The Neon Green, Neon Orange, Neon Pink, Neon Yellow, and Neon Blue colorways are the highest risk for dye migration. Drop your temp to the lower end (270°F) and test first.

For a deep dive into DTF temperature settings across all fabric types, check out our Complete DTF Temperature Guide.

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Available Colors

The PC380 comes in 24 colors — a solid selection that covers everything from team colors to high-visibility safety options:

Standard Colors

Athletic Maroon, Charcoal, Dark Green, Deep Navy, Gold, Grey Concrete, Jet Black, Kelly, Red, Royal, Silver, True Navy, True Royal, White

Neon/High-Visibility Colors

Neon Blue, Neon Green, Neon Orange, Neon Pink, Neon Yellow

Specialty Colors

Carolina Blue, Coyote Brown, Deep Orange, Olive Drab Green, Team Purple

Color Selection Tips for DTF

• Best for DTF transfers: White, Silver, Grey Concrete, and other light colors give you the cleanest transfer results with no dye migration risk.
• Solid mid-range options: Deep Navy, Royal, True Royal, and Kelly work well with proper temperature control (275°F–280°F).
• Use caution: Neon colors look amazing but require the most careful pressing. Always test first and keep temps at 270°F.
• Military/tactical market: Coyote Brown and Olive Drab Green open up opportunities for military unit shirts, tactical events, and outdoor adventure companies.

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The PC380 Family: Related Styles

The PC380 isn't just a single tee — Port & Company offers a full performance family so you can outfit entire teams with matching styles:

This is a huge advantage for team orders. A coach can get short-sleeve tees for players, long-sleeve options for cooler weather, sleeveless tanks for summer training, and even hooded tees for warm-ups — all in matching colors and the same performance fabric. The DTF settings are the same across all PC380 variants since they share the same 3.8 oz, 100% polyester construction.

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Where to Buy the PC380 Wholesale

The PC380 is a SanMar brand (Port & Company is owned by SanMar), so your wholesale sourcing options are focused but reliable:

SanMar (sanmar.com)

Your primary source. As the parent company, SanMar carries the full PC380 lineup — every color, every size, every variant (LS, sleeveless, youth, hoodie). If you're doing consistent volume, set up a SanMar wholesale account for the best pricing and fastest restocking.

👉 Browse PC380 on SanMar

JiffyShirts (jiffyshirts.com)

Our go-to for quick-turn orders. JiffyShirts carries the PC380 and PC380Y with fast shipping and no minimum order. Perfect when a customer needs 12 shirts by Friday and you don't have time for a SanMar order.

👉 Browse PC380 on JiffyShirts

Pricing Breakdown

Prices vary by color and supplier. Extended sizes (3XL, 4XL) carry a small upcharge.

Pro tip: SanMar offers case pricing on many styles. If you're ordering 72+ of a single color/size, ask about case discounts — it can knock another 5–10% off.

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Best Use Cases for the PC380

This is where the PC380 really shines. It's not trying to be a fashion-forward retail tee — it's a workhorse performance shirt at a price point that lets you compete on team and event orders:

Sports Teams

• Rec league uniforms (soccer, softball, basketball, flag football)
• Practice jerseys for youth and adult teams
• Coaching staff shirts
• Tournament giveaway tees

Running Events

• 5K and 10K race shirts
• Color run participant tees
• Charity walk/run shirts
• Marathon volunteer shirts

Pickleball & Racquet Sports

• Tournament player shirts
• League uniforms
• Club membership tees
• Instructor/pro shop shirts

Corporate & Events

• Company field day shirts
• Outdoor team-building events
• Summer camp staff and camper shirts
• Church sports leagues and VBS shirts

Why Teams Love the PC380

When you're quoting a 40-person rec league, the math gets real. Here's a quick comparison:

That $120 savings either goes straight to your margin or lets you undercut competitors while maintaining profit. On 10 team orders a season, that's $1,200 back in your pocket.

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PC380 vs. Other Budget Performance Tees

How does the PC380 compare to other affordable performance options?

The PC380 wins on price, UPF rating, and overall value. The Sport-Tek ST350 has more colors but costs 50% more. The Gildan G420 is slightly heavier (which some customers prefer) but lacks sun protection.

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Common Questions About the PC380

Do PC380 shirts run true to size? They tend to run a little big. If your customer is between sizes, recommend sizing down. Always suggest ordering samples for team orders. Can I sublimate on the PC380? Yes! Since it's 100% polyester, the PC380 works for both DTF transfers and sublimation. For sublimation, stick to white or very light colors for best results. Is the PC380 see-through? At 3.8 oz, the white colorway can be slightly translucent in bright sunlight. For white performance tees where opacity matters, consider the slightly heavier Gildan G420 (4.5 oz) or recommend a size up. How does the PC380 hold up after washing? Very well. The polyester construction resists shrinkage, and DTF transfers on polyester (when pressed at the correct temperature) tend to last longer than on cotton because polyester doesn't break down as quickly in the wash. Can I get the PC380 at S&S Activewear? No. Port & Company is a SanMar-owned brand, so it's available through SanMar directly and through authorized retailers like JiffyShirts. It's not carried by S&S Activewear. What's the difference between PC380 and PC61? The PC61 is Port & Company's cotton/poly blend everyday tee. The PC380 is their 100% polyester performance line with Dry Zone® wicking and UPF 50. Choose the PC380 for athletic and outdoor use; choose the PC61 for everyday casual wear.

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The Bottom Line

The Port & Company PC380 is the shirt we reach for when a customer needs performance tees on a budget. At ~$3 wholesale, with moisture-wicking, UPF 50, and 24 colors to choose from, it's hard to beat for sports teams, races, and outdoor events.

Just remember: lower your DTF temperature to 270°F–285°F, always test press neon colors, and let your customers know these run a touch big. Do that, and the PC380 will become one of your most profitable blanks.

Quick Reference Card

--- Looking for more blank shirt guides? Check out our complete sizing guides for Gildan, Jerzees, and District. For DTF press settings across all fabric types, see our DTF Temperature Settings Guide. And for help placing your designs perfectly, don't miss our Shirt Placement Guide.