Redbubble employs various high-quality brands like Bella+Canvas, AS Colour, and Gildan for their shirts. Fabric ranges from polyester to cotton blends, tailored for diverse styles. Direct-to-garment and sublimation printing methods enhance durability. Washing guidelines ensure longevity.
What Kind of Shirts Do Redbubble Use?
When I bought my Redbubble shirts (quite recently), most Redbubble shirts had a Bella+Canvas tag on them.
However, the chiffon top and sleeveless tops didn’t have a brand name tag at all (just washing instructions).
The brand name on the premium scoop shirts and the men’s premium shirts is AS Colour and the classic shirts have a Gildan brand name tag.
All of the brands mentioned above are really cool companies because they make top-notch shirts and they’re ethically sourced (which ensures that the workers involved in making the shirts are safe and treated fairly).
I thought this would be like one of those tshirts you get for free at an event, low quality and poor fitting. I was pleasantly surprised to get a well-fitted shirt made of nice material. Im a bit hesitant to wash this too much for fear the ink will chip off, but so far that hasn’t happened… Allie on Jan 23, 2020 [RES]
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What Fabric Does Redbubble Use for Their T-Shirts & Tops?
Every shirt’s material is listed in the product info section of its product description page.
But at the time of writing this post, here were the fabrics used for each Redbubble shirt:
| Active T-Shirt | Lightweight 3.5 oz, 100% polyester fabric |
| Baseball ¾ Sleeve T-Shirt | 52% ringspun cotton and 48% polyester |
| Chiffon Top | 100% polyester chiffon |
| Classic T-Shirt | Heavyweight 5.3 oz / 180 gsm fabric, solid colors are 100% preshrunk cotton, heather grey is 90% cotton/10% polyester, denim heather is 50% cotton/50% polyester |
| Essential T-Shirts | Midweight 4.2 oz. / 145 gsm fabric, solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton, heather grey t-shirts are 90% cotton/10% polyester charcoal heather t-shirts are 52% cotton/48% polyester |
| Fitted T-Shirt | Solid colors are 100% cotton; heathered fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
| Fitted Scoop T-Shirt | Solid colors are 100% cotton; heathered fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
| Fitted V-Neck T-Shirt | Solid colors are 100% cotton; heathered fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
| Graphic T-Shirt | The printed front panel is 96% polyester/4% spandex. Solid color back panel, sleeves, and neck bind are 100% cotton |
| Long T-Shirt | Midweight 4.2 oz. / 145 gsm fabric, solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton, charcoal heather is 52% cotton/48% polyester |
| Long Sleeve T-Shirt | Solid colors are 100% cotton, heathered and marled fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
| Premium T-Shirt | Heavyweight 5.3 oz. / 180 gsm fabric, solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton, heathered and marled fabrics are 85% cotton/15% polyester |
| Premium Scoop T-Shirt | Midweight 4.4 oz. / 150 gsm fabric. Solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton. Heathered and marled fabrics are 85% cotton/15% polyester. |
| Racerback Tank Top | 100% Cotton |
| Relaxed Fit T-Shirt | Solid colors are 100% cotton; heathered fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
| Sleeveless Top | Option of black or white 96% polyester, 4% elastane soft jersey back panel |
| Tank Top | Solid colors are 100% cotton; heathered and marled fabrics are 90% cotton, 10% polyester |
Tri-Blend T-Shirt | Midweight 4.3 oz. / 145 gsm preshrunk, moisture-wicking tri-blend fabric: 50% polyester, 25% cotton, 25% rayon jersey |
| V-Neck T-Shirt | Solid color t-shirts are 100% cotton; heather grey t-shirts are 90% cotton, 10% polyester; charcoal heather t-shirts are 52% cotton, 48% polyester |
What Type of Printing Does Redbubble Use for the Art/Designs?
Most of Redbubble’s t-shirts and tops are made using direct-to-garment printing.
A type of pre-treatment is added to the shirt before loading it into a printer. The pre-treatment guarantees that the prints will sink into the fibers of the fabric, making the artwork/designs more durable than traditional prints that have the ink sitting on top of the fabric. (But this process will also make your shirt smell a little off when you first get it. No biggie.)
For me it’s all about the fitted V-neck T-shirts. As soon as I take it out of the bag I hand wash it right away because The print on the T-shirt has a little smell which is what I’m used to.. after ordering over 20 T-shirts already-it’s no big deal, hand wash with soap/ air dry and it’s perfect.The quality of these T-shirts are great I have thrown them in the washing machine many times over and they are still perfect. I’m a very satisfied customer. Love me some redbubble. Mercedes M. on Nov 21, 2019 [RES]
The print is wonderful, doesn’t feel like a sticker or anything heavy stuck on a tee, which i normally hate. I washed it once and it looks OK so I’m pretty happy. Jessie on Nov 23, 2015 [RES]
On the other hand, Redbubble’s graphic t-shirts are created using a different technique called sublimation printing.
In a nutshell, the sublimation printing process involves heating the inks until they turn into gas. This gas is then combined with the polyester fabric of the graphic shirt.
Since the ink becomes part of the fabric, the design on the graphic t-shirt’s fabric won’t fade or crack, even after many washes.
Arrived when they said, good quality t-sort and great print. Wash well so far! Jennie M. on Jan 5, 2020 [RES]
Why Do Redbubble Shirts Smell Like Vinegar?
The only thing that I find a little odd about these shirts is that when you first get a Redbubble shirt, you’ll probably notice a smell.
Most people compare this smell to vinegar. This smell is caused by the printing process and it will go away after you wash your shirt.
How To Wash Redbubble Shirts
Please Note: Redbubble recommends you hand-wash the graphic t-shirts.
Here are some basic tips to prevent the designs from your t-shirts and tops from fading:
- Wash your shirts in cold water.
- Hang them to dry (my favorite way to do this is with a laundry rack I got on Amazon) or lay them flat to dry (Amazon). The drying process depends on what the shirt’s tag says.
- Wash your clohtes inside out.
- Use a laundry detergent specifically meant to keep clothing from fading (my favorite is Cheer Colorguard Liquid Laundry Detergent which I buy on Amazon).
I’ve already washed [my fitted shirt] 4-5 times and see no signs of any problems with the print or with fading or bleeding (I got a bright purple shirt with mostly-white design and both are still where they’re supposed to be). Super impressed and happy and I will be buying again from Redbubble! Jen P. on Apr 13, 2016 [RES]
… The material is light and sturdy. The design doesn’t crack or fade. I wash mine but I don’t dry them. I hang them to dry. I think that helps preserve them. I also wash them by themselves on a gentle cycle. I highly recommend these shirts… Apryl A. on May 26, 2021 [RES]
Print looks great, a few washes in and it’s still looks wonderful. Fit me just the way I like. Thanks! Sam F. on Jan 26, 2021 [RES]
It’s pretty nice. The colors remain bright even after washing a couple times. Great quality and beautiful design. Micha v. on Aug 12, 2021 [RES]
I love the finished print and if careful when washing the print stays perfectly on the material each time. emma t. on Feb 26, 2021 [RES]
Overview: Does Redbubble Have High-Quality Shirts?
So, are the brands that Redbubble uses for their t-shirts and tops as good as online reviewers claim they are?
Yes! Redbubble tees and tops are not only good. They’re GREAT!
My friends and I have ordered so many products on Redbubble for 14 years, including their shirts, and they don’t disappoint!
I will certainly continue getting shirts from Redbubble. Comfortable, well made, great fit, competitive price… what’s not to love? Susan on Jun 11, 2021 [RES]
And, worse comes to worst, if your shirt doesn’t fit or you’re just not impressed with the quality of the fabric or print of your shirt, it’s easy (and free) to return a Redbubble shirt. (Sometimes, Redbubble would just tell customers to donate the shirt to someone that would benefit from it. That’s truly amazing customer service!)
The people at this site are wonderful…..when my shirt didn’t fit, they just sent another one without even a return of the first order!! What a treat to have such service! Margy B. on Mar 3, 2016 [RES]
The t-shirts are of fantastic quality, as have been all the shirts I have purchased from Redbubble, and the fact that if a mistake is made when filling my order, you all bend over backwards to make it right, has made me a fan and a lifetime customer! Thank you! Brenda E. on Mar 28, 2021 [RES]
All customer reviews were taken from Redbubble’s customer review section. To view these reviews, click on any shirt and then click on the “Read all reviews” button on the product page.
You can also visit Trustpilot for more up-to-date reviews on Redbubble’s shirt.