Whether you want to show a name, logo, or team name on a shirt, getting it embroidered as a high-quality design has never been easier. These days, there are countless options for custom stitchwork that you can take advantage of.
However, the shirt you choose can make or break your design. One might work better for a method like screen printing, resulting in a lackluster design that doesn’t show up well. The right one can make your design pop in the best ways and support the stitchwork for years to come.
So today, we’re sharing our top five favorite shirt blanks for embroidery.
- Best Feel/Fabric Texture: Under Armour 1370399 Men’s Tech Polo
- Best Athletic Style: Adidas A430 Basic Sport Polo
- Best for Everyday Wear: Port Authority K500LS Silk Touch Long Sleeve Polo
- Best from Recognized Brands: Nike DC1963 Dri-FIT Micro Pique 2.0 Polo
- Best Budget‑Friendly Option: Gildan DryBlend 8800 50/50 Jersey Polo
At a Glance
| Features | Feel | Price | Colors & Sizes | |
| Gildan DryBlend 8800 50/50 Jersey Polo |
|
Heavyweight yet soft to the touch | Starts at $18.97 | 18 colors; sizes Adult S–5XL, Youth YS–YXL |
| Nike DC1963 Dri-FIT Micro Pique 2.0 Polo |
|
Lightweight soft | Starts at $45.11 | 20 colors; sizes Adult XS–4XLT |
| Port Authority K500LS Silk Touch Long Sleeve Polo |
|
Midweight soft | Starts at $32.29 | 9 colors; sizes Adult XS–6XL |
| Adidas A430 Basic Sport Polo |
|
Lightweight soft | Starts at $38.73 | 14 colors; sizes Adult S–4XL |
| Under Armour 1370399 Men’s Tech Polo |
|
Midweight yet soft to the touch | Starts at $47.71 | 9 colors; sizes Adult S–4XL |
Gildan DryBlend 8800 50/50 Jersey Polo
Gildan is known for great shirt blanks and tends to always make our lists. Specifically, the Gildan DryBlend 8800 50/50 Jersey Polo is a great base for embroidery, with 18 colors available.
The 50% preshrunk cotton and 50% polyester blend is not only soft but durable. It’s a heavyweight fabric, but don’t think that it’s uncomfortable to wear. Its DryBlend fabric has moisture-wicking properties that help keep you dry while going out, even in the hottest months. This makes it great for teams and coaches alike, but if you need a custom school uniform, this shirt comes in youth sizes as well.
And unlike most polos that have a pique knit fabric weave, the Gildan DryBlend features a smooth jersey knit, making it great not only for embroidery designs but for vinyl printing as well.
Pros
- Durable heavyweight 50% preshrunk cotton and 50% polyester blend
- Available in youth and adult sizes
- Very budget-friendly, making it ideal for large orders
- Moisture-wicking properties
Cons
- Doesn’t take screen or DTG printing as well
Nike DC1963 Dri-FIT Micro Pique 2.0 Polo
Nike is a powerhouse when it comes to sportswear, and the Nike DC1963 Dri-FIT Micro Pique 2.0 Polo works wonderfully with embroidery. Offering a range of 20 possible colors, this shirt uses a lightweight and 100% polyester Dri-FIT fabric, so its moisture management technology ensures comfort with style.
The flat knit collar and three-button placket uses white or black pearlized buttons to match the shirt color. There’s also the iconic swoosh logo on the left sleeve, showing off a high-quality polo by a well-known brand.
Pros
- 100% polyester fabric, fit for sportswear
- 20 color options available
- Recognizable branding on the left sleeve
- Moisture-wicking properties
Cons
- Only available in adult sizes
Port Authority K500LS Silk Touch Long Sleeve Polo
The Port Authority K500LS Silk Touch Long Sleeve Polo is a perfect choice for a warmer, long-sleeve shirt. Made with a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton pique knit, it resists wrinkles and shrinkage, making it soft, durable, and easy to care for. The three buttons on the placket are metal and dyed to match the plastic rims, offering a polished look to any uniform.
The side vents allow for better movement and comfort, and along with the double-needle armhole seams and hem, you get a durable shirt that stays looking stylish throughout the year.
Though the fabric is midweight, it isn’t uncomfortable to wear as the weather warms up. Even as a long-sleeved shirt, it has the breathability of cotton to keep you cool during work and after. However, there are only nine colors available for this option.
Pros
- Durable and soft, made with 65% polyester and 35% cotton pique knit
- Resists wrinkles and shrinkage
- Side vents allow for better movement and comfort
Cons
- Only available in adult sizes
- Not as much color variety available
Adidas A430 Basic Sport Polo
Coming from another highly recognised brand, the Adidas A430 Basic Sport Polo works great with embroidery designs. Made with 100% recycled polyester pique, it offers a more sustainability-minded approach to custom apparel, which many of our customers love.
It’s lightweight and has a hydrophilic finish to the fabric, providing extra moisture management. This makes it a perfect option for when you want to create a custom golf or sports polo. Like most polos, it also has a three-button placket.
Similar to Nike, this shirt sends a message that you care about quality sportswear, with the recognizable logo on the right sleeve to show off a high-quality polo from a leading brand. The color range is moderate as well, offering a total of 14 options.
Pros
- Sustainable materials; made with 100% recycled polyester pique
- Recognizable branding on the right sleeve
- A hydrophilic finish that provides extra moisture management
Cons
- Only available in adult sizes
- Not as many colors available compared to others on this list
Under Armour 1370399 Men’s Tech Polo
Under Armour is yet another prominent sportswear brand, and their 1370399 Men’s Tech Polo makes our list as a top-notch pick for embroidery. It’s made with 100% polyester and is midweight, so it’s great for hot summer months playing pickleball, golf, or cheering from the bleachers. Even if it’s worn during intense work like food service, its anti-odor technology prevents the growth of odor-causing microbes, wicking sweat and drying fast.
The Under Armour logo on the right chest pocket area shows off the reputable brand and high-quality shirt; paired with embroidery, this is a pick that can look really sharp. However, this is another option with only a few colors — nine total.
Pros
- Durable midweight 100% polyester
- Recognizable branding on the chest
- Moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties
Cons
- Only available in adult sizes
- Not as many colors available compared to others on this list
Choosing the Best Shirt for Embroidery That Lasts
Custom embroidery can enhance any sports polo or school/employee uniform, and picking the right shirt helps ensure that your design will stand the test of time with a shirt that’s built to last.
Whether you choose the recognized brand like the Nike or Adidas polo or go with a Port Authority or Gildan brand, adding custom embroidery is a great way to rep your brand. The next time you want to stand out when hitting the green, working side-by-side with your employees, or cheering on your team from the sidelines, we can help you customize a comfortable shirt with a sleek custom embroidery shirt, with 44 thread colors available to match your design as accurately as possible.