For a customised T-shirt in Singapore, match the fabric to the occasion first: 100% cotton crew necks for everyday team wear and indoor events, polyester quick-dry tees for runs and outdoor family days, and polyester polos for a neater uniform look. Screen printing suits bold logos with few colours, while UV printing handles more detailed artwork.
Company T-shirts turn up in event photos, on social media and at the next team outing long after the day itself. Getting them right comes down to a few practical decisions: fabric, cut, logo placement, branding method and sizes. This guide walks through each one for HR, admin and marketing teams.
Which T-shirt types work best for company events?
Our custom apparel range covers three main shirt styles. Each suits a different kind of day.
Cotton crew-neck T-shirts
The Custom Logo Cotton T-shirt is listed as 100% cotton and comes in a wide colour range, from white, black and royal blue to khaki, matcha green, brick red and Tiffany blue. Cotton feels soft and familiar, which makes it a safe choice for team-building sessions, CSR activities, office celebrations and shirts people will wear again at home. The trade-off is that cotton holds moisture, so on a long outdoor day in Singapore heat it can feel heavy.
Quick-dry T-shirts
The Custom Logo Quick-drying T-shirt is listed as polyester and is offered in bright options such as fluorescent green, orange, royal blue and pink alongside neutrals. Polyester is lighter and dries faster than cotton, so it is the usual pick for sports days, charity runs, outdoor family days and amazing-race style team events where people will sweat.
Polo shirts
The Custom Logo Short-sleeved Polo Shirt is listed as 100% polyester in sizes S to 4XL, in orange, grey, black, yellow and blue. A collar reads as more formal, so polos work well for roadshow crews, exhibition booth staff, front-line teams and anyone who represents the company in public for a full day.
Matching accessories
For outdoor events, a cotton bucket hat adds shade and a second branding spot; it is one of the apparel items where embroidery is listed as a branding option.
Cotton vs quick-dry vs polo at a glance
| Shirt type | Fabric (as listed) | Best for | Listed logo methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton crew neck | 100% cotton | Team-building, CSR days, indoor events, casual Fridays | Screen printing, UV printing | Widest colour choice; comfortable for everyday wear; holds sweat outdoors |
| Quick-dry tee | Polyester | Runs, sports days, outdoor family days | Screen printing, UV printing | Light and fast-drying; bright colours help teams spot each other |
| Polo shirt | 100% polyester | Roadshows, booth crew, front-line uniforms | Screen printing, UV printing | Collar looks neater; sizes S to 4XL listed |
| Bucket hat | Pure cotton | Outdoor events, CSR clean-ups | Screen printing, UV printing, embroidery | Extra branding spot; useful sun cover |
How to brand a customised T-shirt in Singapore
The branding method affects how the logo looks, how much detail it can hold and how the quote is worked out. For a deeper comparison across all gift materials, see our guide to logo printing methods for corporate gifts.
Screen printing
Ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen onto the fabric, with one screen for each colour. The result is solid, opaque colour with crisp edges. It is the classic choice for a company logo or event name in one or two colours across many shirts in the same design.
UV printing
UV printing cures the ink with ultraviolet light and can reproduce more colours, gradients and fine detail. It suits full-colour artwork, illustrations or sponsor logos that would need too many screens. Ask for an artwork proof so you can check small text and colour before production.
Embroidery and heat transfer
These two methods are often requested for tees. Embroidery gives a raised, textured logo that looks premium on polos and caps, and heat transfer is a common way to add individual names or numbers. On our current listings, the tees and polo show screen printing and UV printing, while embroidery is listed for the bucket hat. If you need another method on a shirt, mention it when you request a quote and we will confirm what is possible for that garment. Our printing methods page explains the options we use.
Where to place the logo
- Left chest: a small, tidy logo for uniforms and polos.
- Centre front: a larger logo or event theme that shows clearly in group photos.
- Full back: event name, date, team name or sponsor logos.
- Sleeve: a secondary mark, hashtag or department name.
On dark shirts, light ink colours stand out more, and very thin lines can be lost on textured fabric. Keep the most important element large and simple. If the shirt carries sponsor or partner logos, get approval and official artwork from each one first; the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore describes a trade mark as a sign used to distinguish a business's goods or services from those of other traders.[1]
Planning sizes and quantities for a team order
Size planning causes more last-minute stress than design. A short checklist helps:
- Collect sizes with a simple online form and set a firm cut-off date. If the form also asks for names or other personal details, the Personal Data Protection Commission states that organisations should notify individuals of the purposes for which their personal data is collected and use it only for purposes they have consented to.[2]
- Share the size chart with staff so they measure a shirt they own instead of guessing.
- Note whether the cut is unisex, and flag it clearly on the form.
- Order a small buffer of the most common sizes for new joiners, walk-ins and exchanges.
- Keep a separate list if shirts will carry individual names or numbers.
- Confirm your event date before artwork is finalised, and leave time for a proof check. Our article on corporate gift lead times in Singapore explains what affects timing.
- If the team is large or the design is new, consider requesting a sample first.
Minimum quantities depend on the shirt and the branding method; our guide to corporate gift MOQs in Singapore explains how they work. Ordering close to your actual headcount also avoids surplus shirts; for shirts that are no longer worn, the National Environment Agency notes that clothing should not go into the blue recycling bins and lists donation and textile collection channels instead.[3]
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing cotton for a long outdoor run. Quick-dry polyester is usually more comfortable when people will sweat.
- Too many colours in the design. With screen printing, every extra colour adds a screen. Simplify, or consider UV printing for detailed art.
- Tiny text. Slogans and URLs that look fine on screen can become unreadable on fabric.
- Collecting sizes too late. Late size lists are the most common reason a T-shirt order is rushed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fabric for company event T-shirts in Singapore?
It depends on the activity. For indoor events, team-building and shirts staff will wear again, 100% cotton feels soft and familiar. For runs, sports days and outdoor family days, polyester quick-dry tees stay lighter in hot, humid weather. For a smarter look at roadshows or booths, a polyester polo is a good middle ground.
Should I choose screen printing or embroidery for a company T-shirt?
Screen printing is the usual choice for tees because it gives solid, bright colour across a large print area. Embroidery creates a raised, premium logo and suits small chest logos on polos or caps. On our listings, embroidery is shown for the bucket hat; ask us if you would like it on a shirt and we will confirm.
How do I collect sizes for a team T-shirt order?
Use a short online form, attach the size chart, and ask staff to compare it with a shirt they already own. Set a clear deadline, note whether the cut is unisex, and add a small buffer of popular sizes for new joiners and exchanges. Keep names or numbers on a separate list if you are personalising shirts.
Can each department have a different T-shirt colour?
Yes, this is a popular way to split teams for games or events. The cotton and quick-dry tees are listed in many colours, so departments can share one design in different shirt colours. Check that your logo colour stays readable on every shirt colour you choose, and include all colour splits in your quote request.
How much does a customised T-shirt cost in Singapore?
The cost depends on the shirt style, the quantity, the branding method, the number of print colours and positions, and your delivery date. Because each of these changes the quote, the quickest way to get an accurate figure is to send us your design, sizes and event date.
Planning shirts for your next company event? Share your design, preferred shirt style, rough quantity and event date, and request a quote from Ether Gifts. With 20 years of experience and 1,000+ customisable items, we can also suggest matching gifts for the same occasion.
Last reviewed: 18 October 2026. This article was prepared by Ether Gifts as a general buying guide and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.
