For most custom merch, the organic blank we recommend first is the Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0: 100% organic ring spun combed cotton at 5.3 oz/yd², GOTS organic labeled, XXS to 5XL and 52 colors. For a lighter shirt, the Crafter. For a heavier streetwear shape, the Sparker 2.0 or Asher. The AS Colour Staple Organic and econscious EC1000 are solid organic alternatives.
French Press Custom is an official Stanley/Stella dealer in Santa Fe Springs, serving Los Angeles and Orange County, and we print all of these tees. Get an exact price for your quantity and print in our quote calculator.
What counts as an organic blank t-shirt?
An organic blank is made from organically grown cotton, ideally with a named certification behind it. Stanley/Stella lists a GOTS "Organic" label on its 100% organic tees. Other brands list organic cotton in the fiber content, but the product data we work from names no certification for them.
Three labels get mixed up:
- 100% organic cotton. The whole shirt is organic fiber, like every tee in the table below.
- Contains organic cotton. A blend, such as the Next Level 4600 at 60/40 organic cotton and recycled polyester.
- Other sourcing programs. The Comfort Colors 1717 lists US grown BCI cotton and OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Those are sourcing and safety labels, not an organic claim.
Which organic blank tees are worth comparing?
These eight 100% organic cotton tees run from a 4.4 oz tubular tee to an 8.3 oz boxy heavyweight. Six are Stanley/Stella styles, and two come from AS Colour and econscious.
| Tee | Fiber | Weight | Yarn | Fit | Sizes | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 | Organic ring spun combed cotton | 5.3 oz/yd² | 24 singles | Medium | XXS to 5XL | 52 |
| Stanley/Stella Crafter | Organic ring spun combed cotton | 4.6 oz/yd² | 28 singles | Medium | XXS to 5XL | 33 |
| Stanley/Stella Rocker | Organic ring spun combed cotton, tubular | 4.4 oz/yd² | 28 singles | Medium | XXS to 5XL | 5 |
| Stanley/Stella Sparker 2.0 | Organic carded cotton, loose knit | 6.3 oz/yd² | 16 singles | Relaxed | XXS to 3XL | 22 |
| Stanley/Stella Freestyler | Organic open end cotton | 7 oz/yd² | 16 singles | Relaxed | XXS to 3XL | 20 |
| Stanley/Stella Asher | Organic ring spun combed cotton | 8.3 oz/yd² | 22 singles | Oversized | XXS to 3XL | 6 |
| AS Colour Staple Organic (5001G) | Combed organic cotton (marles 15% viscose) | 5.3 oz, 180 GSM | 24 singles | Regular | XS to 3XL | 6 |
| econscious Classic (EC1000) | Organic ring-spun cotton | 5.5 oz/yd² | Not listed | Not listed | S to 2XL | 13 |
Stanley/Stella specs are from the Stanley/Stella product API. AS Colour specs are from the AS Colour product API. econscious specs are from the S&S Activewear catalog description. AS Colour and econscious color counts are the colors in our catalog.
Every Stanley/Stella tee above lists GOTS organic, OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear in its product data, and all are made in Bangladesh. The S&S description of the EC1000 says it contains organic cotton and names no certification, and the AS Colour data for the 5001G lists none.
Which organic tee is best for screen printing merch?
The Creator 2.0 is our pick for most screen printed merch. It is 100% organic cotton in solid colors, so it takes plastisol, water-based and discharge inks, and its 5.3 oz weight carries a bold print without feeling heavy. Its XXS to 5XL size run covers a whole team or fan base in one style.
- Lighter merch. The Crafter at 4.6 oz, with 33 colors and sizes to 5XL.
- No side seams. The Rocker is tubular, which Stanley/Stella describes as a seamless finish.
- Streetwear merch. The Sparker 2.0, Freestyler and Asher, relaxed or oversized from 6.3 to 8.3 oz.
Discharge depends on how each dye releases, so we test a shirt from your run first. More in why Stanley/Stella blanks print well, and for short runs, DTG on Stanley/Stella shirts.
How sustainable is an organic merch tee, in numbers?
Stanley/Stella publishes per-garment carbon and water figures. A dyed Creator 2.0 is listed at 2.28 kg CO2 eq and 1.09 cubic meters of water from cradle to factory gate. Lighter tees are listed lower, heavier ones higher, and Natural Raw, the undyed color, is lowest of all.
| Tee | Weight | Carbon, cradle to gate (kg CO2 eq) | Water, cradle to gate (cubic meters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crafter | 4.6 oz/yd² | 1.89 | 0.86 |
| Rocker | 4.4 oz/yd² | 1.95 | 0.93 |
| Creator 2.0 | 5.3 oz/yd² | 2.28 | 1.09 |
| Creator 2.0, Natural Raw | 5.3 oz/yd² | 1.83 | 0.66 |
| Sparker 2.0 | 6.3 oz/yd² | 2.99 | 1.44 |
| Freestyler | 7 oz/yd² | 3.31 | 1.64 |
Figures are from the Stanley/Stella product API, dyed colors unless noted. The Asher has no figures in the API, and we have none for the AS Colour or econscious tees.
For hoodies and cradle to grave, read how sustainable is a custom t-shirt, or try the Stanley/Stella impact calculator.
When is another organic tee the better fit?
Another organic tee fits better when your brand already uses one supplier's fit, wants a slightly different weight, or wants a recycled blend. Stanley/Stella's edge is named certifications and the widest size and color range in this guide.
- AS Colour Staple Organic (5001G) if your brand already prints on AS Colour's regular fit. Same 5.3 oz and 24 singles as the Creator 2.0, in 6 colors and XS to 3XL. See Creator 2.0 vs AS Colour Staple.
- econscious EC1000 if you want a 5.5 oz organic tee and one of its 13 colors fits your palette. Its S to 2XL size run is narrower.
- Next Level 4600 for a blend. S&S lists it at 5.6 oz/yd², 60/40 organic cotton and recycled polyester, about 4 recycled bottles per shirt, from a Fair Labor Association member. The polyester rules out discharge, and we carry 2 colors.
Our take
As an official Stanley/Stella dealer we lean Creator 2.0 for organic merch, and the data backs it: 100% organic cotton, GOTS organic, Fair Wear and vegan labels you can name on a product page, 52 colors and XXS to 5XL. When a brand wants AS Colour's fit or a blend, we print the 5001G or 4600 just as happily. Browse every style on our Stanley/Stella hub, check sizes on the size chart, and read Stanley/Stella's sustainability page or Creator 2.0 page.
Ordering from Los Angeles or Orange County
- Where we are. 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Los Angeles and Orange County. Pickup is free, or we ship by UPS or FedEx anywhere in the US.
- Minimums. DTG none, DTF 12, embroidery 24, screen printing 36 pieces per design.
- Timing. About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
- Contact. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm PT, (562) 407-3800, sales@frenchpresscustom.com.
Quote a Natural Raw Creator 2.0.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best organic cotton blank t-shirt for custom merch?
For most merch, the Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0: 100% organic ring spun combed cotton, 5.3 oz/yd², XXS to 5XL, 52 colors and a GOTS organic label. The Crafter is lighter at 4.6 oz, and the Sparker 2.0 and Asher are heavier streetwear shapes.
Are Stanley/Stella shirts GOTS certified?
Stanley/Stella's product data lists a GOTS "Organic" label on its 100% organic cotton tees, including every tee in this guide, along with OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear.
Is the AS Colour Staple Organic the same as the Creator 2.0?
Close on paper: both are 5.3 oz, 24-singles organic cotton. The 5001G is a regular fit in XS to 3XL and 6 colors; the Creator 2.0 is a medium fit in XXS to 5XL and 52 colors.
Can you screen print organic cotton tees?
Yes. Plastisol, water-based and discharge inks all work on 100% cotton, organic included, and we test a shirt from your run before printing discharge. DTG and embroidery work too.
Which organic tee color has the lowest footprint?
Natural Raw. On the Creator 2.0, Stanley/Stella lists it at 1.83 kg CO2 eq and 0.66 cubic meters of water cradle to gate, against 2.28 kg and 1.09 cubic meters for dyed colors.
Where can I get organic merch printed in Los Angeles or Orange County?
French Press Custom, an official Stanley/Stella dealer in Santa Fe Springs, prints them for Los Angeles and Orange County. DTG has no minimum, screen printing starts at 36 pieces per design, and turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after art approval.
