Dri-FIT Shirts Explained: What They Are & How to Order Custom Performance Tees

What Is Dri-FIT?

Dri-FIT is Nike’s proprietary moisture-wicking fabric technology — a high-performance polyester microfiber that pulls sweat away from the skin and pushes it to the surface so it evaporates quickly, keeping athletes cooler and drier during activity. It is a registered Nike trademark, not a generic term. If a shirt isn’t made by Nike, it isn’t technically “Dri-FIT” — though many brands offer comparable moisture-wicking performance under different names.

This distinction matters when you’re ordering custom t-shirts for a team or event. “Moisture-wicking” is the correct umbrella term for the technology; Dri-FIT is simply Nike’s branded version of it. Understanding that difference helps you choose the right blank for your budget, decoration method, and end use.

Dri-FIT vs. Other Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

Nike Dri-FIT gets most of the name recognition, but it’s far from the only option. Generic polyester performance fabrics from brands like OGIO Endurance, Hanes Cool DRI, and Champion Double Dry deliver very similar functionality at a lower price point. Here’s how the main categories stack up:

The takeaway: if moisture management is the priority, polyester-based fabrics win decisively over cotton. Whether you go with Nike Dri-FIT or a generic performance poly depends primarily on your budget and how important the Nike brand identity is to your order.

When to Choose Performance Fabric

Not every custom shirt order needs moisture-wicking technology — but for the following use cases, it makes a significant difference:

• Sports teams and leagues. Recreational soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball teams all benefit from lightweight poly that stays dry through two-hour practices and game days.
• Outdoor events in Los Angeles. LA heat is no joke from May through October. Staff uniforms, volunteer shirts, and event tees in a performance fabric keep your team comfortable through long exterior shifts.
• Corporate 5Ks and charity runs. Participant finisher shirts and volunteer tees in moisture-wicking fabric feel like a premium upgrade over a standard cotton tee — and they actually get worn again.
• Hospitality and service staff. Servers, valets, and venue staff working busy indoor-outdoor settings stay more comfortable and presentable in performance fabric throughout a long shift.
• Gym and fitness brands. If you’re building a fitness brand or launching a studio, performance tees communicate the right category signal immediately.

Best Blanks for Custom Performance Tees

Choosing the right blank is half the job. At DTLA Print, we stock a range of performance-focused options across price points:

• Nike Dri-FIT tees and polos. For orders where the Nike swoosh matters — client gifts, premium event shirts, corporate wellness gear — our Nike blanks deliver the brand recognition to match the quality. Expect to pay more per unit, but the perceived value is high.
• OGIO Endurance performance apparel. Known for its premium athletic styling and moisture-wicking fabrics, OGIO Endurance offers dependable performance. The OE350 Peak Tee is one of its most popular options.
• Adidas and Under Armour performance styles. For clients who want a premium athletic brand but prefer an alternative to Nike, we carry Adidas and Under Armour performance options across several silhouettes.
• Poly-cotton blends. A 50/50 or 60/40 poly-cotton blend is a good middle ground — better wicking than 100% cotton, easier to print on than 100% poly, and more forgiving on a tight budget.

Not sure which blank is right for your order? Our team can walk you through the options based on your decoration method, quantity, and end use.

How to Print on Performance Fabric

This is where performance fabric gets a little more technical — and where an experienced decorator matters. Here’s what you need to know:

Screen Printing on Performance Fabric

Screen printing is the most durable and vibrant option for performance tees, especially for larger runs. The critical variable is ink selection. On 100% polyester, standard plastisol inks can cause dye migration — a phenomenon where the polyester dye in the fabric bleeds up into the ink layer over time or under heat, shifting the color of your print. To prevent this, decorators need to use dye-migration-resistant (low-bleed) inks and control cure temperatures carefully. At DTLA Print, we use poly-specific inks and calibrated equipment to handle this correctly. Screen printing starts at 12 pieces and gives you Pantone-matched colors, sharp edges, and prints that hold up through repeated washing.

DTG Printing on Performance Fabric

Direct-to-garment printing works best on 100% cotton. On 100% polyester, DTG faces two challenges: the ink doesn’t bond as reliably without specialty pretreatment, and the result can look less vibrant than on cotton. DTG printing is better suited to cotton or high-cotton-content blends. If you have a polyester performance shirt and need a single-piece or short run, a heat transfer or water-based transfer is typically a better path than DTG on 100% poly.

Heat Transfers and Water-Based Transfers

Heat transfers — including water-based transfers — are an excellent match for performance fabrics. They work across the full fabric spectrum, including 100% polyester, without the dye-migration risk of plastisol inks when applied correctly. Water-based transfers in particular produce a soft, low-profile feel that suits athletic shirts well. DTLA Print offers water-based transfers with a 7–10 business day standard turnaround.

Embroidery

Embroidery works on performance fabric for logos, left-chest placements, and hats — though thinner performance fabrics may need a topping or backing to stabilize the material during the embroidery process. It’s a strong option for polo shirts, quarter-zips, and team jerseys where a more elevated look is the goal.

MOQ, Pricing, and Turnaround

Here’s what to expect when ordering custom dri fit shirts and performance tees from DTLA Print:

• Minimums. DTG printing and embroidery start at just 1 piece — ideal for samples, gifts, or small teams. Screen printing starts at 12 pieces. Water-based transfers are also available with low minimums.
• Pricing. Costs vary based on blank selection, decoration method, number of print locations, ink colors (for screen print), and quantity. Nike and Under Armour blanks carry a higher unit cost than value performance blanks. Screen printing becomes more cost-efficient as quantities increase. Contact us for a quote tailored to your order.
• Turnaround. Standard turnaround is 10–14 business days for screen printing and embroidery, 7–10 business days for water-based transfers. Rush production is available from 3–5 business days depending on the method and current production schedule.
• Artwork and proofs. We provide free artwork touch-ups, mockups, and proofs on every order. Pantone color matching is available for screen print orders.
• Location. We’re based in downtown Los Angeles with in-house decoration — no outsourcing, faster communication, and the ability to handle complex or time-sensitive orders.

Ready to Order Custom Performance Tees?

Whether you need 12 screen-printed performance shirts for a company 5K or 200 Nike Dri-FIT polos for a corporate event, DTLA Print handles the full process in-house — from blank selection and artwork through production and delivery. We’ll help you pick the right fabric, decoration method, and blank for your budget and timeline.

Request a quote and tell us about your project. Turnaround, pricing, and blank recommendations are on us — no obligation.