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For custom t-shirts, also check out Brother - often overlooked but seriously solid. Models like the Brother CS6000i or similar do the job without breaking the bank, and they handle light to medium fabrics really well, which is perfect for custom work.
What really matters for t-shirts is having a stable machine with easy threading, because you're going to be changing thread constantly if you're doing custom work. The brands mentioned before are great at that, but Brother gives you the same reliability for less money usually. After that it really just depends on whether this is something you're doing occasionally or planning to do a lot - doesn't change the basic machine you should buy, but it changes how you're going to use it.
Singer and Janome are your best bets if you don't want to break the bank and you're looking for something reliable for t-shirts. Both brands have solid entry-level models with good power for stretch fabrics and decent customer support if you need help. Avoid the super cheap stuff on online marketplaces, because once you start sewing regularly you'll quickly notice the quality differences, especially with thread tension and needle stability. If you've got a more comfortable budget, Bernina is rock solid but honestly Singer gets the job done for custom work without the guilt over the price tag.
Do you have a limited budget or can you spend a bit more? Personally, I'd say if you're just making custom tee-shirts occasionally, an entry-level machine is more than enough, but if you really want stability on thin fabric and no weird thread bunching, look for models with an adjustable tension system and a fairly wide work table - it makes a huge difference for repetitive small projects.
Margaux asker
Do you have a limited budget or can you spend a bit more?
Yeah, I've got a medium budget, like 300-500€ max. I want something solid but I don't need anything professional.
Reliability is good and all, but you also need to think about thread tension and the machine's ability to handle stretchy fabrics properly - that's where a lot of people mess up. The brands mentioned are solid, sure, but if you're really planning to customize tees regularly, also look into Brother, which has cheaper models with good stability for stretch fabrics. That said, entry-level is fine if you're just starting out, but still test the machine in the store before buying, especially on cotton-elastane blends.
What nobody really mentions is that entry-level machines often struggle with finishing on stretch or thin jersey - you'll end up with stitches that pucker or skip. If you're doing a lot of custom tee-shirts, it's really worth having a machine that handles tension with more precision, otherwise you'll need to invest in an overlocker afterward to fix the mess. The brands we mentioned do handle that correctly, but you've got to check that the specific model has at least a few adjustable tension options and not just something locked in place.
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