You have a brilliant t-shirt design. However, bringing this idea to life and creating a final product largely depends on one crucial choice. You need to select the suitable t-shirt manufacturer.
The choice of the “best” partner generally pivots on the needs of your brand. In this case, it is how many t-shirts you plan to order. It also covers your expected quality, budget, and who your customers are.
This instruction manual will not only teach you the basics of t-shirt manufacturing but it will also introduce you to different types of partners. We will provide you with the most relevant queries, and we will teach you, for example, how to identify negative signs.
Some t-shirt manufacturers operate differently from others. The right choice is contingent on your project. Consider inventory, custom details, and the number of t-shirts you require. A wrong choice of supplier can lead to wasted time and resources.
We compiled a table to facilitate your decision-making process. It consists of the main types of partners.
For several growing businesses, private label is the choice. It is a good way to make the brand with quality products. You do not bear the risk of making a full custom work. A lot of companies provide super custom and private label services to help you with the beginning and laborious process of starting and developing a brand.
The first step is to ask the manufacturer who you want to partner with. Do not simply ask, “What is the price?” These ten questions will help you check their capabilities, and this will show you if they will be a good partner.
In our opinion, the most important question for a manufacturer to address is: “How do you handle the sampling process?” The answer describes their quality focus. A proper partner will respond in a straight manner.
Use this list when you meet for the first time:
An experienced and qualified partner will give clear, concise answers to all these questions. Their responses will provide you with confidence to take the next step.
When you assess various t-shirt manufacturers, your decision should not be driven only by price. A good decision is a combination of quality, total cost, and company values.
Request a sample without any exception. This is not a matter of choice. The only practical way to find the real quality of the work is by examining a sample.
Pay attention to the details. Look at the seams, collars, and hems. Feel the fabric. Is it soft? Does it feel strong? Wash the sample to see if the print cracks or the shirt shrinks.
Learn the basic fabric vocabulary. Combed cotton is softer than regular cotton. Tri-blends are a combination of three different materials. They are often soft and light. GSM is “grams per square meter.” It is a measure of the density and sturdiness of the fabric that is being used. A higher GSM indicates a stronger and heavier shirt.
Contemplate lands not only the unit price but also the “landed cost”; not just the unit price. The landed cost denotes the total cost incurred to get the product to your door. It includes the unit price, shipping fees, and any applicable taxes.
Do not compromise with the cheapest. A very low price is usually a signal of bad quality or service. Conversely, it may also be a sign of unfair labor practices. It is preferred to pay a good price for a dependable product rather than lose the love of your customers over a bad product.
You can choose either domestic or overseas t-shirt manufacturers. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.
USA-based makers often have faster shipping and clearer communication. Yet, their prices are typically higher. Overseas makers, especially those in Asia, can cut costs. Conversely, they come with longer shipping times and more convoluted logistics. The fashion business is international. You can find many of the top t-shirt manufacturers worldwide in a variety of places.
More and more, customers are concerned about the production processes and the traceability of the clothes. If this is important for your company ask for ethical production. Look for certifications such as GOTS (for organic textiles) or Fair Trade as evidence of responsible practices.
A solid partnership can be a great asset to your brand. A weak one can cause distress. We have seen many new founders incur losses due to costly mistakes. Here are warning flags to pay attention to.
● Poor Communication: Slow email replies, vague responses, or refusal to answer phone or video calls. Partners that are good communicators like these.
● No Sample Availability: A manufacturer who will not make a sample before you place an order is alarming. Avoid collaborating with them.
● Unrealistically Low Prices: If one quote is much lower than the others, be extremely cautious. They may have cut corners on quality or labor.
● Vague Production Details: They cannot provide you with concrete information on fabric types, timetables, or their quality control process.
● High-Pressure Sales Tactics: They compel you to pay a full deposit immediately without a clear contract.
Bear in mind, reputable and high-quality t-shirt manufacturers will maintain honest and professional practices. Their aim is not just to sell quickly but rather to create a long-term relationship.
Choosing the right t-shirt manufacturer is a big step forward. So, the playbook goes as follows. First, you should find the manufacturer that matches your business model to the type of manufacturer. Second, you must go through the vetting checklist to gather them well. Third, you make a decision based on quality, cost, and ethics.
Look at your t-shirt manufacturer as a stakeholder rather than a mere supplier. The capability of them giving a superior product in a timely manner is directly connected to your brand’s success level. Make your selections wisely, foster a strong partnership, and you will create a solid foundation for a business that will survive and meet its goals.
The cost is hugely divergent, being from under $5 to more than $20 per item. The item particulars such as the quality of the fabric affect the resulting price. It also depends on how complicated the design is (for example, the number of colors) and the location of the manufacturer. To compare, it is always good to get quotes from a few other suppliers.
A tech pack is an elaborate design plan of one piece of clothing. It includes technical illustrations, measurement lists, fabric and color specifications, and placement information for notes or tags. A tech pack is necessary for cut and sew but not for private labels or if you are just going to print on blank shirts.
You could refer to online directories such as Thomasnet. Attending an apparel tradeshow is also a great way to get to know different suppliers. You can also try Google searches like “private label t-shirt manufacturers USA.” Most good manufacturers have solid websites that contain their project portfolios.
MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity. This is the least number of items a factory is prepared to produce in a single order. This is very important for startups since a high MOQ (for example, 500 shirts per design) implies a significant upfront expense. Look for t-shirt manufacturers with an MOQ that your business can afford.
Absolutely, and this might be a clever tactic. For instance, just to try out some new designs without risk you could avail of the Print-on-Demand (POD) service. In the meantime, you can go for a private label manufacturer for the best-selling shirts. Thus, you partially increase the quality and expand the profit margin.
