Custom T-Shirt Manufacturer Guide

The t-shirt is the most fundamental garment in fashion. But 'custom t-shirt' covers an enormous range — from $5 promotional basics to $50 premium streetwear tees. Getting the fabric, construction, and print right makes the difference between a product customers love and one they discard.

T-Shirt Fabric Guide

Cotton

100% Cotton: The classic. Breathable, comfortable, print-friendly. Quality varies enormously by cotton grade.

Combed Cotton: Impurities and shorter fibers removed. Softer, stronger, higher quality.

Ring-Spun Cotton: Fibers twisted together for extra strength and smoothness. Softest option.

Open-End (OE) Cotton: More economical spinning process. Rougher texture. For budget basics.

Blends

50/50 Cotton-Polyester: Balanced breathability and durability. Less prone to shrinkage than 100% cotton.

60/40 Cotton-Polyester: Slightly more natural feel while maintaining polyester benefits.

Tri-Blend (50/25/25 Cotton/Polyester/Rayon): Ultra-soft, vintage look. Popular in premium casual market.

Performance Fabrics

100% Polyester: Moisture-wicking, quick-dry, lightweight. Used for athletic and performance tees.

CVC (Chief Value Cotton): Mostly cotton blend, feels like cotton but has polyester durability benefits.

T-Shirt Weight (GSM) Guide

| Weight | Type | Best For |

|--------|------|----------|

| 120-150 GSM | Lightweight | Warm climates, promotional |

| 160-180 GSM | Mid-weight | Standard everyday tees |

| 180-200 GSM | Regular | Premium basics, streetwear |

| 200-220 GSM | Heavy | Premium streetwear |

| 220-280 GSM | Heavyweight | Luxury streetwear, boxy tees |

T-Shirt Construction

Crew Neck: Classic round neckline. Universal appeal. Most common by far.

V-Neck: More formal/casual hybrid. Popular in European markets.

Drop Shoulder: Modern streetwear fit. Sleeve seam falls off the shoulder point.

Boxy Fit: Wide, relaxed body. Dominant in streetwear since 2022.

Cropped: Shorter hem, popular in women's streetwear and Y2K aesthetic.

Customization

Screen Printing: Best for bold graphics, unlimited print area. Most common for t-shirts.

DTG (Direct to Garment): Full-color photographic prints on cotton. Soft feel, no minimum quantity.

Embroidery: Premium chest logo. Works best on structured fabrics, not thin tees.

Heat Transfer (DTF): Good for complex designs, small quantities. Slight plastic feel.

Finding a Quality Manufacturer

**Minimum viable requirements:**

References from brands at your quality tier

Fabric test reports available (GSM, shrinkage, colorfastness)

Samples before bulk commitment

Clear communication about lead times

**MOQ considerations:**

Pakistani manufacturers: MOQ 50-100 pcs per style/color

Chinese factories: MOQ 200-1000 pcs

Local/domestic: MOQ 12-50 pcs (higher cost)

Pricing

| Weight | MOQ 50 | MOQ 500 |

|--------|--------|--------|

| 160 GSM 100% cotton | $6-10 | $4-7 |

| 180 GSM combed cotton | $8-14 | $5-10 |

| 220 GSM heavyweight | $12-18 | $8-14 |

| 200 GSM tri-blend | $12-20 | $8-15 |

Contact Mughal Apparel for custom t-shirt manufacturing. MOQ 50 pieces, ring-spun cotton available.

Custom T-Shirt Manufacturer Guide: Fabrics, Weights, and Finding the Right Supplier