Custom T-Shirts in Bulk: What to Know Before You Order
By The Velocity Wear Team
Custom t-shirts are one of the biggest apparel searches in America, well over a hundred thousand a month. Behind that number are softball teams, churches, startups, family reunions, bands and brand-new clothing labels. Almost all of them ask the same first question: how much? The better first question is: which shirt?
Shirt weight, in ounces and GSM
US blanks usually list weight in ounces per square yard. Factories use GSM. One ounce is about 34 GSM. Our tees are combed ring-spun cotton from 150 to 240 GSM, roughly 4.4 to 7 oz.
- About 4.5 to 5 oz: lightweight and soft. Great for summer events, 5Ks and warm states.
- About 5.3 to 6 oz: the classic everyday tee.
- About 6.5 to 7 oz: heavyweight. Structured, premium, loved by streetwear brands.
Cotton type matters more than you'd think
Ring-spun cotton is twisted into a finer, stronger yarn than basic carded cotton, and combed cotton has short fibers removed. The result is a softer, smoother shirt that prints more cleanly and pills less. If one quote says 100% cotton and another says combed ring-spun, they're not the same shirt.
Pick a print method
- Screen printing: vivid, tough and cheapest per shirt at volume for designs with a few colors.
- DTF: full color, photos and detail with no per-color setup. Ideal for smaller runs.
- Embroidery: premium small logos, best on heavier tees and polos.
- Puff print: raised lettering for a streetwear or collegiate look.
Sizing a group
Don't split sizes evenly. Ask. Share a size chart with chest width and length in inches. Men's groups usually lean L and XL; mixed groups lean M and L. If you're ordering youth sizes too, they can go in the same design. Our minimum is 20 per design with sizes mixed.
Placement basics
- Left chest: about 3.5 to 4 inches wide.
- Full front: about 10 to 12 inches wide.
- Full back: about 11 to 13 inches wide.
- Sleeve: about 3 inches wide.
Pricing
Our tees start from $13 each at 20 pieces with one standard print, and prices drop at 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000. More colors and more print locations add cost. The price calculator shows how quantity and method change the total.
Timelines
Production takes 10 to 15 working days after you approve the artwork, then shipping. Imports can be subject to duties, so check with a customs broker if you're unsure. For events, work backward from the date and leave a week of buffer.
Mistakes to avoid
- 1Sending a low-res logo screenshot instead of a vector file.
- 2Choosing the cheapest, thinnest shirt available.
- 3Printing a 14-inch design on a youth small.
- 4Ordering the week before the event.
Tees by occasion
- Company events: soft midweight tee with a small logo.
- Family reunions: bright color with names on the back.
- 5Ks and charity runs: lightweight tee with sponsors on the back.
- Brand drops: heavyweight boxy tee with strong artwork.
- Church and camp: bright colors and simple designs.
Getting a sample
For brands and large orders, a sample confirms fabric feel, fit and print quality before you commit. Wash it a few times and check shrinkage and print durability.
Reordering
Keep your artwork and specs on file so repeat orders match exactly.
Get started
Browse custom t-shirts, test your design in the design studio, or order a sample to feel the cotton first. We invoice in US dollars.
