T-Shirt Manufacturers UK: Questions Brands Should Ask
By The Velocity Wear Team
If you're starting or growing a UK t-shirt brand, finding a manufacturer is the easy part. Finding one who delivers the same shirt twice, on time, with your labels and a print that survives washing, takes better questions. Here they are, including the ones people forget.
About the fabric
- 1What's the exact GSM?
- 2Combed ring-spun or carded cotton?
- 3Is the fabric pre-shrunk, and what shrinkage should I expect?
- 4Where is the fabric knitted and dyed?
Our tees are combed ring-spun cotton from 150 to 240 GSM. See our t-shirt GSM guide for what the numbers feel like.
About the fit
- 1Can I see a size chart with measurements in centimetres?
- 2Can you work from a reference tee I send?
- 3Are side seams or tubular construction used?
- 4What rib is the collar, and does it recover after stretching?
About the order
- 1What's the minimum per design, and can sizes be mixed?
- 2Where do price breaks fall?
- 3When does the lead time start?
- 4Are samples available, and what do they cost?
About decoration
- 1Which methods are done in-house?
- 2What inks are used, and how does the print feel?
- 3How are Pantone colours matched?
- 4Will I see a proof before production?
About labels and packaging
- 1Can you add custom woven or printed neck labels?
- 2Will labels include correct UK fibre composition?
- 3Can you fold, bag and pack for retail or e-commerce?
About quality and reorders
- 1What's checked before shipping?
- 2What happens if there's a defect?
- 3How do you keep colours consistent on reorders?
Red flags
- No specific fabric specs, just premium or soft.
- No samples, or pressure to pay in full first.
- Lead times that shift every time you ask.
- Reluctance to put anything in writing.
Our answers
Combed ring-spun cotton, 150 to 240 GSM. Minimum 20 per design with sizes mixed, price breaks at 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1,000. Production takes 10 to 15 working days from artwork approval. Screen print, DTF and embroidery. Custom labels and packaging available. See custom t-shirts and order a sample.
How to compare two manufacturers fairly
Send both the same brief: reference tee, fabric weight, colour, print size and placement, label requirements and quantity. Ask for a quote broken down into garment, decoration, labels, packaging and delivery. Then order a sample from each and compare side by side after a few washes. The cheaper quote isn't the better one if the sample shrinks or the collar stretches.
Understanding MOQs properly
Minimum order quantities are counted differently. Some are per colour per size, some per design, some per total order. A minimum of 50 per colour per size could mean hundreds of shirts for a single design. Ask exactly how the minimum is counted. Ours is 20 per design with sizes mixed.
Payment terms
Ask when payment is due, whether a deposit is required, and what happens if production is delayed. Clear terms protect both sides. Invoicing in pounds avoids exchange rate surprises for UK brands.
After-sales support
Ask how issues are handled after delivery: miscounts, damaged items, or print faults. A manufacturer who explains the process clearly before you order is usually easier to work with if something goes wrong.
Building a long-term relationship
The best manufacturer relationships grow over several orders. Share your plans for upcoming drops, give feedback on each delivery, and keep specs consistent. It makes every order smoother.
Keep everything in writing
Summarise every agreed detail in one email: fabric, fit, colours, print sizes, labels, quantity, price and delivery date. It prevents misunderstandings and makes reorders simple.
Quick checklist
- Specs in writing?
- Sample approved?
- Labels compliant?
- Lead time confirmed?
- Reorder process clear?
