What customization options are available for custom t-shirts production?

Custom t-shirts are built from four decisions: fabric and weight, construction and trims, decoration, and the private label pack. Each one changes cost, lead time and how the finished piece reads.

Fabric. The options we run most are cotton-poly blends for shape retention; ring-spun cotton for a softer surface; heavier jersey for a premium heavyweight program. For t-shirts the practical weight reference is jersey weight is chosen against the target retail position: light for value programs, heavier for premium basics. Ordering by weight figure alone is not enough — two fabrics can both be called the same weight and still behave differently in wash, drape and color retention, so composition and shrinkage are confirmed by wash testing.

Construction and trims. The build includes shoulder-to-shoulder taping or seam reinforcement; side seams rather than a tubular body where fit control matters; a size grading that holds from S to 3XL.

Decoration. Available routes include screen print, DTG, heat transfer, embroidery, puff print, discharge print. Decoration is approved on the actual fabric rather than on a test swatch, because stretch, pile, coating and heat sensitivity all change the result.

Private label pack. Woven neck labels, size and care labels, logo tags, hangtags, barcoded polybags and printed cartons. A garment can leave the sewing line finished and still not be retail-ready, and this layer is what closes that gap.

A note specific to this category: On a T-shirt the neck rib is the whole quality story. A collar that ripples after the first wash undermines the print, the fabric and the brand at the same time, and it is the cheapest thing on the garment to specify properly.

Send us your specification or reference and we will tell you which of these decisions drives your cost the most — contact VANRD.