T-shirts have been popular clothing items for decades. They’re popular because you can wear them virtually anywhere and be ready to carry out your day without worrying about what’s underneath the shirt!
If you are looking for a high-quality t-shirt to start your clothing line, you need to find a reputable and reliable t-shirt manufacturer. There are many different t-shirt manufacturers around the world, so it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you. However, there are a few key factors that you should look for when choosing a t-shirt manufacturer, such as:
- Production Quality
- Turnaround Time
- Price
- Minimum Order Quantity
When t comes to finding a t-shirt manufacturer, the internet is a great resource. First, you can find various manufacturers. Then, once you’ve narrowed your search to a few manufacturers, you can contact them directly to discuss your specific needs.
It’s important to note that not all t-shirt manufacturers are created equal. Some may offer lower prices but take longer to produce your shirts or have a lower production quality. Others may have a higher price but offer better quality and faster turnaround times. That’s why it’s essential to do your research and find the proper manufacturer for you.
Stay tuned for more tips on t-shirt manufacturers for your needs!
How to Research and Evaluate Potential T-Shirt Manufacturers?
Researching and evaluating potential t-shirt manufacturers can be a daunting task, but it’s crucial to ensure that you find the right partner who can deliver high-quality products that meet your specifications. Here are some steps to follow:
- Define Your Requirements: Before starting your search, define your requirements, including the type of t-shirt, the quantity you need, the quality you expect, and your budget.
- Search for Potential Manufacturers: Use search engines, social media platforms, online directories, and trade shows to identify potential t-shirt manufacturers. Make a list of at least five to ten manufacturers that you are interested in.
- Check Their Website: Visit the websites of the manufacturers on your list and check if they have experience in producing the type of t-shirt you need. Look for information about their production processes, quality control measures, and certifications.
- Read Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials from other customers who have worked with the manufacturer. Check their reputation on social media platforms, Google Reviews, or Yelp.
- A more intuitive approach is to ask the supplier to send you some pictures of their previous work. At lezhou, we have already put some pictures of our previous product on this page: Click to Check Custom Case
- Ask for Samples: Ask the manufacturers to send you samples of their products. This will help you evaluate the quality of their products and assess their attention to detail.
- Evaluate Their Communication Skills: Pay attention to how quickly and professionally they respond to your inquiries. Good communication is essential to ensure that your project runs smoothly.
- Evaluate Their Pricing: Request quotes from the manufacturers on your list and compare them. Be sure to evaluate the total cost, including shipping and any additional fees.
- Check Their Lead Times: Ask about their lead times, including production and shipping times. Make sure their timeline aligns with your project timeline.
- Verify Their Certifications: Check if the manufacturer has any certifications, such as ISO or GOTS. These certifications indicate that they meet certain quality and ethical standards.
- Ask for References: Finally, ask the manufacturers for references from other customers who have worked with them. Contact these references to get first-hand feedback on their experience working with the manufacturer.
By following these steps, you can find a reputable t-shirt manufacturer who can deliver high-quality products that meet your requirements.
What Questions to Ask Before You Select a T-Shirt Manufacturer？
Before selecting a t-shirt manufacturer, it’s important to ask some key questions to ensure that you choose the right supplier for your needs. Here are some important questions to ask:
- What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
- What is your lead time for sample and bulk order production and delivery?
- Can you send a quote (price for sample & bulk order) based on my tech pack?
- Can you provide samples of customized t-shirt?
- What are your customization options?
- What is your quality control process?
- What is your policy on returns and refunds?
- What’s your payment term & method?
- Do you have any certifications or compliance with industry standards?
- What types of t-shirts do you manufacture?
- What is your production capacity?
By asking these questions, you can gain a better understanding of the manufacturer’s capabilities, pricing, and quality control processes. This can help you make an informed decision and choose a manufacturer that is best suited to your needs.
List of Top T-shirt Manufacturers 2023
In the following list, I am going to talk about two types of manufacturers: print-on-demand dropshipping and wholesale bulk suppliers. Let’s begin!
Print-on-demand (POD) manufacturers allow customers to create and sell their own designs without having to handle the printing and shipping themselves. They provide a platform for individuals or businesses to create and sell their own custom t-shirts online. When a customer places an order, the POD manufacturer prints the design on the t-shirt and ships it directly to the customer.
POD is a great way for selling custom made t shirts without huge investment. However, the material, size and style of POD supplier is very limited and you can only choose from what they already have.
Custom t-shirt manufacturers allow customers to create their own design. You can maximally create everything you want. From concept to the finish product, includes customized fabric, color, size, style, printing, embroidery, label and packing.
Custom t-shirt supplier offer you a fully-customized clothing producing service, from zero to heron. However, customized t-shirt supplier has a higher MOQ than POD supplier. Normally, their MOQ start from 100pcs per color and per design.
On the following list, the first 4 are the best Print-on-demand (POD) manufacturers, and behind them are 5 of the best Custom t-shirt factories.
1. Printful
My first pick for custom t-shirt manufacturers is one of the best print-on-demand services. Printful is a leading on-demand clothing brand that provides some of the best deals at affordable prices for those looking to start their own brand merchandise or retail business. They offer a range of printing methods and material private labeling services to their customers, with top-notch quality bulk t-shirts made from 100% spun cotton available for select suppliers.
Integrating Printful into any e-commerce platform, such as Spotify or WooCommerce, is a breeze, and the company’s local fulfillment speed and consistency set them apart from the competition. With global in-house and partner facilities, they offer competitive shipping prices and outstanding quality.
Printful’s white label partner program ensures that your brand is positioned at the forefront, with finished products free of any visible company branding. This results in an almost hundred percent customer satisfaction rate, helping to build your reputation and business.
Phone: +1(818) 3517181
Email Address: support@printful.com
Location: 19749 Dearborn St, Chatsworth, CA 91311 USA
2. Prototype
The prototype is a top-notch company for custom t-shirt manufacturing and they give you the power to design your apparel. Plus, their services are so cheap that small businesses can afford them without breaking the bank!
Prototype is the real MVP! They guarantee quality fabrics, quick turnarounds and most importantly maintain impeccable ethical standards. Plus they make sure to give you that extra edge to help your brand stay ahead of the competition.
Phone: +1 415-969-6272
Email Address: hello@prototype.global
Location: Jl. Subak Sari No.7, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
3. Custom Cat
If you’re looking for a top-notch screen printing company to create and purchase custom t-shirts, Custom Cat will be a nice choice. Their prices are highly competitive for all types of business models, making them an excellent choice.
With over 20 years of experience and more than 20,000 Shopify store partnerships, CustomCat is a trusted print-on-demand partner that you can count on for reliable service.
Additionally, their custom t-shirt manufacturers provide volume-based discounts, allowing you to maximize your profits. If you’re a small business owner searching for a scalable t-shirt manufacturer, I highly recommend Custom Cat.
Phone: +1 (844) 874-8623
Email: contact@customcat.com
Location: 1300 Rosa Parks Blvd. Detroit, MI 48216 USA
4. Apliiq
Apliiq is a well-known provider of custom t-shirts, offering private labeling and branding options. They provide a free mockup generator that enables you to design your own t-shirts.
With over 12 years of experience as a custom print-on-demand company, Apliiq offers a wide range of high-quality printing services. They offer pocket tees, stitching-based clothing, and white-label items without manufacturing tags.
Apliiq provides a diverse selection of pattern variations, including short/long sleeves, v-necks, polo, tank tops, tie-dye shirts, and flannel shirts. It has two locations in Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, which enable them to effectively manufacture your t-shirts.
Email: cs@apliiq.com
Location: 2623 e54th street huntington park, ca 90255 USA// 4560 germantown ave philadelphia, pa 19144 USA
5. Lezhou Garment
The reason I put Lezhou on this list is not only because I am working here but also because we are doing some trustworthy work for customers. Different from some top POD manufacturers above, we offer you a fully-customized clothing production and one-stop service.
Our expertise lies in providing complete customization services, from fabric sourcing to sample and mass production, customized printing and embroidery, private labeling and packaging, and shipping.
We have a team of skilled professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of your clothing production process is taken care of with precision and attention to detail.
Partner with us for your custom clothing needs and experience the difference that our full-service solutions can make for your brand. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you bring your vision to life.
Phone: +8613725484736
Email: info@lezhougarment.com
Address: Jianghai Building Tiyu Rd. Humen Dongguan Guangdong China 523910
6. Zega Apparel
Zega Apparel is a top-notch manufacturer of customized apparel that caters to complex custom designs.
Their endless customization alternatives on almost every kind of fabric, design, and pattern make them a one-of-a-kind clothing manufacturer for companies worldwide.
Whether it’s custom shirts, custom-made sweatshirts, or custom shorts, Zega has everything needed to make your clothing brand unique and fashionable.
More importantly, it is a US-based company that owns a factory in Pakistan. They can offer fluent English communication without language barriers and a competitive price than other US companies. But the price advantage may not be as good as Chinese factories.
Phone: +1-805-369-1828
Email: info@zegaapparel.com
Address: 30 N Gould St Ste R Sheridan,WY 82801 USA
7. Lefty Production Co
If you are looking for 100% Made in USA t-shirt? Don’t miss Lefty Production Co. It is a one stop shop development house and apparel & accessories manufacturer based in the heart of Los Angeles USA.
Their role involves assisting clothing and accessory lines, both new and established, with various aspects of the design process such as sketching, fabric and trim selection, branding and labeling, creating patterns and samples, making duplicates, conducting fittings and pattern revisions, grading and marking patterns, overseeing cutting, production, and packaging.
Different from other garment factories, Lefty Production Co covers a wide range. They almost produce all kinds of clothes and accessories. They specialize in producing woman’s & man’s & children’s wear, swimwear, sportswear, home textiles, merch and accessories and more.
Would you like to produce everything under one roof? Lefty Production provides you with a one-stop production service for everything.
Phone: +1-323-515-9266
Address: 318 West 9th St Suite #1010 Los Angeles, CA 90015 USA
8. Hawthorn
Are you in search of clothing manufacturers in the UK? Look no further than Hawthorn, a top-tier manufacturer that produces high-quality garments. Hawthorn provide a comprehensive manufacturing solution, catering to the needs of fashion startups, small clothing brands, SMEs, and up-and-coming designers.
What attracts me the most is that they can not only provide a full range of clothing production services, but also have a lower MOQ than other customized t-shirt factories.
Email: info@hawthornintl.com
Phone: +44 020 3633 3846
Address: International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN, UK
9. Jingsourcing
Jingsourcing is not a t-shirt manufacturer, however, I list it here because I think it is the best sourcing agent in China. Jingsourcing has successfully helped thousands of sellers worldwide import from China.
Having over a decade of experience in sourcing, Jingsourcing possesses access to numerous factory resources that offer the best prices. They extend personalized service to clients, taking care of everything from sourcing to production follow-up and shipping, making it easy for new importers to navigate the process. Jingsourcing’s self-owned warehouse spans an area of 4,000 square meters, and their dedicated workforce efficiently handles product packaging and quality inspection – a service that many other agencies lack.
So if you are still struggling to find a professional Chinese supplier but have no idea of what to do next step, I highly recommend Jingsourcing.
Email: info@jingsourcing.com
Tel:+1 805 3011888 (Call from outside China)// +86 400 9060006 (Call from China)
Wrapping up
Finding a t-shirt manufacturer is not a tough job, but finding the right supplier is not an easy job.
Having been in the garment industry for 20 years, we know how difficult to find a factory with smooth communication and high-quality products.
Our objective is to firmly support international apparel brands and provide you with all the necessary assistance in producing clothing lines.
Are you looking for a trustworthy t-shirt supplier? Talk to us today!