Custom T-Shirt Manufacturer for European Brands
Too Fabric manages custom T-shirt manufacturing for European brands, companies and merchandise projects, coordinating the complete production process from sampling and fabric selection through bulk manufacturing and delivery across Europe and the UK.
If you are comparing T-shirt manufacturers for your next collection or branded apparel project, our production model starts from 100 pieces per style, design and fabric colour and includes custom fabrics, regular and oversized fits, screen printing, embroidery and private-label details. We focus on professional T-shirt manufacturing for brands and businesses that need custom production rather than generic ready-made blanks.
- MOQ from 100 pcs
- Sampling before bulk production
- Regular and oversized T-shirts
- Custom and stock fabric options
- Screen printing and embroidery
- Private-label production
- Delivery across Europe and the UK
Table of Contents
T-Shirt Production at a Glance
Choosing the right T-shirt manufacturer usually comes down to a few practical questions: How many pieces do you need to order? Which fabrics are available? Can you produce a physical sample? How long does bulk production take? Which branding methods are suitable? And how will the finished order be delivered?
Here is an overview of our standard T-shirt production process:
Production Detail | Too Fabric |
|---|---|
Minimum order quantity | From 100 pcs per style, design and fabric colour |
Sampling | Physical sample before bulk production |
Sample lead time | 2 weeks |
Bulk production | 5 weeks |
Fits | Regular and oversized |
Fabrics | Cotton and organic cotton options in different GSM weights |
Custom fabric colors | Available from higher minimum quantities |
Branding | Screen printing, embroidery, woven labels and care labels |
Production Location | Istanbul, Türkiye |
European delivery | Express air and road freight options |
Quote requirement | Final mockups, quantities and production-ready artwork |
Production times and minimum quantities can change when a project requires specially developed fabric, custom Pantone dyeing, specialised trims or materials produced specifically for the order. These requirements are reviewed and confirmed before production begins.
Custom T-Shirt Manufacturing for European Brands
Too Fabric focuses on custom T-shirt production for European brands, businesses and organisations. Our custom T-shirt manufacturing service is built around individual project specifications rather than supplying generic blank garments.
We can manage production for:
- Regular-fit T-shirts
- Oversized T-shirts
- Custom branded T-shirts
- Private-label T-shirts
- Corporate T-shirts
- Event merchandise
- Promotional apparel
- Clothing brand collections
Each project can be produced according to confirmed requirements for:
- Garment fit
- Fabric composition
- Fabric weight
- Fabric colour
- Printing
- Embroidery
- Neck labels
- Care labels
- Size labels
- Hangtags
- Packaging
If your project requires a fully customised garment, send us your specifications before requesting a quotation so we can determine the appropriate production route.
MOQ for Custom T-Shirt Manufacturing
Our standard minimum order quantity for custom T-shirt production starts from:
100 pieces per style, design and fabric colour.
Sizes can normally be distributed within the confirmed production quantity. For example, a 100-piece order can contain multiple sizes provided that all pieces use the same style, design and fabric colour.
Different fabric colours are treated as separate production quantities.
Minimum quantities can increase when a T-shirt manufacturing project requires materials that must be specially produced rather than taken from available stock. This can include:
- Custom Pantone-dyed fabrics
- Special fabric compositions
- Non-standard GSM requirements
- Special trims or accessories
- Custom-developed materials
We review these requirements before sampling and clearly confirm the applicable MOQ in the quotation.
Why Our Custom T-Shirt MOQ Starts at 100 Pieces
Professional cut-and-sew T-shirt manufacturing involves several production stages, including fabric preparation, pattern work, cutting, printing or embroidery, sewing, finishing and quality control. Each of these stages requires production setup before the first garment can be completed.
For very small quantities, fully custom manufacturing therefore becomes inefficient compared with decorating ready-made blank garments. Our MOQ is designed for brands, businesses and organisations that need genuine custom production while keeping initial production quantities manageable.
T-Shirt Fabrics and GSM Options
Fabric is one of the most important decisions when working with a T-shirt manufacturer. The GSM — grams per square metre — affects the weight, structure, opacity, drape and overall feel of the finished garment.
A lighter fabric generally creates a softer and more fluid T-shirt, while a heavier GSM creates more structure and can be particularly suitable for premium or oversized styles. We work with different cotton fabric weights depending on the requirements of each T-shirt production project.
Stock T-Shirt Fabric Options
For projects requiring shorter production times, selecting an available stock fabric is normally the most efficient option. Stock availability varies according to fabric weight and colour.
For example, black, white and cream are available as standard options in selected 200 GSM fabrics, while our wider stock colour selection is primarily based on 160 GSM fabric options. Because fabric inventory can change, the exact colour and GSM combination is confirmed when we prepare the quotation.
Organic Cotton Fabric Options
Organic cotton options are available for projects that require them. Depending on the selected fabric and project specifications, GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX® certified material options can be considered.
If certification is required for your project, please tell us before sampling so the appropriate fabric and supporting documentation can be selected.
Custom Pantone Fabric Colours
If your collection requires a fabric colour that is not available from stock, we can evaluate custom fabric development according to a Pantone C reference. Pantone references are preferable to HEX values for textile production because colours displayed on a screen do not reliably represent physical fabric colours.
Custom fabric development requires a higher minimum quantity than stock production. As a general guideline, specially produced Pantone-coloured fabric normally requires at least approximately 300 pieces, depending on the selected fabric and production requirements.
Projects requiring custom fabric development also require a longer production schedule than projects using available stock fabrics. Depending on the fabric and project requirements, the total production timeline can extend to approximately 8–9 weeks.
For buyers working with tight delivery deadlines, it is therefore worth evaluating whether an available stock colour can meet the project requirements before choosing custom dyeing.
Regular and Oversized T-Shirt Manufacturing
The same fabric can produce very different garments depending on the pattern and fit. Too Fabric manages both regular-fit and oversized T-shirt production.
Before sampling, we need to understand the intended silhouette of the garment. You can provide:
- Your own measurement chart
- A reference garment
- A technical specification
- An approved existing pattern where applicable
If you are producing a clothing collection, clear measurements are particularly important. Terms such as “oversized” can describe very different silhouettes, so shoulder width, body width, sleeve length and total garment length should be defined before bulk production begins.
The physical sample is used to confirm these measurements and proportions before the full order is manufactured.
Screen Printing, Embroidery and Custom Branding
Screen Printing
For many bulk T-shirt projects, screen printing is our preferred printing method because it provides a durable result when the artwork and fabric are suitable. Screen printing works particularly well for logos, graphics and artwork designed using defined print colours.
For accurate quotation and production, we require production-ready artwork rather than screenshots or low-resolution images. For screen-printing projects, please provide the original Adobe Illustrator/vector artwork with all required elements correctly embedded or outlined.
This allows the artwork to be prepared properly for production.
Embroidery
Embroidery can be used when a stitched and more dimensional branding finish is required. Suitability depends on:
- Logo complexity
- Logo dimensions
- Fabric weight
- Placement
- Stitch density
Very detailed or extremely small artwork may need to be simplified before embroidery.
Private-Label T-Shirt Manufacturing
Our private-label T-shirt manufacturing projects can also include:
- Woven neck labels
- Printed labels
- Care labels
- Size labels
- Hangtags
- Custom packaging
These requirements should be included when requesting a quotation so the complete project can be evaluated and priced accurately.
What We Need Before Preparing a T-Shirt Production Quote
Too Fabric does not provide graphic design or logo design services. To prepare an accurate quotation, we therefore ask clients to provide sufficiently developed project files before production planning begins. Please send:
- Final garment mockup
- Required quantity
- Number of styles
- Fabric colour or Pantone reference
- Preferred GSM or fabric description
- Size breakdown
- Garment measurements where applicable
- Logo dimensions
- Print or embroidery placement
- Production-ready artwork
- Label requirements
- Packaging requirements
- Delivery country
If you are unsure about a manufacturing-related detail such as the appropriate GSM or branding method, we can evaluate the available production options after reviewing the project. The more complete your specifications are, the more accurately we can quote your T-shirt manufacturing project.
T-Shirt Sampling Before Bulk Production
A physical sample is an essential part of professional T-shirt manufacturing. It allows the garment, measurements, fabric, branding and construction details to be reviewed before the complete order is produced.
Our standard sample production time is approximately 2 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and availability of the required materials. Once completed, the sample can be shipped to the client for approval.
During sampling, we can evaluate:
- Overall garment fit
- Measurements
- Fabric choice
- Print dimensions
- Print placement
- Embroidery placement
- Labels
- Construction details
- Finishing requirements
If changes are required, they should be confirmed before bulk production begins. The approved specifications then establish the production reference for the full order.
Bulk T-Shirt Production Timeline
For projects using available fabrics and standard production requirements, bulk T-shirt production normally takes approximately 5 weeks after sample approval.
A typical custom T-shirt manufacturing project follows these stages:
1. Project Review
We review the mockups, artwork, quantities, fabric requirements and delivery destination.
2. Quotation
The production specifications and commercial terms are confirmed.
3. Sampling
A physical sample is produced for approval.
4. Sample Approval
Any required corrections are confirmed before production.
5. Bulk T-Shirt Manufacturing
Fabric preparation, cutting, branding, sewing and finishing are completed according to the approved specifications.
6. Quality Control
Bulk production is reviewed against the confirmed project requirements.
7. Packing and Shipping
The finished order is prepared for the agreed delivery method.
Projects requiring custom-developed or Pantone-dyed fabrics have longer lead times than standard stock-fabric projects. Depending on the fabric and production requirements, the total production timeline can extend to approximately 8–9 weeks.
Shipping transit time is separate from the production timeline and depends on the selected delivery method and destination.
Quality Control During T-Shirt Manufacturing
Consistency between the approved sample and bulk production is particularly important when choosing a T-shirt manufacturer. Bulk production is checked against the confirmed specifications, including relevant garment measurements, branding placement, visible sewing quality, labels and packing requirements.
Production tolerances can exist in textile manufacturing because fabric is a flexible material rather than a rigid industrial component. For this reason, the physical sample and confirmed measurement specifications establish the production reference.
Fabric behaviour should also be considered. Some stock fabrics are not pre-shrunk, and natural cotton fabrics can change slightly after washing. Where relevant, expected wash behaviour and measurement tolerances should therefore be considered during sampling.
Built Around Real Production Specifications
Every project is reviewed against its confirmed fabric, measurements, artwork, branding and production requirements before bulk manufacturing begins. The physical sample provides the reference for production, while the finished order is checked against the agreed project specifications before shipment.
This process is particularly important for custom garments, where consistency depends on more than the T-shirt itself. Fabric, fit, branding placement, labels, finishing and packing all form part of the approved production specification.
How to Compare T-Shirt Manufacturers for European Brands
When comparing T-shirt manufacturers, European brands should look beyond the quoted unit price. The lowest price does not necessarily represent the most suitable production option.
Important factors to compare include:
- Minimum order quantity
- Fabric availability
- GSM options
- Sampling procedure
- Sample lead time
- Bulk production lead time
- Printing capabilities
- Embroidery capabilities
- Private-label options
- Quality-control process
- Communication
- Shipping options
- Customs requirements
- Reorder flexibility
- Total landed cost
A reliable T-shirt manufacturer should be able to explain these points before bulk production begins. It should also be clear which specifications can be produced using available stock materials and which require custom development.
A lower garment price can sometimes be offset by higher minimum quantities, longer transportation times, larger inventory commitments or slower replenishment. For European brands, the right custom T-shirt manufacturer should therefore match both the technical requirements of the garment and the commercial requirements of the project.
Nearshore T-Shirt Manufacturing for European Brands
For European buyers, the location and structure of the production process can be almost as important as the garment itself. Our production model combines custom manufacturing with practical access to European markets.
Working-Hour Overlap
Our production operations have substantial working-hour overlap with European businesses. This can make communication easier during sampling and bulk manufacturing when specifications, approvals or technical questions need to be resolved.
European Road-Freight Access
Finished orders can be transported to many European destinations by road as well as by express air freight. This gives buyers additional flexibility when balancing transportation cost and delivery time.
Established Textile Production Network
Our projects can involve:
- Fabric sourcing
- Dyeing
- Printing
- Embroidery
- Cutting
- Sewing
- Finishing
- Quality control
- Packing
- Export coordination
This production network is particularly useful for custom T-shirt manufacturing, where several processes need to work together around one approved specification.
Shipping T-Shirts Across Europe
Depending on the destination and order size, different shipping solutions can be arranged.
Typical options include:
DHL Express / air shipment: approximately 3–4 business days in transit.
Road freight: approximately 10–14 days, depending on the destination and customs process.
Exact shipping costs are calculated after the packed shipment dimensions, weight and destination are confirmed.
Unless otherwise agreed, international shipments can be arranged under DAP terms. Under DAP, the shipment is delivered to the agreed destination while the recipient remains responsible for applicable import taxes, VAT and customs-related charges at destination.
Shipping to European Union Countries
Our production is based in Istanbul, so qualifying EU shipments can fall within the EU–Türkiye Customs Union framework for industrial goods.
For qualifying shipments, an A.TR movement certificate can be issued after production. The A.TR documents the free-circulation status of the relevant goods within the Customs Union and should not be confused with a standard certificate of origin.
When the applicable requirements are met, qualifying goods may benefit from duty-free movement within the EU–Türkiye Customs Union. However, an A.TR does not remove import VAT or other taxes and charges that may apply in the destination country.
Importers should confirm their own VAT and customs obligations with their customs broker or local authority.
Shipping T-Shirts to Switzerland
Switzerland is also outside the European Union. Orders can be shipped to Switzerland using express or road-freight services depending on shipment size and urgency.
Swiss import VAT, customs clearance and any applicable duties remain the responsibility of the importer unless otherwise agreed. Because customs treatment can depend on product classification, material composition and origin, Swiss buyers should confirm their exact import obligations with their customs representative.
Shipping T-Shirts to the UK
The United Kingdom is treated separately from EU destinations. Following Brexit, trade with our production location operates under the UK–Türkiye trade agreement and applicable rules of origin, rather than the EU A.TR system used for qualifying EU shipments.
The documentation required for preferential treatment therefore differs from shipments to EU member states. UK buyers remain responsible for their own import VAT, customs clearance and other applicable import requirements.
We provide the commercial and shipping documentation required from our side and coordinate the shipment according to the agreed delivery terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About T-Shirt Manufacturing
What is your minimum order quantity for custom T-shirts?
Our standard MOQ starts from 100 pieces per style, design and fabric colour. Different fabric colours are generally treated as separate production quantities. Custom-developed fabrics or other specially produced materials may require higher minimum quantities.
Can different sizes be included within the 100-piece MOQ?
How long does a T-shirt sample take?
How long does bulk T-shirt production take?
Standard bulk T-shirt production normally takes approximately 5 weeks after sample approval when stock fabrics and standard production processes are used.
Projects requiring custom-developed fabrics can have longer production lead times, typically extending the total production schedule to approximately 8–9 weeks, depending on the project.
Can you manufacture oversized T-shirts?
Yes. We produce both regular and oversized T-shirt styles.
If you require a specific oversized silhouette, please provide a measurement chart, technical specification or suitable reference so the proportions can be confirmed during sampling.
What T-shirt GSM options are available?
We work with different fabric weights depending on the required garment. A wider colour selection is available in selected 160 GSM fabrics, while black, white and cream are available as stock options in selected 200 GSM fabrics.
Other fabric weights or constructions can be evaluated according to the project.
Can you develop fabric to a Pantone colour reference?
Yes. Custom-dyed fabrics can be developed according to a Pantone C reference, subject to fabric type, minimum quantity and normal textile production tolerances.
Custom fabric production also requires higher minimum quantities and longer lead times than stock fabric production.
Do you offer organic cotton options?
Do you offer private-label T-shirt manufacturing?
What printing method do you recommend?
For many bulk custom T-shirt projects, we prefer screen printing because of its durability and production quality when the artwork and fabric are suitable. Embroidery can also be used when a stitched, dimensional finish is required.
What artwork do you need for screen printing and embroidery?
Do you provide logo design services?
How do I choose between T-shirt manufacturers?
When comparing T-shirt manufacturers, consider more than the quoted garment price. Compare the MOQ, fabric options, sampling process, production lead time, printing and embroidery capabilities, private-label options, quality control, shipping time and communication process.
You should also confirm whether the quoted specifications are based on available stock materials or require custom fabric development.
Where is your T-shirt production located?
Can you ship custom T-shirts throughout Europe?
Do EU customers pay customs duty on qualifying shipments?
Qualifying industrial goods in free circulation may benefit from the EU–Türkiye Customs Union when the applicable requirements are met and the relevant A.TR documentation is provided.
Import VAT and other destination-country charges may still apply. Buyers should confirm their exact import obligations with their customs representative.
Is shipping to the UK the same as shipping to the EU?
No. The UK is outside the EU Customs Union and uses a separate trade and rules-of-origin framework.
UK shipments therefore require different customs documentation from qualifying EU shipments using A.TR.
