Custom T-Shirt for the US Market — Cupro with Smocking
We supply t-shirt to US buyers on a repeatable specification: the same cloth, the same hand feel and the same US-graded fit on every reorder. Programmes start at 100 pieces per style per colour, ship to Houston, and are documented for US import — fibre content labelling, country of origin and HTS classification are prepared before the goods leave the factory.
Most US buyers come to us after one of two problems: unclear responsibility when a defect shows up after washing, or long lead times that miss the selling season. Our answer is to lock the specification first — fabric weight, shrinkage allowance, stitch density and measurement tolerance in inches — before a single bulk yard is cut.
Specification
| Product | T-Shirt |
|---|---|
| Market | United States |
| Base fabric | Cupro |
| Decoration / finish | Smocking |
| Fabric weight | 6.0-7.5 oz/yd2 |
| Size range | US regular and tall blocks |
| Colour options | 16 Pantone-matched shades |
| MOQ | 100 pieces per style per colour |
| Sampling | 7 working days, 4 days per revision |
| Bulk lead time | 30-60 days after approval |
| Compliance | ASTM F1816 |
| Ship to | Houston (FOB / CIF / DDP available) |
What US buyers can customise
- Custom Zip Puller — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- Laser Engraving — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- DTG Digital Printing — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- Tonal Embroidery — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- All-Over Sublimation — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- Seam Sealing — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
- Applique Embroidery — available on Cupro, quoted per position and per colour.
How we produce it
- Tech pack review and fabric confirmation in US measurements
- Lab dips or print strike-off for approval
- Cupro-spec prototype graded to US regular and tall blocks
- Fit sample and wearer test, then a pre-production sample
- Bulk cutting with smocking applied under controlled settings
- In-line inspection, final AQL 2.5 inspection and packing for US retail
Built for the US calendar
American programmes are planned around holiday gifting. That means the sampling rounds, the freight mode and the customs paperwork have to be decided at quotation stage, not at ex-factory. We build the production schedule backwards from your in-stock date and flag the two points where a US programme usually slips — colour approval and freight booking.
Quality control
Every bulk order is checked against the approved sample for shade, hand feel, measurements in inches and workmanship. Shrinkage, colour fastness and seam strength are recorded on the first bulk lot and held as the reference for reorders, so t-shirt batches stay comparable over time. Inspection photos and the measurement report are sent before the balance payment is due.
FAQ
What file formats do you need for artwork?
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) give the best print and embroidery results. For raster artwork please supply at least 300 dpi at the final print size. We digitise embroidery files in-house and return a sew-out photo for approval.
Do you provide compliance documents?
We can arrange OEKO-TEX, GOTS, BSCI, WRAP and ISO documentation as well as third-party testing reports for ASTM F1816, and we support REACH, CPSIA and Prop 65 declarations for the relevant markets.
Can you match a specific colour?
Yes. Send us a Pantone TCX reference or a physical swatch. We return lab dips for approval and hold bulk shade within the agreed tolerance band before cutting.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Standard programmes start at 100 pieces per style and colour. We can split sizes across a size set, and for first orders we often accept a mixed-colour run to help you test the market.
Start your US programme
Book a 20-minute call with our merchandising team and get a written quotation within 48 hours.
