Custom T-Shirt for the African Market — Combed Cotton with Placement Printing
We supply t-shirt to African buyers built for hot dry inland seasons. Cloth weight, weave openness and colour fastness are chosen for heat and humidity first, then for price: Combed Cotton at 140-170 gsm, shade-matched to hold up under strong sun and repeated hand washing. Programmes start at 100 pieces per style per colour and ship to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam.
The two things that break an African programme are the same every time: long lead times that miss the selling season, and suppliers who disappear once the deposit is paid. We fix the specification before bulk — weight, shrinkage, stitch density and measurement tolerance — and we prepare the import paperwork that PVoC requires, so goods clear instead of sitting at the port.

Specification
| Product | T-Shirt |
|---|---|
| Market | East Africa |
| Base fabric | Combed Cotton (140-170 gsm) |
| Decoration / finish | Placement Printing |
| Climate notes | Built for hot dry inland seasons |
| Size range | UK / African S-4XL |
| Colour options | 8 Pantone-matched shades |
| MOQ | 100 pieces per style per colour |
| Sampling | 7 working days, 3 days per revision |
| Bulk lead time | 20-60 days after approval |
| Import compliance | PVoC certificate of conformity for Kenya |
| Ship to | Mombasa or Dar es Salaam |
What African buyers can customise
- Chenille Embroidery — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- All-Over Sublimation — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- Applique Embroidery — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- Contrast Stitching — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- Pleating — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- Woven Label — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.
- Smocking — available on Combed Cotton, quoted per position and per colour.

How we produce it
- Tech pack review and fabric confirmation for hot dry inland seasons
- Lab dips or print strike-off approval, including wax and Ankara colourways
- Combed Cotton-spec prototype graded to UK / African S-4XL
- Fit sample and wearer test, then a pre-production sample
- Bulk cutting with placement printing applied under controlled settings
- In-line inspection, final AQL 2.5 inspection and packing for LCL or FCL shipment
Where it sells
- Church and ceremonial wear — colour-fast fabrics that survive frequent washing
- Retail and market trade — packed to size ratio, ready for wholesale distribution
- Corporate and hospitality uniforms — repeatable specification for reorders
- School and institutional programmes — durable cloth at a fixed landed cost
- Wedding and celebration dressing — coordinated colourways across a family order

Import, duty and delivery
PVoC certificate of conformity for Kenya is arranged before the goods leave the factory. We ship LCL or FCL to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam, provide the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of conformity, and quote landed cost so duty and clearance are visible before you commit. Most buyers in East Africa plan reorders around the selling season, so we hold the approved specification on file.
FAQ
Do you provide compliance documents?
We can arrange OEKO-TEX, GOTS, BSCI, WRAP and ISO documentation as well as third-party testing reports for PVoC certificate of conformity for Kenya, and we support REACH, CPSIA and Prop 65 declarations for the relevant markets.
How long does sampling take?
A first prototype is typically ready in 7 working days after the tech pack is confirmed, including fabric sourcing if the base cloth is not in our stock library. Revisions add about 3 days each.
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.
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 African programme
Share a reference photo or a sample garment and we will reverse-engineer the specification for your own label.







