With the current trend of graphic t-shirts reaching its peak, there has never been a more opportune time to create garments that ignite conversations. Picture someone admiring your t-shirt and asking, ‘Where did you find such an amazing design?’

Now, let’s delve into the process of manufacturing the perfect, high-quality tee and ensure that you have all the necessary elements covered:

Technical sketches

Fashion flats, which are initial visual references for manufacturers, should depict all design details such as desired fit, finishings, and stitching. While technical fashion sketches are typically created using Adobe Illustrator, you can save time by using Repsketch, a vector editor that provides a variety of templates designed by professionals. Simply choose a template, customize the details, and share or download it for your tech pack.

Fabric selection

A quality t-shirt must not only look good but also be practical. This greatly depends on the fabric used. Cotton is often regarded as the best choice for t-shirt manufacturing due to its softness and breathability. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, are smooth and have low water absorbency but may not offer the same comfort for everyday wear. Consider the intended function of the t-shirt when choosing the fabric.

Construction quality

Ensuring high construction quality is a multifaceted task. It involves precise seam placement, avoiding stitching imperfections, addressing waving and puckering issues, proper garment pressing, and achieving flawless finished edges.

Seam positioning

Proper seam positioning is essential for both the appearance and fit of a t-shirt. When trying on a t-shirt, the shoulder and side seams should remain in place without dropping or shifting forward. Carefully examine the seams to ensure they are straight and properly aligned.

Stitching flaws

Jersey fabric used in t-shirt production can lead to skipped stitches. The elastic knit behaves like a trampoline, causing the needle to cave in instead of passing through smoothly. This results in failed stitch formations and loose threads on the fabric’s surface. Additionally, non-aligned underarm and side seams, as well as incorrect stitch per inch (SPI), can cause significant quality issues and an unappealing appearance.

Waving

A desirable t-shirt should have smooth fabric and ribbing without any waves. The presence of waves indicates over-stretching during sewing. Examine the knits closely to identify tiny crosswise loops that may have been widened due to excessive force, possibly caused by machinery or operational errors.

Puckering

Puckering occurs when excessive stitch tension pushes the fabric inward, leading to unexpected gathering around the seams. This not only creates an undesirable appearance but also makes the stitches prone to breaking with regular wear.

Finished edges

A poorly made t-shirt can be identified by frayed edges after the first wash. To prevent this, ensure that all raw edges are adequately covered and the seams are properly finished.

Pressing

Various techniques, including pressing, can be employed to avoid common production errors. Pressing can address issues such as uneven shoulder lengths, inaccurate size measurements, and distorted fabric, especially when working with stretch jerseys. However, be mindful of potential loop deformations that may require further sample inspection.

Measurements

To create an accurate sample, the manufacturer relies on precise measurement specifications provided by the designer. The Measurement Spec Sheet contains the approximate measurements of the garment when laid flat.

Accurate measurement specs

Controlling quality involves confirming that all measurements align with the specifications provided in the tech pack. The tech pack should outline acceptable tolerances, allowing measurements to vary within a specific range. During sample review, it is crucial to ensure that all measurements fall within these acceptable limits.

Efficient sampling

Though a t-shirt may seem simple, inspecting it is more intricate thanone might imagine. To avoid the highlighted errors, using a detailed tech pack is a simple yet effective solution. By providing precise measurements, the correct sizing system, and fabric identification, fashion designers can save both time and money.

Sound interesting? Since t-shirt is an indispensable item in every wardrobe, don’t hesitate to bring some more colorful Meet Hank’s t-shirts and take care of it carefully!