What is your checklist for buying blank t-shirts?
I buy unbranded cheap t-shirts.
Still, I follow this checklist, pls. add points or correct me where i'm wrong.
1. GSM - I try to go for higher GSM t-shirts. Arnd 170 GSM or more.
I think there is no precise way of calculating the GSM unless i cut a GSM circle in the t-shirt, so have to believe what the supplier tells me.
it is the popular way to inspect the fabric weight. Many stores sell this kind of digital machine, cut a round hole in the fabric, and weigh it, get the anwser.
Plus, I hold them against the light, to compare the amount of transparency.
lighter gsm, more transparent, the transparency has relation with with the color, dark color will not be transparent like light color based on same fabric weight.
2. Dye fastness + shrinking - For dark colors, the color bleeds a little and most cotton t-shirts shrink.
So, i'm not sure how to verify this, unless i take samples and wash them myself. Bit difficult considering there are loads of suppliers. Would have to accumulate tonnes of samples, and waste quite a bit of money. Again, I have to blindly agree with what the supplier says.
wash in water is a best way to inspect the color fastness, some fade, some not, we called it wet rub color fastness, Another way is to rub the fabric in a white paper, to see any bleeding on that, called dry rub color fastness. Like you said, most of cotton materials is shrunk, just to check how much percentage to shrink? our factory check the shrinkage by cutting the fabric out in square shape about 20" x 20", to iron the fabric in high heat steam, and measure up how many inches was short of? then you will know the shrinkage of warp and woof. There are many different ways to inspect it, it is one of we use mostly.
3. Stitch density / yarn count - I closely compare the stitch density and choose the ones with a higher one. Assuming the higher the stitch density, the finer the yarn count and softness.
(this can be verified using a scaled magnifying glass, which i'm going to get soon)
see them in your eyes, touch them in your hands. See if any miss yarns, color spot, thread head, dirty or crease mark...; Feel it with your hands to check if they touch soft, comfortable as you think the fabric should be. Right selection to fabric materials is very important.
4. Brightness of colors - I go for deeper and brighter shades and check for dyeing evenness. (bad quality dyeing has many spots of white on closer examination)
You are right!
5. Stitching - I check the stitching all around and make sure none of the threads are loose or the stitching is wayward.
It is correct, any missing needle, or long thread end without clean.
Anything else i missed?
