[guest5779]

I'm still trying to determine what brand / kind of shirts I want to go with. Part of me is inclined to go with Fruit of the Loom 50/50 5.4oz tees, mainly because that's what Threadless uses, and a lot of the posts on that site seem to be fairly positive (there's actually quite a few complaints about AA, who would've thought?). So with that in mind, here is a couple questions...

1. How do I go about obtaining samples? I'm not yet officially licensed, nor do I have a business name yet. Will they even bother?

2. What other shirts are comparable in quality and price (I'm seeing anywhere from $1.25 - $2.25 color from what I can view without being able to obtain a wholesale site account)?

Thanks everybody!

 

[joeque]

Just a little help - I like Gildan

 

[badalou]

Go to www.ppsapparel.com
Just order and pay with CC. No license needed. You can buy what eveer you need. 1 or 100

 

[Twinge]

Your other basic shirts are going to be comprable price-wise (and generally, quality-wise), such as Hanes or Gildan. You'll have to pay a little more for ringspun cotton (softer shirts), such as the Hanes Beefy Tee (but not necessarily as much as AA).

I think Gildan is probably the most used brand for general imprinting, though I don't know if they offer any cotton/poly blends offhand.

 

[guest5779]

That's right, I forgot about ringspun. Can 50/50 blends be ringspun? Are they any harder to apply plastisol transfers too?

As well, am I to guess that "samples" aren't really free, but people are using the term in regards to purchasing a shirt of each kind?

Thanks!

 

[Rodney]

As well, am I to guess that "samples" aren't really free, but people are using the term in regards to purchasing a shirt of each kind?

Good point. That's correct "free samples" are a whole different animal, but most of the time when I say "get some samples", I mean buy one or two shirts from that manufacturer to see if you like them.

For example ,I wanted a sample from theapparelagents.com after I saw jdr post about them. I went to their website and used their online form to buy 2-3 shirts of different styles. If I later wanted to buy wholesale, I'd setup an account.

Same thing with article1, jerico, etc. Sometimes I end up getting samples because a t-shirt design I bought just happens to be printed on a different brand that I haven't seen before (that's how I found out about the cool Jerico hoodies).

 

[Solmu]

I think Gildan is probably the most used brand for general imprinting, though I don't know if they offer any cotton/poly blends offhand.

Gildan do a 50/50 5.6oz shirt (8000 in their catalogue, pocket, youth and l/s options available). Never tried one, so I don't know if they're any good or not.

 

[Solmu]

Can 50/50 blends be ringspun?

The spinning happens at the thread level (i.e. before the fabric is knit), so I don't see why you couldn't. I have no idea if they're made or not though (it might be considered a waste of good cotton since the polyester might overwhelm its properties anyway - I don't know).

Are they any harder to apply plastisol transfers too?

I don't see any reason they would be.

As well, am I to guess that "samples" aren't really free, but people are using the term in regards to purchasing a shirt of each kind?

Yup. Even when paying for samples I've had some pretty smarmy responses due to the purchases being piece quantity (which is one of the reasons I hate that wholesaler, and avoid giving them money whenever possible As far as I'm concerned sampling is part of doing business).