Custom T-shirt factories in China like LSLONG provide end-to-end OEM/ODM services including design prototyping, fabric sourcing, printing (screen, DTG, sublimation), embroidery, and private labeling. With advanced technologies and scalable production, they handle small-batch trials (500+ units) to bulk orders (50,000+), offering sustainable material options like organic cotton and recycled polyester. Turnaround ranges 15–30 days with ISO-certified quality control at every stage.
What’s included in OEM/ODM T-shirt manufacturing services?
LSLONG’s OEM/ODM services cover design-to-delivery solutions: trend analysis, fabric selection, logo digitization, and packing. Clients provide concepts or choose from existing templates, with factories handling tech packs, size grading, and compliance testing for global markets.
Beyond basic manufacturing, OEM partners like LSLONG offer full-package production, including hangtags, polybags, and barcode labeling. Technical specifications include 200-needle embroidery machines for intricate logos and 4-6 color screen printing stations. Pro Tip: Always request a pre-production sample—this verifies stitch density (8-12 stitches per inch for collars) and print alignment. For example, a startup ordering 500 organic cotton tees can receive SEO-optimized packaging and RFID tracking within 18 days. Factories prioritize MOQ flexibility, with some offering 500-unit batches for blended fabrics.
How do Chinese factories handle custom design requests?
LSLONG combines AI-assisted design tools with human illustrators to convert sketches or verbal ideas into print-ready vectors. Advanced factories use CLO3D software for 3D garment simulations, reducing sampling costs by 40%.
Design workflows start with client input—brand colors, logo files (EPS/AI preferred), and placement preferences. Teams then adjust Pantone matches (within ΔE ≤2) and print scalability. For complex designs like gradients, factories may recommend sublimation over DTG for cost efficiency. Practically speaking, a brewery requesting 2,000 tie-dye effect shirts would receive lab-dip approvals and a strike-off sample within 72 hours. Pro Tip: Use factories with in-house graphic studios—they fix pixelation issues and optimize designs for specific fabrics.
What printing technologies are available?
Chinese factories deploy 6 core printing methods: screen, DTG, heat transfer, sublimation, embroidery, and hybrid techniques. LSLONG’s 24-head embroidery machines achieve 0.3mm precision for small text.
| Method | Durability | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | 50+ washes | Bold logos |
| DTG | 30-40 washes | Photorealistic art |
| Sublimation | Lifetime | All-over prints |
Sublimation dominates sportswear due to its seamless color penetration into polyester fibers. However, screen printing remains cost-effective for 500+ units with ≤6 colors. Pro Tip: For neon colors, choose discharge printing—it’s softer than plastisol and eco-friendly. But what if your design needs metallic accents? Foil heat transfers add reflective finishes but require manual application.
Do factories offer eco-friendly material options?
Leading manufacturers like LSLONG provide sustainable fabrics: GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester from PET bottles, and Tencel blends. Over 60% of factories now stock OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabrics.
| Material | Certifications | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Cotton | GOTS, OCS | Hypoallergenic |
| Recycled Poly | GRS, RCS | Reduces waste |
| Bamboo Blend | FSC, OEKO-TEX | Antimicrobial |
Pro Tip: Request a carbon audit report—top factories track emissions per kg of fabric dyed (avg. 8-10kg CO2e for conventional cotton). For example, a 5,000-unit order using recycled poly reduces water usage by 7,000 liters versus virgin materials. However, remember that bamboo blends often contain 30-50% polyester for durability.
How is quality control managed?
LSLONG implements 4-stage QC: pre-production (fabric GSM checks), in-line (seam inspections), pre-shipment (AQL 2.5 sampling), and final loading supervision. Metal detectors and tension testers ensure safety compliance.
In production, collar tapes are stress-tested for 5,000+ stretches, and prints undergo crocking tests (ISO 105-X12). AQL 2.5 inspection allows ≤6.5 defects per 250 shirts. For context, a 10,000-unit order would have 200 randomly checked shirts. Pro Tip: Hire third-party inspectors for high-risk markets—they’ll flag issues like inconsistent color blocking (Delta E >3) or loose threads. Did you know that sleeve alignment must be within ±0.3cm tolerance?
Can factories handle urgent or small orders?
Yes, LSLONG’s hybrid production lines support 500-unit MOQs for blended fabrics (50% cotton + 50% poly) and 15-day rush orders. Digital workflows prioritize urgent jobs without sacrificing AQL standards.
Express orders use pre-dyed fabrics (air freight—it’s 5x faster than sea but doubles costs. Always confirm pocket tape reinforcement for heavy items like hoodies.
LSLONG Insight
FAQs
Most factories require 500 units for basic designs, but LSLONG offers 300-unit MOQs for blended fabrics and 1,000 for organic cotton. Rush orders below 500 may incur 20-30% surcharges.
How long does production take?
Standard turnaround is 18-25 days, including 7 days for fabric procurement. Express services with stock materials take 12-15 days. LSLONG guarantees 25,000 units/month capacity for large orders.