Brands that print on 180 GSM blanks get a tee that goes sheer after ten washes and twists at the side seam. A heavyweight tee is a different product: dense yarn, tighter knit and a collar that does not roll.
We manufacture heavyweight t-shirts in 280 to 400 GSM cotton jersey with a 2×2 or 1×1 rib collar, taped shoulders and a squared, structured drape. Every run is cut from a stabilised fabric so the panels do not skew. Mike Apparel manufactures t-shirts for brands that need a custom heavyweight t-shirt manufacturer willing to start at 50 pieces, ship in 2–3 weeks and keep the block consistent on every reorder.
Heavyweight T-Shirt fabrics and weights
Choosing the cloth for a custom t-shirt is a trade-off between hand feel, weight, print behaviour and cost. These are the fabrics we run most often for this product, with what each one is best at. For the heavyweight t-shirt most brands start with 300 GSM 100% cotton jersey and step up to 350 GSM cotton jersey when they want thick, stiff and cardboard-crisp when new, breaks in over wear.
| Fabric | Specification | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 300 GSM 100% cotton jersey | 20/1 combed, compacted | the classic 'heavy tee' feel for US streetwear brands |
| 350 GSM cotton jersey | 16/1 open-end | thick, stiff and cardboard-crisp when new, breaks in over wear |
| 400 GSM ultra-heavy jersey | 12/1 yarn, tubular or side-seam | statement heavyweight pieces and cold-climate markets |
| 320 GSM cotton-poly | 80/20 | prints sharper, resists shrinkage for uniform programmes |
Fit options for t-shirts
Pick a starting silhouette and we adjust from there. Blocks are graded XS to 3XL in US sizing, and size-set samples are available for brands that want to check the whole run. The most requested heavyweight t-shirt block is the regular heavyweight with a slightly boxy chest.
- Regular heavyweight with a slightly boxy chest
- Oversized heavyweight with dropped shoulder
- Cropped heavyweight for women's lines
- Long-sleeve heavyweight on the same block
Construction details
These are the construction details we specify by default on a custom t-shirt. Each one can be changed in the tech pack, and each one shows up in the pre-production sample so nothing is a surprise in bulk. Start your heavyweight t-shirt tech pack with this line: 2×2 rib collar 2.5–3 cm, doubled for a collar that never rolls.
- 2×2 rib collar 2.5–3 cm, doubled for a collar that never rolls
- Twill shoulder tape and bar tacks at side seam ends
- Flatlock or coverstitch hems with a wide 2.5 cm bottom hem
- Reinforced double-stitched sleeve heads to carry the fabric weight
- Optional inside-out finish with visible overlock as a design detail
Branding the t-shirt
We handle all decoration internally, which keeps lead times at 2–3 weeks and removes the hand-off between a blank supplier and a printer. Options that suit a t-shirt: Heavyweight T-Shirt artwork usually goes on as oversized back screen prints up to 40 x 50 cm.
- Oversized back screen prints up to 40 x 50 cm
- Puff, high-density and cracked-vintage screen prints
- Heavy chenille or 3D puff embroidery
- Acid wash, mineral wash and sun-fade treatments
- Woven neck labels and hem loop tags
For a method-by-method comparison on t-shirts, read screen printing vs DTG vs embroidery.
Private label t-shirts
Private label is included, not an upsell. A custom t-shirt from Mike Apparel ships with your woven or printed neck label, size tab, care label and, if you want them, hang tags, custom poly bags and printed boxes. Send vector artwork and we produce label samples alongside the garment sample. See our private label clothing page for label types, minimums and artwork specs. For heavyweight t-shirt orders we recommend a woven neck label plus a printed care label as the minimum; hang tags and structured tee packaging are added at your choice.
What a custom t-shirt costs
What a custom t-shirt costs depends on the cloth, how much decoration it carries and how many you order. These are representative per-piece ranges for the options above; your quote lists fabric, trims, decoration, labels and packaging separately. For reference, a heavyweight t-shirt run of 50 pieces in 300 GSM 100% cotton jersey with one embroidery and private labels sits close to the middle of the first band.
| Quantity | Price per piece (USD) |
|---|---|
| 50–100 pieces | $7.50 – $14.00 |
| 100–300 pieces | $6.60 – $12.32 |
| 300–1,000 pieces | $5.85 – $10.92 |
| 1,000+ pieces | $5.25 – $9.80 |
Prices are FOB Sialkot; DDP shipping to the USA adds roughly $1.20–$3.50 per piece by sea or $3–$7 by air depending on weight and volume. Sampling is charged at 2–3x the bulk unit price and credited back on the bulk order. For a heavyweight t-shirt order of 50 pieces, sampling is billed at roughly $16–$36 and refunded against bulk.
From brief to delivery
How an order for t-shirts moves through the factory, with the timing for each stage. Heavyweight T-Shirt samples ship with a swatch of 300 GSM 100% cotton jersey so you can compare weights before bulk.
- Brief and quote (24 hours)Send a tech pack, sketch or reference t-shirt with target quantity. We reply with fabric options, MOQ and per-piece pricing.
- Pre-production sample (7–10 days)One t-shirt in your fabric, fit, colour and branding. Revisions until approved. Read about the sampling process.
- Approval and depositSign off the sample and size set; 50% deposit reserves fabric and the production slot.
- Bulk production (2–3 weeks)Cutting, sewing, wash, decoration, labelling, QC and packing in-house, with photo updates.
- QC and DDP shipping (4–7 days by air)Inspection against the approved sample, then DDP delivery with duties paid. See our full timeline guide.
Quote a 50-piece heavyweight t-shirt run. No tech pack yet? A reference garment or photo is enough to start.
Shipping t-shirts DDP
Most of our t-shirt production ships to the United States, DDP, meaning duties, taxes and customs clearance are paid by us and included in the quote. Air freight lands in Atlanta or Houston in four to seven days after the run ships; sea freight takes four to five weeks and costs less for larger orders. We also ship to the UK, Canada, Australia, the EU and the UAE. See streetwear manufacturing for USA brands and our DDP shipping page. A 50-piece heavyweight t-shirt order fits in a few cartons and clears US customs as one DDP consignment with a single commercial invoice.
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is a heavyweight tee?
Anything from 280 GSM upward counts as heavyweight in streetwear. 300 GSM is the common target; 350–400 GSM is ultra-heavy and feels closer to a light sweatshirt.
Is a heavyweight tee too hot for summer?
A 300 GSM cotton tee breathes better than most people expect because the yarn is cotton and the knit is open. For hot markets like Miami or Houston we suggest 280 GSM; for New York and Chicago 350 GSM sells year-round.
Can heavyweight tees be tubular?
Yes, tubular knit heavyweight jersey removes the side seam and gives a rounder drape. Side-seam construction allows more shape and larger oversized blocks. Both are available.
What is the price of a custom heavyweight t-shirt?
Roughly $7.50 to $14 per piece at 50–100 units for a 300 GSM tee with one print and private labels, dropping at 300+ units. Fabric weight and print size are the main drivers.
Brands ordering the heavyweight t-shirt often pair it with: custom t-shirt manufacturer, custom long sleeve t-shirt manufacturing, custom drop shoulder t-shirt manufacturing, how much does it cost to manufacture a t-shirt in bulk?, t-shirt gsm guide.
Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.