Custom Promotional T-Shirts in Bulk: 180–200 GSM Cotton

Promotional tees get handed out at events, trade shows and campaigns, so they need to print well, ship efficiently and still look decent after a few washes. Here is how we build lighter-weight promotional T-shirts within our custom T-shirt range.

What makes a good promotional T-shirt

A promotional tee is a cost-sensitive product, but cutting the wrong corners shows quickly in wavy necklines, cracked prints and shrunken sizes. A good one gets the basics right.

The fabric is light and printable: 100% cotton single jersey at around 180–200 GSM gives a smooth print surface and comfortable wear in warm weather. Even at this weight we use spandex rib for the neck and clear TPU tape in the shoulders, so the collar recovers. The neck rib is dyed in the same lot as the body, so large runs don’t show collar shade differences. Lighter tees also fold flat and pack densely, which helps freight cost per piece.

Construction details

From our T-shirt bill of materials:

• Body: 100% cotton single jersey; lighter weights sit at the lower end of ≈ 0.22–0.32 kg per piece.
• Neck rib: 1×1 or 2×2 spandex rib (95% cotton / 5% spandex), dyed in the same lot as the body.
• Shoulder stay tape: clear TPU elastic tape (3–5 mm) or woven tape.
• Back-neck binding: self-fabric strip or cotton herringbone tape over the overlock seam.
• Thread: high-stretch polyester filament looper with spun polyester needle thread, so seams stretch without breaking.
• Packaging: hangtag, tag pin, tissue, OPP/PE polybag and export carton.

Customisation options

Option	Choices
Fabric weight	180–200 GSM for promotional use (range 180–260 GSM)
Decoration	Screen print, DTG, heat transfer, embroidery
Labels	Tagless heat-transfer or woven main label
Neck rib	1×1 or 2×2 spandex rib
Packing	Individual polybag, hangtag, carton ratio

If you aren’t sure which print method suits your artwork, the print vs embroidery guide compares them side by side. The export packing guide covers carton planning.

How we make it

Promotional tees follow our eight-stage manufacturing process. The key stages:

1. Fabric inspection & relaxation: fabric is relaxed 24–48 hours before cutting.
2. Print & embroidery: artwork goes onto cut panels before sewing.
3. Inspection & needle detection: 100% needle detection before packing.
4. Packing: polybag, hangtag and carton ratio as specified.

Want a heavier tee for retail merchandise? See heavyweight T-shirts.

Final thoughts

For promotional runs, specify 180–200 GSM cotton jersey, pick the print method that fits your artwork, and agree packing before production. A light tee needn’t be a flimsy one. A spandex rib collar and taped shoulders cost little and keep the tee wearable long after the event. MOQ, pricing and lead time are confirmed with your quote.