On the sample, check fit, fabric, seams, print and labels against what you asked for, then wash it once and check again. On delivery, open a spread of cartons and compare pieces against the approved sample, size by size. That two-stage gym T-shirt quality check catches almost every problem a buyer is likely to meet, and it costs nothing but an afternoon.
The sample matters more than the delivery check. Once you approve a sample, it becomes the reference for the full order and for our own quality check before packing. Anything you accept on the sample, you are accepting for every piece, so take your time with it.
Checking the sample: fit and fabric
Put the T-shirt on someone who matches the size, ideally more than one person. A gym tee is worn in motion, so do not judge it standing still in front of a mirror.
- Reach overhead. The hem should not ride up far above the waistband on a regular fit.
- Squat and bend. Check the back hem and whether the shoulders pull.
- Swing the arms. The armhole and sleeve should not bind under the arm.
- Feel the fabric. Polyester knit should feel light and smooth. Polyester-elastane should stretch easily and spring back.
- Look at the neckline. It should lie flat and recover after being stretched over the head.
Then measure the sample against the size chart you agreed. Chest width, body length and sleeve length are the three measurements that matter most. Small differences are normal in knitwear; note anything that would change the fit noticeably.
Checking the sample: construction and branding
Turn the T-shirt inside out and look closely.
Seams
Seams should be even, flat and free of skipped stitches or loose threads. On stretch fabric, pull gently across the side seams: the stitching should stretch with the fabric rather than crack. Check the shoulder seams and underarm join, where strain is highest.
Print and logo
Check the logo position against your artwork: distance from the neckline, centring, and size. Run a thumb over a heat transfer or screen print. It should sit flat, with clean edges and no lifting at the corners. Stretch the fabric under the print slightly to see how it behaves. On a small embroidered chest logo, check the back for neat finishing that will not scratch.
Labels and tags
Confirm the neck label or inside-neck print, wash-care label and hang tag match your approved artwork. Read every word on the care label. A typo found now is easy to fix; a typo found after bulk production is not.
Wash the sample once
A single wash tells you more than any amount of looking. Wash and dry the sample the way your customers will, following the care label, and then check:
- Has the size changed noticeably on chest or length?
- Has the colour stayed even, with no patchiness?
- Is the print still flat and intact at the edges?
- Has the neckline kept its shape?
- Do the seams still lie flat?
If something changes after washing, tell us before approving. It is far easier to adjust fabric, print method or care instructions at sample stage. Our page on minimum order and samples explains how sampling fits into the order.
Checking the bulk delivery
Before dispatch, our production goes through our quality check against the approved sample. Your own check on arrival is the second look, and it should be quick and structured.
| What to check | How |
|---|---|
| Carton count and labelling | Match against the packing list |
| Size and colour split | Count a sample of cartons against the order |
| Fit | Measure a few pieces per size against the chart |
| Colour match | Compare pieces from different cartons in daylight |
| Print and logo | Check position and finish on a spread of pieces |
| Labels and tags | Confirm size labels match the bag and the garment |
| Packing | Check folding, bags and any barcode stickers you specified |
Open cartons from different parts of the shipment rather than the top few. Keep the approved sample to hand and compare directly.
If something is not right
Note the issue, the size and colour affected, and how many pieces you checked. Take clear photographs in daylight, including a reference ruler or tape if the problem is measurement. Then contact us with the order details. Clear notes and photographs let us look into it quickly and decide the next step with you.
For a first range, it also helps to keep a short written record of what you approved: the sample photographs, the measurements you took and any comments. That record becomes your own quality standard for reorders, so the second and third orders match the first.
You can see the styles and branding options on our white label gym T-shirts page. When you request a sample, tell us the style, fabric, colour and size you want, plus your logo and label artwork, and we will make it up so you can run these checks yourself.