Screen Printing Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt Brief

What is a heavyweight T-shirt screen-print brief?

A screen-print brief connects one artwork version, physical print dimensions, measurable placement and color direction to a named 100% cotton, 220–300 GSM T-shirt sample. It gives purchasing and production one reference before bulk approval.

Confirmed program parameters

• **Garment:** 100% cotton heavyweight or washed T-shirt.

• **Weight:** buyer-selected target within 220–300 GSM.

• **Decoration:** screen printing; DTG, embroidery and special printing are also supported.

• **Style MOQ:** 1,000 pieces with mixed colors and mixed sizes planned inside the style allocation.

• **Timing:** about 7 days for a sample after details are confirmed and about 30 days for bulk after approvals.

• **Markets:** North America and Europe are supported sourcing destinations.

Seven preparation steps

1. Name the style, cotton requirement, GSM target, color or wash and sample size.

2. Freeze one artwork version and remove superseded files.

3. State buyer-approved print width and height in physical units.

4. Measure placement from center line, neckline or seams.

5. Connect artwork colors to the named garment color or wash.

6. Review identity, scale, placement and orientation on the physical sample.

7. Link the approved sample to the 1,000-piece color-size matrix.

Sample and bulk control

The print instruction should never float separately from its garment base. Name the style, sample size, color or wash and the buyer-selected GSM target. For artwork, record the approved file, physical width and height, print colors, orientation and placement method. Measure from identifiable points such as the center line, neckline or seams so the sample can be checked consistently.

Review the physical sample on the intended 100% cotton garment. Check artwork identity, scale, placement, orientation and the visible interaction between print and fabric or wash. If any detail is wrong, record the correction against the artwork version rather than approving from an email mockup. The sample target is about 7 days after required details are confirmed.

Screen-print specification questions

Before sampling, confirm whether the artwork is one color or several, which file version is current, the print width and height, the measurement origin, the sample garment color, the base size and the required approval owner. Do not infer the physical result from a digital mockup. If the T-shirt is washed, review the screen print on the washed base because the garment and decoration are one approval decision.

For mixed-color and mixed-size programs, keep the print instruction tied to the style rather than creating separate untracked messages. Record the approved sample date, the artwork reference and the color-size matrix. A complete handoff lets the buyer compare the sample against the brief and issue a clear approved, correction-required or not-approved decision before bulk.

Bulk-release checklist

Before bulk, connect the approved decorated sample to the color-by-size matrix. Reconcile that allocation to the 1,000-piece style MOQ, record the approval owner and retain the final artwork reference. The 30-day bulk period is a planning target after approvals, not a substitute for a complete brief. This workflow gives North American and European brand buyers a traceable screen-print decision without inventing unconfirmed print performance claims.

What controls the result?

A mockup communicates intent but does not control physical dimensions. A requirement sheet records artwork, dimensions, placement, garment identity and color direction. The approved physical sample becomes the traceable bulk reference.

Keep artwork, garment identity, placement and approval ownership in one brief before bulk release.