Ordering branded T-shirts might just seem straightforward: choose a shirt, add your logo, select a quantity, and send the order to print. In practice, there are plenty of ways for a custom T-shirt order to go wrong.
Poor-quality artwork can result in blurry logos. The wrong fabric can make shirts uncomfortable in Thailand’s climate. Colours may look completely different when printed than they did on a computer screen. Even something as simple as choosing the wrong size mix can leave you with boxes of shirts nobody wants to wear.
For businesses searching for custom t shirt printing Bangkok, getting these details right is particularly important. Branded clothing represents your company whenever employees, customers, event attendees, or promotional partners wear it.
Before placing your next order, here are 10 common mistakes to avoid.
1. Supplying Incorrect Artwork Formats
One of the most common mistakes happens before a T-shirt even reaches the printing stage: providing unsuitable artwork.
A logo copied from a website, social media profile, screenshot, or low-resolution JPEG may look acceptable on a phone or laptop. Once enlarged for printing, however, it can become pixelated and produce rough or blurry edges.
Whenever possible, provide your printer with a vector artwork file, such as AI, EPS, SVG, or a print-ready PDF. Vector graphics can generally be enlarged without losing sharpness, making them ideal for logos, typography, and other branded graphics.
If only raster artwork is available, provide the highest-resolution original rather than downloading a compressed version from the internet.
Before confirming an order, ask your printer to check the artwork. Fixing a file before production is much easier—and cheaper—than discovering a problem after hundreds of shirts have been printed.
2. Making Poor Colour Choices
Colour is a major part of brand recognition, but the colours you see on a monitor are not necessarily the colours that will appear on fabric.
Screens display colours using RGB light, while physical printing relies on inks, pigments, and different colour-matching processes. The shirt itself can also affect the final appearance. A colour printed on a white cotton shirt may look different when printed on black, navy, or another dark fabric.
Contrast is equally important.
Dark artwork on a dark shirt can disappear from a distance, while very light or fine elements may lose definition depending on the printing technique.
Businesses with strict brand guidelines should provide Pantone or other recognised colour references where applicable and discuss colour matching with their printer.
When investing in custom t shirt printing Bangkok, requesting a sample or print proof can help you evaluate the actual result rather than relying exclusively on what appears on screen.
3. Choosing the Wrong T-Shirt Sizes
Ordering 100 shirts doesn’t mean you should simply divide the quantity equally between S, M, L, and XL.
Sizing varies between manufacturers, styles, and markets. A medium from one supplier may fit similarly to a large from another. Unisex, men’s, women’s, oversized, and fitted garments can also have very different measurements.
Before ordering, obtain the supplier’s size chart and look at actual garment measurements rather than relying only on size labels.
For employee uniforms, gathering individual sizes before production is usually the safest approach. For giveaways, events, or promotional campaigns where recipients aren’t known in advance, discuss an appropriate size distribution with your supplier.
It can also be useful to order a small number of additional shirts in popular sizes.
Getting the sizing right increases the chance that your branded shirts will actually be worn—which is ultimately what makes them useful marketing material.
4. Ordering Too Few Samples
Trying to save money by skipping samples can become an expensive mistake.
A digital mock-up is useful for checking placement and general appearance, but it cannot fully demonstrate how a finished shirt will look and feel.
Ideally, evaluate samples of the garment itself before committing to a large production run. For important orders, consider requesting a printed sample as well.
Check the fabric weight, fit, stitching, colour, print dimensions, positioning, and overall finish. If several different shirt styles or fabrics are being considered, don’t evaluate only one sample and assume the others will perform identically.
Ordering a few samples adds time and cost at the beginning, but it can prevent a much larger problem later.
5. Choosing the Wrong Fabric
Fabric selection should depend on where, how, and by whom the shirts will be worn.
Cotton is popular because it is soft and comfortable, making it suitable for many casual uniforms, promotional shirts, and merchandise applications. Cotton-polyester blends may offer additional durability and easier care, while performance fabrics can be useful for sports, outdoor activities, or jobs involving considerable physical activity.
Climate matters too.
Bangkok and other parts of Thailand are frequently hot and humid, so a thick garment that looks premium on paper may be uncomfortable for employees working outdoors or moving around throughout the day.
Before choosing a fabric, consider breathability, moisture management, durability, washing frequency, comfort, and the intended printing method.
For businesses comparing garment and printing options, Pattaya Print Space can be consulted about the requirements of a specific custom apparel project.
6. Selecting a Printing Method Based Only on Price
The cheapest printing option is not automatically the best one.
Different methods suit different designs, quantities, fabrics, and budgets. Screen printing, for example, can be highly effective for larger quantities and designs using a limited number of colours. Other processes may make more sense for detailed graphics, smaller runs, complex colours, or particular garment materials.
Instead of asking only, “What’s the cheapest method?”, explain what you are trying to achieve.
Tell the printer the quantity, garment material, artwork, number of colours, expected usage, budget, and whether the shirts need to withstand frequent washing.
A professional recommendation should balance cost with appearance and durability.
7. Getting the Logo Size or Placement Wrong
A logo can be perfectly printed and still look bad because of its size or position.
Common placements include the left chest, centre chest, full front, upper back, full back, and sleeves. Each location requires different artwork dimensions and positioning.
A logo that looks appropriately sized on a computer mock-up can feel surprisingly large when printed across someone’s chest. Conversely, very small text or design details may become difficult to read.
Think about viewing distance as well. A staff uniform worn in a restaurant has different visibility requirements from a promotional shirt designed to attract attention at a crowded trade show.
Ask for dimensions in centimetres and confirm exactly where the design will be positioned on the garment.
8. Ignoring Wash and Durability Requirements
A promotional shirt worn once at an event has very different requirements from a staff uniform washed several times every week.
Businesses sometimes focus entirely on how a shirt looks when new without considering what it will look like after repeated washing.
Ask about both garment and print durability. Depending on the shirt and printing process, your supplier may also recommend particular washing and drying instructions.
For frequently worn uniforms, paying slightly more for a suitable fabric and durable print can offer better value than repeatedly replacing cheaper shirts.
If you’re evaluating custom t shirt printing Bangkok suppliers, discuss the expected lifespan and use of the garment before approving production.
9. Ordering Exactly the Quantity You Need
Imagine you have 50 employees, so you order exactly 50 shirts.
Then a shirt is damaged. A new employee starts. Someone receives the wrong size. Another staff member needs a replacement.
Suddenly, you need a tiny repeat order—which may cost considerably more per shirt than the original production run.
Where the budget allows, consider ordering a reasonable number of spare garments, particularly in your most frequently requested sizes.
Businesses running events should also account for unexpected attendees, damaged items, last-minute staff requirements, and size exchanges.
A modest buffer can be much more economical than placing several small repeat orders.
10. Choosing a Printer Based on Price Alone
Price matters, especially for large-volume orders, but the lowest quotation doesn’t necessarily represent the lowest overall cost.
A quote may differ because of garment quality, fabric weight, printing technique, ink or transfer quality, artwork preparation, quality control, turnaround time, packaging, or service.
Before choosing a supplier, ask exactly what is included.
Look at previous work where possible, inspect garment and print samples, confirm the production schedule, and make sure the supplier understands your artwork and brand requirements.
A slightly higher initial price can be worthwhile if it produces shirts that look professional, fit properly, and continue representing your business well after repeated use.
Get Your Custom T-Shirt Order Right the First Time
Custom T-shirts can serve as uniforms, event apparel, merchandise, promotional giveaways, and walking advertisements for your brand. But the effectiveness of that investment depends on getting the details right.
Start with suitable artwork. Choose colours that work with both your branding and garment. Check actual size measurements. Test samples before committing to a large order. Most importantly, choose fabric and printing methods based on how the finished shirts will actually be used.
If you’re looking for custom t shirt printing Bangkok, planning these details before production can help reduce waste, prevent costly reprints, and produce shirts that people genuinely want to wear.Contact Pattaya Printspace Today