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Everything You Need To Know Before Ordering T-shirts for Your Company

By Gift Campaign on 21 April 2026
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Ordering T-shirts for your company sounds straightforward—until the questions start: What’s the minimum order? What format should I send the logo in? Can I mix sizes?

With more than ten years’ experience customising corporate clothing and over 2,000 business orders handled, these are some of the questions we hear most often. We’ve gathered them here with clear, jargon-free answers so you can make informed decisions before placing your order.

    Corporate T-shirts FAQs

  • Order Process and Logistics
  • Design and technical files
  • Sizing, fits and materials
  • Sustainablity
  • Business, pricing and extras

Order Process and Logistics

1. From how many units does it become cost-effective to order corporate T-shirts?

Screen printing becomes cost-effective from around 50 units. For smaller orders, digital printing is usually the best option.

The difference lies in how each method is priced. With screen printing, there’s an initial fixed cost for preparing screens and films, which is then spread across all units. If your logo has multiple colours, a separate screen is required for each one. So, the more garments you order, the lower the cost per item. From around 100 units, the savings per unit become very noticeable.

In our experience, the least efficient range is 10–15 units, which is often the minimum order quantity. Below that, it’s worth considering whether it’s the right time to place the order.

2. How long does it take to produce and deliver customised T-shirts?


The standard turnaround time is 4–6 working days from the moment you approve the design. For urgent orders, express delivery options are available.

Production time starts from design approval—not from when the order is placed. This is the detail that causes the most confusion: every day taken to approve the design is a day added to the delivery timeline. If you have a fixed deadline—such as a trade fair, event or onboarding—make sure to mention it from the outset so it can be factored into planning.

3. Is it possible to request a physical sample before placing an order?


Yes. You can request an unprinted sample to check the fabric, weight and actual sizing.

Unprinted samples are free and especially useful for confirming that the sizes and fabric feel are right before committing to a larger order. If you’d like a sample with your logo printed on it, get in touch for more details.

In our experience, clients who request a sample before their first order tend to be the most satisfied. If you have enough time to receive and assess one properly, it’s highly recommended.

4. What happens if I hire new employees and only need a few extra T-shirts?

We keep all your design files on record, so we can replicate your previous customisation without you having to track down the originals.

This situation—small repeat orders for new starters—is one of the most common among business clients. Having your order history saved makes the process as simple as telling us the new sizes you need.

5. Can I mix T-shirt sizes and colours in the same order?

Yes, you can combine sizes and colours within the same model in a single order, as long as the printed design is identical on all garments.

When the design is the same across all items, production runs more smoothly, which helps keep the unit cost competitive. If you want different models—such as men’s and women’s cuts—or different logos, costs will increase.

That’s why the most common choice for mixed teams is a unisex T-shirt in the same colour with the same logo. It’s entirely standard and doesn’t involve any additional cost if you choose the same model.

6. Is it possible to change the design or quantity after placing the order?

You can make changes free of charge before approving the print proof. Once production has started, no modifications can be made.

The print proof approval stage exists precisely to prevent issues. Reviewing it carefully before approval is the best way to avoid problems. Even so, if anything comes up, our customer service team will advise you—feel free to email or call us and we’ll do our best to help, even if production has already begun.

Design and technical files

7. What format should I send my logo in to ensure perfect print quality?

The ideal format is a vector file, such as .AI. If you don’t have a vector file, a .PNG with a transparent background at a minimum of 300 dpi is a good alternative.

Vector files don’t lose quality when scaled, which means your logo can be printed at any size with consistent results. An image at 72 dpi may look fine on a website but will appear blurry in print. Logos exported from PowerPoint or taken as screenshots rarely have sufficient resolution.

If you’re unsure whether your file is suitable, send it over and we’ll check it for you—no obligation. It’s one of the most common issues and one of the easiest to fix early on.

8. Can you match my brand’s exact Pantone colours?

Yes, with screen printing or transfer printing. With digital printing, we can get very close to your Pantone reference, but we can’t guarantee an exact match.

9. What are the most professional print placements for a corporate uniform?

The most professional look is a 7–10 cm logo on the left chest. For greater visual impact, the most common combination—especially in service companies—is a chest logo paired with text or an image on the back.

More modern placements—such as on the sleeve or across the full torso—can add personality when done well. That’s why it’s important to review the digital mock-up carefully and request any design changes before approving the print proof.

After handling over 2,000 corporate orders, the most common mistake in placement is oversizing the logo, which can make it look more like a billboard than a professional uniform. In most cases, less is more.

10. I have no design experience—can I still order T-shirts for my company?

Absolutely. Just tell our team what you need and send us your logo—we’ll guide you through the rest.

No technical knowledge is required on your part. You send us what you have, we prepare it for print, and you’ll receive a realistic preview of how it will look on the garment before production begins.

If you need a design created from scratch—perhaps you don’t yet have a logo and only want text—we can help with that too. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll present you with suitable options.

Sizing, fits and materials

11. How do I choose the right sizes for my team?

The most reliable method is to check the product page, consult the size guide and make your selection based on that.

Corporate T-shirt sizing doesn’t follow a universal standard—measurements can vary by several centimetres between models even if the labelled size is the same. The guide will give you a clear reference, but keep in mind that measurements can vary by up to 5% due to the manufacturing process.

For teams of more than 20 people, we can suggest a rough size distribution based on similar orders. It’s not foolproof, but it helps reduce the margin of error. And of course, you can always request an unprinted physical sample to be certain before placing your order.

12. Which T-shirts are best for team-building events or sports activities?

For physical activities, 100% polyester technical T-shirts are the best choice: lightweight, quick-drying and designed for full freedom of movement.

Pure cotton absorbs sweat and becomes heavy during activity, making it less suitable for races, tournaments or outdoor events. If you prefer a more classic look without sacrificing functionality, 50/50 cotton–polyester blends are a solid middle ground.

For events where the T-shirt also serves as a keepsake or gift, it’s worth opting for a higher weight and better-quality garment. If people keep and wear it beyond the event, your brand visibility extends far beyond the day itself.

13. How long does a corporate T-shirt last with daily use?

A 150–180 g/m² cotton garment, when properly cared for, will maintain a good appearance for two years or more with frequent use.

The main factors that accelerate wear are high-temperature washing, tumble drying and ironing directly over the print. To maximise lifespan, we include care instructions on each product page—sharing these with your team helps keep garments in good condition.

Embroidery is the most durable branding technique, making it especially suitable for uniforms that see heavy use.

14. What’s the difference between a uniform T-shirt and a promotional T-shirt?

The key difference is how often it will be washed: a uniform is washed hundreds of times, whereas a promotional T-shirt may only be worn a few times.

For work uniforms, higher-weight garments (150–180 g/m²), premium fabrics and durable techniques such as embroidery are recommended. For promotional use—trade shows, one-off events or marketing campaigns—you can optimise the budget with lighter fabrics and more cost-effective printing methods without compromising the overall result.

The defining question is simple: will someone wear this garment at work every week, or only occasionally? The answer determines the right model and printing method.

Sustainability

15. What’s the difference between organic cotton and conventional cotton?

Organic cotton is grown without pesticides or chemical treatments and typically uses water more efficiently. It also tends to feel softer to the touch.

For businesses, choosing certified organic cotton garments also has communication value—it can be included in sustainability reports and internal messaging around the product.

The main drawback is that it usually comes at a higher cost than conventional cotton.

16. How can I tell if the T-shirts I’m buying are high quality and responsibly made?

Look for recognised certifications such as OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (guarantees the absence of harmful substances), GOTS (at least 70% organic fibres) and GRS (verifies the use of recycled materials). Check the product specifications and, if needed, request supporting documentation.

At Gift Campaign, we offer models with several of these certifications. If you’re unsure or need more details, just contact our team.

Business, pricing and extras

17. How do I put together a good welcome pack for new employees that includes corporate clothing?

An effective welcome pack combines immediate usefulness with visual impact. A corporate T-shirt is one of the most effective items because it’s tangible, customisable and usable from day one.

To ensure a professional result, consider the following:

  • Deliver the garment ready to wear—folded neatly in an individual bag.
  • Pair it with something practical. The most memorable welcome packs combine clothing with everyday items such as a water bottle, notebook or headphones. On its own, a T-shirt can feel like a mandatory uniform; as part of a set, it becomes a welcome gift.
  • Include a personalised note. It doesn’t need to be long—a card with the employee’s name and a short message from the team or manager makes a big difference.
  • Pay attention to packaging. A kraft cardboard box with your company logo turns a set of items into a complete experience. First days are memorable—packaging reinforces that first impression.
18. Can customised T-shirts for employees be treated as a deductible business expense?

In some cases, yes. You’ll need to refer to corporate tax legislation.

Under the Corporation Tax Act 2009, a business can only deduct expenses that are incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of the trade.

Customised T-shirts for employees are usually a deductible expense in the UK—provided they are genuinely linked to your business activities. For more detailed guidance, it’s always advisable to consult a qualified tax adviser who can assess your specific situation.

19. What factors determine the price of a customised T-shirt?

The unit price is based on three main variables: the garment itself (model, brand, fabric and weight), the quantity (higher volumes reduce the unit cost), the branding (technique, number of colours and print positions)

Quantity has the greatest impact, as fixed setup costs are spread across more units.

20. Why choose Gift Campaign for your company’s apparel?

Three key factors determine whether an order runs smoothly: receiving a print proof for approval before production, working with trusted brands, and having human support throughout the process—and we offer all three.

We also provide volume discounts to keep prices competitive without compromising on quality. Standard delivery to mainland United Kingdom and Northern Ireland is free.

A well-made corporate T-shirt isn’t just clothing—it’s the first impression your team makes, the detail a new client remembers, and the item an employee chooses to take home or leave in the wardrobe.

These are some of the most common questions we’ve gathered from our experience. If you have a more specific query, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

If you’re ready to get started, request your no-obligation quote for customised logo T-shirts.

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