UR-01·01Adriqa Urban · Heavyweight T-shirts
Classic heavyweight T-shirt: Heavyweight T-shirt manufacturer for private label brands
A 220–260 GSM combed cotton tee with a clean, true-to-size fit, made under your label in Sialkot, Pakistan for streetwear brands, merch labels and retailers in Europe, the UK and North America.
- Weight
- 220–260 GSM (6.5–7.7 oz)
- Fabric
- 100% combed cotton
- Fit
- Regular, true to size
- Label
- Yours
- Minimum order
- Confirmed in your quote
01 — In short
What is a heavyweight T-shirt?
A heavyweight T-shirt is made from knitted cotton that weighs more than about 200 grams per square metre (GSM). Most streetwear brands use 220 to 300 GSM. Our classic heavyweight T-shirt is usually made in 220–260 GSM combed cotton jersey (about 6.5–7.7 oz per square yard): thick enough to hold its shape and hide what is underneath, still soft and breathable for everyday wear.
02 — Full spec
The typical spec.
Every line is checked with you and written on your spec sheet before a sample is made. Change anything to suit your design, market and budget.
UR-01·01Typical spec
- Fabric
- 100% combed ringspun cotton, single jersey
- Weight
- 220–260 GSM (about 6.5–7.7 oz/yd²)
- Fabric finish
- Compacted to control shrinkage; enzyme or silicone softening on request
- Fit
- Regular, true to size; slimmer or boxier on request
- Neck
- 1x1 rib collar, around 2 cm, with self-fabric neck tape
- Shoulders
- Taped shoulder seams
- Body
- Side-seamed for a cleaner shape
- Sleeves and hem
- Set-in sleeves, twin-needle coverstitch hems
- Colours
- Stock colours, or dyed to your Pantone reference after a lab dip
- Decoration
- Screen print (plastisol or water-based), puff print, DTF transfers, embroidery
- Sizes
- XS–3XL from your size chart or our base pattern, approved on the sample
- Packing
- Folded, size-stickered, polybagged on request, packed by size
- Labels
- Fibre, care and origin labels set up for EU or US rules
- Minimum order
- Confirmed in your quote
- Made in
- Sialkot, Pakistan
03 — Choosing the weight
GSM and ounces, side by side.
GSM means grams per square metre of fabric. US buyers often think in ounces per square yard, so both are shown. A higher number means a thicker, more structured tee.
| Weight | In ounces | How it feels and what it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 160–180 GSM | 4.7–5.3 oz | Light. Promo tees and summer basics with a soft drape. |
| 200–220 GSM | 5.9–6.5 oz | Mid to heavy. Everyday premium basics. |
| 240–260 GSM | 7.1–7.7 oz | Heavy. Streetwear essentials that hold their shape and print well. |
| 280–300 GSM and up | 8.3–8.8 oz and up | Extra heavy. Boxy and oversized cuts. |
Weight is only part of quality. The yarn and how tightly the fabric is knitted matter just as much, which is why we start with combed cotton.
04 — Combed or open-end cotton?
Why combed cotton is the default.
Combed ringspun cotton has the short fibres brushed out before spinning. The yarn is smoother and stronger, the fabric feels softer, and prints come out sharper.
Open-end cotton is rougher and costs less. It suits a vintage feel or a tight budget. Tell us which look you want and we put it on your spec sheet.
05 — Make it yours
Everything that can change.
- Colour: stock shades, or a lab dip to your Pantone reference
- Weight: anywhere from about 200 to 300 GSM
- Fit: true to size, slimmer, longer or boxier, graded from your size chart
- Neck: rib width, or a mock neck
- Labels: woven or printed neck label, care label, hem tab, hang tag
- Finish: enzyme or silicone softening, or a garment dye
- Packing: folding, size stickers, branded polybags, cartons by size
06 — Decoration
How your logo goes on.
Send your artwork and we suggest the finish that suits the design, the fabric and the quantity.
Screen print
Best forLogos and graphics in 1 to 6 colours, larger runs
Water-based print
Best forLight and mid colours, a vintage feel
Puff print
Best forBold logos and lettering
DTF transfer
Best forPhotos, gradients and small runs
Embroidery
Best forSmall chest logos and premium details
07 — Selling in Europe, the UK or the US
Labels for your market.
Tell us where you sell and we set the labels up for that market. If you need lab test reports, ask in your enquiry and we confirm what is possible in your quote.
European Union
Fibre names and percentages on the label, as set by Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011. Care symbols to ISO 3758 are standard. REACH limits certain substances, such as some azo dyes, in textiles.
United Kingdom
Fibre composition labelling under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012, plus care symbols.
United States
Fibre content, country of origin ("Made in Pakistan") and your RN number or company name under the FTC textile rules, and care instructions under the FTC Care Labeling Rule.
08 — How ordering works
Brief, sample, then bulk.
Send your logo, colours, sizes and quantity for the classic heavyweight t-shirt. You get a written spec and quote, approve a sample, then your order is made, checked and packed under your label. Minimums and dates are confirmed in your quote.
What GSM is a heavyweight T-shirt?
Anything above about 200 GSM is usually called heavyweight. Most streetwear brands choose 220 to 300 GSM. Our classic heavyweight T-shirt is usually 220–260 GSM, which is about 6.5–7.7 oz per square yard.
How do I convert GSM to ounces?
Divide GSM by 33.9 to get ounces per square yard. For example, 240 GSM is about 7.1 oz and 260 GSM is about 7.7 oz.
Can I use my own labels and packaging?
Yes. We sew in your woven or printed neck label, care label and hem tab, and pack in your polybags and hang tags. Fibre, care and origin text is set up for the market you sell in.
Will a heavyweight cotton T-shirt shrink?
All cotton can shrink a little. The fabric is compacted before cutting and the pattern allows for it, so the finished size stays within the tolerance on your spec sheet. You can ask for a wash test on your sample.
Is 240 GSM good for screen printing and embroidery?
Yes. A dense, smooth heavyweight surface takes screen print well and carries embroidery without puckering. For large embroidery a backing is added on the inside.
What is the minimum order?
It depends on the colours, fabric and decoration. Tell us your quantity per colour and we confirm the minimum in your quote.
More heavyweight T-shirts
Other styles in the range.
All made by Adriqa Enterprises, so one enquiry can cover them all.
- UR-01·06Oversized teeDropped shoulders, a wide body and longer sleeves.
- UR-01·07Boxy cropped teeShort, square body with wide sleeves.
- UR-01·09Garment-dyed teeDyed after sewing for a soft hand and a lived-in colour.
- UR-01·02Pocket teeClassic heavyweight tee with a chest pocket.
- UR-01·08Long-sleeve heavyweight teeHeavy long sleeve with rib cuffs, for layering or on its own.
Start your order
Make it yours.
Send your logo, colours, sizes and quantity for the classic heavyweight t-shirt. We reply with questions or your quote.