Total newbie question - using 100% cotton blanks

I just did an order for a school group that my niece is involved in about a month ago for 100% cotton tshirts (adult & youth) with about 13,000 stitches on front and 12,000 stitches on back of tshirt. We used the ultra "preshrunk" gildan 2000 tshirts. I did not prewash the shirts...but I did iron them to get all the wrinkles out of them (that is just my OCD kicking in!) My husband and I have both worn and washed our shirts a number of times....very little shrinkage noticed and the embroidery still looks good. I am a newbie myself (just a few months under my belt). The person I bought my used machine from was very helpful with giving us information on her preferred brands (based on 10 years of experience). Good luck:)

100% will shrink up on you, and we make sure to let our customers know that. When possible we try to push the 50/50 brands so that they wont have terrible shrinkage. I think by letting my customer know "up front" I then make it their problem. We are a high volume shop and work on 48 hr. turnaround for most of our orders, therefore we would never have the time to wash every garment. Not to mention the amount of money it would cost to run the washing machine for hours at a time each day. I think you should be fine as long as your are knowledgeable and honest about what you are selling them. We have been in business for long time and have remained sucessful by doing just that.

Good Luck!

I never prewash anything. It isn't practical when dealing with large quantities and the items never look the same. I use Gildan 2000 for 100% cotton T's with a med-heavy cutaway backing and I don't do large stitch count designs. I've never had a complaint about shrinkage. I embroider my own 100% T's and they've been washed many times and still look fine.

Precious Cargo (SanMar)
Rabbit Skins (Virginia T's)
Apples and Oranges (Alpha)
Bella Baby (Virginia T's)

Rabbit Skins and Bella Baby are distributed by other vendors also.