Where are t-shirts made in China? Guangzhou, Yiwu, Dongguan and Shenzhen

Many importers begin by looking for a factory. The right order is to choose the city first. China's garment industry is distributed geographically by clear specialisation: each region grew around a product type, a price tier and a different minimum order. An excellent factory in the wrong city for your product will give you a worse result than an average factory in the right one.

Guangzhou and Guangdong province

The practical capital of export garment manufacturing. Knitwear and t-shirt factories cluster here, with a complete supply chain within a two-hour radius: yarn, dyeing, printing, embroidery, labels and packaging. Its decisive advantage is that changing a specification does not mean waiting on a supplier in another province. Prices are mid to upper, quality and delivery discipline are above average, and the usual minimum runs 100 to 300 pieces. It is the logical choice for anyone building a brand who needs fast samples and communication that understands export requirements.

Yiwu in Zhejiang province

The largest small-commodity market in the world. Its specialisation is high volume at low prices on simple standard products: promotional tees, basic printing, light fabrics. It excels when price is the first criterion and the design is simple. It struggles when you need a custom fit, a fabric to a precise specification, or strict colour control.

Dongguan and Shenzhen

Larger, more systematised factories, used to serving international brands with documented quality systems. Prices are higher and so are minimums, often 500 to 1,000 pieces. They suit buyers placing large repeat orders who need documentation, social audits and certification, and they do not suit a small first order.

Other regions worth knowing

• Shaoxing and Keqiao: the largest fabric hub. Buyers who source their own fabric and hand it to a sewing factory start here.
• Changshu and Nantong: specialised in knitted and cotton garments at large production volumes.
• Zhengzhou and Anhui: inland regions with lower labour cost, now taking on large simple production.

How to choose the city

Ask three questions in order. First: what is your quantity per model and colour? Under 300 pieces automatically rules out the large factories. Second: how customised is the product? If you have a specified fabric, a bespoke fit, custom labels and custom packaging, you need a city with a complete supply chain, not a price city. Third: how price-sensitive are you against quality? If the order is promotional and given away, price governs; if it will sell in a shop under your name, quality governs.

Market or factory?

Wholesale markets offer finished goods in small quantities at low prices, but they allow no real customisation and no guarantee that the next order will repeat the same specification. A factory is slower to start and has a higher minimum, but it gives you a fixed specification that can be reproduced precisely, which is exactly what a brand intending to continue needs.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to visit China? Not necessarily. Most orders are run remotely with samples and third-party inspection. A visit helps when building a long relationship or placing large repeat orders.

Is Yiwu always cheapest? For simple products, usually yes. For customised products the gap closes, and you may pay more through revision rounds and errors.

Can I combine two cities? Yes, for example buying fabric at a fabric hub and sewing elsewhere, but that adds a coordination link and the responsibility for it falls on you.

We are based in Guangzhou, which means factory selection, sampling, follow-up and inspection all happen inside the same region.