For a clothing brand launch on organic cotton, start with a GOTS organic blank such as the Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0. Order one DTG sample, which has no minimum, then print the first drop by screen printing from 36 pieces per design or DTF from 12. Plan on about 2-3 weeks from art approval to finished shirts.
French Press Custom is an official Stanley/Stella dealer in Santa Fe Springs, printing for brands across Los Angeles and Orange County since 2010. Every garment spec below comes from Stanley/Stella's product API. Price your first drop in our quote calculator, and see every style on our Stanley/Stella hub.
Which organic cotton blank should a new clothing brand start with?
Pick the blank by the silhouette your brand is going for. The Creator 2.0 is the safe, midweight base with the widest size and color range. The Sparker 2.0, Freestyler and Asher give a heavier, boxier streetwear look, and the Creator 2.0 Vintage adds a garment-dyed finish. All of the tees below are 100% organic cotton.
| Style | Look, per Stanley/Stella | Fiber | Weight | Fit | Sizes | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creator 2.0 | Iconic unisex midweight tee | Organic ring spun combed | 5.3 oz | Medium | XXS to 5XL | 52 |
| Crafter | Unisex tee | Organic ring spun combed | 4.6 oz | Medium | XXS to 5XL | 33 |
| Creator 2.0 Vintage | Unisex midweight garment-dyed tee | Organic ring spun combed | 5.6 oz | Medium | XXS to 3XL | 7 |
| Sparker 2.0 | Unisex loose-knit heavyweight tee | Organic carded | 6.3 oz | Relaxed | XXS to 3XL | 22 |
| Freestyler | Unisex dry-handfeel tee | Organic open end | 7 oz | Relaxed | XXS to 3XL | 20 |
| Asher | Unisex boxy heavyweight tee | Organic ring spun combed | 8.3 oz | Oversized | XXS to 3XL | 6 |
| Blaster 2.0 | Unisex mock neck tee | Organic ring spun combed | 5.9 oz | Oversized | XXS to 3XL | 7 |
| Stella Muser | Iconic women's midweight tee | Organic ring spun combed | 5.3 oz | Medium | XS to XXL | 26 |
Weights are ounces per square yard. Stanley/Stella flags the Asher and the Creator 2.0 Vintage as new styles.
What about a hoodie for the launch?
The Cruiser 2.0 is Stanley/Stella's iconic unisex heavyweight hoodie: 80% organic ring spun combed cotton and 20% recycled polyester, 10.3 oz, XXS to 5XL, in 47 colors. For an oversized hoodie, the Slammer 2.0 is the same fiber and weight in an oversized fit. How the Cruiser 2.0 compares with other hoodie blanks is in Cruiser 2.0 vs Independent SS4500 vs AS Colour Stencil.
Can I say "organic" on my product pages?
Stanley/Stella's product data labels every tee above GOTS organic, and the Cruiser 2.0 and Slammer 2.0 GOTS "made with 80% organic cotton". All of them also carry OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear labels. Before you print certification wording on your own tags or site, check how Stanley/Stella and GOTS want it worded; their sustainability page is the place to start. The full picture of each label is in how sustainable is a custom t-shirt.
What are the minimums for a first drop?
Our minimums are per design: DTG has none, DTF starts at 12 pieces, embroidery at 24 and screen printing at 36. All sizes of one design count toward the same minimum, so a first run of 36 Creator 2.0 tees can spread across XXS to 5XL. Two designs at screen print quantity means 36 of each.
| Method | Minimum per design | Where it fits a launch |
|---|---|---|
| DTG | None | Samples, pre-sale shirts and test designs, full color art |
| DTF | 12 pieces | A small first drop in full color, on any shirt color |
| Embroidery | 24 pieces | A small chest logo on hoodies and crews |
| Screen printing | 36 pieces | The main drop, with 1 to 4 spot colors and soft water-based or discharge ink on 100% cotton |
Planning a mixed order, such as several shirt colors under one design? Ask us how it counts toward the minimum when you quote. Our custom shirt minimums by print method guide covers mixed orders and price tiers, and screen printing vs DTG vs DTF vs embroidery on Stanley/Stella compares how each method looks and feels.
How long does a brand launch order take?
Standard turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after art approval. The time before that depends on how quickly you settle on a blank, approve a sample and sign off on art. Rush is available depending on the schedule, so if you have a launch date or a pop-up booked, tell us the date when you quote.
A typical launch runs in this order:
- Choose the blank and get a price. Pick a style and color, and get an exact price for your quantity in our quote calculator.
- Order a sample. DTG has no minimum, so you can see a real printed Creator 2.0 before committing to a full run. See DTG printing on Stanley/Stella shirts.
- Approve the art. The 2-3 week clock starts here.
- Production. Screen printing, DTF, DTG or embroidery, depending on the quantity and the art.
- Pickup or delivery. Free pickup at our shop, or UPS or FedEx shipping anywhere in the US.
The wider business side, from design to selling online, is in how to start a clothing brand with custom printing.
How do I size the first run?
Order to the size list you expect to sell, not a flat split. Stanley/Stella's size chart for the Creator 2.0 lists a size M at 21 inches half chest and 29 1/4 inches body length. Every style's chart, in inches and centimeters, is on our Stanley/Stella size chart page.
- Unisex tees run wide. The Creator 2.0 and Crafter go from XXS to 5XL, which covers most of a unisex size run.
- Boxy styles stop at 3XL. The Sparker 2.0, Freestyler, Asher and Blaster 2.0 run XXS to 3XL.
- Women's cut. The Stella Muser runs XS to XXL.
Can I put my own brand label in the shirts?
Every Stanley/Stella style in the product data lists tear-away labels, the feature brands look for when they plan to replace the maker's label with their own. Whether we can add your label for a given job, and how, is something to ask us when you quote. For label, hang tag and packaging options, see custom packaging for apparel.
Our take
For most brand launches we recommend the Creator 2.0 as the core tee: GOTS organic, 52 colors, XXS to 5XL, and a midweight body that holds detail well, as we explain in why Stanley/Stella blanks print so well. Add one heavyweight style, such as the Sparker 2.0 or Asher, if your look is boxy and oversized. Start with a DTG sample, then screen print the main drop once you know your numbers. Stanley/Stella shows the full Creator 2.0 color range on its product page.
Ordering from Los Angeles or Orange County
- Where we are. 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Los Angeles and Orange County. Pickup is free, or we ship by UPS or FedEx anywhere in the US.
- Minimums. DTG none, DTF 12, embroidery 24, screen printing 36 pieces per design.
- Timing. About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
- Contact. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm PT, (562) 407-3800, sales@frenchpresscustom.com.
Price your first drop on the Creator 2.0.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom organic cotton shirts?
At our shop, DTG has no minimum, DTF starts at 12 pieces per design, embroidery at 24 and screen printing at 36. All sizes of one design count toward the same minimum.
Which organic t-shirt blank is best for a new clothing brand?
The Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 suits most launches: 100% organic ring spun combed cotton, 5.3 oz, medium fit, XXS to 5XL and 52 colors. For a heavier, boxier look, the Sparker 2.0, Freestyler or 8.3 oz Asher fit better.
How long does it take to print a clothing brand's first order?
About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush is available depending on the schedule, so tell us your launch date when you quote.
Can I get one sample before ordering a full run?
Yes. DTG has no minimum at our shop, so you can order a single printed Stanley/Stella shirt to check the blank, the fit and the print before your main run.
Are Stanley/Stella shirts certified organic?
Stanley/Stella's product data labels its 100% cotton tees GOTS organic, and most fleece GOTS "made with 80% organic cotton". The tees and fleece also carry OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear labels.
Where can a new brand get organic shirts printed in Los Angeles?
French Press Custom in Santa Fe Springs is an official Stanley/Stella dealer printing for brands across Los Angeles and Orange County, with screen printing, DTG, DTF and embroidery under one roof.
