Premium vs mass-market blanks
Premium blanks (Stanley/Stella, AS Colour, Continental) deliver 220+ gsm and ring-spun cotton; mass blanks (Gildan, Fruit of the Loom) win at 60% the price for promo.
When premium wins
Premium blanks (Stanley/Stella STTM560, AS Colour Stencil, Continental Earth Positive) at EUR 8-22 unit win for executive gifts, employer brand, retail-grade merch, anything carrying a premium consumer brand. 220-280 gsm, ring-spun combed cotton, GOTS organic, oeko-tex, low Delta-E on dye lots.
When mass wins
Mass blanks (Gildan 5000, FOTL ValueWeight, B&C E150) at EUR 2-5 unit win for high-volume promo (5k+ units), trade show giveaways, internal-only swag with low brand-visibility risk. 150-180 gsm, open-end cotton, broader color variance on dye lots.
Pricing — Italy
EUR pricing excluding VAT. Standard lead 5-8 working days, rush production +35% delivers in 3-5 days. Production hub serves the whole country. IVA 22%, e-invoices via SdI (Sistema di Interscambio). Milano hub.
FAQ
Cost gap?
Premium 3-5x mass on unit, but lifetime perceived value 8-10x. Premium hoodie EUR 28 unit vs mass EUR 9.
Print quality?
Premium ring-spun takes embroidery and DTG dramatically better. Mass open-end works for screen + DTF but visible texture.
Sustainability story?
Premium often GOTS/GRS certified. Mass: some organic SKUs (Gildan Soft Cotton organic) but generally not certified.
Sizing?
Premium tends EU-true fit (Stanley/Stella M = 96-100cm chest). Mass tends US-loose (Gildan M = 102-107cm).
Color matching?
Premium Delta-E 1.5-2.0 between dye lots. Mass Delta-E 3.5-5.0 — visible variance across reorders.