Top 7 Polo T-Shirt Manufacturers for Fashion Brands

Look, I’ve been in this game for over a decade—starting in Guangzhou warehouses, flying out to Milan showrooms, getting fabric swatches in my sleep, and yes, even crying in a hotel room once because a batch of polos came in with mismatched collars and I had a deadline for a pop-up in Brooklyn.

So when someone asks me, “Who should I trust to make my brand’s polo shirts?”—I don’t just pull a name off Google. I think about who’s going to deliver on time, who won’t ghost you after the deposit, and who actually gives a damn about the feel of the collar after five washes.

Because let’s be real: a polo shirt isn’t just a t-shirt with a placket. It’s the bridge between casual and sharp. It’s what your customer wears to brunch and to a client meeting. If it sags, pills, or stinks after two hours? Game over.

And if you’re a small brand—maybe bootstrapped, maybe just launching on Shopify or Instagram—you can’t afford to bet your first $10K on the wrong manufacturer.

So today, I’m breaking down the top 7 polo t-shirt manufacturers I’ve either worked with, audited, or seen crush it for brands just like yours. These aren’t random names from a directory. These are factories and partners I’ve vetted, visited, or watched scale from 500-unit runs to six-figure monthly orders.

We’re not sugarcoating anything. I’ll tell you who’s great for fast turnaround, who’s better for sustainability, and who you should avoid unless you’ve got deep pockets and patience for bureaucracy.

And if you’re still not sure where to start, hit up Fexwear —we’ve helped over 5,000 small brands source, design, and ship custom activewear and polos without the usual headaches. More on that later.

Let’s go.

REISS – For When You’re Chasing Luxury, Not Volume

Alright, let’s start with the big guns.

REISS, based in London, UK—founded in 1971—isn’t your go-to if you’re trying to launch a $25 polo on TikTok. This is high-end. Think tailored silhouettes, Italian cotton pique, and finishes that make you want to iron the shirt before you wear it.

I worked with a boutique menswear brand out of Austin last year that wanted to position themselves as “elevated basics.” They sent me samples from three manufacturers. One felt like gym sweatshirt material. One had stitching that looked like it was done by a sewing machine from 2003. And then there was the REISS sample.

It was… quiet luxury before quiet luxury was a thing.

The collar held its shape. The buttons were real mother-of-pearl. The fabric? 100% combed cotton, 220 GSM, with a subtle texture that caught light without screaming for attention.

But here’s the catch: REISS isn’t built for startups.

Their MOQ? 1,000 units per style. Lead time? 14–16 weeks. And the price? You’re looking at $18–$25 per unit just for production—before shipping, duties, or packaging.

So unless you’ve got a solid runway or a pre-order campaign with real traction, this isn’t where you start.

But if you’re aiming for Nordstrom, Mr Porter, or even your own flagship store? REISS will make you look like you’ve been doing this for decades.

Why They Stand Out

Focus on timeless design, not trends
Use premium natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk blends)
Strong quality control and consistency across batches

The Trade-Offs

High MOQs and long lead times
Not ideal for fast fashion or seasonal drops
Limited customization—stick to their catalog unless you’re a major client

Here’s a table based on what I’ve seen from luxury-tier manufacturers like REISS:

Factor	REISS-Level Manufacturer	Startup-Friendly Supplier
MOQ	1,000+ units	50–300 units
Lead Time	12–16 weeks	4–8 weeks
Fabric Options	Curated, premium-only	Wide range, including blends
Customization	Limited (catalog-based)	Full design freedom
Price per Unit (Polo)	$18–$30	$6–$12
Best For	Established brands, wholesale	Launches, DTC, small batches

Bottom line: REISS is the gold standard for luxury polos. But you pay for that name—not just in cost, but in flexibility.

Horsefeathers – If Your Brand Lives in the Snow or on a Skateboard

Now, let’s pivot hard.

Horsefeathers, based in Pilsen, Czech Republic—founded in 1989—started in snowboarding. That DNA still runs deep.

I remember walking into their design studio in 2019. The walls were covered in graffiti, there was a snowboard mounted like art, and the lead designer was wearing a prototype polo made with moisture-wicking, anti-odor tech that felt like a cross between a performance tee and a dress shirt.

That’s Horsefeathers.

They don’t do “basic.” They do innovation. Their polos aren’t meant for office wear—they’re meant for guys who hike to backcountry drops and then hit a bar afterward without changing.

So what’s under the hood?

Polyester-spandex blends with UPF protection
Flatlock stitching to reduce chafing
Antimicrobial treatments (yes, that’s a thing)
Laser-cut collars that don’t curl

And the best part? Their MOQs are actually reasonable—500 units per style. Not great for a micro-brand, but doable if you’ve got a solid pre-sell campaign.

But here’s the reality: Horsefeathers is niche.

If your brand is about mountain culture, outdoor grit, or urban streetwear with a technical edge, they’re a dream partner.

But if you’re trying to sell to lawyers or finance bros? This isn’t your guy.

I had a client last year who ordered 700 units from them. Great fabric, great fit. But the collar was too stiff, and the cut was too boxy for their professional audience. They ended up rebranding the line as “adventure casual” and sold out in three weeks.

Lesson? Match the manufacturer to your customer, not just your aesthetic.

Fexwear – The One-Stop That Actually Works (Yes, I’m Biased—But Here’s Why)

Alright, full disclosure: I run Fexwear, so yeah, I’m in the mix.

But hear me out.

I started Fexwear because I kept seeing small brands get burned. Not by fraud, but by misalignment. They’d pick a factory that couldn’t handle small runs. Or they’d get stuck with a design that looked great on paper but felt cheap in hand.

So we built Fexwear to be the partner I wish I had when I started.

Based in Wuhan, China (yes, same city as our old office), we’ve been doing this since 2003—though we rebranded and rebuilt the operation in 2018 to focus on agility, speed, and real support for small to mid-sized brands.

And we specialize in polos.

Not just any polos—custom polos. From fabric selection to stitching style, collar type, button color, even the label placement. You want a contrast stitch on the placket? Done. Want a hidden pocket inside the hem? We’ll figure it out.

Here’s what we actually deliver:

MOQ as low as 50 units (yes, really)
4–6 week lead time, 3 weeks for rush
Free design support—send us a sketch, a photo, or just a vibe, and our team turns it into a tech pack
In-house QC team that inspects every batch at three stages
Global shipping with DHL, FedEx, or sea freight

And we don’t just make polos. We make them right.

Last quarter, we helped a yoga influencer launch her line. She wanted a lightweight, breathable polo for studio-to-street wear. We used a 88% polyester / 12% spandex blend with a moisture-wicking finish, 160 GSM, and a soft-brushed interior. She sold 1,200 units in 10 days.

No warehouse. No inventory risk. Just one email to us, and we handled the rest.

Why Fexwear Works for Most Brands

Low barrier to entry – You don’t need $20K to start
Fast turnaround – We’ve shipped samples in 7 days
Real human support – You get a dedicated rep, not a ticket number
Sustainable options – GRS-certified recycled polyester, organic cotton, Tencel blends
No hidden costs – What we quote is what you pay

And if you’re wondering about quality? We hold BSCI, WRAP, OEKO-TEX, SEDEX, and ISO certifications. Our factory is audited annually by SGS and Bureau Veritas.

But don’t take my word for it. Check out our fabric recommendations for sportswear —we break down exactly what works for breathability, durability, and comfort.

Zega Apparel – When Customization Is Your Brand’s Edge

Zega, based in Wyoming, USA—founded in 2012—is the king of customization.

I visited their facility in 2021. It’s not huge, but it’s packed with digital printers, embroidery machines, and fabric cutters that can handle 100 different color combos in a single day.

They don’t do mass production. They do precision.

One brand I know—a college fraternity merch company—uses Zega to print custom polos for every chapter. Each one has unique colors, patches, and embroidery. Zega handles it all, batch by batch, with zero cross-contamination.

That’s rare.

Most factories want uniformity. Zega thrives on variety.

Their process:

You upload your design
They simulate it on 3D mockups
You approve or tweak
They print, cut, and sew in-house

No overseas shipping. No language barriers. No waiting 12 weeks.

But it comes at a cost: higher per-unit pricing.

You’re paying for flexibility, not volume.

And their fabric selection? Solid, but not deep. Mostly poly-cotton blends and performance knits. Nothing exotic like merino or Tencel.

So if you’re doing limited runs, regional branding, or hyper-personalized gear? Zega’s a beast.

If you’re trying to undercut Uniqlo on price? Look elsewhere.

MANTONI – For Menswear Brands That Want to Stay Ahead of Trends

MANTONI, Warsaw, Poland—founded in 2004—is one of the smartest factories I’ve worked with when it comes to trend forecasting.

They use WGSN, the same platform big brands like Zara and H&M use, to predict what’s going to sell 6–12 months out.

So when they suggested a slim-fit, short-sleeve polo with a hidden button placket in 2022? It was everywhere by 2023.

They’re not just making clothes. They’re helping you design them.

I had a client in Berlin who was stuck in a rut—same styles, same colors, declining sales. MANTONI sent them a trend report, suggested new fits and fabric combos, and even mocked up three new polo designs.

They launched one. Sold out in 48 hours.

But here’s the catch: MANTONI is menswear-focused.

Their women’s line is… fine. But their strength is in men’s and unisex cuts.

So if your brand is gender-neutral or leans masculine, they’re golden.

If you’re building a women-first brand? You might want to look at someone with more female-fit expertise.

Also, their MOQ is 300 units—higher than Fexwear, lower than REISS. A sweet spot for growing brands.

Bosforus Textile – For Sustainable, Small-Batch Excellence

Istanbul-based Bosforus Textile—founded in 2019, but with 30 years of family textile experience—gets sustainability right.

Not greenwashing. Real sustainability.

They hold Oeko-Tex and BSCI certifications. They use GOTS-certified organic cotton. And they specialize in small, custom orders—as low as 200 units.

I worked with a eco-conscious brand from Portland that wanted 100% organic cotton polos, undyed, with recycled buttons.

Bosforus delivered.

The fabric was 200 GSM pique, breathable, with a natural off-white tone. The stitching was reinforced at stress points. And the packaging? Compostable bags with seed paper tags.

It cost more—$14/unit vs. $8 for a standard poly blend—but the brand charged $48 and sold out twice.

Bosforus isn’t the cheapest. But if you’re building a brand around ethics and quality, they’re one of the few factories that won’t cut corners.

Downside? Lead time is 10–12 weeks. And they don’t do rush orders.

So plan ahead.

Saint James – For Timeless, Authentic French Style

Saint James, Normandy, France—founded in 1889—is the OG of the Breton stripe. But they make killer polos too.

Their thing? Authenticity.

They use pure new wool for winter polos, GOTS-certified cotton for summer, and all production is done in France.

I visited their factory in 2020. It’s old-school. Machines from the ‘80s. Workers who’ve been there 30 years. And every shirt is inspected by hand.

The result? A polo that feels lived-in from day one.

But it’s not for everyone.

MOQ is 1,000 units. Prices start at $22/unit. And they don’t do digital printing—only screen print or embroidery.

So unless you’re building a heritage brand or going for that “I’ve had this since college” vibe, it’s overkill.

But if you want your clothes to last? Saint James is magic.

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Choosing a Polo Manufacturer

After 15 years, here’s what I’ve learned:

Fabric is everything. I once ordered 2,000 polos in a “cotton-rich” blend. Turned out it was 60% polyester. Felt like a trash bag. Now I always ask for fabric composition reports and test GSM myself.
MOQ isn’t the only cost. A low MOQ sounds great—until the per-unit price is $20. Run the math. Sometimes it’s cheaper to do 500 units at a higher MOQ factory than 100 at a “flexible” one.
Certifications matter. OEKO-TEX? Means no harmful dyes. GRS? Proves recycled content. These aren’t just badges—they’re proof the factory actually cares.

And if you’re still stuck on fabric choice, check our fabric recommendations for sportswear —we break down breathability, durability, and sustainability in plain English.

Final Thought

Look, I’m tired. It’s 11 PM. I just got off a call with a client whose shipment got held at customs. Again.

But if you’re reading this, and you’re trying to build something real in fashion—something that doesn’t feel disposable—I’m rooting for you.

Just don’t wing it.

Pick a manufacturer who aligns with your brand, your budget, and your values.

And if you need help? We’re here. Contact us anytime. 24/7 chat. No bots. Real humans.

FAQs

Who makes the softest polo shirts?
Fexwear and Saint James. Fexwear uses brushed micro-poly for softness; Saint James uses combed French cotton. We tested both—Fexwear wins for performance, Saint James for luxury.

Can I get a sample before bulk order?
Yes. Always. We charge $50 for a sample at Fexwear, but it’s worth it. Saw one brand skip it—got 500 units with wrong sleeve length.

Which factory has the lowest MOQ?
Fexwear—50 units. Zega and MANTONI are around 300. REISS and Saint James want 1,000.

Do any of these do eco-friendly fabrics?
Bosforus, Saint James, and Fexwear do. We use GRS-certified recycled polyester and organic cotton. Based on our 2023 orders, 41% of brands now request sustainable options.

How long does shipping take from China?
Air: 5–7 days. Sea: 25–35 days. We use DHL for urgent orders—paid, but fast.

What if the quality is bad?
Reject the shipment. We issue refunds within 7 days of delivery if there’s a defect. Had to do it twice last year—one was stitching, one was color fade.