"Pre-shrunk" is a claim customers read literally: the tee will not shrink noticeably when they wash it as the label says. Cotton jersey shrinks mainly because the knitting and finishing processes stretch the fabric, and washing lets it relax. Mills reduce this with mechanical compacting, and some garments are washed after sewing. Both can bring shrinkage down a lot, but neither removes it entirely, and the result depends on the fabric, the finishing and the care method used.

What the claim should rest on

Test finished garments, not only fabric, using a named procedure such as ISO 6330, or measure garments using AATCC TM150, which AATCC revised in its 2026 manual. Run the test at the washing and drying conditions on your care label, including tumble drying if the label allows it. Measure length and width before and after, over more than one cycle, because some relaxation continues after the first wash.

Set a limit you can hold

Agree a maximum shrinkage in length and width with the factory, and check it on every bulk lot. Ask the mill for its compacting test results per lot. If bulk results vary close to the limit, the word "pre-shrunk" becomes risky, because some customers will see a change.

Keep the care label consistent

Under the Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 423, the label must give regular care instructions and warn about procedures that would harm the product. If a hot wash or a hot tumble dry would still shrink the tee out of size, the label should give the safe limits. A "pre-shrunk" tag should not suggest any care method is fine. The FTC's guide to the rule is useful to review with your team.

Choose the wording

If your testing shows low shrinkage at the labelled conditions, "pre-shrunk" can be fair. If results vary, softer wording such as "low shrink when washed as directed" may be more accurate. Avoid "will not shrink" unless you have strong evidence.

Keep records

Keep shrinkage reports by style, colour and lot. If a complaint comes in, you can check the lot rather than debate the claim.