FAQ

Short answers to the questions that come up most. If yours isn't here, send a message and you'll get a real reply from the person who makes this.

What is Held Open?

A small clothing brand built on one idea: do good when nobody's keeping score. Hold the door, return the cart, let them merge, learn their name. Heavyweight tees, crewnecks and hats, each with a quiet five-line note printed near the hem for the person wearing it.

What's the patch on the bottom of the shirt?

A small printed patch, front left, just above the hem. Five lines about holding the door and expecting nothing back. It sits low on purpose, where you see it and most other people don't. The full text is on The Patch page.

Is the quality actually good, or is this a cheap blank with a print on it?

Heavyweight blanks, picked for weight and for how they wear in. Garment-dyed and pigment-dyed cotton, 6.1 oz tees and 9 to 10 oz fleece, with ribbed cuffs and waistbands that keep their shape. The fall crewnecks are mostly embroidered rather than printed. Every piece lists its exact blank and weight under The details.

How long until it arrives?

About a week to make your piece, then 3 to 5 business days in the mail inside the US. Most US orders land between 8 and 12 business days after ordering, and every one ships with tracking.

Why does it take a week?

Because it doesn't exist until you order it. Nothing here is sitting in a warehouse, which is also why nothing gets made that nobody wants.

What size should I get?

Everything is a relaxed unisex fit, so take your usual size, or go up one if you like it boxier. The fastest way to be sure is to measure a shirt you already love flat across the chest and match it to the charts on the size guide.

Will it shrink?

Garment-dyed cotton can lose a little length in a hot dryer. Wash cold and tumble low and it stays put. If you're between sizes and you know you'll hot-dry it, size up.

Can I return it if the size is wrong?

Every piece is made for you after you order, so there's no shelf to return it to and we can't take fit returns. We'd much rather get it right the first time. Message us the chest width of a shirt you already like and we'll tell you which size to order.

What if the piece arrives damaged or misprinted?

Send a photo within 30 days and we'll remake it and ship the replacement free. You don't need to mail the original back.

Do you ship outside the United States?

Rates and destinations are calculated at checkout from your address. If your country doesn't come up, message us before you give up on it.

How should I wash it?

Cold water, inside out, tumble dry low or hang it. No bleach, no fabric softener. Wash dark garment-dyed pieces alone the first time, because loose dye is normal.

Will the print crack or peel?

The print is cured into the fabric rather than stuck on top of it, so it doesn't peel. High heat is its only real enemy: keep it out of a hot dryer and don't put a hot iron directly on it.

Who makes this?

One person, out of Rochester, New York, with a print partner who handles the printing and embroidery. The day job is cleaning windows, which is where the line about clean glass on the patch comes from.

Can I buy one shirt from each collection?

Yes, and several items may ship separately if they're made on different machines. There's no extra charge to you for that.

Do you do wholesale, bulk orders or custom work for a team?

Message us with what you have in mind and how many. It's a small shop, so the honest answer depends on the size of the order and the timeline.