Gallery Dept T-Shirt Authenticity Guide: Avoid Counterfeits

Gallery Dept has made a name for itself in streetwear with its vintage-inspired designs and creative use of distressing and screen printing. Founded by Josué Thomas in Los Angeles, the brand has built a cult following among fashion enthusiasts and celebrities.

Its limited production runs, and premium materials make each piece highly sought after - especially Gallery Dept T-shirts. But with this popularity comes a wave of counterfeits trying to copy the brand’s distinct style.

The orange label inside the shirt is a key detail that exposes 99% of fake Gallery Dept T-shirts. On an authentic piece, the label is bold, perfectly centered, and stitched with clean, consistent lines. Counterfeits often have crooked or poorly stitched labels, incorrect fonts, or an off-color shade of orange. The quality of the fabric, prints, and finishing on genuine Gallery Dept shirts reflects the brand’s meticulous craftsmanship - something counterfeiters struggle to match.

Authenticity isn’t just about quality - it also protects the shirt’s resale value. Investing in a genuine Gallery Dept piece means owning a product that reflects the brand’s creative vision and lasting appeal.

• Label
• Print
• Neck Tag
• Conclusion

What to Check: Real vs. Fake Gallery Dept T-Shirt

Here’s everything you need to check to ensure a Gallery Dept T-shirt is authentic.

Orange Label

The orange label inside a Gallery Dept T-shirt is a key sign of authenticity. On a genuine shirt, the label is precisely stitched – clean, evenly spaced, and free of loose threads or flaws. The orange shade is bold but balanced, never too bright or too dark, reflecting the brand’s attention to detail. The font is crisp and consistent, perfectly aligned to maintain the label’s clean, polished look.

Counterfeit versions rarely get this right. The orange shade often looks off – either too bright, too dull, or faded. Misaligned or sloppy stitching is another giveaway, with uneven spacing or frayed edges. The font on fakes also tends to be slightly thicker or thinner than the original, which throws off the overall balance. If the label’s color, stitching, or font looks even slightly wrong, you’re probably dealing with a fake.

Made in USA Tag

An authentic Gallery Dept T-Shirt is proudly made in the USA from premium cotton, a hallmark of the brand’s identity and craftsmanship. Genuine shirts always feature a “Made in USA” label, printed or stitched with bold, clear lettering that’s perfectly aligned and evenly spaced. The fabric itself has a distinct feel - heavier with a soft, slightly worn-in texture that reflects the brand’s high-quality standards.

Fakes often miss these details. Some counterfeit shirts skip the label altogether, while others feature poorly printed versions with uneven font thickness or misaligned text. The fabric is usually a giveaway, too - fake Gallery Dept tees tend to feel thin, stiff, or overly synthetic. If the shirt feels unusually light or the label looks off, chances are it’s not the real thing.

“IMPRIMER” Print

The word “IMPRIMER” (meaning “to print” in French) is a signature detail on many Gallery Dept designs. It’s usually positioned on the back of the shirt or near other branding elements. On an authentic piece, the print is subtle yet precise, with consistent font size and clean alignment. The ink feels smooth and fully integrated into the fabric, reflecting the brand’s high-quality standards.

Counterfeit versions often miss these subtle details. The “IMPRIMER” text may be misspelled, misaligned, or slightly off in size. The ink on fakes tends to feel rough or plastic-like, lacking the smooth finish of the real thing. Under UV light, genuine Gallery Dept prints appear matte and even, while fakes may reflect too much light or look overly glossy due to poor printing quality. If the print looks too shiny or feels rough, it’s likely a fake.

Attention to Detail

Gallery Dept is known for its meticulous craftsmanship, and that shows in the stitching and overall construction of its pieces. On an authentic Gallery Dept T-shirt, the stitching is perfectly symmetrical and clean, with no loose threads or uneven seams. The placement of the logo and graphics is always consistent, giving the shirt a balanced and polished look. The cotton feels soft but substantial, reflecting the brand’s commitment to quality.

Counterfeit shirts often fail to match this level of detail. The stitching on fakes is usually uneven, with loose threads and poorly finished seams. Graphics and logos might appear misaligned or slightly crooked, disrupting the shirt’s overall balance. The fabric is another giveaway—fake shirts often feel thin, scratchy, or overly stretchy compared to the premium cotton used in authentic pieces. If the stitching looks messy or the fabric feels off, it’s probably not the real thing.

Neck Tag

The neck tag on an authentic Gallery Dept T-shirt reflects the brand’s attention to detail. It’s stitched evenly with no loose edges or fraying, and the font matches the brand’s signature style with sharp lines and consistent spacing. The tag material feels soft but durable, and the text remains crisp without fading or cracking over time.

Fake neck tags are usually an easy giveaway. The font on counterfeit tags is often slightly off in size or spacing, and the stitching may appear loose or uneven. The tag material might feel rough or too thin, lacking the softness of a genuine piece. Some fakes even use printed tags instead of stitched ones - an immediate red flag. If the neck tag feels off or the printing looks uneven, it’s probably a fake.

Unique Features to Check

Authentic Gallery Dept T-shirts have distinct details that counterfeiters often struggle to replicate. One of the most noticeable signs is the logo placement. On a genuine shirt, the Gallery Dept logo is always perfectly centered and proportionate to the shirt’s size. Fakes, on the other hand, often have logos that are slightly off-center or misaligned, throwing off the overall balance.

The distressed finish is another key detail. Authentic Gallery Dept shirts have natural-looking distressing, with subtle fraying and fading that gives them a genuine vintage feel. Counterfeit versions tend to overdo it, with uneven or overly aggressive distressing that looks artificial.

Fabric quality also sets real Gallery Dept shirts apart. Genuine pieces are made from high-quality cotton that feels soft yet substantial, with a slightly worn-in texture. They hold their shape even after multiple washes. In contrast, fakes often feel thin, stiff, or overly synthetic, lacking the weight and softness of the real thing.

Resale value is another sign of authenticity. Genuine Gallery Dept shirts retain their value thanks to limited production and strong brand demand. Fake pieces, however, have little to no resale value and are often easy to spot on secondary markets. If the price seems too low or the deal feels off, it’s likely a fake.

Conclusion

Spotting a fake Gallery Dept T-shirt comes down to the details. The orange label, “Made in USA” tag, IMPRIMER print, stitching quality, and neck tag design are all key indicators of authenticity.

Authenticity matters in luxury streetwear. A fake Gallery Dept shirt not only lacks the quality and attention to detail of the original but also won’t hold its value over time. Investing in a genuine piece means you’re getting a product that reflects the creativity and craftsmanship that define the Gallery Dept brand.

If you’re unsure about your Gallery Dept T-Shirt, we at LegitGrails offer expert authentication services with a high success rate. Check out our authentication page to have your item professionally verified and shop with confidence.