A Guide to Buying Apparel Blanks

If you’re in the business of customizing clothing, whether for a fashion brand, print shop, or promotional merchandise, selecting the right apparel blanks is crucial. 

Customizing blanks allows you to create apparel products faster without needing to go through routes like cut-and-sew manufacturing that require starting from scratch. 

The quality, fit, and material of your blanks will significantly impact the final product. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying apparel blanks to ensure you make informed purchasing decisions.

Understanding Apparel Blanks

purchasing apparel blanks

Apparel blanks are unbranded, plain clothing items designed for customization. They come in various forms, including:

  • T-shirts (crew neck, V-neck, long sleeve, tank tops)
  • Hoodies & Sweatshirts
  • Polos & Button-down Shirts
  • Hats & Caps
  • Joggers & Shorts

 

When purchasing apparel blanks, it’s important to differentiate between wholesale and retail blanks. Wholesale options are generally more affordable and available in bulk, while retail blanks might come with a higher price tag but can be easily purchased and offer unique designs.

Guide To Purchasing Blanks for Your Apparel Brand

There are several variables to keep in mind when shopping for blanks to ensure your apparel brand flourishes. Let’s have a look at them:

1. Keep Fabric Quality In Mind

All fabrics are not made the same. Whichever you go for depends on your tolerable threshold for quality – and of course your budget. 

To ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck, check GSM (grams per square meter) for fabric weight. Also, understand the difference between combed cotton, ring-spun cotton, polyester blends, and tri-blends.

Finally, look for durability, softness, and shrink resistance.

2. Buy Blanks Your Customers Want

Building a successful apparel brand requires giving customers what they want – not what you are convinced they would like.

3. Consider Printing and Customization Compatibility

You will want to ensure that the fabric materials fit the printing and customization options you have in mind. Here’s a breakdown of common printing options and the fitting fabrics: 

  • Screen Printing: Works best with cotton and polyester blends.
  • Direct-to-Garment (DTG): Requires high-quality cotton for best results.
  • Embroidery: Works well with thicker fabric like fleece or heavy cotton.
  • Sublimation: Requires 100% polyester for proper ink absorption.

4. Get a Wholesale License

It’s important to secure a wholesale license if you want to enjoy bulk discounts when buying from major blank distributors. On top of that, getting a license eliminates the need to pay sales taxes when you make bulk purchases. 

One easy way to obtain a wholesale license is by registering your business and getting a tax identification number. The process varies by location and region.

5. Go For Suppliers Local To You

Although you can easily purchase blanks from suppliers on the other side of the world, it’s always best to work with those local to you. 

Why is this important? Firstly, working with local-based distributors allows you to easily access blanks without spending hideous amounts on shipping fees. Secondly, if you mess things up during production – which you likely will – you can easily order a replacement without hassles.

6. Use an Apparel Management Software

Managing purchases, production, inventory and order fulfillment all at the same time can be daunting. To maintain business efficiency and keep your customers satisfied, you will need an apparel management solution like Uphance

With Uphance, you can efficiently coordinate virtually every aspect of your business without hassles. 

Curious to know if Uphance is a good fit for your business? Schedule a demo right away to see things for yourself.

Top Blank Distributors To Try

Here are the top blank distributors we recommend giving a shot: 

Conclusion

Choosing the right apparel blanks is essential for the success of your brand. By considering factors like fabric quality, fit, customization compatibility, and supplier reliability, you can ensure a high-quality end product. Explore different brands, compare prices, and always request samples before making bulk purchases. Happy printing!

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