The Merch Library.
The Merch Library is a free reference for anyone making merch: how to choose blanks, how screen printing, embroidery and DTG work, what drives cost, how to plan a drop and how to sell it online. Written from the production floor, kept current, and free to cite.
Blank Brands & Styles
Everything about the garment before decoration: weights, cotton types, fits, dyes, sizing, sourcing, and reference pages for the most-searched blank styles.
How to Choose a Blank T-Shirt for Your Merch
GuideHeavyweight vs Midweight vs Lightweight T-Shirts
GuideWhat Is GSM in Fabric? GSM vs Ounces Explained
GuideRing-Spun vs Open-End vs Combed Cotton Yarn
GuideGarment-Dyed Blanks Explained
GuideBoxy, Oversized and Streetwear Fits
GuideT-Shirt Size Charts: Why Every Brand Measures Differently
GuideWhere to Buy Blank Apparel: Distributors vs Direct
GuideHow to Choose a Blank Hoodie
GuideBlank Colors, Stock and the Risk of a Sold-Out Style
Screen Printing Inks & Methods
How screen printing works, the inks, the separations, the screens, and what drives cost.
What Is Screen Printing? How It Works, Step by Step
GuideTypes of Shirt Printing Compared: Screen Print, DTG, DTF and More
GuideScreen Printing Inks: Plastisol, Water-Based and Discharge
GuidePuff Print and High-Density Ink: How Raised Prints Work
GuideSpecialty Inks: Metallic, Glow, Reflective, Foil and Suede
GuideSpot Color vs Simulated Process vs CMYK Screen Printing
GuideMesh Count, Screens and Why Print Feel Differs
GuideWhat Drives Screen Printing Cost (and How Many Colors to Use)
GuideT-Shirt Print Placement and Size Guide
GuidePreparing Artwork for Screen Printing: Files and Separations
Specialty Oversized Printing
Jumbo, all-over and odd-location prints: sizes, equipment, limits and what drives cost.
Jumbo and Oversized Screen Prints: Sizes, Platens and Limits
GuideAll-Over Print vs Over-the-Seam Printing
GuidePrinting on Sleeves, Hoods, Pockets and Zippers
Embroidery
How machine embroidery works, digitizing, stitch counts, thread, stitch styles and patches.
What Is Embroidery? How Machine Embroidery Works
GuideEmbroidery Digitizing Explained
GuideStitch Count: What Drives Embroidery Price
GuideEmbroidery Thread: Polyester, Rayon, Metallic and Color Matching
GuideFlat, 3D Puff and Chain Stitch Embroidery
GuideCustom Patches: Embroidered, Woven, PVC and Chenille
3D Puff Embroidery
Raised embroidery built over foam: how it is made, which designs work, and how it differs from puff ink.
What Is 3D Puff Embroidery? How It Is Built and Designed
Guide3D Puff on Hats vs Garments
GuidePuff Embroidery vs Puff Print: The Difference
Hats & Foam Trucker Caps
Cap constructions, profiles and fits, decoration options, and the most popular trucker styles.
Foam Trucker Hats Explained: Build, Decoration and Fit
GuideCap Profiles and Fits: Structured, Unstructured, High and Low
GuideCustom Hat Decoration: Embroidery, Patches and Printing
GuidePopular Trucker Hat Styles Compared: Richardson 112, Yupoong 6006, Otto
Cuffed, Uncuffed and Fisherman Beanies: Styles, Yarns and Sizing
GuideBeanie Decoration: Knit-In, Embroidered or Patch
GuideWhen to Order Custom Beanies: Seasons, Lead Times and Stock
Cut & Sew
When to go beyond blanks: tech packs, sampling, fabrics, MOQs and private label finishing.
Blanks vs Cut and Sew: When Custom Is Worth It
GuideHow to Make a Tech Pack, Step by Step
GuideSampling and Fit Rounds: From First Sample to Production
GuideFabric Guide for Cut and Sew: Jersey, Fleece, French Terry and GSM
GuideMOQs and Timelines in Clothing Production: What Drives Them
GuidePrivate Label: Neck Labels, Woven Labels, Hang Tags and Packaging
Fulfillment
Getting merch to customers: who fulfills, pre-orders vs stock, size runs, packaging and shipping costs.
Merch Fulfillment Options: DIY, 3PL, Print-on-Demand or Your Printer
GuidePre-Orders vs In-Stock Drops: Cash, Risk and Wait Times
GuideHow to Plan a Size Run: Size Curves, Real Data and Reorders
GuidePackaging for Apparel Orders: Polybags, Mailers and Unboxing
GuideShipping Zones Explained: How USPS, UPS and FedEx Price Distance
E-Commerce for Merch
Selling merch online: starting a brand, launching drops, product pages, pricing and email.
How to Start a Clothing Brand: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide
GuideHow to Launch a Clothing Drop: Timeline and Launch-Day Checklist
GuideProduct Pages That Sell Apparel: Photos, Fit and Fabric Facts
GuideHow to Price Your Merch: Unit Cost, Margin and a Calculator
GuideEmail and SMS for Merch Drops: Lists, Consent and Sequences
Shopify for Merch Brands
Setting up and running a Shopify store for apparel: structure, variants, pre-orders and fulfillment connections.
Setting Up Shopify for a Clothing Brand
GuideVariants, Size Charts and Inventory in Shopify
GuideHow to Run Pre-Orders on Shopify
GuideConnecting a Fulfillment Partner and Setting Up Shipping in Shopify
Other Platforms
Choosing where to sell: store builders, band and creator platforms, print-on-demand vs bulk.
Choosing an E-Commerce Platform for Merch
GuideSelling Band Merch Online: Bandcamp, Fourthwall and Others
GuidePrint-on-Demand vs Bulk Production: When Each Makes Sense
Comparisons
Screen Printing vs DTG: Which Is Right for Your Order?
CompareDTF vs DTG: Differences, Feel and When to Use Each
CompareScreen Printing vs Embroidery
ComparePlastisol vs Water-Based Ink
CompareComfort Colors 1717 vs Gildan 5000
CompareBella+Canvas 3001 vs Gildan Softstyle 64000
CompareBella+Canvas 3001 vs Next Level 3600
CompareFrench Terry vs Fleece: Which Fabric for Your Hoodies?
ComparePrintful vs Printify for Merch Brands
CompareShopify vs Big Cartel for Merch Stores
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