Start with the blank
The blank decides more about a piece of merch than most people expect. It sets how the shirt feels, how long it lasts, which decoration methods work on it and a large share of what it costs. Decoration gets the attention, but a strong print on the wrong shirt still ends up at the back of a drawer.
If you read only one guide in this section, read how to choose a blank t-shirt. It walks through the decision in order (wearer, decoration method, weight, fiber, fit, colors, sizes and stock) and ends with a checklist you can take to a printer.
Fabric: weight and yarn
Three guides explain the numbers and words on a spec sheet:
- Heavyweight vs midweight vs lightweight t-shirts covers the weight bands, how each feels and wears, and which buyers want which.
- What is GSM? explains how fabric weight is measured and converts between grams per square meter and ounces per square yard.
- Ring-spun vs open-end vs combed cotton explains yarn, singles counts and why two 100% cotton tees can feel nothing alike.
Look and fit
- Garment-dyed blanks covers the washed, vintage look, PFD blanks, lot-to-lot shade variation and how garment-dyed shirts print.
- Boxy, oversized and streetwear fits defines each cut by its measurements and shows how the cut changes print size and placement.
- T-shirt size charts shows how to read a maker's chart, why a Medium differs between brands and how to build your own chart for a product page.
Hoodies
How to choose a blank hoodie applies the same thinking to fleece and French terry: weight bands, cotton-face blends, hood and drawcord construction, ribbing, pockets and fit.
Buying and planning
- Where to buy blank apparel compares wholesale distributors, buying direct from a brand and retail, and explains resale certificates and why printers usually source the garments.
- Blank colors, stock and sold-out styles covers color names, fiber changes between colors, dye lots, discontinued shades and how to plan a backup blank.
A sensible reading order
For a first drop, read the choosing guide, then weights and yarn, then fits and size charts, and finish with sourcing and stock. If you already know your style and just need to order, jump to where to buy blank apparel and the stock guide.
Style and brand pages
Reference pages give each maker's own specs in plain language. Tees: Gildan 5000, Gildan Softstyle 64000, Bella+Canvas 3001, Comfort Colors 1717, Next Level 3600, Los Angeles Apparel 1801GD, Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight and AS Colour Staple Tee. Hoodies: Independent Trading SS4500, Champion Reverse Weave and Lane Seven LS14001. Caps: Richardson 112 and Yupoong 6006.
Brand pages cover whole ranges: Made Blanks, Cotton Heritage, Los Angeles Apparel, WATC Studio, AS Colour, Shaka Wear, Lane Seven and Blanks by Thirteen, plus the headwear makers Otto Cap and Nissun Cap. For head-to-head decisions, see Comfort Colors 1717 vs Gildan 5000, Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Gildan 64000, Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Next Level 3600 and French terry vs fleece.