Curious about what’s moving the needle in the wholesale blank apparel industry?
Consumers are fickle these days. It’s never been more important to know what they want and to deliver it consistently.
Wholesale blank apparel sales reached $15.23 billion in 2024 and there are still signs of robust growth to come. But here’s the catch…
Blank apparel isn’t a homogenous category.
Shoppers are looking for certain features and styles. They’re informed, they’re picky, and they have high standards. High-quality blank apparel that’s made to their exact specifications.
The most successful sellers have taken note and responded to consumer demand.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What Consumers Actually Value In Blank Apparel
- Blank Apparel Customization Is A Booming Trend
- The Quality Matters More Than Ever
- B2B Is Where Most Blank Apparel Is Sold
- Consumers Don’t Need All The Features
- The Green Factor Influences Purchases
- Plain Vs Printed Apparel Statistics
- Quality Counts More Than Price
- Specialized Fabrics Are Trending
What Consumers Actually Value In Blank Apparel
When I first started selling wholesale blank apparel online, it was different.
Blank apparel is the foundation of so many end-products. If the blanks don’t work, the final product will never look or feel the way it should.
Blank tees for screen printers. Premium hoodies for print-on-demand businesses. Organic cotton tank tops for custom apparel resellers.
Businesses and resellers looking for blank t shirt suppliers want high-quality products that allow them to turn a profit.
Blank Apparel Customization Is A Booming Trend
I’ll let you in on a little secret…
Customization is now THE thing when it comes to apparel. It’s not even a trend.
About 70% of consumers actually prefer customized products compared to stock, pre-made products. It’s an astonishing shift in attitude and behavior.
Blank apparel by its very nature is customizable.
Print-on-demand companies use blank apparel as a base for their custom products. Promotional companies customize their apparel with logos or marketing slogans.
And of course, there are independent artists and designers who want to produce small batches of customized apparel.
The Quality Matters More Than Ever
You know what’s weird?
People really, really care about the quality of the blank apparel that they purchase.
A few years ago, I used to work with a wholesale blank apparel vendor that sold sub-par product. One time we ordered 400 blank hoodies for a print-on-demand business.
When they came in, I knew right away that they were junk.
The material felt super thin and cheap. It didn’t feel like a real hoodie. It was a made-for-China product that would have no market in the US.
Well, you can probably guess what happened. Of course, they all ended up getting returned.
If your blank apparel isn’t premium quality, you can forget about making a sale. Consumers are well-educated these days. They know what good quality looks like and what’s not.
B2B Is Where Most Blank Apparel Is Sold
This one surprised me at first…
Retail sales only make up a tiny 3.49% of the market share for wholesale blank apparel.
That’s right. Retail sales of blank apparel are a drop in the bucket compared to B2B sales. What accounts for the enormous market share of B2B sales?
Screen printers. Print-on-demand companies. Promotional product companies. Corporate merchandisers.
B2B buyers place large orders of wholesale blank apparel and they care about certain things.
- Size consistency across different batches of product
- Color consistency
- Weight of the fabric
- Shipping and fulfillment
- Wholesale prices
Retail consumers buy blank apparel for themselves. But a single bad experience for a B2B client can result in thousands of dollars in lost business.
B2B buyers are hard to impress, but once you hit your stride with them they’re extremely loyal.
Consumers Don’t Need All The Features
You would think that all of these innovations in the apparel industry would translate into demand for blank apparel with bells and whistles.
Not so much.
Consumers don’t need a bunch of extra features in their blank apparel. They don’t care about moisture-wicking properties. Or high breathability. Or stretch.
Most consumers are looking for the basics:
A well-made blank t-shirt that fits well, feels good, and is customizable.
Blank hoodies. Tank tops. Undershirts.
Nothing too fancy, just solidly made products that can be customized for resale.
The Green Factor Influences Purchases
You can’t talk about consumer preferences without bringing up sustainability.
Environmentally friendly materials are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. Recycled polyester. Organic cotton. Fair trade products.
Consumers are attracted to brands that are making a concerted effort to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Buying merchandise that’s made with recycled or organic materials gives them an excuse to pat themselves on the back.
Buyers want to see transparency in how companies are sourcing their materials, how their products are being made, and how much they care about the environment.
Brands that are willing to offer sustainable wholesale blank apparel will capture more market share. It’s all about showing consumers that you have their best interests at heart.
Plain Vs Printed Apparel Statistics
I know this one is kind of obvious, but let’s take a look at the data:
T-shirts and tanks make up a 48.39% of the overall market. Why?
It’s simple really.
T-shirts are a universal item. You can’t go wrong by stocking a wide variety of blank t-shirts in your business.
Hoodies and Sweatshirts are poised to see huge growth because of streetwear culture and the athleisure craze.
Consumers are looking for comfortable and versatile pieces that they can customize and make their own.
Wholesale suppliers are expanding their hoodie and sweatshirt offerings. Customers expect to find different weights, colors, and styles.
Quality Counts More Than Price
The problem is that while everyone loves premium-quality products, we also all want to save money.
Don’t be fooled. It is possible to get premium quality blanks that are affordable.
The trick is that the cheapest supplier in the room is rarely the best supplier in the room.
Buyers who are willing to pay a slightly higher price for their wholesale blank apparel know that they’re saving money in the long run by avoiding poor-quality product.
Cheaply made blanks lead to dissatisfied customers, returns, and complaints that eat away at your bottom line.
Pick a supplier who has a solid reputation for quality and offers fair wholesale pricing.
Specialized Fabrics Are Trending
Consumers want variety and they want performance. Performance fabrics. Moisture-wicking properties. Tri-blends that feel ridiculously soft. Tech materials that help regulate temperature.
Why?
Blank apparel isn’t just for standard t-shirts anymore. There’s an entire world of products that can be customized and printed.
Think about it:
Athletic teams need performance gear. Outdoor companies want durable, weather-resistant apparel. Fashion brands are always on the lookout for new textures and finishes.
Blank apparel is where it all begins.
This is why wholesale suppliers are scrambling to expand their fabric options. The days of just having three different fabrics to choose from are long gone.
Bringing It All Together
It’s clear that the landscape of the wholesale blank apparel market is rapidly changing. Consumer preferences are not what they used to be. Quality is the most important aspect. Customization has become an obsession. Sustainability is a must. B2B sales are the bread and butter.
Businesses that can meet these demands and provide a consistent, reliable experience will have an edge. Simply put, if you’re selling blank apparel, know what your customers are looking for and deliver on their expectations.
It will be the difference between growth and stagnation.
