Custom Apparel: Design Tip to Help Your Brand Stand Out

Branding is more than just a catchy logo or tagline. It’s about creating a unique identity, evoking emotions, and making your mark in the market. Let’s dive into some expert advice on how brands can achieve standout designs in their custom apparel, inspired by some of the most iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Burt’s Bees, and Marcella NYC.

1. Start with Your Brand’s “Face”

Collaboration with Shaka Wear and Blankstyle

Your logo acts as the “face” of your business. Think of Coca-Cola’s red logo with its signature script text – an immediate recall for most of us. The design, while simple, tells a story and evokes a particular set of emotions and memories. You can see this branding in our Shaka Wear 7.5 oz Max Heavyweight T-Shirt. When designing for custom apparel:

  • Ensure that your logo is versatile enough to be recognizable in various colors, especially if you intend to print on varying fabric colors.
  • Ensure that your design aligns with the essence of your brand. For instance, if your brand champions sustainability, consider designs that echo that sentiment.

2. Create Credibility and Trust

A consistent brand identity, showcased through every piece of custom apparel, builds trust. Just as the unique shape of Coca-Cola bottles signifies authenticity, your design should resonate with originality. This doesn’t just make your brand recognizable—it makes it reputable.

3. Factor in the Power of Advertising Impressions

Your custom apparel isn’t just a garment; it’s a walking advertisement. Every design choice should be intentional, ensuring it aligns with what your brand stands for. This helps in making powerful impressions that can convert onlookers into potential buyers.

4. Embed Your Company’s Mission

Burt’s Bees, a brand rooted in sustainability, makes it evident in their branding. From their simplistic logo to their commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, every aspect screams sustainability. When designing apparel:

  • Incorporate elements that showcase your brand’s mission.
  • Consider sustainable fabrics or eco-friendly printing methods, especially if it aligns with your brand’s ethos.

5. Embrace Minimalism with a Twist

Marcella NYC’s fashion items exhibit a minimalist charm. However, every design has an edge to it, making it stand out. Brands should strike a balance between simplicity and uniqueness.

6. Promote Empowerment and Ethos

Marcella NYC not only offers minimalist fashion but empowers women with every purchase. Their commitment to education for girls is reflected in their branding. If your brand stands for a cause, integrate it into your designs. This not only gives depth to your apparel but also resonates with consumers who share similar values.

7. Focus on Quality and Sustainability

Prioritize quality in every step. Marcella NYC’s dedication to sustainable fabrics and recyclable packaging makes a difference. If you’re marketing to a conscious audience, such factors can significantly influence their purchasing decisions.

8. Seek Professional Insight

If unsure, seeking professional designers can help. They can guide you through the design process, ensuring the final product resonates with your brand’s identity and appeals to your target audience.

9. Understand the Importance of Brand Identity

A strong brand identity can inspire loyalty and carve out a niche for your brand in the saturated market. From the logo to the ethos, every component works cohesively to project a particular image to the audience.

10. Stay True, Stay Consistent

Consistency is key. Ensure that every piece of custom apparel, every design tweak, and every color choice aligns seamlessly with your brand’s core identity.

In essence, stellar custom apparel design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about echoing your brand’s ethos, establishing credibility, and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. As you embark on your custom apparel journey, keep these expert tips in mind and ensure that every design choice is a reflection of what your brand truly stands for.

Customized Apparel: From Sketch to Shirt

Customized apparel has carved its niche as a potent tool in branding, promotions, and personal expression. A thought, a design, a doodle can all take life when imprinted on fabric. But how does a simple sketch transform into a tangible, wearable piece of art? Let’s venture into the world of Blankstyle and uncover the fascinating journey of a design from a mere concept to a finished product.

Step 1: The Blueprint of Creativity – Designing

The journey begins with a design concept. Whether it’s an intricate illustration, a simple logo, or a catchy slogan, the idea should align with the intended message or the essence of a brand. The design acts as a brand’s voice, a whisper to its audience, so it’s essential to craft it with precision, ensuring it’s versatile and compatible with varying shirt colors. If designing isn’t your forte, collaborating with a professional designer can make all the difference, ensuring your vision is meticulously articulated.

Step 2: Mapping the Quantity & Budget

Before diving deep into the production process, it’s essential to delineate the quantity and budget. For wholesalers, buying in bulk is cost-efficient. However, it’s crucial to break down the sizes, remembering to provide an inclusive size range. The final quantity impacts the chosen printing technique, with some methods being more economical for bulk orders.

Step 3: Selecting the Perfect Printing Technique

Depending on the design intricacy, color palette, and budget, one must select the optimal printing method:

  • Screen Printing: The go-to for bulk orders. Each color demands a unique screen, making it ideal for designs with limited colors.
  • Vinyl Graphics: Perfect for simple, bold graphics, especially for smaller batches.
  • Direct-to-Garment (DTG): Suitable for designs bursting with details and colors but is more aligned with smaller orders.

Step 4: Finding the Right Printing Partner

A harmonious collaboration with the right printer is paramount. At Blankstyle, we champion quality and consistency. When you entrust us with your design, we ensure it’s impeccably translated onto fabric. By either visiting us or exploring online, you can gauge our commitment to excellence, ensuring you’re aligning with a printer that values your vision.

Step 5: Fabric Selection & Shirt Type

Comfort is paramount. The choice of fabric can significantly impact the final product’s feel and durability. While 100% cotton remains a classic, blends offer versatility in texture and cost. Beyond fabric, the shirt’s cut and style should reflect the target audience’s preferences. Whether it’s a V-neck, crew-neck, or a tank top, the style should resonate with the intended wearers. Pictured to the left is our Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton T-Shirt G200.

Step 6: Design File Submission

Once the design is finalized, it’s time to hand over the baton to us. Submit your design files, ensuring they’re in the right format (preferably vector), allowing for precision in translation from digital to fabric. Find more information on how to do that with us right on our decoration info page

Step 7: Proofing for Perfection

Before the mass printing begins, we at Blankstyle believe in getting a nod of approval. A digital proof is shared to ensure the design sits perfectly, capturing every nuance.

Step 8: The Final Transformation

Once the proofs are approved, the production wheels start churning. The design takes life, imprinting itself on fabric, ready to narrate its story. Once printed, each piece undergoes a thorough quality check, ensuring it mirrors the approved design.

The Grand Finale
With Blankstyle, the journey from a sketch to a shirt is an amalgamation of meticulous planning, artistry, and commitment to quality. As you unbox the finished shirts, you’re not just looking at fabric and ink; you’re holding a tangible manifestation of a vision, ready to resonate with its audience.

Dive into the realm of customized apparel with us, and let’s transform sketches into stories, together.

Wholesale Sports Clothing Customization for Teams

HISTORY OF INDEPENDENT SPORTS TEAMS

To get into the wholesale sports clothing industry, it is important to understand the history of why it exists in the first place. The history of independent and youth leagues in sports dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when local communities began to form their own sports teams and clubs. groups of friends or neighbors who shared a passion for a particular sport formed teams. Teams competed against one another locally. These early leagues were the foundation of what would eventually become a widespread trend, as independent and youth sports leagues grew and evolved over the years to become an integral part of many communities around the world.

As the popularity of sports continued to grow, more and more communities began to form their own teams, and this led to the creation of independent and youth sports leagues. community organizations, such as schools, churches, and local businesses formed teams and leagues. They provided an opportunity for young people to participate in organized sports.

Over the years, independent and youth sports leagues have continued to grow and evolve, becoming an integral part of many communities around the world. Local government, non-profit organizations, and private companies now organize these leagues today. They provide an opportunity for young people of all ages and skill levels to participate in organized sports. These leagues have played an important role in improving communities, providing opportunities for children and young adults to participate in organized sports and to learn valuable life skills.

How has this impacted communities?

One of the most significant contributions that independent and youth sports leagues have made to communities is in providing opportunities for children and young adults to participate in organized sports. These leagues give young people the chance to learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline. Through participating in organized sports, young people learn how to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. They also learn how to communicate effectively, how to handle adversity, and how to set and achieve personal and team goals. Furthermore, these leagues can also provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie, which can be especially important for children and young adults who may not have a strong support system at home.

Furthermore, research has shown that youth sports leagues can have a positive impact on reducing crime and improving academic performance among participants. Studies have shown that children and young adults who participate in organized sports are less likely to engage in criminal behavior and more likely to have better academic performance. This is due to the positive impact that participating in organized sports can have on a young person’s self-esteem, self-discipline, and self-worth. Additionally, organized sports can provide a positive outlet for children and young adults who may be at risk of getting involved in criminal behavior

WHERE TO START SHOPPING FOR YOUR TEAM

When it comes to outfitting a sports team, one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to do so is to purchase wholesale sports apparel, wholesale sports clothing, wholesale baseball jerseys, and wholesale athletic wear. Wholesale suppliers offer pre-made garments that are easily customized with team colors, logos, and designs. Teams are quickly outfitted and at a lower cost because of this. This approach can be especially beneficial for teams on a tight budget or those that need to outfit a large number of players.

One of the key advantages of purchasing wholesale sports apparel is the cost savings. Wholesale suppliers offer bulk discounts, which can significantly reduce the overall cost of outfitting a team. This can be especially beneficial for teams that need to purchase a large number of garments, as the cost can add up quickly. Additionally, wholesale suppliers often have a wider selection of products to choose from. This makes it easier to find the right garments for your team.

Another advantage of purchasing wholesale sports apparel is the ability to customize the garments to match your team’s colors and designs. Wholesale suppliers allow teams to easily customize pre-made garments with team colors, logos, and designs, resulting in a quick and cost-effective outfitting process. This can help to create a sense of unity among team members and make your team stand out on the field or court.

It is also important to consider the quality of the garments when purchasing wholesale sports apparel, wholesale baseball jerseys, or really any wholesale athletic wear. Choose garments made from high-quality materials that can withstand the wear and tear of sports activities.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD SUPPLIERS?

When looking for custom sports gear, several options exist. One option is to work with local suppliers that specialize in athletic wear such as sporting goods stores or screen printing companies. These suppliers usually have a wide selection of products to choose from. They can also help teams create unique designs that make them stand out on the field or court. Additionally, local suppliers can provide a personal touch and offer face-to-face customer service, which is beneficial for teams who want to work closely with their supplier to create the perfect designs for their team.

Working with a local supplier can also provide added convenience. Teams can visit the supplier in person to view the products and discuss their options. This allows teams to get a sense of the quality of the products. It can also provide an opportunity to try on garments and ensure the correct fit. Additionally, local suppliers may have a better understanding of the local market. They can recommend products that are suitable for the local weather and conditions.

Another advantage of working with a local supplier is that they may have established relationships with other local businesses and organizations. This can be beneficial for teams that are looking for additional resources, such as sponsorships or community support. Local suppliers may also be able to provide additional services. For example, they can repair and maintenance of sports equipment. This can be especially beneficial for teams that do not have their own equipment maintenance staff.

IS THAT MY ONLY OPTION?

Another option for teams looking for custom sports gear is to work with an online supplier. These suppliers offer a wide selection of products. They can help teams create custom designs that are both eye-catching and unique. Additionally, many online suppliers offer competitive prices and quick turnaround times, making them a great choice for teams that are working with tight budgets or need their gear quickly.

Working with an online supplier can also provide added convenience. Teams can place orders and make payments online, and have the gear delivered directly to their location. This can save teams time and effort, as they do not need to travel to a physical store to make purchases. Furthermore, many online suppliers offer virtual consultations. This is where teams can consult with a representative online, and get a sense of the products and services offered.

Online suppliers also offer a wide range of customization options, such as screen printing, embroidery, and sublimation printing. These techniques can be used to create unique designs that are specific to a team’s colors and logos. Additionally, online suppliers may offer a wider range of products than local suppliers, as they may have access to a larger inventory or a broader range of suppliers.

Teams can use online design tools offered by many online suppliers to create their own custom designs. These tools can be user-friendly. Teams can easily upload their own artwork, logos, and designs, and see a preview of the final product. This can save teams time and effort, as they do not need to work with a designer to create custom designs.

HOW DO I CUSTOMIZE WHOLESALE SPORTS APPAREL?

When it comes to customizing the apparel, there are several options available.

Screen Printing

One popular method is screen printing, which involves using a stencil to apply ink to the garment. This method is suitable for simple designs and is a cost-effective option. It is often used for large quantities and for designs with limited colors. Screen printing is a popular method for customizing t-shirts, jerseys, and other athletic wear. It is a relatively simple process that involves creating a stencil of the design. Then, using a mesh screen to apply ink to the garment. The ink is pressed through the stencil and onto the fabric, creating the design. This method is cost-effective and can create a high-quality result, but it is not suitable for designs with many colors or fine details.

Embroidery

Another option is embroidery, which involves using a needle and thread to create designs on the garment. This method is suitable for more detailed designs and can create a more premium look. Embroidery is often used for designs with a lot of color or fine details. It is a more complex process that involves digitizing a design, and then using a computerized embroidery machine to sew the design onto the garment. This method creates a durable and long-lasting design that can have a more premium look than screen printing. However, it is generally more expensive than screen printing and may not be suitable for large quantities.

Sublimation Printing

Sublimation printing enables creating more detailed designs. This includes a wider range of colors.This is done by printing a design onto a special transfer paper. Then, pressing it onto the fabric using heat and pressure. The fibers of the fabric absorb the inks used in this process, resulting in a more vibrant and permanent design. This method can be applied on various fabrics such as polyester and synthetic fabrics. It is perfect for designs with fine details and many colors. Though it is more expensive than screen printing or embroidery, it produces high-quality results.

HOW DO I MEASURE QUALITY?

Consider the quality of the garments when customizing sports team apparel. This is to ensure durability and performance of the sports team during their activities. Choose garments made from high-quality materials designed to withstand the wear and tear of sports activities. This includes selecting breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics to keep players cool and dry during intense activities. Additionally, consider durable, long-lasting fabrics that can withstand the rigors of sports, such as stretching, abrasion, and repeated washings.

Another important aspect to consider is the fit and comfort of the garments. Choose garments that are designed to fit well and be comfortable to wear. This includes selecting garments that are available in a wide range of sizes for players of all shapes and sizes. It’s also good to consider garments with features such as flatlock seams and ergonomic design. This is to reduce chafing and discomfort during intense activities.

To ensure the best quality of the garments, select them from a supplier that specializes in athletic wear. This means they offer durable, high-performance garments suitable for sports teams. Look for suppliers with a good reputation and a long history in the industry for quality products. Additionally, look for suppliers that can provide a quality guarantee on their products.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the history of independent and youth leagues in sports is a long and storied one. These leagues have played an important role in communities by providing opportunities for children to learn valuable skills. One of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to outfit a sports team is to purchase wholesale sports apparel. This includes wholesale sports clothing, wholesale baseball jerseys, and wholesale athletic wear. When searching for custom sports gear, teams have the option to work with a local supplier or an online supplier.

What is Screen Printing? What You Need to Know in 2022

What is screen printing? As you might guess, given the obvious hint built into the name, screen printing is a printmaking technique where stencils are laid over a screen. That screen is usually made of cotton, nylon, or metal. The printing ink is then pushed through the screen using a rubber squeegee. That’s the simplified version, but every little step can involve lots of decisions from what ink to use to the best squeegee.

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Image above: a screen printing class at the Alexandria Museum of Art

Just a little history
The basic process is thought to have been invented in China and then refined in Japan (makers of good things like karaoke, the novel, and instant ramen). After 1915, when it became possible to photo-screen print (introducing photo stencils), the technique took off in the commercial sector in the United States. Grocery stores and other shops needed quickly produced locally made signs to advertise sales, and screen printers were able to underbid sign painters and win jobs. For years, those screen printing techniques were closely guarded trade secrets. Then in the 1960s, the technique took off in the art world amongst pop artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Richard Hamilton. From there, screen printing entered the mainstream. These days, screen printing has been enthusiastically adopted by the DIY community.  And now that the information for how to set up a screen printing studio is so readily available online – anyone, with an idea,  can screen print.

diy-print-shop-screenprinting-kit
Image above: DIY Print Shop

Screen printing Setups
One of the reasons that screen printing is so popular is that it is infinitely scalable. You can create a setup for under $40 or spend $40,000. Every setup might be a little different, but the basic elements are a screen, emulsion, artwork, a squeegee, ink, a light source, and a water source. If you’re eager to get your hands dirty, this is a great screen printing guide from one of our favorite reads, LifeHacker. (But if you’d rather us do the dirty work, we’re happy to mess around with the ink for you.)

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Image above: jacquard screen printing inks
Decision, Decisions, Decisions aka Screen Printing Ink

Underbase
The first consideration in design is often the underbase. One of the most important choices in determining how your design turns out, regardless of the ink type is whether or not an underbase is used. Think of an underbase like a primer coat. if you wanted to paint a red wall blue you would first prime the wall with a neutral color like gray or white, You would then paint blue over the primer. If you were to paint blue over the red wall without priming you would end up with a purple not a blue.Underbase

Underbasing in t-shirt printing, much like priming in painting is a great way to ensure your design ends up being the color you intended it to be. An underbase is essentially the entirety of your design printed in neutral ink. In this way regardless of the garment color or makeup the colors in your finished design should remain consistent. This is especially true when printing bright colors over darker colors. This is also true when your intention is to have a consistent-looking design printed on different material makeups and colors. There are a few negatives to consider when choosing to underbase. Because there is an additional underlay or undercoat of ink, the design will feel thicker to the touch. In addition, underbasing requires additional screens adding cost. Printers typically charge around $30 to $40 dollars per screen.

In a nutshell, if you are printing on lighter uniformly colored garments and the most important component of your finished design is its soft feel where color consistency takes a back seat, you should not be underbasing however if you are printing on dark or various colored garments and need a consistent design color where soft feel is the less important of the two, you should be underbasing. Often times printers will help you make this decision based on the garments you’ve chosen and the colors in your design.

Ink types
Once you’ve decided on your shirt (and that’s a whole other conversation), the most important consideration is going to be your ink.

The traditional ink is plastisol ink. This creates a thick print that rests on top of the shirt. Plastisol inks can provide a higher contrast than water-based ink, and if you’d like your fwd_traditional_printingprinted design to appear bright and color accurate, then a plastisol ink can give you that effect. Plastisol ink is a good choice if you’re printing sporting goods, nylon, or dark-colored clothing. Plastisol ink is also the most consistTower-Tee1ent choice when printing the same design on different garment styles and or colors.

If you’re looking to make a super soft shirt then water-based ink is where it’s at. Whereas the plastisol ink rests on top of the shirt, water-based ink is actually directly dying, or in the case of discharge, bleaching the fabric’s fibers, which means that the printed portion of the shirt will remain softer than plastisol the print further softens to almost a no feel with one washing.  An added plus is that water-based ink is eco-friendly. Water-based inks don’t have that same high contrast that plastisol inks have so the effect often feels vintage. Waterbase ink typically work out best when the design has a limited color spectrum as water base inks are not vibrant like plastisol inks. Creative designers typically use the garment color to bring out accents in the design.

But there is a middle ground between plastisol and water-based – soft plastisol or soft-hand plastisol gives you the contrast of a plastisol ink but is much softer than the straight-up plastisol ink. Soft hand plastisol is accomplished by using thinning agents and high mesh count screens minimizing and thinning the amount of ink allowed to pass through the screen to the garment.

But what if you want a more custom look? There are an infinite number of special effects inks. Here are a few of our favorites and the ones that we print with here at Blankstyle.com.

Puff ink is the screen printer’s version of that ‘80s craft favorite – puff paint. Puff ink is created by mixing an additive with the plastisol inks so that your ink will puff up after it dries giving your design a textured effect. (We like to use it to give your designs a faux stitching effect.)

So that’s the quick run-down on what screen printing is and how it’s done. Of course, the more you dig around, the more questions you might have. We’re here to help with any of those.

And if you prefer to get your information the old-fashioned way, here are some great resources:
Print Liberation: The Screen Printing Primer
Simple Screenprinting: Basic Techniques & Creative Projects
ulled: A Catalog of Screen Printing (great for inspiration)

 

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Custom Logo Face Masks by Blankstyle

“Wallet, keys, phone…facemask”

This is the new morning mantra before leaving the house. Now that we find ourselves in this new normal, where face masks are an everyday essential wear, we should also have the option to design our own custom logo face masks right? Customized face masks are great for small businesses, apparel companies, and grocery stores. We have even helped supply custom face masks to US Treasury Banks. Making your own custom printed face mask could not be any easier when you shop at Blankstyle.com

Your Logo, Your Customized Face Mask

Have a logo already? Awesome! Simply visit Blankstyle Face Masks to view your mask options. You may add your choice of face mask to the shopping cart and select Add Decoration. From there you will be able to upload your own graphic for your face mask. Blankstyle’s art department will generate a digital mock-up for your custom logo face mask and we will not print until you are 100% satisfied with your digital mock up. This way we know that you will be 100% satisfied with your custom face masks. Check out some of these custom face masks we have recently done!

Wholesale Custom Face Masks – Which Do I Choose?

With so many mask options, you might be unsure of which mask to use for your custom printed face mask. At Blankstyle we’re happy to throw you a bone! You might consider this face mask fan favorite ST2020 Face Mask. We have seen a great number of our customers use this mask style time and time again as their go-to for wholesale custom face masks. The ST2020 Face Mask is a 100% cotton 2-ply cloth face mask, which is the perfect selection for those looking to customize face masks themselves. However, Blankstyle is always happy to do the printing for you!

American Apparel Bankruptcy–What We Know

American Apparel Bankruptcy

Courtesy of American Apparel

UPDATE 4/21/2017

Limited stock for select styles is now available for drop ship from the American Apparel warehouse! Drop shipped items will take 24-48 hours to process prior to shipping. Items included in the new stock wave are the infamous kids raglan tee BB253, the 8369 Sleeveless Crop Top and the women’s tri-blend TR301.

The American Apparel wholesale website is back up and revamped, giving anxious buyers a sneak peek into what the future holds for the collection. Ordering is disabled for now but some popular items host a “Coming in May” title.

The popular 2001, BB401, F497, TR401 and BB453 all made the cut! And with new stock available, you’ll want to order ASAP.

Categories for US Made, Unisex, Kids, etc. show a scaled-back version of the line, featuring only the top heavy hitters that customers know and love.

UPDATE 2/27/2017

In a conference call on Feb. 23rd, Chief Executive Officer Glenn Chamandy announced that the American Apparel brand will begin production soon using a mix of contracted US producers and Gildan’s own manufacturing plants outside the country.

The new owners plan to continue producing some key wholesale styles in the US, while other items offered in the line will be produced at their facilities in the Caribbean and Central America. Distribution will be handled via Gildan’s vast network of warehouses.

Chamandy, the head of the company, is optimistic about the future of American Apparel, and looks forward to expanding the brand into new international markets. “We have huge interest from all of our international customers to carry this brand,” he said. “We’re going to continue to support our core Made in the USA business, but we’re also going to offer product where they couldn’t compete before.”

In a statement released on the brand’s wholesale website, Gildan elaborates:

“Gildan and American Apparel share a vision that owning the factories and building responsible practices and sustainable solutions into the manufacturing process is the way to do it right.”

“We anticipate [the transition] to be completed late February.”

1/26/2017

If you haven’t noticed, the American Apparel Bankruptcy has put production on a temporary hiatus. The iconic brand has filed for bankruptcy and is in the process of being bought out by another company. Manufacturing of all items has been suspended for now and with no ETA on when production will pick up, there’s still a lot of questions left unanswered. But here’s the good news–American Apparel will still be around for all your screen printing needs going forward, and stock is still available for the time being.

The popular US-Made brand sold the company in January after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in November 2016. With over $177M in debt, the company was unable to turn things around after persisting legal battles and another bankruptcy back in October 2015. The sale brought retail giants Amazon and Forever 21 to the table, and in the end a bid for $88M was accepted from Canadian-based Gildan Activewear.

American Apparel Bankruptcy

Courtesy of the Center for Latin American Studies

Gildan, another big name in the wholesale market, has indicated they will assume some of the current manufacturing operations. The company recently acquired Alstyle apparel and has since kept the brand’s manufacturing in Los Angeles. More specific plans are set to be released during a conference call on Feb. 23rd. They expressed no interest in purchasing the company’s retail stores, and with no other buyers on the horizon, doors are closing for good at brick-and-mortar locations across the globe.

With industry experience spanning spanning 30+ years, Gildan is expected to fully pivot the brand towards the wholesale market and dedicate it’s resources to serving that consumer base. It’s unsure how much of the current line will remain after the American Apparel Bankruptcy, but if you’re a wholesale buyer or screen printer who’s had trouble buying American Apparel in the past, things just might get a little easier.

American Apparel Bankruptcy

Courtesy of Teen Vogue

Warehouse closures for both retail and wholesale products have already begun in Southern California–including massive layoffs at the famous American Apparel factory in Downtown Los Angeles. Because of this, stock levels represented on your distributor’s website may not be 100% accurate or up-to-date. Only one thing’s for sure–if you need popular shirts like the 2001, BB401 or BB453–be sure to stock up now while you can!

Stay Tuned for more Updates on the American Apparel Bankruptcy!

 

See More from Chelsey on Google+

 

Sources

Gildan will Continue Manufacturing some American Apparel Lines in the US

American Apparel Wholesale

Forbes: American Apparel Agrees To Gildan Activewear Acquisition

Fortune: Bankrupt Retailer American Apparel Begins Laying Off Thousands of Workers

Gildan: Company Overview

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts: Call it a Comeback

Heavy Cotton T-ShirtsHeavy Cotton T-Shirts are making a comeback! The rise of streetwear is pushing the look of today’s tee to longer lengths and wider, boxier sleeves. Classic styles like pocket shirts and pigment dye are on the rise–and designers are playing with new hemlines like drop tail hems, rounded hems and high-low asymmetry. Keep reading to shop these cutting edge wholesale trends!

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Chomp Brand Tees Printed on a Full Cut T-Shirt. Click to Shop

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

American Apparel Box Hammer Tee. Click to Shop

American Apparel Box Hammer Tee

With the nineties back in style, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing a swing back towards the more traditional full cut Heavy Cotton T-Shirts that reigned supreme before all the slim fit blended tees that now saturate the wholesale market. But the future of the box tee is a little more refined than the cheap tees printers used to print. Rather than a scratchy, thick shirt, we now have several options for nicer quality tees made with soft ring-spun combed cotton—giving the look and feel of luxury. Shop the NEW American Apparel Box Hammer Tee HJ402.

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Costalamel Fall 2016 Line Features Long Tees. Click to Shop

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

BELLA+CANVAS Urban Tee–Available in 3 Colors. Click to Shop

BELLA+CANVAS 3006

Drop tail and high-low tees have been gaining momentum for the past few seasons because they offer an exaggerated emphasis on the length of the shirt. The New long t-shirt from industry favorite BELLA+CANVAS proves that designers can still get true retail quality at affordable prices. This long tee features a rounded drop tail hem and a slender fit—creating more of a long rectangular shape. Available in three classic colors and a nice mid weight 4.2oz jersey for a comfortable wear. Shop the BELLA+CANVAS 3006 Urban Tee.

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Cotton Heritage Drop Tail Crewneck Tee. Click to Shop

Cotton Heritage Drop Tail Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

This drop tail crewneck tee by Cotton Heritage is quickly becoming a crowd favorite. With a long body, full sleeves and a rounded high-low hemline, this shirt offers the oversized look with premium combed ring-spun cotton. These Heavy Cotton T-Shirts with exaggerated length are becoming a streetwear staple–so don’t miss out! The 4.3oz jersey is made with 100% cotton for the solid colors (heather colors feature a cotton blend). Shop the Cotton Heritage MC1050.

 

 

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Click Here to get your Custom Price Quote! Photo Courtesy of Costalamel

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Alternative Apparel Pigment Dyed Distressed Vintage Tee. Click to Shop

Alternative Apparel Distressed Pigment Dyed T-shirt

Hello Pigment Dye! Everyone remembers this 90’s favorite. From dad hats to crewneck pullovers, the pigment dye technique is back in full force. Distressed edges and holes are also becoming a popular styling choice in men’s and particularly women’s tees. The Alternative Apparel Distressed Vintage Ladies Tee offers the best of both worlds. This destroyed tee will take your vintage designs to a whole new level!  Shop the Alternative Apparel Distressed Pigment Dyed Shirt.

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Stussy’s Fall 2016 Line Features Many Pigment Dyed Tees. Click to Shop Printable Pigment Dyed Tees

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Pigment Dyed Pocket Tee by Authentic Pigment. Click to Shop

Authentic Pigment Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Pigment dyeing is a special process where 100% cotton items are garment-dyed with a mix of raw pigment and binding solution. The resulting effect is the color shows many years of wear and washing. The color continues to fade over time! Authentic Pigment is a popular line focusing solely on pigment dyed t-shirts. With over 20 styles for men and women, their products range from messenger bags to hoodies, ladies’ racerback tanks to raglans.  Their AP201 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt features a pocket and comes in 10 striking earth tones. Shop the Authentic Pigment Pocket T-shirt.

 

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Designs by Mathiole Printed on a Full Cut Tee. Photos Courtesy of DesignByHumans. Click to Shop all Designs

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

Delta Apparel 19100 Surf Tee. Click to Shop

Delta Apparel Surfer Tee

The Delta Surfer Tee is no rookie. These popular 5.5oz Heavy Cotton T-Shirts offer the softness of ring-spun cotton and a classic full cut body. With a tear away tag, this is a no-brainer choice for those looking for a solid, no-frills option at an unbeatable price. But don’t let the price tag fool you—this shirt blows brands like Gildan and Tultex out of the water in terms of quality and softness! Shop the 19100 Delta Apparel Surfer Tee.

 

 

 

 

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

BELLA+CANVAS 3006 Urban Tee. Click to Shop

Heavy Cotton T-Shirts

2016 Summer 2 Collection by Publish Features Exaggerated Sleeves and Long Body Tees. Click to Shop

Need a Custom Price Quote for Screen printing? CLICK HERE!

Need Sweatshirts too? CLICK HERE for the latest Wholesale Fleece trends!

 

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Blank Hoodie Templates for Screen Printing

Earlier this month we gave you 6 Must-Have Blank T Shirt Templates. Now we’ve got the same easy-to-use files for zip-up and pullover Blank Hoodie Templates!

Blank Hoodie Templates American Apparel F497

Using templates to create your mock ups is great for showing what your finished products will look like. All you have to do is download the file, place your vectored designs and edit the color of the hoodie. You can even add a background to customize your presentation! Create your mock-ups using Illustrator, Photoshop or a similar editing program.

There are many benefits to taking the time to do this. Having a printout of your products in a look book or line sheet allows you to shop your designs around to wholesale buyers. You can even use these templates as a substitute for product shots or model images on your e-store! Show off your designs to customers and start bringing in orders—all before you actually print!

Vector Blank Hoodie Templates

Blank Hoodie Templates American Apparel F497

Spec’d Illustrator Template Pack

[download id=”1046″]

Spec Pack Details:

-Includes a free AI file for 1) classic unisex zip up hoodie spec’d to the American Apparel F497 2) classic pullover hooded sweatshirt spec’d to the American Apparel F498

-Edit file in Illustrator or save as a PDF to edit in other programs

-Change the t-shirt color & add your designs

-Ideal for look books, line sheets & catalogs

-Offers a technical view of your product

-Must Have Adobe Illustrator

Realistic Blank Hoodie Templates

Blank Hoodie Templates Independent Trading Co AFX400

Realistic PNG Pack

[download id=”1048″]

PNG Pack Details:

-Includes free front & back PNG images for1) classic zip-up hoodie Independent Trading Company AFX90UNZ 2) classic hooded pullover sweatshirt Independent Trading Company AFX400

-Edit file in various programs

-Easy to use for beginners

-Change t-shirt color, add your designs & add a background

-Ideal for product images, promotional material, look books, line sheets & catalogs

-Offers a more realistic view without specs

Blank Hoodie Templates Bella+Canvas 3939

Design Tool

If you’re looking to get a quote for screen printing but want to see your mock up before you pay, visit our Design Tool! Here you can choose your garments, upload your artwork and start designing. Feel free to toy around with colors and styles until you’ve got it right. You can even get 10% off your order when you check out through the design tool!

 

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Best Jogger Pants 2016!

Best Jogger pants For 2016

The revolution has begun pick up your joggers at blankstyle.com today. We have a large selection of the best jogger pants available in 2016 at wholesale prices.

Best Jogger Pants - Alternative Apparel

Photo courtesy of Alternative Apparel. Pictured: Ladies 31082F Fleece Jogger & Men’s 09881F Dodgeball Pant

Joggers have become one of the hottest projected items in printed apparel for spring 2016. With comfort and style, this sporty staple appeals to all kinds of customers! From gym rats to style bloggers, busy moms and college kids, the laidback look has it all. view all Joggers!

Generally made with cotton and polyester, these pants make a great canvas for your company’s printed logo and designs. Because of the weight, they also make a great option for embroidery and patch appliques! We’ve got a few notable styles that will help add some flair to your clothing line and closet alike this season–all at wholesale prices! View our opinion of the best jogger pants for 2016 here!

Best Jogger Pants - Alternative Apparel

2822 Alternative Apparel Women’s Stripe Jogger Pants

Jogger Pants

Alternative Apparel, one of the leading brands in printed retail apparel, currently offers two women’s styles with superior construction and quality materials. The 31082F Ladies Fleece Jogger starts at $21.46 and the 2822 Stripe Jogger starts at $19.38. The Men’s 09881F Dodgeball Pant comes in a classic military camo print, as well as the 31082F! Please keep in mind that proof of business is required to order Alternative Apparel products at wholesale prices!

Best Jogger Pants - Cotton Heritage

M7620 Cotton Heritage Fleece Rib Jogger Pants

Best Jogger Pants

Cotton heritage is one of the emerging brands in the imprintable clothing market—creating a lot of buzz with their quality men’s tees and popular women’s tanks. They’ve now released a men’s Fleece Rib Jogger Pant M7620 available in a variety of colors. They even have a Fleece Jogger Short for the hotter weather! This jogger pant starts at just $12.87—making it a complete steal and instant best-seller! Especially considering there is no minimum order and no business verification is required to order!

Best Jogger Pants - J. America

8944 J. America – Women’s Zen Fleece Jogger Pants

Best Jogger Pants Wholesale

J. America, another prominent brand for blanks, now has two different women’s jogger styles. The 8943 Glitter Jogger features a tri-blend fabric with flecks of metallic glitter woven in with the cotton and polyester. The other style, the 8944 Zen Fleece Jogger has been acid washed to produce stylized fading along the seams and hems for a more vintage look. Starting at $20.49 and $21.75 respectively, these pants will add a high-end touch to any product mix! No minimum or wholesale verification required!

After finding the perfect jogger pants, don’t forget to explore our full range of wholesale blank t-shirts, offering a variety of styles and brands to meet all your apparel needs.

Getting ready to print your spring and summer orders? Don’t forget to checkout our Spring pantone blog Screen Printing the 2016 Color Trends for inside scoop on the best color choices!

Chelsey on Google+

Blank T Shirt Templates 6 Must-Haves

Blank T Shirt Templates must have vector packs!

2001 imageso, you’ve got your t-shirts ready to sell on your website but you’re missing one important thing–the product shots and mock-ups. Stop right there! Well rounded images are the number one way to sell your products online because shoppers really depend on the pictures. Cutting corners will only hurt you. Using Blank T Shirt Templates to create free mock-ups of your designs is the first step to start selling your products!

Maybe you’re waiting on the printed shirts to arrive. Maybe your screen printer drop ships to all your customers and you never actually have any tees on hand. Either way, using a t-shirt template is a great way to get a head start on selling. Simply place your vectored design onto the template and edit the t-shirt to match your colors! You can even add a custom background!

Once you’ve designed your mock-ups, put them together in a look book or line sheet to showcase your tees to potential wholesale buyers. Or post them to your website and start pulling in those orders—all before you print your first run!

Vector Blank T Shirt Templates

Blank T Shirt Templates

Spec’d Illustrator Template Pack

[download id=”1037″]

Spec Pack Details:

-Includes a free AI file for 1) classic men’s crewneck tee spec’d to the American Apparel 2001 2) classic women’s crewneck tee spec’d to the Next Level 3300L and 3) classic youth crewneck tee spec’d to the Gildan G500B 4) blank polo template spec’d to the Ogio OG122

-Edit file in Illustrator or save as a PDF to edit in other programs

-Change the t-shirt color & layer your designs onto the file

-Ideal for look books, line sheets & catalogs

-Offers a technical view of your product

-Must Have Adobe Illustrator

Realistic Blank T Shirt Templates

Blank T Shirt Templates Anvil 779

Realistic PNG Pack

[download id=”1040″]

PNG Pack Details:

-Includes free font & back PNG images for 1) classic men’s crewneck tee Anvil 779 2) classic women’s crewneck tee BELLA+CANVAS 6004

-Edit file in various programs

-Change t-shirt color, layer your designs & add a background

-Ideal for product images, promotional material, look books, line sheets & catalogs

-Offers a more realistic depiction without measurements

Design Tool

Create your own Blank T Shirt Templates in the Design Tool Next Level 3900

For those of you looking for a screen print price quote but want to see the mock up first, visit our Design Tool! There we’ve got dozens of styles and designs to choose from and you can even upload your own artwork to get a realistic view of how your designs will look. Spend some time toying around with your ideas, then get your price quote when you’re ready. You can even get a 10% discount for checking out through the design tool!

 

Stay tuned for our next blog–Free Blank Hoodie Templates for Starting Your Clothing Line!

Chelsey on Google+