How to Price Custom Apparel Made From Wholesale Blanks
Underpricing is one of the most common mistakes new apparel sellers make — usually because the math only accounts for the blank, not the full cost of getting a finished product into a customer's hands.
The Real Cost Stack
- Blank cost — your wholesale price per unit.
- Decoration cost — ink, screens or DTF film, thread, labor/time.
- Packaging & shipping — mailers, labels, and fulfillment time.
- Platform or payment fees — Shopify, Etsy, or marketplace cuts.
- Your time — design, customer service, and order management aren't free.
A Simple Formula to Start With
Add up your total cost per unit (blank + decoration + packaging + fees), then apply a markup — most small apparel brands target a 2.5x to 3x markup over total cost to leave room for sales, discounts, and reorders without eating your margin.
Don't Forget Size-Based Costs
Plus-size blanks and heavier garments like sweaters often cost more per unit than a standard tee. Price accordingly — either a flat upcharge for extended sizes or a size-based pricing tier — rather than absorbing the cost difference and shrinking your margin on your most loyal, hardest-to-serve customers.
Testing Price Points
Since you're not locked into huge minimum orders, you can test a design at a couple of price points across small batches before committing to a "final" price for a bestseller.
Keep Your Blank Costs Low to Start
The lower and more predictable your blank cost, the more flexibility you have on pricing. Buying by the dozen with no minimums — instead of committing to a gross per style — keeps your upfront cash exposure low while you dial in pricing.
Shop Wholesale Blanks → · Apply for a Wholesale Account →
Shop the blanks in this guide: Gildan G500 Heavy Cotton Tee · UMI Hooded Sweater
Related reading: How to Start a Clothing Brand with No-Minimum Blanks · DIY Crafter's Guide to Buying Blanks in Bulk