If you run a print shop, a clothing brand, or a side hustle pressing shirts at home, your blank t-shirt supplier is one of the biggest factors in your profit. Buying wholesale blank t-shirts in bulk keeps your cost per piece low, but only if you pick the right tee, the right weight, and the right supplier. Here's what decorators in Los Angeles (and everywhere we ship) should know before placing a bulk order.
Why Buy Blank T-Shirts Wholesale?
Retail blanks can cost several dollars a shirt before you've printed a thing. Wholesale pricing changes the math: at Halo26, many of our blank t-shirts start under $2 a piece. That gives you room to price competitively, run promos, and still make a real margin. If you're not sure how to price your finished shirts, read our guide on how to price custom apparel made from wholesale blanks.
What to Compare When Buying Bulk T-Shirts
1. Fabric weight (GSM)
Weight tells you how the tee feels and how it holds up. A quick cheat sheet:
- Lightweight (around 135 GSM): budget-friendly, great for events, giveaways, and high-volume orders. Try the 3M135 Blank Cotton Unisex Tee.
- Everyday weight (around 150 GSM): the sweet spot for most brands. The Casual Classics CR1500 is 100% soft ringspun cotton and runs up to 5XL.
- Midweight (175 to 180 GSM): a more premium, retail-ready feel. See the K31103 175 GSM tee or our 180 GSM unisex tee.
2. Fabric content
100% cotton is the go-to for screen printing and DTF. Cotton/poly blends like our 60/40 Everyday Tee 503 add softness and reduce shrinkage.
3. Size range
Customers ask for 3XL and up more than ever. Check that your supplier stocks extended sizes in the colors you need. The Gildan G500 Heavy Cotton goes up to 6XL, and our plus size buying guide covers sizing tips.
4. Brand vs. value blanks
Big-name brands like Gildan are familiar to customers, while value brands like 3 Monkeys and Casual Classics give you a similar print surface at a lower cost. Many of our customers stock both: a name brand for retail drops and a value blank for bulk orders. Compare the Gildan options in Gildan G500 vs G640 vs G200.
Buying Blanks Locally in Los Angeles
Halo26 operates out of our own warehouse in Los Angeles. That means shorter transit times across Southern California and the West Coast, and the option to pair your blanks with custom DTF gang sheets printed in-house. Need transfers fast? Add our same-day rush option to your order.
One Supplier for Blanks and DTF Transfers
Instead of ordering shirts from one wholesaler and transfers from another, you can get both from Halo26:
- Short sleeve blank tees in cotton and blends
- Blank sweatshirts and hoodies for fall and winter
- DTF gang sheets built to your artwork
- Ready-to-press transfers if you'd rather skip the design work
New to DTF? Try our free DTF sample pack to test the print quality before you commit, then follow our step-by-step pressing guide.
Tips for Your First Bulk Order
- Start with your best-selling colors. Black, white, and heather grey move fastest for most shops.
- Follow a size curve. Most orders lean heavy on M, L, and XL, with fewer S and 2XL+.
- Order a few extra. A small buffer covers misprints and last-minute adds.
- Match the blank to the print method. See DTF vs. screen printing for help deciding.
FAQ
Is there a minimum order for wholesale blank t-shirts?
You can shop blanks by the piece on our site, which makes it easy to test a style before stocking up. Read more in how to start a clothing brand with no-minimum blanks.
Are your blanks good for DTF and screen printing?
Yes. Our cotton tees work with both DTF and screen printing, and product pages note which styles are DTF-ready.
Where are you located?
Halo26 is based in Los Angeles, California. Questions about bulk pricing? Email info@halo26.com.
Ready to stock up? Shop wholesale blank t-shirts at Halo26.