Top 10 Places to Buy Apparel Blanks in Bulk

If you have ever weeded a gorgeous design, pressed it perfectly… and then watched the blank shirt twist, shrink, or pill after one wash, you already know this truth: your blank matters just as much as your vinyl.

When I ran my custom vinyl shop, blanks were where profit was made or lost. The goal is not just “cheap.” The goal is consistent sizing, predictable colors, and fabrics that press beautifully with HTV or hold up for simple, short-term adhesive vinyl applications on things like event totes.

Below are my favorite places to buy high-quality t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and tote bags for Cricut crafts, whether you are making gifts, running a side hustle, or prepping for a big school fundraiser. A few are true wholesalers, and a few are bulk-friendly retailers. I use both, depending on the job.

Quick tips before you order

• Order one test blank first if you are new to a brand or fabric blend. Press it, wash it, and see how it behaves.
• For HTV: look for smooth knits and stable blends like 100% ringspun cotton or 50/50. Triblends can be dreamy but sometimes need gentler heat and pressure.
• For sublimation: you generally want high polyester content (or sublimation-ready coated blanks) for the brightest results.
• For tote bags: thick canvas is sturdy, but very textured weaves can make small details harder to stick. Medium-weight cotton canvas is a sweet spot.
• Know the difference between wholesale, bulk, and retail-on-sale. Some distributors require an account and may have minimums. Pricing might be case-based or per-piece depending on the supplier and item.
• Check return policies on blanks. Some suppliers only accept returns on unopened packs.

Top 10 places to buy blanks in bulk

Each pick below is Cricut-crafter friendly and widely used by decorators, small shops, and maker businesses. Some are traditional wholesalers and some are bulk sellers with fast shipping and smaller minimums. I am focusing on sources where you can consistently find the staple brands most of us press every week.

1) S&S Activewear

Best for: Huge selection of trusted blank brands, great filters, and reliable restocks.

Account note: Typically a wholesale-style account. Requirements vary by location and customer type.

S&S is one of the first places I check when I need to match a previous order exactly. You will find staples like Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Next Level, Independent Trading Co., Jerzees, Comfort Colors, and more. Their site is easy to browse by fabric, weight, and color families, which saves so much time when you are trying to match school colors or brand palettes.

• What to buy here: Unisex tees, fashion tees, crewnecks, hoodies, youth basics, and brand-name blanks.
• Crafting note: For HTV, ringspun cotton and 50/50 blends from these major brands tend to press very predictably.
• Style examples: Bella+Canvas 3001, Gildan 64000, Independent SS4500.

2) SanMar

Best for: Premium basics and a huge range of colors, plus popular brand lines used by decorators.

Account note: Wholesale-style. Many buyers set up an account before ordering.

SanMar is a powerhouse in the blank apparel world. If you are making team gear, company apparel, or anything where color consistency matters, SanMar is a go-to. They carry a lot of the brands decorators love and have strong inventory on core items.

• What to buy here: Polos, outerwear, hoodies, sweatshirts, performance shirts, and consistent-color basics.
• Crafting note: Performance and “sport” fabrics can require different HTV types and lower heat. Always test press.

3) AlphaBroder

Best for: Broad brand selection with lots of everyday workhorse blanks.

Account note: Wholesale-style. Some regions and programs have specific requirements.

AlphaBroder is another long-standing distributor that many small shops use for steady supply. If you are building a consistent catalog of blanks for your Cricut-made designs, having an AlphaBroder account can make life easier, especially when certain colors or sizes are out elsewhere.

• What to buy here: Basic tees and hoodies, youth sizes, and dependable bulk items.
• Crafting note: Compare fabric weights when you swap brands. A “heavy cotton” tee and a ringspun fashion tee feel totally different under vinyl.

4) JiffyShirts

Best for: Fast shipping, small mixed orders, and a low-stress way to restock without case quantities.

Account note: Generally open to the public. No wholesale paperwork in most cases.

JiffyShirts is not always the cheapest per piece compared to true distributor pricing, but it is extremely convenient, especially when you need blanks quickly without overbuying. I also like it for grabbing a mix of sizes and colors for a single order.

• What to buy here: Mixed-size runs, last-minute restocks, and popular tees and hoodies.
• Crafting note: Great for testing a few brands side-by-side before you commit to bigger quantities elsewhere.

5) ShirtSpace

Best for: Solid pricing on popular blanks and easy browsing for newer makers.

Account note: Typically open to the public with bulk price breaks.

ShirtSpace is another maker-friendly option with a wide selection of standard decorating blanks. If you are newer and want an easy shopping experience, their categories and product pages make it simple to compare fabrics, weights, and color options.

• What to buy here: Everyday tees, long sleeves, sweatshirts, hoodies, and some tote options.
• Crafting note: Watch for fabric blend changes between colors within the same product line. Some heather colors have different fiber content.

6) Blankstyle

Best for: Trendy blanks and fashion-forward fits, especially for smaller batch ordering.

Account note: Generally open to the public. Bulk discounts vary by item.

If you make boutique-style designs, Blankstyle is worth bookmarking. They carry many of the same brands you see in influencer merch and small clothing lines. It is a handy place to shop when you want that specific feel and silhouette, like a retail-style unisex tee or a cozy heavyweight hoodie.

• What to buy here: Fashion tees, cropped styles, premium hoodies, and on-trend colorways.
• Crafting note: Heavier garments generally take HTV beautifully, but adjust your press time and pressure for thick seams and pockets.

7) BulkApparel

Best for: Easy bulk ordering across lots of brands when you want one cart with everything.

Account note: Typically open to the public with bulk pricing.

BulkApparel is a practical option when you need a wide variety of blanks without jumping between multiple sites. You can shop tons of familiar styles and compare colors, sizes, and price breaks, which is helpful when you are quoting a larger order or building a small menu of blanks for customers to choose from.

• What to buy here: Core tees, fleece basics, long sleeves, and bulk event shirts.
• Crafting note: Double-check style numbers before you reorder. Small differences like “softstyle” vs. “heavy cotton” can change how HTV lays and how the shirt fits.
• Style examples: Gildan 5000 vs. Gildan 64000 is a classic swap that changes the feel a lot.

8) ApparelGator

Best for: Budget-friendly bulk blanks and straightforward ordering for big groups.

Account note: Typically open to the public.

ApparelGator can be a helpful source if you are trying to keep costs down for big group orders like family reunion shirts, charity runs, or school spirit wear. Selection varies, but it is worth checking when you are price-shopping a basic tee or hoodie.

• What to buy here: Value tees, basic hoodies, and bulk-friendly staples.
• Crafting note: When you go budget, test for shrinkage and texture. Pre-washing blanks (without fabric softener) can prevent surprises after pressing.

9) ToteBagFactory

Best for: Tote bags and cotton canvas bags in bulk.

Account note: Generally open to the public with quantity discounts.

If tote bags are a big part of your Cricut lineup, having a dedicated tote supplier is such a win. ToteBagFactory specializes in bags, so you can usually find more size and handle options than you will on a general apparel site.

• What to buy here: Cotton canvas totes, drawstring bags, and bulk packs for events.
• Crafting note: For adhesive vinyl on fabric, keep expectations realistic. It is best for short-term or low-wash use. For washable totes, HTV is usually the more durable choice. A pressing pillow helps over seams and thick hems.

10) DHgate

Best for: Exploring niche accessories or ultra-bulk options only if you have time to vet sellers and verify compliance.

Account note: Marketplace. You buy from individual sellers, not one consistent supplier.

DHgate is a marketplace, not a single warehouse. That can mean big variety and tempting pricing, but also more variability and more risk. If you decide to shop here, order samples first and read recent reviews carefully. Build extra time into your schedule for shipping delays, duties or taxes, and quality checks. Also be cautious about trademark and counterfeit exposure. If you are selling finished products, protecting your business is worth more than shaving pennies off a blank.

• What to buy here: Specialty accessories or hard-to-source items where you can sample, confirm specs, and document what you received.
• Crafting note: Expect inconsistency in sizing and fabric, even within the same listing. Plan for extra testing before you take customer orders.

Quick pick guide

• Want true distributor selection and reliable reorders: S&S Activewear, SanMar, AlphaBroder.
• Need smaller mixed orders fast: JiffyShirts, ShirtSpace.
• Shopping fashion fits and trend colors: Blankstyle.
• Building one big cart for an event: BulkApparel, ApparelGator.
• Totes are your thing: ToteBagFactory.

My go-to blanks

If you want a simple starting point for Cricut projects, these are the boring in the best way blanks that usually behave:

• Everyday HTV tee: Ringspun cotton or 50/50 tee from a major blank brand, midweight.
• Soft boutique tee: Retail-style ringspun unisex tee. Size up if you like a looser fit.
• Cozy hoodie: Midweight fleece with a smooth face for clean HTV adhesion.
• Event tote: Medium-weight cotton canvas tote in natural or black.

How to compare blanks

Check fabric content

Fiber content affects everything from press settings to how your finished design looks. Cotton is forgiving for HTV. Polyester-heavy garments are great for sublimation and performance wear, but can be more heat sensitive.

Look at weight and knit

A lightweight tee can feel amazing but may show press lines more easily. A thicker knit is often easier for beginners because it feels more stable when you press.

Confirm size charts

Two “unisex” tees can fit completely differently. Before you buy 100 of anything, open the size chart and compare chest width and body length.

Plan for color consistency

If you are making sets, reorder the same style number and color name each time. Even then, there can be slight dye lot differences, so ordering all at once is safest for large group orders.

FAQ

Do I need a business license to buy wholesale blanks?

It depends on the supplier. Some distributors require a business account and may ask for resale documentation, while many bulk-friendly sites sell to anyone. If you are not sure, check the account or FAQ section before you fill your cart.

What blanks are easiest for beginners with HTV?

Midweight cotton or cotton-poly blends with a smooth surface are the easiest. They press evenly, weed cleanly, and are less fussy about heat than very stretchy performance fabrics.

What is the biggest mistake when buying bulk blanks online?

Buying a case before testing one. Even within a great brand, different styles fit differently. Order a single unit or small pack first, then scale up once you love how it presses and washes.

Are tote bags better with HTV or adhesive vinyl?

Both can work, but for fabric that will be washed or flexed a lot, HTV is usually more durable. Adhesive vinyl can be fine for quick event totes that will not be laundered often, but it is more prone to lifting over time.

Final thought

Good blanks feel like an invisible supply because they do their job quietly. They press well, wash well, and let your design be the star. Pick one or two sources from this list, order a small test batch, and start building your personal blank lineup from there. Your Cricut projects will look more professional overnight, and you will waste a whole lot less vinyl in the process.