Launching a fashion brand, merch line, or e-commerce store is exciting — but one of the most defining decisions you’ll make is choosing the right clothing manufacturer.
Your production partner doesn’t just supply garments; they shape your margins, creative freedom, brand identity, and ability to scale.
The challenge? There’s no single “best” manufacturer. The right choice depends on your vision, budget, and growth stage.
For most brands, the decision falls into one of three main production approaches:
-
Blanks Suppliers – Using pre-made garments as the foundation.
-
Print-on-Demand (POD) – Printing only what you sell, with zero inventory.
-
Custom Production – Designing and manufacturing from scratch.
Each path comes with opportunities and trade-offs. Let’s break them down.
1. Blanks Suppliers
What They Are
Working with blank suppliers is often the first step many clothing brands take. You start with pre-made garments — t-shirts, hoodies, caps, sweatpants, and more — and then add your own branding through printing or embroidery.
This model is popular because it reduces complexity, lowers costs, and allows a brand to go to market quickly. Blanks suppliers provide the foundation: ready-made garments you can relabel, decorate, and sell. It’s a plug-and-play model that helps brands validate ideas before investing heavily in production infrastructure.
How It Works: Three Ways to Customize Blanks
The key decision isn’t just which blanks supplier to choose — it’s also how you’ll customize them. Generally, there are three main approaches:
1. Doing the Printing or Embroidery Yourself
What it means:
You buy a heat press, screen-printing setup, or embroidery machine, and decorate the blanks in-house.
Pros:
- Full creative control.
- Immediate turnaround — no waiting on third parties.
- Potentially higher margins since you cut out the middleman.
Cons:
- Requires investment in equipment, inks, threads, and training.
- Time-consuming, especially as you scale.
- Risk of inconsistent quality if not professionally managed.
This route often works for local streetwear brands or artists launching limited drops. It’s hands-on, creative, and community-driven — but operationally demanding as you grow.
2. Partnering with a Local Print Shop or Embroiderer
What it means:
You buy blanks from a supplier (like René Bassett) and send them to a specialized printing or embroidery service.
Pros:
- Access to professional-grade techniques (screen printing, DTG, sublimation, premium embroidery).
- More consistent quality than DIY setups.
- Scalable — increase production without new machinery.
Cons:
- Added logistics (shipping blanks to and from print shops).
- Slightly higher per-unit costs.
- Longer lead times depending on the shop’s schedule.
This model suits small-to-medium brands that need professional finishes without running their own print operation.
3. Letting the Blank Supplier Handle Decoration
What it means:
Some blank suppliers — including René Bassett — offer in-house printing and embroidery services, so you can order finished products directly.
Pros:
- Simplifies the supply chain — one partner for both blanks and decoration.
- Faster turnaround since production happens at the source.
- Lower shipping costs (no need to move goods between providers).
- Higher quality control — blanks and decoration managed by the same supplier.
Cons:
- Potentially higher MOQs (minimum order quantities).
- Less flexibility in decoration methods if the supplier’s options are limited.
For many modern brands, this is the most efficient route. It reduces complexity and allows you to focus on design, marketing, and storytelling rather than production logistics.
Pros & Cons of Using Blank Suppliers
Pros:
- Speed to market: launch in weeks, not months.
- Affordability: low upfront investment.
- Accessibility: ideal for startups and creative entrepreneurs.
Cons:
- Harder brand differentiation — everyone starts with similar silhouettes.
- What makes the difference is artwork, storytelling, and presentation.
Examples: How Brands Like Supreme and Represent Started
Supreme
When Supreme first launched in New York in 1994, the brand didn’t have the scale, infrastructure, or budget to produce fully custom garments from scratch. Like many streetwear labels of that era, Supreme relied heavily on blanks — primarily t-shirts, hoodies, and caps — which they customized through screen printing and embroidery.
Why Supreme Started with Blanks?
-
Speed to market: Buying blanks meant they could release designs quickly without long production cycles.
-
Low upfront investment: Custom manufacturing requires big MOQs (minimum order quantities), while blanks allowed them to buy in smaller batches.
-
Streetwear culture fit: The early skate/streetwear scene was heavily DIY — printing graphics on blanks was the standard way brands operated.
-
Focus on design, not production: Supreme concentrated on graphics, cultural references, and building a community, while leaving garment production to blanks suppliers.
Evolution Later?
Over time, as the brand grew, Supreme moved into custom production, creating fully custom pieces with unique fabrics, fits, and collaborations (e.g., with Nike, Louis Vuitton). But those first iconic box logo tees and hoodies were indeed printed on blanks — similar to how many independent streetwear brands still begin today.
Represent
Yes — Represent Clothing (UK) also began in a very similar way to Supreme and other streetwear pioneers: by using blanks as the foundation for their early collections.
Represent’s Early Days
- Founded by George and Michael Heaton in Manchester, UK (2012), Represent started out extremely small.
- Their first pieces were graphic t-shirts printed on blanks — exactly because it was the fastest and most affordable way to launch.
- Like many independent streetwear brands, they tapped into screen-printing and embroidery on standard garments before moving into more complex products.
Growth and Shift to Custom
- As the brand gained traction, they began investing in custom production, moving away from stock blanks.
- Today, Represent is known for its premium streetwear, with custom-developed fabrics, silhouettes, and a strong luxury-inspired aesthetic — a big step up from the humble blank tees they started with.
The Pattern
This trajectory is actually a common streetwear success formula:
-
Start with blanks → focus on graphics, storytelling, and brand identity.
-
Build a community → create demand and hype.
-
Move into cut-and-sew → elevate quality, differentiate from other blank-based brands, and command higher prices.
2. Print-on-Demand (POD)
What It Is
Print-on-Demand (POD) flips the traditional supply chain. Instead of buying in bulk, you upload designs to a platform (like Printful or Printify), and garments are produced only when an order is placed. Techniques include DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, sublimation, and embroidery.
Pros
-
Zero upfront investment: No inventory required.
-
Scalability: Add new products overnight.
-
Design testing: Ideal for experimenting with graphics or seasonal drops.
Cons
-
Higher per-unit costs: Lower margins compared to bulk production.
-
Limited garment control: Few fabric or cut options.
-
Less quality consistency: Dependent on POD provider’s standards.
Examples
Many influencers, YouTubers, and creators rely on POD for quick merch drops. It’s a powerful entry point — you can launch a global brand with little more than design files and marketing savvy.
3. Custom Production
What It Is
Custom manufacturing means creating garments from scratch — from fabric sourcing to stitching, trims, and packaging. It’s the most resource-intensive path but also the most brand-defining.
Pros
-
Total creative freedom: Every element reflects your vision, from fabric until packing.
-
Brand differentiation: Stand apart from competitors with unique silhouettes and textiles.
-
Premium positioning: Essential for brands aiming at luxury or lifestyle markets.
Cons
-
Higher costs: Materials, sampling, and production all add up.
-
Larger MOQs: You’ll need to commit to volume.
-
Longer lead times: Full production can take months.
Scaling Path
Many successful brands start with blanks or POD, then transition into custom production once they have traction and capital. This evolution signals a brand moving from experimentation to maturity.
Brands like René Bassett exemplify this path — leveraging blanks to test collections, build community, and eventually investing in fully custom manufacturing to elevate their product and brand story.
Conclusion
Answering the question “How to Choose a Clothing Manufacturer?” isn’t just about cost — it’s about aligning production with your brand’s goals and growth stage.
-
Blanks help you launch quickly and test the market.
-
POD lets you scale with low risk and experiment easily.
-
Custom production establishes a unique identity and premium positioning.
As the fashion industry evolves, sustainability, transparency, and ethical production will become non-negotiables. The future belongs to brands that combine creativity with responsible manufacturing.
👉 Your next step: define where your brand stands today, where you want it to go, and choose the production path that best supports that journey.
How to Choose a Clothing Manufacturer: A Guide to Blanks, POD, and Custom Production
Launching a fashion brand, merch line, or e-commerce store is exciting — but one of the most defining decisions you’ll make is choosing the right clothing manufacturer.
Your production partner doesn’t just supply garments; they shape your margins, creative freedom, brand identity, and ability to scale.
The challenge? There’s no single “best” manufacturer. The right choice depends on your vision, budget, and growth stage.
For most brands, the decision falls into one of three main production approaches:
Each path comes with opportunities and trade-offs. Let’s break them down.
1. Blanks Suppliers
What They Are
Working with blank suppliers is often the first step many clothing brands take. You start with pre-made garments — t-shirts, hoodies, caps, sweatpants, and more — and then add your own branding through printing or embroidery.
This model is popular because it reduces complexity, lowers costs, and allows a brand to go to market quickly. Blanks suppliers provide the foundation: ready-made garments you can relabel, decorate, and sell. It’s a plug-and-play model that helps brands validate ideas before investing heavily in production infrastructure.
How It Works: Three Ways to Customize Blanks
The key decision isn’t just which blanks supplier to choose — it’s also how you’ll customize them. Generally, there are three main approaches:
1. Doing the Printing or Embroidery Yourself
What it means:
You buy a heat press, screen-printing setup, or embroidery machine, and decorate the blanks in-house.
Pros:
Cons:
This route often works for local streetwear brands or artists launching limited drops. It’s hands-on, creative, and community-driven — but operationally demanding as you grow.
2. Partnering with a Local Print Shop or Embroiderer
What it means:
You buy blanks from a supplier (like René Bassett) and send them to a specialized printing or embroidery service.
Pros:
Cons:
This model suits small-to-medium brands that need professional finishes without running their own print operation.
3. Letting the Blank Supplier Handle Decoration
What it means:
Some blank suppliers — including René Bassett — offer in-house printing and embroidery services, so you can order finished products directly.
Pros:
Cons:
For many modern brands, this is the most efficient route. It reduces complexity and allows you to focus on design, marketing, and storytelling rather than production logistics.
Pros & Cons of Using Blank Suppliers
Pros:
Cons:
Examples: How Brands Like Supreme and Represent Started
Supreme
When Supreme first launched in New York in 1994, the brand didn’t have the scale, infrastructure, or budget to produce fully custom garments from scratch. Like many streetwear labels of that era, Supreme relied heavily on blanks — primarily t-shirts, hoodies, and caps — which they customized through screen printing and embroidery.
Why Supreme Started with Blanks?
Evolution Later?
Over time, as the brand grew, Supreme moved into custom production, creating fully custom pieces with unique fabrics, fits, and collaborations (e.g., with Nike, Louis Vuitton). But those first iconic box logo tees and hoodies were indeed printed on blanks — similar to how many independent streetwear brands still begin today.
Represent
Yes — Represent Clothing (UK) also began in a very similar way to Supreme and other streetwear pioneers: by using blanks as the foundation for their early collections.
Represent’s Early Days
Growth and Shift to Custom
The Pattern
This trajectory is actually a common streetwear success formula:
2. Print-on-Demand (POD)
What It Is
Print-on-Demand (POD) flips the traditional supply chain. Instead of buying in bulk, you upload designs to a platform (like Printful or Printify), and garments are produced only when an order is placed. Techniques include DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, sublimation, and embroidery.
Pros
Cons
Examples
Many influencers, YouTubers, and creators rely on POD for quick merch drops. It’s a powerful entry point — you can launch a global brand with little more than design files and marketing savvy.
3. Custom Production
What It Is
Custom manufacturing means creating garments from scratch — from fabric sourcing to stitching, trims, and packaging. It’s the most resource-intensive path but also the most brand-defining.
Pros
Cons
Scaling Path
Many successful brands start with blanks or POD, then transition into custom production once they have traction and capital. This evolution signals a brand moving from experimentation to maturity.
Brands like René Bassett exemplify this path — leveraging blanks to test collections, build community, and eventually investing in fully custom manufacturing to elevate their product and brand story.
Conclusion
Answering the question “How to Choose a Clothing Manufacturer?” isn’t just about cost — it’s about aligning production with your brand’s goals and growth stage.
As the fashion industry evolves, sustainability, transparency, and ethical production will become non-negotiables. The future belongs to brands that combine creativity with responsible manufacturing.
👉 Your next step: define where your brand stands today, where you want it to go, and choose the production path that best supports that journey.