Want to wear your favorite band’s merch WITHOUT spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars?
Rocking awesome band merch can be costly. Shirts from the venue are $40-$60 a pop. Buying directly from band sites costs even more. Vintage t-shirts from past tours? Forget about it, those will run you $100+.
Don’t worry, friend.
There’s a better way to curate a high-quality band merch wardrobe. And no, we’re not talking about relentless scouring of thrift shops (though that can help too). It all starts by learning how wholesale blank apparel works.
Here’s What You’ll Learn
- Why Official Merch Is So Ridiculously Expensive
- The Wholesale Blank Apparel Strategy
- Where To Find The Best Blanks
- How To Smartly Build Your Wardrobe
- The Printing Methods That Work Best
Why Official Merch Is So Ridiculously Expensive
Breaking down cost is always helpful when it comes to figuring out how to spend less.
Band and artist partners only receive between 15-35% of profits from that $45 concert t-shirt you’re buying. Venue fees, production costs, licensing, distributors, and middlemen soak up most of the rest.
That doesn’t even take into account limited edition releases or tour-exclusive items. This creates an illusion of scarcity. Fans scramble to buy overpriced merchandise because they’re worried about missing out. Shortages are intentionally manufactured then sold at higher prices.
After merchandise launches officially, you better believe scalpers and resale marketplaces make bank on shoppers even worse markups.
The blank apparel industry paints a different picture.
According to research, the global blank apparel market size reached $15.23 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 5.3% CAGR through 2030. Why? Wholesale blanks were discovered by the general public as a way to customize your own garments for WAY cheaper than buying brand names.
Wholesale Blank Apparel Strategy
You’ve probably seen this strategy go down a thousand times over.
Screen printers have used it for decades. Brands both big and small utilize this strategy every day. Heck, even your Grandma has most likely made t-shirts using this tactic at least once.
They buy their blank products in bulk at wholesale prices THEN print designs of their choosing on them.
When it comes to making band merchandise for yourself, it’s time to follow their lead.
Instead of overpaying $45+ for retail merch, you can purchase high-quality blank apparel at wholesale prices THEN add your favorite bands or albums to them however you’d like. The savings you’ll learn how to earn from this strategy are absurd.
Buying a quality plain white shirt from suppliers like Shirt Max will cost you anywhere from $3-8 depending on the brand you choose and how many you buy. That’s right… up to 80% cheaper than buying retail BEFORE you spend a penny on printing.
BUT WAIT… Printing our own means low quality right?
WRONG.
The wholesale blank apparel industry has changed. There are brands like Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and Comfort Colors who offer high-quality blanks that rival (and out-do) many of the brands used for official merch.
Here’s the crazy part…
Did you know most bands buy their merch FROM these wholesalers? They purchase their blank products in bulk, add their logo, and mark the price up to sell on their own sites. You can eliminate the middleman and essentially receive the same base product for a low low price.
Where To Find Quality Blanks
Knowing where to look is half the battle.
Here are your best sources to find blank apparel:
- Online wholesale distributors that sell to the general public
- Local screen printing suppliers with retail locations
- Discount retailers during clearance sales
Keep in mind that apparel is split into categories such as shirts, tanks, jackets, sweaters, hoodies, and more. Wholesale apparel sells the most on t-shirts and tank tops, consisting of nearly half of all sales in 2024.
Shop around within these categories to discover which brands you like best. There are TONS of options when it comes to blank apparel.
Quality Indicators You Should Look For:
- Ring-spun cotton material (feels softer)
- Side-seamed construction
- Pre-shrunk
- Between 4.2-6.0oz
Hoodies and sweatshirt blanks are increasing in demand right now. There’s no better merchandise clothing item that goes great with band apparel. They’re versatile, great for layering, and have more surface area to print detailed designs on.
How To Smartly Build Your Band Merch Wardrobe
Purchasing random shirts without a strategy leads to chaos. You’ll end up with holes in your closet you’ll never fill and spend more money in the process.
Buy from the categories mentioned above. Look for solid basics in neutral colors.
Stock Up On Basics
You should own a few fitted black t-shirts. Black is king when it comes to band merchandise. Invest in 5-7 plain black shirts to start. From there you can slowly build quality hoodies and long sleeve options.
Plan Your Designs Around…
- Favorite albums/tours
- Band logos/artwork
- Past tour dates you attended
- Obscure songs only true fans know
Think about it, anyone can buy an official tour shirt with the bands biggest song emblazoned all over it. However, who else is going to have that shirt you made custom with the inside joke you and your concert buddies made during a random pit moment?
Printings & Methods That Work
There are several ways to get your designs on your merch. Each method differs based on how much you want to make at one time.
Simple vs Complex Designs:
- Simple = Screen Printing
- Complex = Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Small Orders vs Large Orders:
- Small = Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Large = Screen Printing
Fabric Type:
- Cotton = Screen Printing or DTG
- Polyester = Sublimation
Ready to Print:
- Heat press your own = Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Send out = Screen Printing or DTG
Pick something from each column that applies to what you want to print and start researching which route to take. Don’t be afraid to utilize multiple methods based on your current project.
Making It Legal & Ethical
Before you start printing a bunch of logo shirts of your favorite bands, let’s talk legality.
Creating your own merch as a fan is typically okay. Making shirts to sell online with copyrighted materials is illegal.
Take pride in making pieces for yourself. Never sell your custom band merchandise.
Another great idea is to create YOUR own art rather than using the official band logo.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy wearing band merchandise, you know it can get pricey.
Thankfully there is a way to build your band merch wardrobe you’ll be proud to showcase without breaking the bank.
Wholesale blank apparel strategy = game changer.
Buy your blanks from wholesale suppliers, focus on timeless staples, print your designs using a method that fits your project, and always keep it legal.
The band merchandise industry is constantly evolving as manufacturers aim to lure in your money. But what if you were to learn how the industry works, then spend your money differently?
That barely worn vintage tour shirt that everyone else is wearing? Make it yourself.
The hoodie you always dreamed about with your favorite concert you’ve attended? Print that bad boy exactly how you remember that night.
Your wardrobe. Your memories. Your way.
