Your Design Is Only as Good as the Blank Under It
When you're starting out, it's easy to focus on your machine, your designs, and your prices — and just grab whatever blank is cheapest. But here's what nobody tells you: the blank is half the product. Your customer doesn't separate your design from the shirt it's on.
If the blank shrinks two sizes, pills after three washes, or fades fast — they blame you. Not the supplier. You. That means refund requests, bad reviews, and customers who never come back.
I wish someone had told me this when I started. My first order used the cheapest blanks I could find and I had so many complaints. Switched to ARB and the difference was immediate.
Not Every Blank Works With Every Machine
This is one of the most common beginner mistakes. The fabric content of your blank determines whether your decoration holds up — or falls apart after a few washes. Here's a simple breakdown:
100% Cotton
Best adhesion and color payoff. Avoid poly blends — they can scorch and won't hold vinyl the same way.
Cotton & Blends
DTF is forgiving on fabric, but soft cotton gives the best hand feel on the finished transfer.
Stable, Structured Knit
Stretchy fabrics distort your stitch pattern. You need structure — especially on kids' pieces.
65%+ Polyester
No exceptions. Sublimation on cotton fades after the first wash. The dye bonds to poly fibers only.
Kids Sizing Is All Over the Place
A 4T from one supplier can run a full size smaller than a 4T from another. Your customers don't know that — they just know it didn't fit. And they blame you. Before you list anything, ask yourself:
- ✓Does it run true to size, or should customers size up?
- ✓How much does it shrink after the first wash?
- ✓Are measurements consistent batch to batch?
- ✓Do proportions scale correctly across sizes?
What a Good Blank Supplier Actually Looks Like
When you're new, it's hard to know what questions to even ask. Here's your checklist:
- ✓Consistent fabric weight (GSM) — If it varies batch to batch, your finished product will look and feel different every time.
- ✓Side seams, not tubular construction — Tubular shirts twist sideways after washing. Side-seamed garments hold their shape.
- ✓A kids-only catalog — Suppliers who specialize in children's blanks understand proportions, sizing nuance, and the styles boutique customers actually want.
- ✓Fast, reliable shipping — You have orders to fill. A supplier who sits on inventory for two weeks is a bottleneck, not a partner.
- ✓A supplier who knows their product — You need someone who can actually answer your questions when you're just figuring things out.
Beginner FAQ
The Blank Supplier Built for People Just Like You
ARB Blanks was built for boutique owners, home-based heat press sellers, and new decorators who want to start strong — with blanks that perform and arrive fast so you can keep your business moving.
Our catalog covers girls shirts, dresses, bodysuits, boys styles, baby items, leggings, pajamas, raglans, sweatshirts, sets, and more — all the pieces your customers want, ready for your machine.
ARB was the first supplier I found that actually felt like it was made for someone like me — just starting out, selling kids stuff from home. They make it easy.