The Difference Between Blanks and Cut & Sew

At the beginning of all fashion startups, there comes a point where they have to decide how they want to produce the products they envision. Two of the biggest types of production are blanks and “cut and sew.” In today’s article, we are going to break down the difference between those two types of production styles.

What are Blanks

Simply put, blanks are blank t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts that businesses can buy from wholesale manufacturers that are premade and cannot be altered per the request of the buyer. Some common blank companies include Gildan, Bella+Canvas, and Fruit of the Loom. Blanks are identical to each other — they have no variation no matter who is buying them. Blanks can range from being very expensive to relatively inexpensive based on the manufacturer.

What is Cut and Sew

Cut & sew is creating an original design of a garment using a tech pack or any other technical design process. You typically cannot conduct cut and sew production through a blank wholesaler, however some wholesale companies do provide that option. In order to produce garments through a cut and sew method, you have to get a factory or manufacturer that allows for you to send in your designs and produce what you have come up with.

Which Production Style is Best for You?

The answer to this question isn’t very straightforward. For businesses starting out with a lack of capital or experience, buying blanks and designing that way may be a great way to start. On the flip side, if you are an individual who wants their audience to truly wear items that are designed entirely by the mind of the creative, then cut and sew may be the best choice for you. All in all, there is no right or wrong answer. People may tell you that one is superior to the other, but it is all about where you source your materials, who you work with, and what you want your brand to be about.