[rickusnret]

I have not started my business yet and I am still in the research and planning stages. My question is when I am ready to launch my website and start selling, should I have a certain number of blank shirts in stock, how many? different colors and sizes? I plan on starting out selling stock transfers and then progressing into my own designs. I do not want to create a long turn around time when an order is placed. Thanks.

 

[splathead]

If you're printing on demand with transfers then just keep a minimum amount of shirts in stock; a couple per size/color until you see what sells. After all, you can get more blanks in a day or two.

 

[rwshirts]

First off, you should register with your state for a vendor/resell licence so that you can buy from apparel wholesalers. I keep a few of my popular sizes on hand because I deal with a shirt reseller that sometimes needs an urgent "next day" print. All are Bella/Canvas USA shirts.
Find a wholesaler that is close enough to ship your blanks overnight with out a huge charge. I order my blanks by 5:00 on Monday-Thursday, and they get to me next day by UPS. If you need them early, then put in a will-call at your local UPS delivery terminal and pick them up by 9-10:00. (I only do that because my UPS deliverys never come before 5PM).

 

[rickusnret]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering what the turn around time was when ordering shirts and it sounds like I could get them fairly quickly. I have not dug deep into ordering shirts yet but plan to soon. I have my tax i.d. so no problem there!

 

[splathead]

Depending on where you are in OK, you may have 1 day ground delivery from Dallas? Several of the biggie wholesalers are there; Broder, and SanMar to name a couple.

You may even have someone-in-state.

 

[binki]

We keep a couple dozen black shirts in men's sizes and about 1000 in women's vneck which is a big seller for us

You will find out real quick where your sales are and that is what you can stock. That way you charge more for rush or on demand orders.

 

[Ezra4ever]

My question is when I am ready to launch my website and start selling, should I have a certain number of blank shirts in stock, how many? different colors and sizes?QUOTE]


These are questions you will have to play around with, find out and answer for yourself. We really can't tell you how much you'll personally need and what colors you should get. Everyone is different...with niche markets, income, goals, etc....

For myself...I went with screen printing. I made 6 designs, a few with different colors and 3-4 of each size (S-XL). Now the downside to that is...If you do not sell, you'll have a bunch of inventory left over...which I understood and gambled with.