Outfitting your team for work? Running an event to promote your brand? Or just procuring fresh stock for customization for your retail apparel store?
To make any of these more budget-friendly and cost-effective, you should buy apparel in bulk. Polos are a great option. But there are a few challenges involved in buying wholesale polo shirts. Worry not, for this guide will help you get started easier and navigate through the challenges faster.
Where To Begin
You are already aware that bulk purchase of apparel requires you to invest both time and money. But before you go there, make sure you know your needs well. Polos are generally more preferred for uniforms, corporate events or family functions. With the ‘corporate casual’ trend gaining more traction, polos are becoming prevalent in corporate fashion and get-togethers. Whether you are an event organizer or a retailer, you need to know what you are going to use the apparel for. This will make it easier for you to choose the right style and materials when you are ready to add stuff in your cart.
Research
You know what you are going to buy and for what purpose. Now you begin the hardest part. Research. The apparel you plan to buy can come in a variety of fabrics, colors and knits. Some might even have special features like UV protection, wrinkle resistance etc. Try reading more about varieties to make sure you are getting exactly the kind of items you need.
When it comes to polos, there are pique and jersey knits. The former offers more flexibility and breathability while the latter is more contemporary, softer and cheaper.
Choosing The Material
Garments like t-shirts and polos are made of many types of material. So your choice of material comes down to the purpose of the garment. If you are getting polos for a sports team, check out performance polos from multiple reputed brands. These types of polos generally come with moisture-wicking properties. You may even find ones with sun protection and odor-resistance.
You have several material types to choose from including linen, pure cotton, polyester, cotton blends and more. Linen apparel will be lightweight, breathable and very comfortable, making them a great choice during summer. However, they are not very wrinkle resistant and won’t look polished compared to other materials.
If linen isn’t what you want, the next best lightweight fabric is pure cotton. Pure cotton will be more prone to fading and piling after multiple washes.
If it’s durability you are looking at, consider polyester. They are also stain and wrinkle-resistant and are a decent option for work environments. However, they do not offer the same level of comfort you can get from other fabrics.
With cotton blends, you get something that’s as lightweight as pure cotton, breathable as linen and polished as polyester. Cotton blends, however, only offer the durability of a synthetic material and are often color-fast.
Choosing The Supplier
Now that you know your needs, style and material of the apparel, you need to invest more time in finding a supplier that has it all. You have the option to buy directly from the manufacturer but it tends to cost more in the long term. Manufacturers generally have minimum order quantities that would be larger than most resellers, companies or individuals require. Even if you have the budget, you will likely end up with hundreds of unused garments taking up your storage space.
This is why everyone relies on apparel wholesalers. Make sure you pick a wholesaler that doesn’t have a minimum order size first. Check whether the wholesaler has a huge inventory carrying different brands, sizes and styles. Wholesalers also allow you to test samples by placing small orders of different sizes, styles and brands of garments before placing bulk orders. You can also compare bulk discounts before purchasing. It’s important to check whether the size runs true to size as this can vary with brands.
Your wholesaler should also offer the best delivery time at reasonable shipping costs, even if you are purchasing blank or custom apparel. Shipping costs depend on the wholesaler, the delivery location and the order size.
Ideally, you should make sure you have at least two weeks to spare after receiving your shipment so you get enough to make alterations or exchanges if necessary.
Conclusion
If you can’t put in enough time for research, you may end up with complications either before placing your order or after. Hope this guide helps make things easier for you to purchase apparel in bulk.
