Buying apparel in bulk sounds simple until you’re staring at a screen full of pricing tiers, brand options, and decoration choices — and you’re not sure if you’re getting a good deal or leaving money on the table.
We’ve been in wholesale bulk apparel since 2007. We ship from 24 warehouses across the U.S., stock 100+ brands, and process thousands of orders a year — from a local restaurant outfitting its staff to a national brand running a merch drop. This guide pulls from that experience. No filler, just what you actually need to know before placing a bulk order.
WHAT IS WHOLESALE APPAREL PRICING?
Wholesale apparel pricing is a quantity-based model: the more you order, the less you pay per piece.
It’s the standard for anyone buying blank apparel in volume — businesses ordering uniforms, event organizers outfitting a team, schools buying for a fundraiser, or resellers building inventory. The savings aren’t marginal either. Depending on the product and quantity, you can pay half the retail price per unit when you buy in bulk.
At Got Apparel, wholesale pricing is open to everyone. You don’t need a business license, a resale certificate, or a trade account. Hit the quantity, get the price.
HOW BULK PRICING TIERS WORK (WITH REAL NUMBERS)
Most wholesale suppliers — us included — price apparel across five quantity tiers. Here’s what that looks like on common product types, using mid-tier brands like Gildan and Port Authority:
QUANTITY | TIER | BASIC TEE | POLO | HOODIE | SAVINGS
1–11 pcs | Retail | $5.00–$10.00 | $10.00–$22.00 | $20.00–$30.00 | —
12–35 pcs | Small Bulk | $4.50–$7.50 | $12.00–$17.00 | $17.00–$24.00 | ~15–25%
36–71 pcs | Medium Bulk | $4.00–$6.00 | $9.00–$13.00 | $14.00–$20.00 | ~30–40%
72–143 pcs | Large Bulk | $3.75–$5.00 | $7.50–$11.00 | $11.00–$16.00 | ~40–50%
144+ pcs | Max Savings | $3.00–$4.50 | $6.50–$9.50 | $9.50–$14.00 | Up to 55%
Premium brands like Bella+Canvas or Under Armour run 25–40% higher at each tier. For live prices on specific SKUs, browse directly at gotapparel.com — pricing updates in real time.
WHAT ACTUALLY DRIVES YOUR PER-UNIT COST
Volume is the biggest factor — but four others move the number too.
FABRIC WEIGHT AND CONSTRUCTION
Basic 100% cotton (like the Gildan 5000) is the cheapest starting point. Ring-spun cotton, tri-blends, and moisture-wicking polyester cost more per yard and that shows in the price. It’s not always worth paying for premium fabric — a standard tee for a one-day event doesn’t need ring-spun cotton. But for staff uniforms worn daily, the upgrade pays for itself in durability.
BRAND TIER
Budget, mid-range, and premium brands each have their lane. Choosing the wrong tier — too cheap for the use case, or over-spec’d for a giveaway — is a common waste on both sides.
PRODUCT TYPE
T-shirts are the most affordable. Polos cost more due to collar construction and fabric. Hoodies and outerwear cost the most — more material, more finishing. Budget accordingly before you pick a category.
COLOR AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Ordering 72 pieces across 6 different colorways reduces your effective per-colorway quantity and increases screen printing setup costs. Extended sizes (2XL+) often carry a $1.50–$2.00 per-piece upcharge. If a large portion of your order is in extended sizes, factor that in from the start.
WHICH BRAND IS RIGHT FOR YOUR ORDER?
GotApparel carries 100+ brands. Here’s how to navigate the ones buyers reach for most:
BUDGET TIER — Best cost per piece
- Gildan: The most-ordered blank in the U.S. for good reason. Consistent, durable, available in almost every color. Ideal for events, giveaways, and high-volume school orders.
- Hanes: A step up in softness from base Gildan, similar price range. Good for casual staff tees and community organizations.
MID-RANGE — Balance of quality and value
- Port Authority: The standard for corporate uniforms and hospitality staff. Their polo range in particular offers excellent construction at a fair wholesale price.
- Sport-Tek: Built for performance. Moisture-wicking, athletic cuts, durable stitching. The right call for sports teams, gym staff, or any outdoor-facing role.
- Badger Sport: Another solid option for team sports uniforms at mid-market prices.
PREMIUM — Higher cost, higher perceived value
- Bella+Canvas: Retail-quality construction, soft ring-spun cotton, slim cuts. The go-to for brand merch and anything being sold at retail.
- Under Armour: Premium performance and brand recognition. When your audience cares about the label on the chest as much as the design on it.
- Next Level: Exceptionally soft, fashion-forward fit. Popular with creative agencies and lifestyle brands.
SCREEN PRINTING VS. EMBROIDERY — WHICH COSTS LESS?
GotApparel offers both in-house — screen printing and embroidery with our own equipment and team, not outsourced. Here’s how the two compare on cost:
FACTOR | SCREEN PRINTING | EMBROIDERY
Setup cost | $20–$50 per color | $40–$50 digitizing fee (one-time)
Per piece at 24 units | $3.50–$4.50 (1-color) | $5.00–$10.00
Per piece at 100 units | $2.25–$3.00 (1-color) | $3.50–$7.00
Per piece at 300 units | $1.75–$2.75 (1-color) | $3.00–$5.50
Cost driver | Each added color adds cost | Stitch count drives cost
Durability | Good — may soften over time | Excellent — lasts the garment’s life
Best for | Tees, totes, casual wear | Polos, hats, jackets, corporate wear
Minimum order | Typically 24–48 pieces | As low as 6 minimums at GotApparel
Screen printing wins on cost at volume. Embroidery wins on longevity and a polished look. For corporate polos or anything worn for years, embroidery is worth the premium. For event tees in the hundreds, screen printing is the clear choice.
To get a quote on custom decoration, call 1-866-217-1729 or email decoration@gotapparel.com.
Real customer quote from our decoration reviews page:
“Not only did you help me come in under budget, but you got the shipment to me earlier than I expected.” — verified buyer, decoration order
HOW TO PAY LESS WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY
These aren’t generic tips — they’re patterns we see work with actual orders.
ORDER EARLY
Rush production on a decorated order adds 20–30% to your cost and limits brand availability. Standard turnaround for screen-printed or embroidered orders runs 7–10 business days plus shipping. Build that buffer in — especially for events or seasonal uniforms.
CONSOLIDATE YOUR QUANTITIES
Splitting one 60-piece order into three separate 20-piece orders means paying a higher per-unit rate three times over. If multiple departments or teams are ordering, combine them into one transaction and share the tier savings.
SIMPLIFY YOUR DESIGN
Every screen printing color adds per-piece cost. A 1-color version of your logo at 200 pieces is significantly cheaper than a 4-color version. If the end use is casual wear or events, the simplified version often looks just as strong — and saves real money.
CHECK OUR CLEARANCE PAGE
We regularly clear out prior-season colorways on top brands — same garment, older color code, up to 70% off. If your uniform colors have any flexibility, it’s worth checking gotapparel.com/closeoutproducts.aspx before finalizing your order.
MISTAKES THAT QUIETLY INFLATE YOUR ORDER TOTAL
NOT CHECKING THE NEXT TIER
Being 5 pieces below a tier that cuts your per-unit cost by $1.50 and not noticing — this happens on almost every large order we see reviewed after the fact.
SPREADING ACROSS TOO MANY COLORS
Splitting 72 pieces into 8 colorways means 9 pieces per color. You lose tier advantage per colorway and increase screen printing setup costs. Fewer colors, bigger runs.
FORGETTING EXTENDED-SIZE UPCHARGES
A $2.00 per-piece upcharge on 40 pieces in 2XL+ is $80 you didn’t see coming. It won’t break a budget, but it will break your per-piece estimate.
FINALIZING A COMPLEX DESIGN BEFORE GETTING A QUOTE
A 6-color design committed to before you price the decoration locks you in. Get a decoration quote early — before you’ve told the client what it will cost.
ORDERING TOO CLOSE TO YOUR DEADLINE
With 24 warehouses across the U.S., 98% of our blank apparel orders arrive within 2 days. But decorated orders need production time. Eight days before your event is not enough runway for a large embroidered order.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – How to Get the Best Deals on Bulk Apparel
What is the minimum order quantity at GotApparel?
For blank apparel, there’s no minimum — you can order a single piece. Bulk pricing tiers start at 12 pieces. For decorated orders (screen printing), the minimum is typically 24–48 pieces per design.
Do I need a business license to buy at wholesale prices?
No. Anyone can access GotApparel bulk pricing by meeting the quantity threshold — businesses, schools, nonprofits, event planners, and individuals alike.
How fast does GotApparel ship?
Blank apparel ordered before 3pm EST typically ships same day from the nearest of our 24 U.S. warehouses. 98% of packages arrive within 2 business days. Free shipping on orders over $199.
Is screen printing or embroidery better for bulk orders?
Depends on the garment and use case. Screen printing is cheaper at volume — ideal for t-shirts and event wear. Embroidery looks more polished and lasts longer — right for corporate polos, jackets, and hats.
How much can I actually save buying in bulk?
On a basic tee going from 1–11 pieces ($5–$10 each) to 144+ pieces ($3.00–$4.50 each), you’re saving close to $5 per piece. On a 200-piece order, that’s $800–$1,000 in savings from the quantity tier alone.
How do I get a quote for custom decorated apparel?
Call 1-866-217-1729 or email decoration@gotapparel.com. Our decoration team handles the full process — design review, proofing, production, and shipping.
CLOSING NOTE
Wholesale apparel pricing isn’t complicated once you know the variables. Order enough to hit the right tier, match the garment to the job, keep your design simple where it counts, and plan ahead when decoration is involved.
GotApparel has been doing this since 2007 — 24 warehouses, 100+ brands, in-house decoration, and a team that answers the phone. Whether you’re buying 12 blank tees or 500 embroidered polos, the pricing is live on the site and the team is reachable when you need a quote.
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