Tultex Shirts & Apparel
( Items)Tultex has been producing comfortable, affordable blank apparel since 1926, beginning as
Pannill Knitting Company in Martinsville, Virginia. Its founder, William Pannill, worked as a
janitor in a New York textile mill simply to understand how knitting machines operated—then returned
south to build his own manufacturing business. That hands-on mindset still shows in Tultex apparel today.
Known for reliable poly-cotton blends and consistent fits, Tultex shirts are widely used for screen
printing, embroidery, and retail resale. At GotApparel, we stock the full line, including
popular styles like the 202 USA cotton tee, 299 heavyweight tee and the 241 poly-rich blend. Whether you’re producing team
orders, event merchandise, or retail designs, Tultex offers dependable quality at true wholesale pricing.
How Tultex Went from Virginia Mills to Wholesale Staple
Tultex’s roots trace back to 1926 in Martinsville, Virginia, a region known for textile manufacturing. William Pannill founded the original operation after studying knitwear production firsthand in New York mills, bringing that knowledge back home to launch Pannill Knitting Company. Over time, the business evolved through several phases, including Sale Knitting Company, before becoming Tultex following a 1971 merger with Henry J. Tully Corporation. As demand for athletic and casual apparel grew in the 1970s and 1980s, Tultex expanded its fleece and activewear lines nationwide. Today, the brand remains focused on what matters most to wholesale buyers—consistent sizing, reliable fabrics, and blank apparel that performs well for decoration and everyday wear.
Tultex 202, 241, and the Heritage Collection
The Tultex 202 is a popular choice—100% ringspun USA cotton at 4.5 oz with a soft hand-feel. The Tultex 241 features a 65% polyester, 35% combed ringspun cotton blend. The higher polyester content makes it suitable for sublimation printing and provides better shrink resistance. Tultex also offers the 1926 Heritage Collection, which honors the brand's founding year with vintage-inspired apparel. These pieces use pigment dye to create a worn, retro aesthetic while maintaining modern construction. The collection includes the Heritage Tee, Heritage Fleece Hoodie, and Retro Crop Top. Most of Tultex's standard line uses 50/50 or 65/35 poly-cotton blends, providing natural drape without the weight of 100% cotton while offering improved shrink resistance and faster drying.
Why Tultex Works for Screen Printing and Embroidery
For screen printers and embroidery shops, Tultex blank apparel delivers dependable results. The poly-cotton blends absorb ink evenly, allowing screen prints to maintain color clarity and durability through repeated washes. For embroidery, the fabric stability reduces puckering and distortion around detailed logos. Tearaway labels remove cleanly, making Tultex shirts ideal for private labeling and neck prints. Heat transfer vinyl adheres well without creating a stiff or heavy feel. Construction details such as double-needle stitching, reinforced shoulder seams, and consistent fabric tension contribute to garments that hold their shape over time—an important factor when delivering finished products to clients.
Tultex Wholesale Pricing and Inventory at GotApparel
GotApparel stocks the complete Tultex product range, organized by category for easy navigation. Each product listing includes fabric weight, material composition, available colors, and comprehensive sizing information. Our wholesale pricing structure scales with order volume, with no minimum order requirements. Color consistency between production runs helps with reorders for ongoing projects and repeat clients. If you need guidance on which Tultex style suits your specific application, our team can provide recommendations based on your printing method, target market, or design requirements.
What Makes Tultex Different from Other Blank Brands
Tultex balances quality and wholesale pricing effectively. The poly-cotton blends offer softness and easier care compared to 100% cotton, which customers appreciate. Sizing remains consistent across production batches, eliminating fit variation concerns when reordering. Tearaway labels simplify rebranding, making Tultex shirts a practical choice for decorators who need reliable blanks. Compared to pure cotton tees, Tultex apparel resists shrinkage better and dries faster while maintaining natural drape and breathability. Tultex products appear on sports teams, at corporate events, in retail stores, and as merchandise for various organizations. The brand works across multiple markets because the construction quality holds up to regular use while remaining accessible for bulk purchasing.