A high-quality knitwear blank is made from a well-constructed knit fabric (jersey, rib, thermal, waffle, or fleece) in a consistent weight, with seams, collars, and trims built for stretch and recovery, and finished so it keeps its shape after washing. "Custom" knitwear blanks go a step further: blanks available in custom colors, custom fabrics, or with your own label. The best ones come from manufacturers that knit their own fabric.
Here's how to find and evaluate knit blanks across every category.
First: What Are "Knitwear Blanks"?
In the apparel industry, knitwear blanks usually means undecorated garments made from circular-knit fabric: tees, tanks, rib tops, long sleeves, thermals, hoodies, crewnecks, and sweatpants. (Sweaters are also knitwear, but they're usually made on flat-knitting machines by a different kind of factory.)
Quality Markers by Category
Jersey tees
- Consistent weight, with no thin spots or barré lines
- A rib collar that lies flat and recovers
- Tubular or side-seamed construction, suited to the look
- Garment-dyed or pre-shrunk
Rib tops and tanks
- Crisp, even rib columns (baby rib or 2x1)
- Strong stretch and recovery, so it doesn't bag out after a few wears
- Clean, flat seams that don't pucker
Long sleeves
- Sleeves long enough to stack at the wrist
- Rib cuffs that hold their shape
Thermal and waffle
- A defined, even texture
- Enough weight to insulate without stiffness
Fleece
- Dense, cotton-rich fleece with a brushed or loopback interior
- Rib trims that snap back
- Matching tops and bottoms in the same fabric
What Makes a Blank "Custom"
Custom blanks sit between stock blanks and fully custom production:
- Custom colors: your colorway, garment-dyed onto proven bodies
- Relabeling: tear-away labels so the finished piece carries your brand
- Custom fabric: your weight, texture, or yarn on a manufacturer's existing fits
- Custom fits: full pattern development for your own silhouette
Why Knitting In-House Matters
A manufacturer that knits its own fabric can:
- Keep weight and hand consistent across reorders
- Offer a wider range of constructions, from jersey to rib to thermal to fleece
- Develop custom fabrics without waiting on outside mills
For how custom knitwear is made from start to finish, see Custom Knitwear Manufacturing in Los Angeles.
Knitwear Blanks, Made in Los Angeles
US Standard Apparel is a vertically integrated knitwear manufacturer in Vernon, California, backed by our sister company SAS Textiles and its 140,000-square-foot circular knitting operation, one of the largest on the West Coast. We knit, cut, sew, and finish in-house in Los Angeles, with garment dyeing handled by trusted local partners.
Ready-to-ship knit blanks:
- Jersey tees: 1551 Standard Tee (6.5 oz tubular 18/1 jersey), 1551-C Standard Crop Tee, and 1600 ECOCYCLE® Tee
- Rib: 1088 2x1 Rib Tank, 1742 Brat Baby Rib Tee, 1752 '90s Baby Rib Tee, and 1707 Baby Girl Crop Tank
- Long sleeves: 2552 Standard LS Tee and 2600 ECOCYCLE® LS Tee, which has a wide body, drop shoulder, and sleeves long enough to stack
- Fleece: hoodies, crewnecks, and sweatpants in brushed fleece from 11 to 14.5 oz/yd²
Custom knitwear blanks:
- Custom garment-dye colors from 200 units per colorway
- Tear-away labels on every blank
- Custom fabrics, including thermal, waffle, rib, jersey, and specialty fleece, plus custom fits through private label from 500 units per body
Blanks have no minimums and ship the same day on in-stock orders placed by 11 a.m. PT.
Made in LA. Controlled from yarn to finished garment.
Shop tees and tanks → · Apply for wholesale access → · Start a private label project →
FAQ
Who makes high-quality custom knitwear blanks?
Look for manufacturers that knit their own fabric and offer custom colors and fabrics. US Standard Apparel knits jersey, rib, and fleece blanks in Los Angeles, with custom garment dye from 200 units per colorway.
Where can I find blank knitwear garments?
US Standard Apparel offers ready-to-ship knit blanks, including jersey tees, rib tanks and tees, long sleeves, and heavyweight fleece, all made in Los Angeles with no minimums.
What's the difference between knit and woven blanks?
Knit blanks (tees, rib, fleece) are made from looped yarn and stretch. Woven blanks (button-downs, denim) are made from interlaced yarn and don't stretch much.
What makes a rib blank high quality?
Even rib columns, strong stretch and recovery, and flat, clean seams.
Can I get knitwear blanks in custom fabrics?
Yes, through private label. US Standard Apparel develops custom knit fabrics, including thermal, waffle, rib, and specialty fleece, from 500 units per body.