The Best Blanks for Every Decoration Style (And Why We Use Them)
When it comes to custom apparel, the blank is the foundation. It's the canvas for your creativity: and it makes a huge difference in the final result. At Vital Threads, we don’t just slap designs on whatever’s cheapest. We choose each garment intentionally, based on what will best support the decoration style, comfort, and longevity of your piece.
Here’s your insider look at why we pick what we pick; and how different blanks serve different decoration purposes:
🪡 Embroidery: Give Me Structure, Not Stretch
Embroidery is gorgeous — textured, bold, and built to last. But not every fabric plays nice with it. For embroidery, we prioritize:
- Medium to heavyweight fabrics (think fleece, canvas, or denim)
- Stable surfaces with minimal stretch
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Tight weaves that can hold up to needlework without puckering
Our go-to blanks for embroidery:
- Jerzees NuBlend® Crewnecks (soft and structured)
- Heavyweight Canvas Totes
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Vintage-wash Twill Caps
These give the stitches the stability they need while still serving style and softness.
🔥 Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV): Smooth, Sleek, & Versatile
Vinyl is a different beast – bold colors, crisp lines, and a wide range of specialty finishes (glitter, puff, matte, metallic). It works best on:
- Flat, smooth fabrics like 100% cotton or cotton/poly blends
- Light to midweight garments
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Surfaces without texture (ribbed knits = vinyl’s nemesis)
Our fave blanks for vinyl designs:
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Bella + Canvas Tees like 👉🏼 this one 👈🏼 (oh so conveniently found in our shop)
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1301 American Apparel® Heavyweight T-Shirts
- Port Authority Essential Zip Tote
They hold vinyl like a dream and give you that eye-catching pop. Check out the more in The Vital Threads Blanks Collection
🧷 Patches: Built for Statement & Swapability
Patches are the most versatile — they work as sew-ons or iron-ons, and can be transferred between items over time. When choosing patch-worthy blanks, we look for:
- Durable outerwear and gear that won’t fold under pressure
- Backpacks, jackets, caps — anything you’d want to personalize or repurpose
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Flat surfaces for clean adhesion or stitching
Patch-ready picks we love:
- Oversized Bomber Jackets
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Canvas Skate Bags
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Structured Dad Hats: the Port & Company Five-Panel Twill Cap is our favorite! 😉
✂️ Appliqué: Drama Deserves Structure
Appliqué layers fabric to create bold, often oversized designs — and that means we need structure and style. Ideal blanks include:
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Sturdy sweatshirts or varsity jackets
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Cotton-fleece blends that can support layering
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Anything meant to stand out
Top choices for appliqué pieces:
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Drop-shoulder Fleece Crews
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Unisex Letterman Jackets
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Thick Zip Hoodies with Paneling
🧼 Why This Matters (a.k.a. We’re Not Gatekeeping Goodness)
You’re not just buying a design — you’re investing in how that design wears, washes, and lives on. Choosing the right blank ensures:
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The design lasts
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The fabric holds up
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You actually want to wear it again and again
We test every blank we use. If it doesn’t feel good or hold up under thread, press, or patch, it doesn’t make the cut. That’s the Vital Threads promise.