Curious about where your wholesale t-shirts for embroidery come from?
Change is coming to the blank apparel industry. Brands, decorators, and buyers alike are asking the same questions – who made these blanks? Where were they made? And were they treated fairly?
Those questions used to be nobody’s concern. In fact, cheap blanks ruled the industry for years. But things are changing…fast.
Ethical sourcing isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore. It’s quickly becoming the difference between trusted suppliers and everyone else. If you buy wholesale t-shirts for embroidery, it’s time you found out why.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- What Ethical Sourcing Means
- Why Now? What’s Changing in the Blank Apparel Industry
- Ethical Sourcing: How Does it Affect Wholesale Buyers?
- Tips for Finding An Ethical Supplier
- Transparency’s Role in Supply Chain Traceability
Let’s dive in.
What Is Ethical Sourcing, Exactly?
Put simply: ethical sourcing ensures the products you purchase are made responsibly. Responsible meaning workers are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and manufactured using environmentally friendly practices.
In the blanks world, this includes everything from the farm where raw materials are grown to the factory where apparel is cut and sewn. Each link in the supply chain matters.
Here’s the important part:
Say you’re buying wholesale t-shirts for embroidery. The quality of the blank impacts customer satisfaction just as much as your decoration job does. Suppliers like Shirtmax bulk t-shirts have some of the best blanks money can buy at wholesale prices you’ll love. But when your customers know those garments were ethically sourced, that’s something they can feel good about too.
Ethical sourcing is about doing right by people.
Why The Blank Apparel Industry is Changing
It’s no secret the apparel industry could be doing better for its workers. Clothes are everywhere. And that level of production comes with massive environmental and human costs.
Today’s shift toward ethical sourcing isn’t happening in isolation. The wholesale apparel industry is one piece of the larger fashion textile supply chain. And that chain is being squeezed from every angle.
Consumer demand
Buyers have a massive role to play, but it starts with consumers. A recent survey revealed that 67% of consumers consider sustainable materials “important” when making a purchase.
Buyer pressure isn’t the only reason blank apparel manufacturers are changing how they do business. Regulations are getting stricter too.
Government regulations
One of the largest regulations affecting apparel manufacturers is the EU’s incoming CSRD. If you’re unfamiliar, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires brands to disclose supply chain and emissions data.
California also just passed a law known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act which also focuses on brand transparency.
This is big news for suppliers of blank apparel. Brands are going to need their suppliers to step up their ethical sourcing game.
Growth of the Ethical Fashion Market
Speaking of brands, let’s talk numbers.
The global ethical fashion market hit roughly $8.6 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $13.59 billion by 2032.
That growth doesn’t come from thin air. More brands are saying enough is enough, leading to larger supply chain shifts.
Ethical Sourcing: How Does it Affect Wholesale Buyers?
You’ve read about why ethical sourcing is gaining momentum. But how does it affect someone who buys blank apparel wholesale? Someone who buys t-shirts for embroidery, specifically?
More than you think.
Ethical sourcing used to be something only high-end brands had to worry about. But that’s changing. Both end consumers and B2B buyers care about where their apparel comes from.
Buying ethically sounds easy until you realize there are thousands of suppliers making promises they can’t keep.
That’s not to say ethical sourcing is going to break the bank. Plenty of wholesale suppliers already make ethical products at prices you’re willing to pay. It just takes a little homework to find them.
Run a print shop. Own an embroidery business. Manage a merch brand. Wherever you buy your blanks from is the foundation you build your business on.
Partnering with an ethical supplier when buying wholesale t-shirts for embroidery ensures your business does right by its customers.
What To Look For When Sourcing From an Ethical Supplier
If you’re reading this thinking, “Everyone keeps saying they’re ethical,” you’re not wrong.
“Ethical washing” is rampant across the apparel industry. A recent study found that just 24% of brands publish what actual wages are paid by suppliers.
So how do you weed out the wolves in sheep’s clothing? Start by looking for these three things.
Certifications and standards
While no certification is flawless, they are a good place to start weeding out the bad apples. Certifications like OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and more help set minimum standards for suppliers.
Transparency into their supply chain
If a supplier won’t tell you where your products are made, that’s your first red flag. Reputable suppliers have already done the work to make sure their supply chain is ethical and will be transparent about it.
Material sourcing and standards
Just as you want to know where your apparel is sourced from, you should also know where the materials come from. Traditional, pesticide-filled cotton is so yesterday. Today’s ethical suppliers use organic cotton, recycled materials, and other innovative textiles.
Supplier reputation
You know those labels on your clothes telling you not to bleach your shirt? Chances are someone had to make those too. Look at how long a supplier has been in business. What are other buyers saying about their experience?
Blank suppliers are getting better about self-regulation. Learn as much as you can about who you’re buying from.
Why Transparency Matters: Supply Chain Traceability
Look, nobody likes paperwork.
But if ethical sourcing is the future of apparel, transparency into your supply chain is 100% necessary.
Thankfully, technology is coming to the supply chain’s rescue. Blockchain traceability software, AI supply chain trackers, and digital product passports are just some tools brands are using to track their supply chains.
Here’s how it works.
Say you’re buying wholesale t-shirts for embroidery. In the future, that t-shirt could come with a fully traceable chain of custody.
Instead of guessing where your blank apparel is sourced from, you’ll be able to see it for yourself.
End consumers, manufacturers, and textile suppliers can all benefit from increased transparency.
Conclusion
Buyers and brands alike can’t ignore ethical sourcing any longer. Consumer pressure, government regulations, and growth in the ethical fashion market are creating massive change in the apparel industry.
Here’s what you need to remember:
- Ethical fashion is a $13.59 billion market set to become even larger.
- Buyers care about their supply chain, and those concerns impact who they buy wholesale apparel from.
- Forget worry about “ethical washing.” New technology is making supply chain transparency easier than ever.
- There’s never been a better time to switch to an ethical supplier of wholesale t-shirts for embroidery.
Only one thing’s for certain. Ethical sourcing in the blank apparel industry is here to stay.