Independent Trading Co. in Canada has built one of the most loyal followings in the wholesale blank apparel market — and for good reason. Known as “your favourite sweatshirt company,” ITC has been producing premium blank fleece, hoodies, and outerwear since 1987. Their blanks are a staple in decorated apparel programs across Canada — from grad hoodies and gym merch to corporate fleece and trades workwear.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Independent Trading Co. blanks in Canada — their best styles, how they decorate, where to buy them at wholesale pricing, and why Canadian decorators and brands keep coming back to ITC order after order.
What is Independent Trading Co.?
Independent Trading Company is a Southern California-based wholesale blank apparel manufacturer founded in 1987. Their mission from the beginning has been simple — produce high-quality blank wholesale apparel for screen printers, decorators, and brands around the world.
What sets ITC apart from other wholesale blank brands is their relentless focus on fleece quality. Their hoodies and crewnecks use premium fleece constructions — typically an 80/20 cotton-polyester blend — that produces a soft, substantial feel at wholesale pricing. The result is a blank that feels retail-quality without the retail price tag.
ITC maintains strict quality control throughout the garment assembly process — monitoring every stage of production to ensure consistent sizing, consistent weight, and consistent decoration results across every run.
Independent Trading Co. Product Collections
ITC organizes their line into distinct collections — each targeting a different market segment and price point.
SS Collection — the everyday standard
The SS Collection is ITC’s most popular and widely distributed line. The flagship SS4500 Midweight Hooded Pullover is one of the most ordered wholesale hoodies in North America — an 80/20 cotton-polyester blend midweight fleece that decorates beautifully and retails at a price point accessible to most decorated apparel programs.
Key styles:
- SS4500 — Midweight Hooded Pullover — the workhorse of the ITC line
- SS3000 — Crewneck Sweatshirt — clean and versatile
- SS4500Z — Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
- SS4001 — Youth Midweight Hoodie
Premium Collection — retail quality at wholesale pricing
The Premium Collection steps up in fabric quality, construction, and retail-inspired silhouettes. Popular for lifestyle brands, gym merch, and retail programs where the blank needs to stand on its own.
Key styles:
- PRM4500 — Midweight Hooded Pullover — the most popular premium ITC hoodie
- PRM33SB — Special Blend Raglan Hooded Sweatshirt — fashion-forward and retail-ready
- PRM3500 — Pigment Dyed Crew Neck — vintage aesthetic similar to Comfort Colors
Legend Collection — premium heavyweight
The Legend Collection is ITC’s answer to the growing demand for heavyweight premium blanks. The IND5000P Legend Premium Heavyweight Cross-Grain Hoodie is quickly becoming one of the most popular heavyweight hoodies in the Canadian decorated apparel market.
Expedition Collection — outerwear
ITC’s outerwear line covers wind-resistant jackets, sherpa-lined zip hoodies, water-resistant anoraks, and track jackets — ideal for outdoor crews, sports programs, and corporate outerwear programs.
AFX Collection — activewear
Moisture-wicking performance fleece and activewear for gyms, athletic programs, and fitness brands.
Why Canadian Decorators Love ITC
Consistent sizing across runs
One of the most common complaints about wholesale blanks is sizing inconsistency — pieces in the same style and size that fit differently between production runs. ITC’s manufacturing standards produce exceptionally consistent sizing — which matters enormously for bulk decorated apparel programs where sizing inconsistency creates customer complaints and return headaches.
Decoration-ready construction
ITC blanks are specifically designed for decoration. The 80/20 cotton-polyester blend used in most SS Collection styles provides an excellent surface for screen printing and DTF printing — holding ink and transfers cleanly with strong wash durability. The fabric weight provides stability for embroidery without puckering.
Wide colour range
ITC offers a broad colour range across their collections — from classic neutrals to fashion-forward seasonal colours. The Premium Collection’s pigment-dyed and special blend options offer vintage and retail aesthetics that compete directly with Comfort Colors and similar premium brands.
Strong wholesale pricing
ITC delivers premium feel at competitive wholesale pricing — making them one of the best value propositions in the Canadian decorated apparel market. The margin between wholesale blank cost and decorated retail price is strong across their entire line.
35+ years of manufacturing expertise
Founded in 1987 ITC has over 35 years of experience producing blank apparel. That manufacturing heritage shows in the consistency and quality of their products — something newer brands simply can’t replicate.
Decorating ITC Blanks — What You Need to Know
DTF Printing on ITC
DTF printing works excellently on ITC’s cotton-polyester blend fleece. The blended construction provides a good surface for DTF transfers — producing vibrant full-colour results with clean edges and strong wash durability. DTF is the most popular decoration method for ITC hoodies in the current Canadian market.
Screen Printing on ITC
Screen printing on ITC fleece produces bold, consistent results. The cotton face of the 80/20 blend holds ink coverage well. Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for large ITC hoodie runs with simple artwork — popular for grad programs, team orders, and corporate bulk orders.
Embroidery on ITC
Embroidery on ITC fleece produces excellent results — particularly on the heavier SS and Premium Collection styles. The substantial fleece weight provides good stability for stitching without distortion. Left-chest logo embroidery on ITC polos and hoodies produces a premium professional finish.
Decoration tips for ITC:
- Pre-wash ITC blanks before embroidery on heavier styles to account for any residual shrinkage
- For DTF on polyester-heavy blends use appropriate transfer settings — slightly lower temperature and longer press time than 100% cotton
- Screen printing on ITC’s pigment-dyed styles requires attention to ink type — water-based inks perform best on garment-dyed and pigment-dyed fabrics
Most Popular ITC Styles for Decorated Apparel in Canada
SS4500 Midweight Hooded Pullover The most ordered ITC style in Canada. An 80/20 cotton-polyester blend midweight fleece that decorates beautifully across all methods. Available in a wide colour range. The go-to choice for grad hoodies, team apparel, and corporate programs.
PRM4500 Premium Midweight Hoodie A step up in fabric quality and retail silhouette. Popular for gym merch, lifestyle brands, and retail programs where the blank needs to feel premium. Heavier than the SS4500 with a more fashion-forward fit.
IND5000P Legend Premium Heavyweight Hoodie ITC’s answer to the heavyweight hoodie trend. Cross-grain fleece construction with a premium feel that competes directly with Comfort Colors and Lane Seven in the heavyweight segment. Fast becoming a favourite for lifestyle brands and premium decorated programs.
SS3000 Crewneck Sweatshirt A clean versatile crewneck that works for virtually any decorated apparel program. Popular for schools, teams, and corporate casual programs. Decorates consistently across screen printing, DTF, and embroidery.
PRM33SB Special Blend Raglan Hoodie Fashion-forward raglan construction with a retail fit and special blend fabric. Popular with lifestyle brands, gyms, and anyone who wants something more distinctive than a standard pullover hoodie.
Where to Buy Independent Trading Co. in Canada
ITC blanks are available through Fabrik Apparel — one of Canada’s leading wholesale blank distributors. Fabrik ships domestically from Canadian warehouses — no cross-border duties, no customs delays, and competitive wholesale pricing on all ITC styles.
Why buy ITC through Fabrik Canada:
- Domestic Canadian shipping — no cross-border duties
- Competitive wholesale pricing on all ITC collections
- Consistent stock availability for repeat orders
- Fast turnaround from Canadian warehouses
- Easy online ordering with volume discounts
At Kode Garment we source ITC blanks through Fabrik Apparel and decorate them in our facilities — DTF printing, screen printing, embroidery, and patches — all under one roof.
ITC vs Other Premium Blank Brands
ITC vs Comfort Colors Comfort Colors wins on vintage garment-dyed aesthetic and colour variety. ITC wins on fleece construction, hoodie quality, and consistency across large runs. For hoodies — ITC is the stronger choice. For tees and vintage aesthetic — Comfort Colors.
ITC vs Bella Canvas Bella Canvas dominates the premium t-shirt market with ultra-soft ring-spun cotton. ITC dominates the premium fleece and hoodie market. They serve different product categories — most decorated apparel programs use both.
ITC vs Gildan Heavy Blend Gildan Heavy Blend is the budget choice — lower cost, acceptable quality for promotional orders. ITC is the premium choice — higher cost, significantly better feel, decoration results, and perceived value. For any program where quality matters — ITC wins.
Frequently Asked Questions — Independent Trading Co. Canada
Where can I buy Independent Trading Co. blanks in Canada? ITC blanks are available through Fabrik Apparel — a Canadian wholesale blank distributor shipping from domestic warehouses with no cross-border duties.
What is the most popular ITC style in Canada? The SS4500 Midweight Hooded Pullover is the most widely ordered ITC style in Canada — an 80/20 cotton-polyester blend midweight hoodie that decorates beautifully and delivers strong value at wholesale pricing.
Can Kode Garment decorate ITC blanks? Yes. Kode Garment sources ITC blanks through Fabrik Apparel and decorates them in our facilities using DTF printing, screen printing, embroidery, and patches. Contact us for a quote.
What decoration method works best on ITC hoodies? All three main methods work well on ITC fleece. DTF printing produces vibrant full-colour results. Screen printing is most cost-effective for large bulk runs. Embroidery produces a premium professional finish. The right method depends on your design and quantity.
Are ITC hoodies good for grad programs? Yes — the SS4500 is one of the most popular grad hoodie blanks in Canada. Consistent sizing, excellent decoration results, wide colour range, and strong value make it ideal for school and grad programs across Canada.
What is the difference between ITC’s SS and Premium Collections? The SS Collection offers the best value — quality construction at competitive wholesale pricing. The Premium Collection steps up in fabric quality, fit, and retail-inspired silhouettes — ideal for lifestyle brands and programs where the blank needs to feel more premium.
How long does production take for decorated ITC blanks? Standard production at Kode Garment is 7 to 10 business days from proof approval. We source ITC blanks through Fabrik Apparel and decorate in-house — one seamless workflow from blank to finished decorated garment.
Ready to Order Decorated ITC Blanks in Canada?
At Kode Garment we source Independent Trading Co. blanks through Fabrik Apparel and decorate them in our production facilities. Send us your design, your ITC style preference, your quantities, and your deadline — we’ll handle the rest.
📍 Based in Newmarket, Ontario · Shipping Canada-wide 📞 905-235-9444 · Toll free 1-877-788-5633 ✉️ info@kodegarment.com
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