Help! I need a better way to keep track my shirt inventory

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Core Problem:
Sellers using print-on-demand or heat press methods need to track blank inventory (t-shirts, transfers) separately from finished products. When a customer orders a specific design in a particular size/color, the system should deduct from the shared pool of blank materials used across all designs.

Key Challenge:
Shopify’s native inventory system doesn’t support “raw materials” tracking—it treats each product variant independently. This creates overselling risks when multiple finished products draw from the same blank stock.

Proposed Solutions:

  • Third-party apps: Simple Materials, Connected Inventory, and Material Manager track raw materials separately and sync inventory across linked variants. However, some users report these apps have poor reviews or subscription costs.

  • Workaround using Bundles: One user mentions a “dirty and rough” method using Shopify’s bundle feature, though it has limitations with multiple color/transfer combinations.

  • Product Options approach: Using apps like Easify Product Options to create hidden blank products with color variants, then linking them as options to main products.

  • Custom app development: One developer offers a custom solution tailored to specific needs.

Status: Discussion remains open with no consensus on the best solution. Multiple users continue seeking alternatives to paid apps.

Summarized with AI on October 31. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
11

Hi, I’d like to suggest a solution for your store:

  1. First, create your Main product with the quantity set according to your Heat press transfers (8). Don’t add any color variants to this product.

  2. Next, create a separate product for your Blank T-shirts with color variants. Assign specific quantities to each color. This product should be active but hidden from your storefront using some techniques.

  3. Then, use the Easify Product Options app to create Color options (e.g., Color/Image Swatch). Link each option to the corresponding Blank T-shirt variant you created for inventory tracking.

  4. Finally, add these Color options from the app to your Main product.

This way, your customers can select color options linked to the Blank T-shirts without affecting the inventory of your main product, which is based on Heat press transfers :hugs: .