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.
The raw materials are tracked separately from your Shopify products. So they can never be purchased on their own.
You decide which product variants are linked to which raw materials. When a variant linked to a raw material is sold it draws down the inventory of the raw material. All other variants that are linked to that raw material also have their inventory levels updated to match.