Custom Hoodie Manufacturers: What to Know Before Starting Production

While a custom hoodie on a sketch might appear quite straightforward, a primer would reveal that manufacturing involves many more considerations than simply printing a logo on a sweatshirt. Fabrics weight, fit, hood shape, pocket shape, ribbing, trims, decoration, labels and washing are change any couture. If a brand is in need of custom hoodie manufacturers, it should consider each of these features to ensure the design can be successfully developed.

The main difference begins at the beginning and is related to the way of producing. A blank hoodie already has a committed a shape, fabric,cut, proportions and construction. The brand can apply graphics and labels but the final blank is produces by somebody else. Cut-and-sew production has a different process. Each factory of over size, boxy, cropped, heavy-weight and zip-up hoodie fabrics drafts, cuts and cramp the hoodie relying on the sample pattern from the brand to make the hoodie.

Fabric Weight Changes the Character of a Hoodie

Of all differences in hoodies with the same design, fabric selection is nearly always the most prevalent. French terry offers a looped interior and tends to be a lighter, more breathable weight. Brushed fleece adds a softer interior, great when the brand is seeking more body and warmth.

The various manufacturers todate (October 2023) have their own weights that they provide. Potato Apparel for example list 280- 480 gsm and another manufacturer list 300 – 500 gsm fleece. Others also list 400 – 500 GSM heavyweight streetwear weights.

In terms of GSM for an everyday hoodie a brand might be looking at 300-350. A slightly heavier street wear style probably is about 380-450 GSM and above. These are all general guidelines and the GSM doesn‘t indicate the quality of the fabric. The composition of fibers, the density of knitting, finishing and construction have a large bearing on feel and wear.

Fit Matters as Much as Fabric

Heavyweight fabric by itself isn‘t going to give the hoodie the strong silhouette you‘re probably looking for. The pattern must correspond to the silhouette you want.

Much of this is in the proportions of the item such as boxy or baggy/oversized fits, Drop shoulders, being popular among streetwear brands or the more traditional casual fit or cropped fit among others. Even the hood alters shape with 2 panel versus 3 panel hoods or the addition of a lining which gives weight to the hood.

They also offer custom pattern development for these varied silhouettes. Some will even take a tech pack or sample garment from their client, and develop the pattern with measurements provided by the designer.

A genuinely custom hoodie is one that allows the brand to have control over many more features than just the artwork. The factory can design the kangaroo pocket, side pockets, cuffs, waistband, drawcords, zipper, hood lining, labels and packaging to the specification of the product.

Decoration is another dimension. Many graphics printing well with screen, while puff printing rises above the fabric. Embroidery provides another tactile quality of logo, and chenille patches may work for a more classic varsity or streetwear aesthetic. Existing suppliers can promote combinations of screen, puff ink, DTF transfer, embroidery, and patch.

Private labeling alters the product experience as well. Instead of a standard neck label, a brand can put in their own woven label, add a care label, include branded hang tags, and develop their own packaging.

MOQ Can Range From 30 Pieces to 300 or More

MOQ rates differ significantly in the marketplace. One factory is currently calling for MOQs of 30 pieces per style and color, though some are at 50 pieces. Other makers list MOQs of 100 per style and color, while others demand 300 style and color.

This one difference makes a lot of sense for new brands. A startup, for example, might want to run a test with 50 pieces of one hoodie design, then see how a larger order compares. An established label will often sacrifice some cost savings for significantly more capacity, and much more attractive unit economics, at several hundred or several thousand pieces.

The fabric itself is also going to make a difference to the MOQ. Some factories will take a small order if they are ordering a standard fabric for the brand but will require more garments if they are custom making the material.

Sampling Should Come Before Bulk Production

A good sample will answer questions that drawings and product specifications cannot.:

By sampling, brand was able to see the actual fit, fabric weight, shape of the hood, pocket placement, rib tension, stitching, placement of the print, embroidery and so on. If body was short on length or hood did not have enough structure, the brand was able to alter the pattern before production.

Currently, various sample lead times are being quoted by the manufacturers. For example: relevant to Potato Apparel, one is told that a pre-production sample takes 7–10 business days, whereas for AGA Traders it is 7–12 days. Also, for Jiashun Clothing, pre-production samples for heavyweight hoodies are said to take 10–15 working days.

After the brand okays the sample, the factory is able to use the approved spec as the reference for the production. It is particularly crucial when the brand intends to reorder the same hoodie at a later date.

Production Time Depends on the Project

There is no single process time scale for bulk production. It depends on number of units, fabric availability, print, wash, packing, and workload.

An example can be the following: Potato Apparel used to quote an order size of 200– 500 pieces within 25–35 business days after sample approval. AGA Traders have a lead time of 15–30 days and Jiashun Clothing are quoting 20–30 working days after sample approval.

These numbers are reasons why a brand should request a production schedule for each individual project rather than relying on the average time listed for every hoodie order.

How Much Does a Custom Hoodie Cost?

No one factory price can define all the given hoodie. Factors such as weight of fabric, rate of cotton, how a garment is made (construction), amount ordered, design/motif, washing, trims, labels, packing, and shipping determine the cost and best price

A 280 GSM French terry hoodie with a single, simple screen-printed graphic will have a very different manufacturing process than a 450 GSM heavyweight hoodie with custom embroidery, garment washing, metal hardware and private labeling.

Quantity also changes the unit economics. Higher order quantities enable the factory to amortize design and set costs over more garments. The unit economics for small orders tend to be worse.

To compare quotations from suppliers, brands should ask for quotations on the same specifications; otherwise, they may receive quotations on two entirely different products e.g. a lightweight blank style hoodie from one factory versus a heavyweight fully custom product from another factory.

What Should You Ask a Hoodie Manufacturer?

Gather as much product detail as possible in preparation for obtaining a quote A good spec should provide information of the required fit, fabric type, GSM, colours available, size range, production of hood, particular details of pocket style, style of decoration, labels, packaging, desired quantity and target delivery date.

Manufacturers can then provide far more relevant recommendations. A manufacturer might advise on 320 GSM French terry for a lighter weight style or 400 GSM fleece if the brand requires a higher weight streetwear look.

Having worked with similar items counts as well enquire with the manufacturer whether they can show you examples of similar hoodies, rather than just giving you access to a catalogue of ‘all the products they make’. Past work will be useful to determine wether the factory is familiar with the specific construction details your item requires.

Local or Overseas Manufacturing?

Both options can be ideal depending on the importance given to it by the brand. Local manufacturing allows more room for easier communication as well as visiting the factory and observing the process. Overseas manufacturing allows the brand to benefit from larger production capabilities and the ready existing textile supply chains.

Brands should set the total landed cost rather than by only the factory quotation. Consider the impact of the international ship, customs, inspection, packaging and delivery time, which influence the business result.

For a new streetwear label, factory minimums of 50-100 pieces might allow the designer to get a look at a new prototype before ordering hundreds of units. A larger label might focus solely on production and repeat order cost performance.

Choosing the Right Custom Hoodie Manufacturer

Leading custom hoodie manufacturers do not just make a logo into a hoodie. They regulate the product from fabric choice to final quality check.

JiuvelWear, operated by Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd., offers bespoke garment manufacturing for brands, who are eager to produce garments based on their individual requirements. The production flow include fabric supply, sample making, garment producing, inspectorate and quality check.

In the end, a suitable factory is based on the kind of product you‘re aiming to develop. For a small startup, minimum order quantity (MOQ) and flexible sampling options might be crucial. On the other hand, a long-time streetwear brand might focus more on heavy weights, repeat order stability, ability to take on volume, and intricate production details.

A branded product hoodie is truly a brand product when the manufacturer has managed all details from initial pattern to final garment. And having that much control allows brands a lot more room to develop unique fit, feel and identity instead of fighting on another blank hoodie with other logo.

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