Custom Hoodies Manufacturer: Full Specs for B2B Buyers

# Custom Hoodies Manufacturer: Specs, Pricing & QC for B2B Buyers You’ve got a hoodie design ready, but the landed cost wire is still buzzing. Is the fabric weight right for your gym’s winter drop? Will the embroidery placement survive a 40°C wash? As a brand founder or Amazon seller, you’ve probably been burned by a factory that couldn’t nail the spec sheet – or worse, missed the MOQ floor and left you sitting on 500 units you can’t move. At Alpinario, we’ve been running our own knitwear lines in Zhejiang for over 20 years. We’re not a trading desk; we’re the machine floor. That means when you ask for a 280 GSM fleece with double-needle stitching and a left-chest screen print that sits exactly 10 cm below the collar seam, our production team knows exactly what you mean. This article walks through the full spec – fabric weight, stitching, print/embroidery placement – so you can brief any factory with confidence. We’ll also cover decoration methods, sampling, and bulk QC checkpoints, because in B2B sportswear, the difference between a repeat order and a chargeback is often a 3 mm misalignment. ## Spec sheet for custom hoodies A hoodie spec sheet is the blueprint that prevents 10,000 units from going to the landfill. Here’s what we require from every client before we cut fabric: **Fabric weight & composition** - Most common: 280–320 GSM fleece (mid-weight, good for layering) - Lightweight: 240–260 GSM (spring/fall, gym warm-ups) - Heavyweight: 380–420 GSM (winter, streetwear) - We work with 100% polyester, poly-cotton blends (65/35 or 80/20), and nylon face + fleece back. - Pantone color matching is available for almost any shade – we’ll match your swatch in our lab dip process (see FAQ). **Stitching specifications** - Seam type: double-needle stitching on shoulder, armhole, and side seams (flatlock or coverstitch depending on end use). - Stitch density: 8–10 stitches per inch (SPI) – tighter than off-the-rack hoodies to avoid blowouts. - Hem: 2.5 cm wide elastic ribbing at waistband and cuffs, 1×1 or 2×2 rib knit. - Drawcord: 5 mm round polyester cord with metal or plastic aglets. We can match cord color to shell or contrast. **Print / embroidery placement** We measure from the center of the hoodie front (CF) to the center of the print/embroidery. Standard placements: | Decoration type | Position | Distance from CF | Distance from collar seam | |----------------|----------|------------------|---------------------------| | Screen print (front) | Center chest | 0 cm | 12–15 cm | | Screen print (back) | Upper back | 0 cm | 15–18 cm | | Embroidery (left chest) | 5 cm left of CF | 5 cm | 10 cm | | Embroidery (back) | Center back | 0 cm | 18–20 cm | | Heat transfer (sleeve) | Left sleeve | 20 cm from shoulder seam | 5 cm from cuff | All placements can be adjusted 1–2 cm based on your artwork size. We require a tech pack with a front/back flat sketch and a dimensioned placement diagram. No tech pack? We can create one from your artwork (free for sample orders). **MOQ & pricing** - MOQ: 1 piece (yes, one hoodie – we’ll make a single sample for you). - Bulk pricing (300–500 pcs): ~$12–$18/pc FOB Shanghai for 280 GSM polyester fleece with 1-color screen print, wash care label, and poly bag. - 1,000+ pcs: ~$9–$14/pc, depending on fabric weight and decoration complexity. - We accept PayPal, T/T, and L/C for larger orders. FBA-ready: we can apply FBA labels and ship directly to Amazon warehouses. ## Decoration methods compared Not all hoodies are created equal, and the decoration method directly affects cost, durability, and lead time. Here’s a side-by-side for the three most common methods we use on our floor: | Method | Best for | Durability | Setup cost | Per-unit cost (300 pcs) | Lead time (sample to bulk) | |--------|----------|------------|------------|-------------------------|----------------------------| | Screen print (water-based) | Large logos, solid colors, high volume | Excellent (100+ washes) | ~$50–$100 per screen | $0.80–$1.50 | 2–3 weeks | | Embroidery | Small logos, text, patches | Very good (40+ washes) | ~$30–$60 per digitized file | $1.00–$2.50 | 3–4 weeks | | Heat transfer (silicone or PU) | Full-color photo, gradients, small runs | Good (30–50 washes) | ~$20–$40 per cut file | $1.50–$3.00 | 1–2 weeks | **Our recommendation for B2B buyers** - If you’re a gym brand ordering 500+ hoodies with a single-color logo, go screen print. Lowest cost per unit, best longevity. - Amazon sellers running small batches (50–200 pcs) with full-color artwork: heat transfer is faster and no screen charges. - Embroidery works best for left-chest logos on heavy-weight hoodies that will be worn as outerwear – it adds a premium feel. **Stitching & decoration interaction** We always check that the decoration area is free of seams. For example, a front chest print should not overlap the kangaroo pocket seam. We mark the hoodie pattern with a 2 cm buffer zone around any seam. Our QC team flags that during the pre-production sample stage. ## Sampling process We aim to get a wearable sample in your hands within 7 days. Here’s the step-by-step from your initial inquiry: **Step 1: Submit your design** Send us a tech pack, artwork file (AI, PDF, or high-res PNG), or a physical sample. If you only have a sketch, our pattern makers will digitize it. We respond within 24 hours – that’s a promise. **Step 2: Fabric selection & lab dip** We pull fabric swatches from our stock of 200+ polyester and nylon blends. If you want a specific Pantone, we produce a lab dip (2–3 days, free for first request). We can match almost any color – the only limit is the dye chemistry for certain neon shades. **Step 3: Sample production** - Simple sample (existing pattern, 1-color print): 3–5 days. - Complex sample (new pattern, embroidery + print): 5–7 days. - First sample is free if you proceed with a bulk order of 300+ pieces. Otherwise, sample cost is $30–$60 per piece, including shipping via DHL/FedEx. **Step 4: Sample approval** We send photos and a video of the sample fitting on a mannequin. You approve by email or WeChat. Once approved, we cut bulk fabric. **Step 5: Bulk production** For a medium order (300 pcs), typical lead time is 4–6 weeks from sample approval. This includes fabric cutting, sewing, decoration, QC, and packing. Rush orders (2–3 weeks) are possible for an additional 15% surcharge. **What happens if the sample is off?** We adjust and re-cut a second sample at no extra cost (within reason). We’ve done this many times for clients who tweak the hoodie length by 2 cm. The goal is to get it right before bulk, not after. ## Bulk QC checkpoints Our QC team follows a 10-point checklist on every bulk order. We don’t skip steps, even for repeat clients. 1. **Fabric inspection** – We check for shade variation, pilling, and weight deviation. Fabric must be within ±5% of the specified GSM. 2. **Cutting accuracy** – Pattern pieces are cut using a computer-controlled laser or knife cutter. Tolerance: ±2 mm. 3. **Stitching audit** – 10% of pieces are pulled from the line. Stitch density must be 8–10 SPI. No skipped stitches, no loose threads longer than 2 cm. 4. **Seam strength** – We test shoulder and side seams with a pull test (minimum 15 kg force). 5. **Decoration placement** – Every piece is placed on a template that matches the approved spec. Print/embroidery must be within ±3 mm of the designated position. 6. **Color matching** – Under D65 daylight lamp, we compare the final print/embroidery to the lab dip. ΔE must be ≤ 1.0 (industry standard). 7. **Labeling** – Care labels, hang tags, and FBA labels (if requested) are applied in the correct position. We double-check wash care symbols. 8. **Packaging** – Each hoodie is folded, polybagged, and packed into export cartons. Carton weight is verified against the manifest. 9. **Pre-shipment inspection** – AQL 2.5 (normal) for major defects. Minor defects are allowed up to 4%. 10. **Final sign-off** – We send photos of the packed cartons and a QC report. You can also arrange a third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas) at your cost. We keep a digital record of every QC checkpoint for each order. If a defect reaches a client, we investigate and replace the piece within 10 days. ## FAQ **MOQ for custom hoodies?** Our MOQ is 1 piece. You can custom order a single hoodie for sampling or for a personal project. Bulk orders start at 300 pieces for the best pricing, but we’ll produce any quantity from 1 to 10,000. **Pantone color matching?** Yes, we match almost all Pantone colors. We run a lab dip for your first color request at no cost. The lab dip takes 2–3 days, and we send you a fabric swatch for approval before bulk production. For fluorescent or metallic colors, there may be a small surcharge ($10–$20 per color). **Sample cost?** The first sample is free if you proceed with a bulk order of 300+ pieces. Otherwise, sample cost ranges from $30 to $60 per piece, depending on fabric weight and decoration complexity. Shipping is included. We ship via DHL, FedEx, or UPS – typically 3–5 days to most destinations. **How long does sampling take?** 3–7 days from design approval. We ship the sample the same day it’s finished. **Can you do FBA labels?** Yes. We can pre-apply Amazon FBA labels and ship directly to Amazon warehouses. This saves you a handling step and removes the risk of label misplacement. **What payment methods do you accept?** PayPal, T/T bank transfer, and L/C for orders over $10,000. We request a 30% deposit with order confirmation, balance before shipment. **Do you have a catalog?** We don’t publish a fixed catalog because every hoodie is custom. But we can show you past production samples (photos) for similar styles – just ask. --- Ready to spec your custom hoodies? We’ll respond within 24 hours with a detailed quote, fabric swatches, and a sampling timeline. **Request a Quote** → [support@alpinario.com](mailto:support@alpinario.com)