Hoodies are the most-requested item we make from October to March in New Jersey, and they are also where blank choice matters the most. Two hoodies with the same design can feel completely different, and the price difference between the cheapest and the nicest blank on our list is more than $20 a piece. Here is how the popular ones compare, using manufacturer and supplier specs and our own prices for one colored hoodie with a front print.
The comparison table
| Hoodie | Fabric | Weight | Feel and fit | Price for 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend | 50/50 cotton/poly | about 8 oz | Classic, roomy, everyday | $41.50 |
| Hanes P170 EcoSmart | 50/50 | about 7.8 oz | Similar to Gildan, slightly softer face | $41.50 |
| Independent SS4500 | Cotton/poly blend | about 8.5 oz | Softer, a bit more fitted, retail feel | $42.50 |
| Gildan SF500 Softstyle | 80/20 | about 8.4 oz | Smooth and soft, modern fit | $44.00 |
| Next Level 9303 | Fleece blend | midweight | Soft, trimmer fit | $49.50 |
| Champion S700 Powerblend | 50/50 | about 9 oz | Heavier, athletic look, recognizable brand | $50.50 |
| Bella+Canvas 3719 | 52/48 sponge fleece | about 7 oz | Very soft, lighter, slimmer unisex fit | $51.00 |
| Independent IND4000 | Heavyweight blend | about 10 oz | Thick, warm, streetwear look | $52.50 |
| Comfort Colors 1567 | 80/20, garment-dyed | about 9.5 oz | Lived-in, faded colors, relaxed | $66.50 |
Weights are approximate and come from the product pages listed at the bottom of this article, like Gildan's 18500 page and the Independent SS4500 sales sheet. Prices drop with quantity. The Gildan 18500, for example, goes from $41.50 for one to $38.50 each at 24 and $35.50 at 48.
What weight and fabric actually mean
Weight is usually given in ounces per square yard. Higher means thicker and warmer, but also heavier and sometimes boxier. Around 7 to 8 ounces is a normal everyday hoodie. 9 to 10 ounces feels noticeably substantial.
50/50 blends hold their shape, shrink less and are affordable. 80/20 and cotton-heavy blends feel softer and more like a store-bought sweatshirt, but can shrink a little more. Sponge fleece, like the Bella+Canvas 3719, is brushed for a very soft, light feel.
Garment-dyed hoodies like the Comfort Colors 1567 are dyed after they are sewn, which gives that soft, washed, vintage color. Each one can vary slightly in shade, which is part of the look.
Which hoodie for which job
Teams, schools and big groups
The Gildan 18500. It comes in a huge range of colors, including most school and team colors, runs from youth sizes up through big adult sizes, and is the most affordable. For a PTO spirit wear sale or a travel team, this is what we would pick.
Work crews in the cold
The Gildan 18500 or the Champion S700 if you want something heavier. Dark colors hide job-site wear. A left-chest logo with your company name big on the back is the classic. See our work shirt guide.
Merch you sell, gifts and retail
The Independent SS4500 is the sweet spot for price and feel. The Bella+Canvas 3719 is softer and lighter. The Independent IND4000 is the heavyweight pick if you want it to feel premium. The Comfort Colors 1567 is the most expensive but has a look people specifically ask for.
Crewnecks, zips and sweatpants
Not everyone wants a hood. A Gildan 18000 crewneck sweatshirt is $34.00 for one colored crew with a front print, coming down to $28.50 at 48. The Gildan 18600 full-zip hoodie starts at $50.00, and since the zipper splits the front, the usual design is a left-chest logo and a big back print. For matching sets, the Gildan 18200 sweatpants start at $35.00 for a colored pair with one print. The Bella+Canvas 3901 sponge fleece crew matches the 3719 hoodie if you want a full set in the softer fabric.
Sizing tips
- Hoodies are meant to be roomy. Most people should order their normal t-shirt size.
- The Bella+Canvas 3719 and Next Level 9303 run trimmer. Size up if you like a loose fit.
- The Comfort Colors 1567 runs relaxed.
- Bigger sizes cost more on hoodies than on tees. On the Gildan 18500, a 2XL is $3.00 more and a 3XL is $4.00 more. On some premium hoodies the jump is bigger, and the designer shows it.
Print placement on hoodies
- Front: the design sits above the pocket, usually up to about 10 to 11 inches wide.
- Back: the biggest canvas, and the best spot for names, numbers and business info.
- Sleeve: great for a town name, year or social handle, $3.00 extra.
- Embroidery: a stitched left-chest logo looks sharp on a hoodie. Embroidered pieces take 10 to 15 business days.
Which colors print best
Almost any hoodie color works with DTF printing, because the transfer includes a white base layer under the colors. A few things to keep in mind:
- Heather colors like sport gray and dark heather look great and hide lint and pet hair, which matters on fleece.
- Black and navy show off bright designs, but also show lint. They are still the most popular colors for a reason.
- Garment-dyed colors on Comfort Colors vary slightly hoodie to hoodie. If an exact match across 30 pieces matters, choose a standard dyed blank.
- School and team colors are easiest to match on the Gildan 18500, which has the widest color range of the hoodies on our list.
Price at a glance for a group of 24
Here is what 24 colored hoodies with a front print cost per piece on a few popular blanks: Gildan 18500 at $38.50, Hanes P170 at $38.50, Independent SS4500 at $39.50, Gildan SF500 at $41.00, Bella+Canvas 3719 at $48.00, and Independent IND4000 at $49.50. Add a back print and most of these go up about $6.00 a piece. There is no New Jersey sales tax on clothing, so that is the real price.
Caring for a printed hoodie
Wait at least 24 hours after you get it before the first wash, turn it inside out, wash cold or warm, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Skip fabric softener on the print and never iron directly on the design. It will look good for a long time.
See them side by side
The easiest way to decide is to put your design on two or three hoodies in our designer and compare the prices for your quantity. Want to feel the difference before ordering a big batch? Order one of each style first. With no minimum, it is a cheap way to be sure.