5 Ways to Make Custom Hoodies

Blank hoodies are a staple in any wardrobe. Sometimes, though, you might want something a bit less plain. Whether you purchased wholesale hoodies planning to customize them with your brand’s logo, you’re looking to breathe new life into the old sweatshirts hanging in your closet or you are trying to come up with a one-of-a-kind gift, making custom hoodies could be a perfect option. 

You don’t need to be a crafting guru to do it! There are ways of customizing blank apparel, so there is an option that’s suitable for every skill level and budget. Check out these ways to make custom hoodies! 

Our Wholesale Hoodies Are Perfect for Customizing!

1. Tie Dye

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When it comes to creating one-of-a-kind wearable art, you can never go wrong with tie dye. It’s been around for thousands of years, and it has seen a massive resurgence in popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Making tie dyed hooded sweatshirts is easy, and it’s an excellent way to express your creativity. All you need is a blank hoodie and a tie dye kit. For the most vibrant results, use apparel made from 100-percent cotton. Cotton/polyester blends work, too, but the higher the percentage of polyester, the more muted the colors will appear after dying. 

If you already know how to tie dye  wholesale t-shirts, the process is similar for hoodies. Just be sure to use enough dye to fully saturate the fabric. 

2. Heat Transfer Vinyl

If you have access to a Cricut or similar cutting machine, using heat transfer vinyl is a fun and affordable method of customizing apparel. All you need to do is create your design, send it to the cutter, remove the excess bits of vinyl and apply the design to the fabric using a household iron or, ideally, a heat press. 

Making single-color designs is easiest, but you can also use multiple layers of vinyl to create more colorful designs. You could even buy printable heat transfer vinyl, print the design using an inkjet printer and then cut it out using a vinyl cutter. With this option, adding photorealistic designs to blank hoodies is a possibility. 

Heat transfer vinyl is an excellent option for making custom hoodies because it’s affordable, simple and much less messy than techniques like screenprinting. Plus, it delivers high-quality results without the need for any prior experience. 

3. Embroidery

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Embroidery is a classic handicraft that has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. While once thought of as a “grandma hobby,” it’s now something that people of all ages can enjoy. You might think of cross-stitch samplers or embroidered pillows when you think about this project, but it’s also an excellent option for customizing hooded sweatshirts. 

With an embroidery machine, you can add names, logos and designs to garments in minutes. Investing in one of these machines is worth considering if you are trying to launch a garment customization business. 

If you’re just wanting to make some gifts or upcycle some of your old clothing, though, learn to embroider by hand. Getting the hang of embroidery is easy and, with a little bit of practice, you can create beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs. Unlike some crafts, you can learn how to embroider a sweatshirt in just a few minutes. Plus, the supplies are very affordable. 

4. Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most common methods of garment customization. It’s a simple process, the supplies are relatively affordable and it’s easy to get started. One important thing to keep in mind is that this technique works best for designs that are all one color or only feature a couple of colors. Since you need to make and use separate screens for each color, screen printing isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective option for colorful designs. 

If you’re thinking about trying your hand at screen printing, you don’t need to invest in professional equipment. Instead, check out our blog to learn how to screen print at home using basic supplies and materials. 

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5. Sublimation

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Sublimation is a fast, easy method of adding durable images to blank apparel. The process fuses ink with fabric to create designs that aren’t prone to fading and will not peel off. With a high-quality sublimation printer, you can use this process to add photos and other detailed images to clothing. 

However, the downside is that sublimation only works with clothing with a high percentage of polyester. 100-percent polyester hoodies are best for this project, which may be problematic if you prefer the feel of cotton. Cotton/polyester blends work, but the results are best with higher polyester percentages. 

Conclusion

There are all sorts of ways to customize bulk sweatshirts. Part of the fun is experimenting and figuring out which method works best for you. Try one of the techniques above to make your own custom hoodies!