A hoodie is the most-worn item in most wardrobes, which makes it the most rewarding thing to customise - and the easiest to get wrong. This guide covers what actually matters when ordering a custom hoodie.
Pullover or zip-up?
The choice affects your design more than people expect.
- Pullover hoodies give you an uninterrupted panel across the chest. If your design is a single image, choose this.
- Zip-up hoodies are split down the centre by the zipper. Designs need to work either side of a vertical break, or sit on the back.
How printing works on fleece
Hoodies are printed with direct-to-garment (DTG) inks, the same process used on t-shirts, but the brushed fleece surface behaves differently to smooth cotton jersey. Two practical consequences:
- Bold shapes beat fine detail. Hairline linework can sink into the pile. Simple, high-contrast artwork reproduces best.
- Colour choice matters. Light artwork on a dark hoodie needs an underbase; bright garments like yellow or red will subtly warm the colours printed on them.
Getting the size right
Hoodies are usually worn over another layer, so most people size up one from their t-shirt size for a relaxed fit, or stay true to size for a closer one. Check the specific size guide on the product page before ordering - fits vary between garment styles.
What a custom hoodie costs
Wearlie custom hoodies start at $32.84, with thermal and crewneck sweatshirts from $34.54. There is no design fee, no setup fee and no minimum order, and shipping is free worldwide. Compare that with local screen printing, which typically requires 12-24 units before it becomes cost-effective.
Designing one without any software
You do not need to open a design tool. Describe the idea in a sentence - "a cactus wearing sunglasses saying Can't Touch This" - and Wearlie's AI generator produces the artwork and previews it on the hoodie. Adjust the wording until it looks right, then order.
Good prompts share three traits: one clear subject, a named art style, and any caption written in quotation marks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order just one custom hoodie?
Yes. Every Wearlie hoodie is printed on demand, so a single order costs the same per unit as a bulk one.
How do I wash a printed hoodie without ruining the design?
Turn it inside out, machine wash cold, tumble dry low, and do not iron directly over the print. The print will comfortably outlast normal wear.
How long does a custom hoodie take to arrive?
Print-on-demand items are made after you order, so allow production time on top of shipping. See our shipping information for current timings.
What is the difference between a hoodie and a sweatshirt?
A hoodie has a hood and usually a kangaroo pocket; a sweatshirt is a plain crewneck. Sweatshirts layer more easily under jackets; hoodies are warmer on their own.
Can I put text only on a hoodie?
Yes. Describe the exact wording in quotes and specify a style, for example "bold condensed sans serif, centred".
Start designing at custom hoodies, or browse funny graphic hoodies for ideas.