When it comes to starting a custom apparel brand, one item stands out as a must-have: the hoodie. It’s not just a warm layer—it’s a walking billboard, a lifestyle symbol, and a go-to garment for every season. For young men stepping into the world of business and garment printing, hoodies offer the perfect mix of practicality, trend, and profit potential.
Let’s dive into why hoodies should be at the top of every startup’s apparel list.
The Popularity Power of Hoodies
From high school students to startup founders, hoodies are universally loved. They’re comfortable, stylish, and incredibly versatile. This makes them one of the most demanded pieces of clothing across age groups and markets.
Streetwear brands, tech startups, musicians, influencers—all of them use hoodies as part of their branding. That popularity creates a golden opportunity for anyone starting a custom apparel business. Create a design that resonates, print it on a quality hoodie, and you’ve got yourself a market-ready product.
Why Hoodies Are Perfect for Customisation
One reason hoodies work so well in the custom garment world is the sheer amount of printable space. The front, back, sleeves, and even the hood itself offer plenty of canvas for creativity.
Whether you’re screen printing bold graphics or embroidering a minimalist logo, hoodies give you room to express a brand’s personality. And they hold up well with most popular garment printing techniques—screen printing, embroidery, DTG (Direct to Garment), DTF (Direct to Film), and vinyl heat transfers all work beautifully on hoodies.
Hoodie Trends That Young Brands Can Tap Into
Today’s hoodie designs go beyond just plain black and grey basics. For up-and-coming apparel brands, experimenting with colours, cuts, and textures can set you apart.
Here are some hoodie trends that are dominating in 2025:
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Oversized Fits – Popular in streetwear, oversized hoodies are a big hit with Gen Z and millennials.
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Cropped Hoodies – Perfect for gender-neutral or unisex brands targeting trend-forward audiences.
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Earthy Tones – Natural shades like beige, sage, and sand are trending for their “clean” and aesthetic look.
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Layered Graphics – Hoodies with multi-placement prints (like sleeve and chest combos) are in demand.
By aligning with what’s trending, startups can increase the appeal of their custom hoodie lines without massive marketing spend.
Profit Margins and Pricing Potential
Another major reason entrepreneurs love hoodies? The profit margins.
While blank hoodies are a bit pricier than t-shirts, customers are willing to pay a premium for them. Especially when the design is unique or limited edition. A custom-printed hoodie that costs $20–$30 to produce can often retail for $60–$90—or even more if branded properly.
Young brands looking to establish early cash flow should consider launching hoodies early in their product range. With the right design and marketing, they can turn into fast-moving, high-margin items.
Hoodie Printing Methods That Work Best
For those new to garment printing, choosing the right printing method for hoodies is essential. Here’s a quick breakdown of methods used by professional providers like tshirtplus, a well-known name in the Australian custom apparel space:
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Screen Printing – Great for bulk orders and long-lasting results. Best for bold, single or multi-colour designs.
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Embroidery – Offers a premium, durable finish. Ideal for branding (like logos on chest or sleeves).
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DTG Printing – Best for full-colour or photographic designs on 100% cotton hoodies.
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DTF Printing – A flexible and modern method suitable for both cotton and poly-blend fabrics.
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Vinyl Heat Transfers – Excellent for sports numbers, team names, or small runs.
Each method has pros and cons, but thanks to companies like tshirtplus, startups don’t need to invest in equipment right away—they can outsource production and focus on design and marketing.
Brand Building with Hoodies
Hoodies do more than just keep people warm—they help build a brand identity. Think of your hoodie as your mobile billboard. When someone wears your branded hoodie, they’re spreading awareness for your business in a casual and authentic way.
For startups targeting students, creators, or small business communities, gifting or selling hoodies can be a powerful promotional strategy. Custom hoodies also work well for team uniforms, product launches, merch drops, and giveaways.
If you’re working with a reliable partner like tshirtplus, you’ll have access to premium hoodie brands and professional printing that gives your business the polished look it needs.
Start Small, Think Big
Starting with hoodies doesn’t mean you need thousands of dollars in stock or equipment. Many new brands begin with small print-on-demand batches or pre-orders. This allows them to test designs, build hype, and manage costs while learning the market.
As demand grows, they scale into larger collections or even branch into other apparel categories like t-shirts, caps, or activewear.
The key is to keep your hoodie designs original and aligned with your brand voice—whether that’s bold and edgy, soft and minimalist, or creatively expressive.
Final Thoughts
Hoodies are more than just cozy clothing—they’re a powerful tool for building and scaling a custom apparel brand. For young men stepping into the world of garment printing, starting with hoodies is a smart, stylish, and strategic move.
With design freedom, profitable margins, and widespread demand, there’s no better time to turn hoodie printing into a business opportunity. Brands like tshirtplus make it easy to bring ideas to life and produce hoodies that leave a lasting impression.
So whether you’re a graphic designer, a content creator, or just a young dreamer with a brand idea—consider hoodies your launchpad to success.