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Finding the right hoodie for embroidery isn’t about softness alone. You need fabric that holds its shape, a smooth surface for clean stitching, and durability that lasts through wear and washing.
Whether you’re adding embroidered merch or building a clothing line, these hoodies make your designs look sharp and your brand feel premium.
Best hoodies for embroidery
Each hoodie on this list has been tested and trusted for custom embroidery. Whether you’re adding logos, text, or detailed artwork, these blanks combine the right surface texture, fabric weight, and quality to keep your stitches crisp and your designs long-lasting.
1. Unisex Heavy Blend Hoodie | Gildan 18500
A proven favorite among merchants, this hoodie combines dense 50/50 cotton-poly fleece with a smooth surface that keeps embroidery crisp and even. The sturdy fabric resists stretching, so your logos stay sharp wash after wash.
Its soft fleece interior and double stitching add durability and warmth for colder climates. This Gildan blank is a go-to choice for teamwear, merch drops, or selling custom embroidered hoodies online.
2. Unisex Premium Hoodie | Cotton Heritage M2580
Built for brands that want an upscale feel, this hoodie features a 100% cotton face for clean stitching and true-to-color thread work. The ringspun cotton/poly blend provides a perfect balance of softness and structure, while the plush fleece lining adds a warm, premium feel.
Tear-away labels and reinforced seams make it ideal for embroidery collections and clothing lines that aim for quality, comfort, and a polished look in every piece.
3. Unisex Champion Tie-Dye Hoodie
For statement designs, this Champion hoodie blends heavyweight fleece with hand-dyed patterns that make each piece unique. Its sturdy fabrics and cross-grain construction resist shrinking, keeping embroidery centered and smooth even with everyday wear.
This piece is a go-to choice for streetwear brands, limited-edition drops, or activewear that calls for standout embroidered style and leaves a lasting impression.
4. Unisex Eco Raglan Hoodie | SOL’S 03568
Crafted from organic cotton and recycled polyester, this eco hoodie balances sustainability and function. The firm cotton exterior supports detailed stitching, while the brushed interior adds softness and warmth for colder climates.
Its raglan sleeves and classic fit work well for casual wear, making it a reliable base for eco-conscious clothing companies that value ethics and design quality for their embroidered hoodie brands.
5. Unisex Essential Eco Hoodie | Stanley/Stella STSU822
A premium blank built for embroidery, this 100% cotton hoodie has a dense, sturdy fabric that holds threads perfectly in place. The double-layered hood and reinforced seams prevent sagging, while the mid-weight fleece gives balanced warmth and structure.
Certified for sustainability, it’s a refined go-to choice for minimalist logos or branding across eco-friendly collections that emphasize quality and comfort.
6. Unisex Heavy Blend Zip Hoodie | Gildan 18600
Ideal for embroidered logos on either side of the zipper, this hoodie features air-jet spun fleece with a smooth texture that reduces pilling. The double-needle stitching and sturdy fabrics ensure long-lasting shape and feel, while the metal zipper and roomy pockets add function.
A versatile layer for everyday wear or sports activities, it’s a go-to choice for branded outerwear and custom hoodies focused on durability and comfort.
7. Unisex Pullover Hoodie | Bella + Canvas 3719
Made from airlume-combed ringspun cotton and polyester, this hoodie’s soft fleece interior offers cozy warmth without bulk. The tight weave keeps embroidery clean, while the relaxed fit drapes naturally for a retail-ready silhouette.
Tear-away labels and reliable sizing make it ideal for lifestyle brands – blending comfort, style, and structure in one embroidered essential.
Related products
Custom sweatshirts
Not every customer wants a hood, so selling custom embroidered sweatshirts is a smart move. The same embroidery designs that look great on hoodies also work perfectly on crewneck sweatshirts, giving shoppers more choices while keeping your collection cohesive.
The same rules apply – the best sweatshirts for embroidery will have sturdy fabrics, a balanced fabric blend, and soft fleece interiors for comfort and durability.
Read more: 15 Sweatshirt embroidery ideas
Printed hoodies and sweatshirts
If you’re experimenting with different techniques, printing is a great way to expand your apparel line. Screen printing and direct-to-garment methods work well for bold, colorful graphics that embroidery can’t replicate.
Mixing custom embroidered and printed sweatshirts in your collection helps you reach a wider audience – those who prefer detailed stitchwork and those who love vibrant, full-color designs. Together, they give your store a perfect balance of texture, style, and variety.
Read more: 9 Best hoodies for printing
How to choose the best hoodie for embroidery
The best hoodies for embroidery combine the right fabric, structure, and finish to make your stitches look clean and last longer. Whether you’re creating custom embroidered hoodies for yourself or selling them online, these details will help your embroidery designs stand out for all the right reasons.
Fabric type
Start with a stable fabric. A cotton or cotton-poly fabric blend gives threads a solid grip and prevents puckering during embroidery work. A 100% cotton face – like you’ll find on many quality hoodies – creates a clean surface for crisp logo details and text. Avoid waterproof or overly stretchy materials, which can distort stitches.
Material insight: Choosing the right fabric blend
The right fabric blend determines how your embroidery looks, feels, and lasts. Here’s what to consider:
Organic cotton: Eco-friendly and naturally textured, it holds stitches firmly and provides a clean base for embroidery.
Polyester: Adds flexibility, durability, and shape retention – great for athletic activities or everyday wear.
Soft fleece: Offers extra warmth and comfort, making it ideal for colder climates and cozy designs.
Sturdy fabrics: Balance softness and structure, ensuring smooth embroidery results and long-term durability.
Choose materials that support both comfort and stability for embroidery that looks polished and wears well over time.
Fabric weight
Go for mid to heavyweight hoodies (around 280-350 GSM). Lighter fabrics often ripple under dense embroidery, while thick fleece can make the needle drag. Look for a perfect balance – sturdy enough for crisp stitches yet soft enough for comfortable everyday wear.
Surface texture
A smooth surface is key for precise embroidery. Tightly knit cotton or soft fleece helps threads lie flat and enhances contrast, giving your embroidered designs a refined, high-end look. This keeps embroidery edges sharp, even after repeated washing.
Textured or loose-knit fabrics can make small details appear uneven or fuzzy.
Color
Neutral and solid tones showcase embroidery best, helping thread colors appear vibrant and accurate. Busy prints or marled textures compete with your design, while lighter tones emphasize contrast and legibility.
Fit and construction
Look for structured seams and stable panels around common embroidery areas (chest, sleeve, back). These prevent shifting during stitching and help your logo or artwork sit flat.
The right combination of sturdy fabrics, soft fleece, and thoughtful design choices turns a simple hoodie into a long-lasting piece with a premium feel that reflects your brand’s quality.
Read more: Hoodie design and logo placement guide
Design considerations
Placement, color contrast, and thread density all influence how your embroidery designs stand out. Choose embroidery thread colors that complement the fabric tone. Keep the design placement balanced across seams, pockets, or drawstrings for a clean, professional finish.
Design and sell your embroidered hoodies with Printful
Selling embroidered hoodies with on-demand fulfillment means you can fully focus on designing and growing your business while Printful takes care of embroidery and shipping.
Follow these steps to create high-quality, long-lasting custom hoodies that reflect your brand’s identity and quality craftsmanship.
1. Choose your blank hoodie
Pick from Printful’s Catalog of quality hoodies. Narrow your options by fit, fabric weight, and style. Use the decoration technique filter to quickly find hoodies compatible with embroidery.
2. Select embroidery technique
Choose between Standard Embroidery (up to 6 thread colors) and Unlimited Color Embroidery, which dyes a single thread to achieve full gradients. Both deliver durable, tactile results perfect for logos, text, and detailed embroidery designs.
3. Create or upload your artwork
Design your hoodies, custom sweatshirts, or zip-up hoodies with Printful’s free Design Maker. Use the built-in design tools to make something from scratch or upload your own designs.
Use a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background – at least 300 DPI. Simplify any intricate shapes or fine lines, since extremely small details may not translate well into stitches.
Read more:
4. Position and size your design
Use Printful’s Design Maker to align your artwork. Popular placements include left chest, center chest, sleeve, and back. Keep the design placement proportionate to each hoodie size to maintain visual balance and readability.
Read more: Your ultimate graphics and embroidery guide
5. Preview and approve
Review the digital mockup and stitch preview to ensure color accuracy and placement consistency across variations. The mockup shows how your embroidery design will look once digitized into thread.
6. Add branding details
Elevate your private label clothing line with custom inside and outside labels, sleeve embroidery, or personalized packaging. These touches turn a blank into a finished product that reinforces your brand identity.
Read more: 7 Branding tools with Printful
7. Set pricing and publish
Adjust your sale price based on the production cost and your desired margin. Printful handles fulfillment, so you can focus on marketing and scaling your custom hoodies without worrying about minimum orders.
8. Order a sample
Before you launch, order a sample to test thread quality, texture, and fit. Seeing the final piece helps confirm that the embroidery work meets your brand standards. Plus, you can use it to take real-life product photos for your listings.
Time to bring your own embroidery designs to life
Embroidery adds depth, texture, and character to every hoodie. Selecting blanks with the right materials and adding thoughtful design choices ensures your products look refined and wear well over time.
With Printful, you can turn your creative ideas into embroidered pieces that reflect your brand identity – helping your collection stand out through quality, consistency, and attention to detail in every stitch.
FAQ
Yes, absolutely. Most quality hoodies made from cotton or a cotton-poly fabric blend are perfect for embroidery. The key is a stable surface that holds stitches without stretching. Avoid waterproof or ultra-thin materials, as they can distort embroidery designs or cause thread tension issues.
Printful’s custom embroidered hoodies are pre-tested for the embroidery process, so you can create durable, polished results every time.
The best hoodie fabrics are typically cotton or cotton-poly blends with higher fabric density, which combine softness and structure. A 100% cotton face provides a smooth surface for clean embroidery work, while polyester adds flexibility and helps the hoodie hold its shape.
Avoid performance materials with stretch or waterproof coatings, which can interfere with the embroidery process and reduce stitch consistency.
Yes. Around 280 g/m² is considered a good mid-weight fabric for custom embroidery – dense enough to support detailed designs without being stiff or bulky. It’s a sweet spot between comfort and structure, offering warmth, shape retention, and durability.
Most quality hoodies made for embroidery fall between 280 and 350 g/m², ensuring smooth stitching and a premium feel suitable for both retail and everyday wear.
Not necessarily – it depends on your design goals. Embroidery gives hoodies a textured, tactile finish that often feels more premium than printing, especially on sturdy fabrics or soft fleece. It’s ideal for logos, small artwork, and minimalist branding that benefits from a polished look.
Printing, on the other hand, offers more flexibility for large, colorful graphics. The best option depends on your style, design choice, and how you want your custom hoodie to wear over time.
Wash inside out on a gentle cycle, avoid high heat, and skip bleach. This keeps threads tight and colors true, preserving your embroidery’s premium feel and ensuring it lasts through everyday wear.
Karlina is an SEO Content Writer specialist at Printful. As a firm believer in attitude over aptitude, Karlina gives her 100% whenever she works on something new. Karlina spends her free time reading, traveling, and doing yoga.
