Finding the best hoodies for DTG printing
isn’t just about choosing a brand or picking the
heaviest sweatshirt. The fabric, fit, surface
texture, and overall construction all play a role
in how your custom design looks once it’s printed.
At Top Banana USA in Philadelphia,
we print custom apparel for clothing brands,
musicians, artists, businesses, and individuals.
Some customers want affordable everyday hoodies,
while others are looking for heavyweight streetwear
or that soft, vintage garment-dyed look.
We’ve put together a selection of hoodie blanks
worth considering for your next custom apparel
project, from Gildan and Independent Trading Co.
to American Apparel, AS Colour, MADE Blanks,
and Los Angeles Apparel.
Our biggest recommendation:
For direct-to-garment printing, pay attention
to the hoodie’s outer fabric. Smooth,
cotton-rich surfaces generally produce
sharper details and more vibrant prints.
A heavier hoodie isn’t automatically
a better printing hoodie.
What Makes a Hoodie Good for DTG Printing?
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing
applies water-based ink directly to the
garment. Unlike a traditional screen-printed
design, DTG can reproduce detailed artwork,
gradients, and full-color images without
requiring a separate screen for each color.
But not every hoodie prints the same way.
Here are three things we pay attention to
when recommending a blank.
01
Cotton Content
Cotton generally provides the best
surface for water-based DTG inks.
Cotton-rich fleece can also work
well, especially when the outer
face is smooth and cotton-heavy.
Polyester-heavy fabrics may require
a different printing method.
02
Fabric Texture
Smooth, tightly constructed
fabric helps fine details
reproduce more clearly.
Rougher or heavily textured
fleece may soften the appearance
of small details and intricate
artwork.
03
Fit & Weight
Midweight hoodies are versatile
for everyday merchandise.
Heavyweight styles provide
a more substantial feel and
are popular for streetwear.
The best choice depends on
your audience and budget.
Which Hoodie Style Should You Choose?
There’s no single hoodie that’s best
for every project. We recommend
starting with the type of merchandise
you’re trying to create.
-
Standard & Midweight Hoodies:
Great for everyday merchandise,
business apparel, event clothing,
and affordable custom orders.
-
Premium & Heavyweight Hoodies:
Ideal for customers looking for
thicker fleece, structured fits,
and elevated streetwear collections.
-
Garment-Dyed & Vintage Hoodies:
Great for faded colors, softer
vintage aesthetics, and clothing
brands looking for a more
lived-in appearance.
Below are our hoodie recommendations,
organized by style so you can compare
the options and find the right blank
for your next custom printing project.
