While custom t-shirts are our bread and butter, we certainly don't discriminate when it comes to apparel customization.
And with winter well on its way, we figured it may be a good time to provide you with a bit of a roundup of some of our top-selling hoodies—specifically, zip-up hoodies.
There are traditional hoodies, with a box-like contour that fit more loosely—and we're big fans of those, too. But there’s also a whole other breed of hoodies with a lot of character and a much more tailored fit: the oft-forgotten about zip-up hoodie. It's a solid option for those who want something a bit more season-agnostic, because a zip-up hoodie can truly be worn year-round. It's basically the t-shirt of hoodies (change my mind).
With all of that being said, let's walk through some of our most popular zip-up hoodies—and some customization opportunities that you may want to incorporate into your next design.
The Fan Favorite
One of the most popular custom zip up jackets ordered at Real Thread is the Independent Trading Co. AFX4000Z. It’s made with extremely soft premium cotton creating a super comfortable, yet fashion fit, hoodie. It’s a great choice for anyone that needs a something more traditional for retail, marketing, events, clients, employees, etc. It comes in 10+ colors with a great wholesale price point.
The Eco-Friendly One
Is sustainability important to you? Our water based inks already have you on the right track, but to take it even further, the econscious EC5650 is a great zip-up hoodie that will have you looking super stylish without calling your commitment to sustainability into question.
This hoodie comes in some great neutral tones, so it's a really solid option for a more muted design. It's monochromatic look (with the zipper hidden and the strings the same color as the base garment) gives it a polished look that lends itself well to a more sophisticated and subtle design.
Interested in eco-friendly garments but looking for something a bit more warm-weather friendly? We've got a ton of excellent eco-friendly custom t-shirts to choose from!
The Trendy One
For something with a bit more character (but still that super soft feel), there's the Alternative Apparel 9590. This hoodie is super lightweight— made of a fabric blend containing both cotton and polyester—which makes it a the perfect year-round addition to any wardrobe.
Something worth mentioning about this personalized hoodie is it’s ability to yield awesome vintage printed results because of the polyester in the fabric combination. Just like printing on t-shirts, hoodies contain different fabric combinations. Most 100% cotton garments will produce bright results, while hoodies with blended fabrics will give you a more vintage look.
Another fun thing about this garment is the fact that it has a bit of a two-toned look, due to the fact that the zipper and strings are white while the garment is whatever color you choose. Gives it a bit of an athletic feel—perfect for taking advantage of the ever-popular athleisure trend.
Common Challenges With Zip Up Hoodie Printing
Because of the creases from the zipper and pockets, it’s very important to use water based ink when printing your design on a custom zip up hoodie. This allows us to avoid ink build up, which can cause imperfections in the final print. However, there are some circumstances that cannot be avoided due to the design. When the hoodie is placed on the pallet for printing, the zipper and the pocket seams are not level with the rest of the garment. These create crevices, so the ink will not be distributed perfectly even as the squeegee runs down the shirt. You can avoid this by not printing too closely to either or using a more distressed look in your design. You can also ask us more about our smooth seam setup process.
Talk to Us
Creating and ordering a custom zip up hoodie is now easier than ever! Once you choose your hoodie style, you can simply upload your art using our drag and drop tool to see your design on every color and can adjust the size and placement to get the perfect final look. Using this tool will help you visualize your design before moving forward and placing your order, making sure it’s exactly what you want—but, as always, feel free to reach out to the team if you've got any questions.
Alright—what are you waiting for?! Keep your customers and your team warm this winter season and start designing a custom zip up hoodie now!