Hoodie Manufacturer Guide: Wholesale & Private Label MOQ, Fabric GSM & Pricing
Hoodies are one of the easiest products to sell and one of the easiest to get wrong when you’re sourcing from a new manufacturer. Fabric weight, fit and finishing details vary a lot between factories, and a hoodie that photographs well can still feel thin or fit strangely once it arrives. Here’s what actually determines quality and price, so you know what you’re paying for before you order — whether you’re buying wholesale or building your own private label line.
Wholesale vs Private Label Hoodies — What’s the Difference
Wholesale means ordering from an existing catalogue — the design, fabric and colourways are already set, and you’re buying at volume pricing. Private label means the hoodie is built to your own specification — your fabric weight, your fit, your labels and packaging — starting from a low minimum order so you’re not committing to thousands of pieces to test a design.
Fabric GSM Guide for Hoodies
GSM (grams per square metre) is the single biggest factor in how a hoodie feels and holds up. Here’s a rough guide:
| GSM range | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 220–260 g/m² | Light, drapes softly | Warm-climate everyday wear, layering pieces |
| 280–320 g/m² | Mid-weight, structured | Most retail and private label hoodies — the common sweet spot |
| 340–400 g/m² | Heavy, substantial hand-feel | Premium streetwear, winter-weight drops |
Below 220 g/m², fleece usually feels thin and see-through under light. Above 400 g/m², cost rises fast and the garment stops feeling like everyday wear. Our own hoodie runs 320–350 g/m² brushed fleece — the range most brands land on once they’ve tested a few weights.
What Actually Affects Hoodie Pricing
- Fabric GSM and composition — heavier fleece and cotton-rich blends cost more than lighter poly-cotton.
- Construction details — a lined hood, ribbed panelling or a kangaroo pocket with bartacking adds sewing time.
- Branding — embroidery generally costs more per piece than screen print; puff print and chenille patches sit higher again.
- Order volume — pricing steps down at each volume tier as setup cost is spread across more pieces.
- Trims and packaging — custom woven labels, hang tags and branded polybags are small per-piece costs that add up.
MOQ — How Small Can You Start
You don’t need a container order to launch a hoodie line. Private label sampling starts from a 1-set MOQ, and production runs from around 50 pieces per style — enough to test a design in the market without tying up capital in stock you’re not sure will sell. See our guide to ordering without a huge MOQ for how that works in practice.
See Our Own Hoodie Before You Order
Instead of asking you to take our word for the construction quality, we’ve published the full tech pack for our hoodie — design flats with numbered callouts, a measurement diagram, size spec table and the construction sequence, the same detail every private label order gets. You can also order the finished piece directly from our retail shop to check the fabric and fit yourself before placing a bulk order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GSM should I choose for a first hoodie order?
320–350 g/m² is the safest starting point for most markets — heavy enough to feel premium, light enough to wear year-round outside peak winter.
Can I mix colourways in a single 50-piece order?
Yes, within reason — send us the split you want in your wholesale or private label inquiry and we’ll confirm what’s practical for that fabric and trim.
How long does a hoodie sample take?
Typically 7–10 days from a confirmed spec, with full production following once the sample is approved.
Ready to spec your own hoodie? Start your private label project and we’ll confirm fabric, pricing and a sample timeline.