For most custom hoodie orders the Independent Trading Co. SS4500 is the best all-round blank: its 100% cotton face prints like a tee, it is the standard for puff and streetwear looks, and 50 black hoodies with a 1-color front print come to $30.13 each. The Gildan 18500 is the familiar 50/50 team and school hoodie at $29.47, and the Lane Seven LS14001 is the surprise of the three: a cotton-faced premium fleece that prices lowest right now, at $24.22.
All three are pullover hoodies in the 8 to 8.5 oz/yd² range, so warmth is similar. What separates them is the fabric at the surface, the yarn, and the price of the blank.
The three hoodies side by side
Prices come from our live quote engine: 50 pieces, black hoodie, sizes S to XL, one front print, per piece before sales tax, garment and print included. Screen prep is built into the per-piece price.
| Garment | Weight and fabric | Fit and feel | Best print methods | FPC price, 50 pcs black, front print (1 color / 2 colors) | Minimum | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent SS4500 | 8.5 oz/yd², 80/20 ring-spun cotton/polyester fleece, 100% cotton face, 20 singles | Classic fit, jersey-lined hood, metal eyelets | Screen printing (including puff), embroidery | $30.13 / $31.17 | 36 per design (screen print), 24 (embroidery) | About 2-3 weeks after art approval |
| Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend | 8 oz/yd², 50/50 cotton/polyester fleece, 20 singles | Classic fit, double-lined hood, 1x1 rib with spandex | Screen printing (plastisol), embroidery | $29.47 / $30.51 | 36 per design (screen print), 24 (embroidery) | About 2-3 weeks after art approval |
| Lane Seven LS14001 | 8.25 oz/yd², 80/20 cotton/recycled polyester 3-end fleece, 100% cotton face, 30 singles | Regular fit, three-panel fleece-lined hood, side seams | Screen printing, embroidery | $24.22 / $25.26 | 36 per design (screen print), 24 (embroidery) | About 2-3 weeks after art approval |
Fabric specs are from the S&S Activewear catalog descriptions for each exact style. Some heather and specialty colors use different blends (for example, several 18500 heathers are 60/40 polyester/cotton). Our live catalog carries 47 colors of the 18500, 46 of the SS4500 and 33 of the LS14001.
What drives the price difference
Almost all of it is the blank. The printing is the same on all three: a 1-color front on a black hoodie is $6.47 per piece at 50 pieces, and a 2-color front is $7.51. In our catalog the blanks price at $23.66 for the SS4500, $23.00 for the 18500 and $17.75 for the LS14001, before any decoration.
Sizes 2XL and up carry an upcharge, and it is larger on fleece than on tees. The quote calculator adds it per size, so a size run heavy in 2XL and 3XL will come out higher than the S to XL figures above.
If you want a left-chest logo instead of a print, embroidery starts at 24 pieces. At 24 pieces, a left-chest logo of about 5,000 stitches comes to $33.29 per piece on the SS4500, $32.63 on the 18500 and $27.38 on the LS14001 (garment and stitching, before tax), plus a one-time $45 digitizing fee per design.
Why the cotton face matters on press
A lot of budget fleece has polyester at the surface, and polyester fights ink. The SS4500 and LS14001 both have a 100% cotton face over a cotton/poly body, which gives the ink a smooth, stable surface: prints stay bold and sharp instead of sinking into the fleece. The 18500's 50/50 fleece still prints bold and durable with plastisol, which is why it is the default team hoodie, but the polyester content rules out discharge.
Two things we handle on every hoodie job that a flat price list will not tell you:
- The pouch pocket. A front print has to sit above or around the kangaroo pocket and clear the drawcords. We lay the print out around the pocket on your proof, so you see exactly where it lands before anything is printed.
- Stitch density on fleece. Very high stitch counts can dimple a lighter fleece. We keep dense fills in check at digitizing so a left-chest logo stays flat instead of puckering the fabric around it.
Which one should you pick?
Pick the Independent SS4500 for merch and streetwear. It is the hoodie streetwear brands standardized on, and the one we print puff ink on most. The cotton face takes fine detail, water-based looks and dimensional prints well. Independent SS4500 specs and live pricing, and for puff, see our specialty inks page.
Pick the Gildan 18500 for teams, schools and staff. It is the most familiar hoodie in custom apparel, the 1x1 rib with spandex keeps its shape at the cuffs and waistband, and the color range covers almost any school or company palette. Gildan 18500 specs and live pricing.
Pick the Lane Seven LS14001 when you want a premium feel on a tighter budget. It has the finer 30-singles yarn and the cotton face of a fashion hoodie, and at today's catalog price it is the lowest of the three. The trade-off is a smaller color range (33 colors). Browse it alongside every other style in our hoodie catalog.
Choosing the decoration
- Screen printing is the best value from 36 pieces per design, for front, back and sleeve prints. See the screen printing cost guide for how quantity and color count move the price.
- Embroidery suits company and team hoodies with a left-chest logo, from 24 pieces. Embroidery stitch count explained covers how logo size changes the cost.
- Puff and specialty inks add the raised streetwear look; read Puff Ink, Foil, and Specialty Screen Printing Inks before you choose.
Every order includes a free digital proof, and we only start production after your written approval. Price your hoodies in the quote calculator; it runs the same engine as the figures in this post.
Frequently asked questions
Which hoodie is best for screen printing?
The Independent SS4500 is our top pick because its 100% cotton face gives ink a smooth surface for bold, sharp prints, including puff. The Lane Seven LS14001 also has a cotton face; the Gildan 18500 prints well with plastisol but cannot be discharge printed.
How much does it cost to print 50 custom hoodies?
With a 1-color front print on black, sizes S to XL, before tax: $24.22 per piece on the Lane Seven LS14001, $29.47 on the Gildan 18500 and $30.13 on the Independent SS4500. Sizes 2XL and up cost more.
Gildan 18500 or Independent SS4500: what is the difference?
The 18500 is 8 oz/yd² 50/50 fleece, the value pick for teams, schools and staff. The SS4500 is 8.5 oz/yd² 80/20 fleece with a 100% cotton face, so it feels softer and prints a bit finer.
Can you embroider these hoodies?
Yes, all three, from 24 pieces. A left-chest logo of about 5,000 stitches is $27.38 to $33.29 per piece at 24 pieces depending on the blank, plus a one-time $45 digitizing fee per design.
What is the minimum order for custom hoodies?
Screen printing starts at 36 pieces per design and embroidery at 24. For a handful of hoodies, ask about DTG or DTF.
How long do custom hoodies take?
About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush depends on the schedule, so tell us your date.
