Custom Hoodies vs. Custom T-Shirts: Which Should You Sell?
You’re ready to expand your merch line or launch your apparel brand. You’ve mastered custom t-shirts, and now you’re wondering: Should I add hoodies to the mix?
It’s a smart question. Hoodies command higher prices, inspire fierce brand loyalty, and offer year-round appeal. But they also cost more to produce, require different design considerations, and appeal to a slightly different customer.
After 28 years in the printing industry working with bands, resellers, and businesses across Calgary, I’ve seen what works. The truth? Both have their place—but the right choice depends on your goals, audience, and budget.
Let’s break down custom hoodies in Calgary vs. custom t-shirts so you can make the smartest decision for your brand.
The Case for Custom T-Shirts
Advantages of T-Shirts
1. Lower Entry Cost
- Blank t-shirts: $3-$15
- Total production cost: $10-$25
- Lower risk for testing new designs
2. Universal Appeal
- Everyone wears t-shirts
- Year-round wearability (especially in Calgary summers)
- Easy to layer in colder months
3. Higher Volume Potential
- Lower price point = more impulse buys
- Customers more likely to buy multiple designs
- Great for building brand awareness
4. Easier to Design
- Standard print area (12″x16″ chest print)
- Simpler mockups and previews
- Fewer design placement options to consider
5. Faster Production With DTG printing, t-shirts print quickly and cure fast. 24-48 hour turnaround is standard.
Best For:
- Testing new designs with minimal investment
- Building brand awareness on a budget
- High-volume sales (events, online stores)
- Warm-weather markets
- Customers seeking affordable merch
The Case for Custom Hoodies
Advantages of Hoodies
1. Higher Profit Margins
- Blank hoodies: $15-$35
- Retail price: $40-$70+
- Profit per unit: $20-$40 (vs. $10-$20 for tees)
2. Premium Perceived Value
- Hoodies feel more substantial and valuable
- Customers willing to pay premium prices
- Creates stronger brand attachment (people LOVE their hoodies)
3. Year-Round Appeal (Especially in Calgary)
- Essential for Canadian winters
- Layering piece in spring/fall
- Even worn indoors and in summer evenings
4. More Design Real Estate
- Front chest print
- Large back print
- Sleeve prints
- Hood lining options
5. Brand Loyalty Builder According to Shopify’s merchandising research, hoodies have the highest customer retention rate of any apparel item—people who buy your hoodie become repeat customers.
Best For:
- Established brands with loyal followings
- Cold-weather markets (hello, Calgary!)
- Premium positioning and higher margins
- Building deep customer loyalty
- Fans willing to invest in quality merch
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Custom T-Shirts | Custom Hoodies |
|---|---|---|
| Production Cost | $10-$25 | $25-$50 |
| Retail Price | $20-$35 | $40-$70+ |
| Profit Margin | $10-$20 | $20-$40 |
| Customer Appeal | Universal | Loyal fans/cold climates |
| Design Complexity | Simple | More options |
| Turnaround Time | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours |
| Storage/Shipping | Lightweight, compact | Bulkier, heavier |
| Seasonality | Year-round | Peak fall/winter |
| Volume Potential | High | Moderate |
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Design Considerations: T-Shirts vs. Hoodies
T-Shirt Design Tips
- Keep it centered: Standard chest print, 12″x16″ max
- Bold and simple: Designs should read from a distance
- Consider fabric color: Dark shirts need different design approach than light
Hoodie Design Tips
- Front placement: Smaller chest prints (4″x4″) or larger centered prints
- Back prints: Go big—hoodies can handle 12″x16″ back designs
- Avoid the pocket: If there’s a kangaroo pocket, design around it
- Hood considerations: Some designs wrap onto the hood itself
- Sleeve prints: Premium option for extra branding
Pro Tip: Hoodies with large back prints and small front chest logos are bestsellers. The back is your billboard; the front is your signature.
Pricing Strategy: T-Shirts vs. Hoodies
T-Shirt Pricing
- Budget: $20-$25
- Standard: $25-$30
- Premium: $30-$40
Hoodie Pricing
- Budget: $40-$50
- Standard: $50-$60
- Premium: $60-$80+
Bundle Strategy:
- “T-shirt + Hoodie” combo: $65 (save $15)
- “2 Tees + Hoodie” bundle: $80 (save $20)
Bundles increase average order value and move more inventory.
Check out our complete pricing guide for detailed cost breakdowns.
Fabric Choices Matter
T-Shirts
- 100% Cotton: Soft, breathable, great for DTG printing
- Cotton/Poly Blends: Durable, wrinkle-resistant, budget-friendly
- Tri-Blends: Premium feel, vintage look, higher price point
Hoodies
- Fleece Weight: 8-10 oz (standard), 12+ oz (heavyweight, premium)
- Cotton/Poly Blends (50/50 or 80/20): Most popular, durable, holds shape
- 100% Cotton: Softer but shrinks more, heavier
- French Terry: Lightweight, great for spring/fall
Calgary Recommendation: Go with 8-10 oz fleece blends for year-round wearability. Heavyweight (12+ oz) is overkill except for outdoor/work brands.
When to Choose T-Shirts
Just starting out and need to test designs with minimal investment
Audience is price-sensitive (students, younger fans, budget-conscious buyers)
Selling at summer events (festivals, outdoor markets, warm-weather shows)
You want high-volume sales and brand awareness over profit per unit
Building a catalog of multiple designs and want customers to buy several
When to Choose Hoodies
Have an established brand with loyal customers willing to invest
Cold-weather market (Calgary = perfect hoodie market)
Want higher profit margins per sale
A audience values quality over quantity
Selling in fall/winter or year-round in Canada
The Smart Strategy: Offer Both
Here’s the reality: you don’t have to choose. The most successful merch lines offer both t-shirts and hoodies.
The Winning Formula:
Core T-Shirt Line:
- 2-3 signature designs
- Multiple colors
- Affordable entry point ($20-$30)
Premium Hoodie Line:
- 1-2 hero designs
- Limited colors (black, grey, navy)
- Higher price point ($50-$65)
Why This Works:
- T-shirts attract new customers and build awareness
- Hoodies convert loyal fans and generate higher profits
- Customers can “graduate” from tee to hoodie as their fandom grows
- Seasonal flexibility (tees in summer, hoodies in winter)
Production Considerations
T-Shirts
- Printing: DTG or DTF both work beautifully
- Turnaround: 24-48 hours
- Storage: Compact, easy to store and ship
- Minimums: None at DTG Printing Corp
Hoodies
- Printing: DTG for cotton blends, DTF for poly-heavy fabrics
- Turnaround: 24-48 hours
- Storage: Bulkier, requires more space
- Shipping: Higher costs due to weight
- Minimums: None at DTG Printing Corp
Pro Tip: Start with small batches of hoodies (5-10) to test demand before committing to bulk inventory. With no minimum orders, you can test risk-free.
Real-World Example: Calgary Band Merch Strategy
Scenario: Local Calgary rock band with 500 Instagram followers, playing 2-3 shows per month.
Year 1 Strategy:
- Launch with 2 t-shirt designs ($25 each)
- Sell at shows and online
- Build audience and test which designs sell best
Year 2 Strategy:
- Keep bestselling t-shirt design
- Add 1 premium hoodie ($55) featuring best design
- Offer “Tee + Hoodie” bundle for $70
Results:
- T-shirts generate volume and awareness
- Hoodies generate profit and loyalty
- Bundles increase average order value
- Total revenue up 60% over Year 1
The Bottom Line: Start with Tees, Scale with Hoodies
If you’re just starting out, launch with custom t-shirts. They’re lower risk, easier to test, and build your audience.
Once you have:
- ✅ Proven designs that sell
- ✅ A loyal customer base
- ✅ Consistent sales volume
Then add custom hoodies in Calgary to increase profit margins and deepen customer loyalty.
At DTG Printing Corp, we help Calgary brands grow from first t-shirt to full apparel lines. With no minimum orders, 24-48 hour turnaround, and 28 years of expertise, we make it easy to test, scale, and succeed.
Ready to launch your custom apparel line?Submit your order today or contact us to discuss your t-shirt and hoodie strategy.