Mastering Apparel Customization: Your Ultimate Guide to Jacket and Hoodie Personalization
- 4 min Read

Table of Contents
The Art of Decorating Custom Jackets
Custom jackets are a staple in the corporate and promotional world, offering an unparalleled opportunity to showcase a brand’s logo, message, or design. Unlike the traditional approach of simply listing decoration methods, let’s explore the impact and aesthetic value each technique brings to life on fabric—whether on a cozy custom hoodie or a sleek branded jacket.
- Embroidery stands as a beacon of sophistication and durability. Its texture and depth add a polished, high-end finish to heavyweight materials, making it ideal for formal outerwear and premium hoodie lines. Embroidered details shine especially on custom Nike jackets, custom Marine Layer hoodies, and custom embroidered Carhartt hoodies where craftsmanship and brand identity go hand in hand. Whether you’re branding team gear or corporate gifts, embroidered logos provide a tactile, long-lasting impression.
- Screen printing opens up a canvas of vibrant creativity. It’s ideal for casual, sporty, or lifestyle pieces—like hoodies as company swag or zip-up jackets for company outings. Screen printing is also highly cost-effective in bulk, allowing bold, high-contrast designs to make an impact across a wide audience.
- Heat transfer offers flexibility for detailed, colorful artwork across a wide range of jacket and hoodie materials. This method is perfect for showcasing intricate logos or photographic designs while maintaining a clean, professional finish—great for mid-sized runs or seasonal collections.
- Sublimation is best suited for lightweight performance jackets and hooded tees. With full-color, edge-to-edge designs that don’t crack or fade, it’s ideal for creating statement pieces—especially for custom North Face jackets, which are often chosen for outdoor events and corporate gifting.

Deciphering the Costs of Customizing Hoodies
Whether you’re customizing a hoodie or a lightweight jacket, understanding the cost landscape is key to balancing quality and budget. Several factors influence pricing:
- Decoration method plays a major role. Embroidery is typically more expensive due to the craftsmanship involved, while screen printing and heat transfers offer a lower-cost alternative with strong visual appeal—especially in bulk.
- Order quantity plays a significant role in cost efficiency. The more you order, the more economical each piece becomes, making bulk jacket or hoodie orders ideal for large teams or event-based marketing.
- Garment quality is another core factor. Premium materials—like custom Nike hoodies or custom North Face jackets, or custom Carhartt hoodies with no minimum order requirements—demand a higher upfront investment, but they also reflect well on your brand’s commitment to comfort and quality.
- Design complexity impacts both labor and material cost. More intricate designs require additional steps but also offer a stronger visual impact, helping your branded apparel stand out.
Customizing jackets and hoodies can typically range from $20 to $50 per unit, depending on the garment type, decoration method, and design details—offering flexibility across industries and budgets.

Selecting the Best Prints for Hoodies
Choosing the right print method is critical to the durability and impression of your custom jackets and hoodies.
- Screen printing is perfect for bold, high-contrast artwork—ideal for casual team apparel or mass promotional orders. The inks hold up well over time and retain vibrancy through many washes.
- Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is ideal for complex, high-detail artwork. It’s a great fit for smaller runs of custom Marine Layer hoodies, where softness, eco-friendly materials, and premium print quality come together.
Conclusion
The journey of customizing branded apparel—especially hoodies and jackets—is both creative and strategic. By choosing the right decoration methods, understanding your cost structure, and selecting the most suitable garments and print techniques, you can deliver company swag that’s not only on-brand but also highly wearable and memorable.
Whether you’re investing in eco-luxury with custom Marine Layer hoodies, keeping things sporty with custom Nike hoodies, or equipping teams for the outdoors with custom North Face jackets or opting for rugged durability with custom embroidered Carhartt hoodies, branded outerwear has the power to elevate your presence. When executed well, personalized apparel becomes more than just a garment—it becomes part of your audience’s lifestyle.

Alex Hales
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Alex Hales

Alex Hales

Alex Hales
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Adidas
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Allmade
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American Apparel
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ANETIK
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Artisan Collection by Reprime
A
AS Colour
B
Badger
B
Bayside
B
Beimar
B
Bella + Canvas
B
Boxercraft
C
Carhartt
C
Carmel Towel Company
C
Champion
C
Colortone
C
CORE365
C
Columbia
C
Comfort Colors
C
Cotton Heritage
D
Dyenomite
E
Econscious
E
Everywhere Apparel
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Flexfit
F
Fruit of the Loom
G
Gildan
H
Hanes
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Independent Trading Co.
I
Imperial
I
Infinity Her
J
Jaanuu
J
Jerzees
K
Kishigo
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Lane Seven
L
Legacy
L
Liberty Bags
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Los Angeles Apparel
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M&O
M
Marine Layer
N
New Era
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Next Level
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Nike
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North Face
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Oakley
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OGIO
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Onna
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OTTO
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Design Included in price
- Embroidery - Up to 4” x 4” or 8k stitches ( standard logo placements, +$1.50 per 1k stitches )
- Screen Print - Up to 15x18” 1-6 Colors, any larger custom quote, would need to see mock up, submit request here ( link to /contact form )
- Digital / DTG - Up to 14x16” ( +$5 for 15x18” )
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Finishing Services
Fold & Poly Bag

DTLA Print has an in house finishing department in its facility with trained individuals to professionally fold and bag your garments. Bags can be provided with customizable options, however we use a 1 mill flat poly bag which can be air sealed or taped shut.
$0.95/Shirt
+ 2 days
Size Sticker

Add a size sticker to the outside of each garment or poly bag to easily identify the size of a garment. Packages do come separated by size how ever many retailers and fulfillment centers do require these stickers.
$0.65/Shirt
+ 2 days
Custom UPC Label

We will print & apply a custom UPC label for any retailer, 3rd party logistics or fulfillment partner you work with.
$0.75/Shirt
+ 2 days
Hang Tag

Incorporating price tickets and hang tags securely with a pin, while offering a diverse array of sizes, colors, and finishes, significantly enhances the perceived quality and overall appeal of your garment. Additionally, not only elevate the garment’s perceived value but also provide essential product information, giving your customers a more informed and satisfying shopping experience.
$1.8/Shirt
+ 14 days
Woven Main Label

Create a fully custom woven main label. Includes the actual label itself and the sewing of the label. We will reach out to discuss the woven label material choices, shapes, and design. Please note this does add extra business days to the production time.
$2.75/Shirt
+ 14 days
Woven Hem Label

Create a fully custom woven hem label. Similar to the main label, this includes the actual label itself and the sewing of the label. We will reach out to discuss the woven label material choices, shapes, and design. Please note this does add extra business days to the production time. Hem labels go anywhere except the neck label of a garment.
$1.85/Shirt
+ 14 days
Design guidelines
Embroidery

Standard Size
4.5” W but larger can be requested
Max Size
Not common, but possible
File Formats
PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, PNG
Max Thread Colors
12
Specialty Threads
Metallic & 3D Puff
File Specs
Scaled to size or larger with transparent background
Screen Print

Standard Size
3” - 12” depending on location
Max Size
15x18” *special request
File Formats
PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, PNG
Max Colors
8
Specialty Inks
3M Reflective, Water-based, Plastisol, Puff, Etc...
File Specs
Scaled to size or larger with transparent background
Digital / DTG

Max Size
15x18”
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PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
Max Colors
Unlimited
File Specs
300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
Patches

Max Size
10x13.5”
File Formats
PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
Max Colors
Unlimited
File Specs
300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
Waterbased Transfers

Max Size
15x18”
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PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
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Unlimited
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300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
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We refer to “Blanks” as garments or products with out any decoration, logo, modification, etc... Essentially it is a product that has yet to be customized.
Blanks are typically ordered to test the fit, fabric, & feel but can also be purchased in bulk to customize on your own or be worn blank.
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1 Colour

2 Colour

4 Colour

6 Colour
In screen printing, this is a reference to how many different colors are found in your design. We don’t charge for the base layer so only count the different colors you find in your design / logo.

More than 6
We recommend the Digital or Waterbased Transfer Print method for
Position
Tell us where on the garment you would like the specific design or logo and your account rep will create you a proper mock up to ensure that the design is printed as you intended.
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Right




Neck Label

Decoration Methods Explained
Fabric
Minimums
Photo Quality
Set up Fees
Large Volume
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Specialty Inks
Eco-Friendly Inks
Black Ink
Pantone Matching
Color Vibrancy
Wash
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Screen Printing

Water-based Transfer

Direct to Garment

Embroidery

Patches

Screen Printing

Water-based Transfer

Direct to Garment

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Any
Recommend 100% Cotton For Best
Any
Any
25-100 pieces depending on # of colors
1 piece
1 piece
3 pcs
25 piece
A-to C+ depending on image
A+
A+
N/A
N/A
Per Color
Free
Free
Included
Included
Price Lowers Significantly
Price Lowers
Price Remains after 1k units
Small drop in pricing as quantities increase
Small drop in pricing as quantities increase
Expensive Initial Set Up Costs
Easy/No Set Up Free Pricing
Easy/No Set Up Free Pricing
Higher per unit price at low volume
Higher per unit price at low volume
Yes
No
No
3D Puff & Metallic Threads
3D Puff & Metallic Threads
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
N/A
Most Rich & Dark Blank Prints
Jet Black/100% Black Available
Black Prints Max Out At 90% Vibrancy
N/A
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
N/A
N/A
Best
Amazing Results on Any Fabric
Best on 100% Cotton
Vibrant
Vibrant
A+
A+
A- / B+ Depending on Fabric Blend
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
Screen Print - Ink Types

Eco friendly inks + screen prints are the true green alternative to screen printing. These inks replace traditional harmful inks and are 100% PVC and phthalate free.

Mostly used for athletic/activewear fabrics such as nylons, spandex, polyesters, rayons, lycra, that have a lot of stretch but can also be screen printed on other blends for different textures. These inks will make your prints stretch with the fabric and do not create cracks or creases when stretched. These should be printed on all sports jerseys, yoga apparel, athletic uniforms, and activewear.

We offer the 3M reflective ink prints as well as a standard reflective print that come in either a water-based (eco-friendly) or plastisol-based ink with the unique ability to reflect once a light source is aimed at the print. Popular uses for this new ink includes police departments, fire departments, E.M.S., and other safety professions. Has recently become extremely popular in the skate, surf, urban, and street apparel industries.

Well known for their soft feel and vibrant colors they produce when printed onto t-shirts and other textiles. When printed water based inks leave no hand feel behind so you can feel the fibers of the garment.

Inks that expands and rises when heated, giving a three dimensional look with a raised feel. Any Los Angeles t-shirt printer can buy inks and print them, but the real beauty and art of screen printing on t-shirts comes when you can mix inks correctly and accurately. Controlling how the puff inks actually puff is one example.

Silk screen t-shirt printing with plastisol is the oldest and most commonly used ink across the market to screen print your custom t shirts. The misconception how ever is that all inks are the same.

Specialty Order Off-Site
Available in both water based and discharge inks. The ink actually cracks in pieces the way you want it to so no two pieces will be alike. Great for vintage washed out looks while still brand new. This is custom silk screen printing at its best.

Specialty Order Off-Site
Perfect for creating custom silk screened T-shirts right here in Los Angeles. High Density inks can be matched to any color and rises in the drying process to create a 3D look. Inks can be raised to your desired height or width and can be printed with other high density inks of different sizes.

Specialty Order Off-Site
Burnout is a special screen printing process we use to removes the cotton fibers from a shirt, leaving only the polyester intact. It's perfect if you want to give your T-shirt designs that really cool see-through look.

Specialty Order Off-Site
Flocking screen printing can add a new dimension to your materials. Tiny particles of fiber are applied to a material with an adhesive, adding a suede-like or velvet texture to the surface. We color the fiber according to your designs, and you end up with products that stand out from the rest.
Water-based. w/ Base
Water-based. w/ Base
Oil Based. w/ Base
Oil Based. w/o Base
High Density
Puff
Stretch
Silicone
100% Cotton
90% Cotton
10% Poly
50% Cotton
50% Poly
Tri-Blends
100%
Polyester
95% Poly 5%
Spandex
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Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, reduced rates, or tax on only a portion of items. Examples include exemption of charitable organizations from property taxes and income taxes, veterans, and certain cross-border or multi-jurisdictional scenarios.
*Only orders shipped with in California are charged tax unless a a valid CA resale form is provided.
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Production time is separate from shipping
If you're in a hurry to receive your order, we offer an expedited service to fast-track the production process. While this option incurs additional charges, it ensures you get your product sooner. However, if time is not a pressing concern, you can stick to our standard production schedule at no extra cost. We believe in providing you with the flexibility to choose the timeline that best suits your needs.
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