Blank sweatshirts for printing: crewnecks, weight and bulk prices

What is a blank sweatshirt?

A blank sweatshirt is a plain crewneck jumper in sweat fleece with no print or visible branding. It has a round ribbed collar, ribbed cuffs and a ribbed waistband. Clubs, schools, small brands and printers buy them to add a design with DTF, screen printing, vinyl or embroidery.

Compared with a hoodie, the crewneck has no hood and no kangaroo pocket. That gives you one flat, uninterrupted front, which makes it the easiest warm blank to print on and usually the cheapest.

What weight should a blank sweatshirt be?

Sweatshirts are measured in gsm (grams per square metre), just like T-shirts, but they are much heavier. Use this rough guide:

Fruit of the Loom's Classic Set-In Sweat is approx. 280 gsm, the same weight as the brand's classic hoodie. Most sweat fleece is cotton-rich with some polyester, which helps the garment keep its shape and shrink less than pure cotton.

Which print methods work on sweatshirts?

• DTF: works on cotton, blends and dark colours from 1 piece. Ideal for colourful designs in small runs.
• Screen printing: very durable on the smooth outer face and economical from approx. 30 to 50 pieces per design.
• Heat transfer vinyl: great for names, numbers and simple logos. Press at approx. 150 to 160 °C, following the vinyl maker's settings.
• Embroidery: the dense fleece carries stitches well, so a chest logo looks sharp and does not pucker.
• DTG: possible, but the polyester share gives softer, less crisp results than on a 100 % cotton tee.

Sublimation is not an option on cotton-rich fleece. For a side by side comparison of costs and durability, see screen printing vs DTF vs DTG.

Sweatshirt or hoodie: which blank should you choose?

Both are warm fleece blanks, but they suit different groups:

• Crewneck sweatshirt: the largest clean print area, a tidier look under a jacket or blazer and the lowest price. A good choice for staff wear, choirs, offices and university societies.
• Pullover hoodie: warmer around the neck and the classic choice for leavers, teams and outdoor events. The pocket limits the front print to the chest.
• Zip hoodie: smart for coaches and staff, with a small chest logo and a big back print.

Many groups mix styles and keep the same design on all of them. More on hood and zip styles in blank hoodies for printing and embroidery.

Where should the print go on a sweatshirt?

For a centred front print, start approx. 7 to 10 cm below the collar rib and keep the design approx. 25 to 28 cm wide on adult sizes. A left chest logo works best at approx. 8 to 10 cm wide. On the back, approx. 25 to 30 cm wide suits most sizes from S to XL.

Pre-press the sweatshirt for a few seconds to remove moisture and flatten the fleece, and keep the design away from the shoulder seams and the ribbed waistband. Ribbed parts stretch, so prints there crack sooner.

What do blank sweatshirts cost in bulk?

At Marmalade Co. prices include VAT and the quantity discount is applied automatically at checkout: 5 % from 3 pieces and 10 % from 5 pieces. The crewneck sweatshirt comes in 10 colours.

DHL delivery is €7 flat per order, with dispatch in 0 to 1 working day and delivery in about 2 to 3 working days to Ireland and 10 EU countries. The shop does not currently deliver to the United Kingdom, and it sells blanks only, so printing is up to you or a local printer. Work out your own quantity here:

How do you look after a printed sweatshirt?

Wait approx. 24 hours after pressing before the first wash. Wash inside out at 30 to 40 °C without fabric softener, and dry flat or on a hanger instead of in the tumble dryer. That protects both the print and the brushed inside. For sizing a group order, check the chest measurements in the size guide and order one or two spares in the most common sizes.