Blank Hoodies, Sweatshirts & Specialty Apparel Guide for DTF Printing

Blank hoodies and sweatshirts represent one of the highest-margin product categories for DTF printing businesses. A $5 blank hoodie with a $2 DTF transfer can retail for $35–50, making sweatshirt decoration one of the most profitable segments in custom apparel. This guide covers popular blank hoodie and sweatshirt brands, full-zip options, specialty blanks, and DTF-specific tips for pressing on heavier garments.

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Plain Crewneck Sweatshirts

The crewneck sweatshirt is the simplest canvas for DTF decoration — no hood, no zipper, just a flat front panel.

Popular Blank Crewneck Sweatshirts

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Blank Hoodies

Hanes Hoodie Options

Hanes produces several popular blank hoodie models:

• Hanes P170 (EcoSmart Pullover): 7.8 oz, 50/50 cotton/poly, budget pricing
• Hanes F170 (Ultimate Cotton Pullover): 10.0 oz, 90/10 cotton/poly, heavier premium feel
• Hanes N270 (Nano Pullover): 7.2 oz, ring-spun cotton, softer hand

Hanes Long Sleeve Options

• Hanes 5186 (Beefy-T Long Sleeve): 6.1 oz, 100% cotton, the classic long sleeve tee
• Hanes 5596 (Tagless Long Sleeve): 6.1 oz, lay-flat collar, tagless comfort

Full-Zip Hoodies Blank

Full-zip hoodies require special DTF consideration:

• Gildan 18600: Budget full-zip, 8.0 oz, wide range of colors
• Independent Trading Co. SS4500Z: Mid-tier, 10.0 oz, quality construction
• Note: When pressing DTF on a full-zip, use a heat press pillow to avoid pressing over the zipper teeth. Print on one side of the zipper or use a two-piece split design.

Full Face Zip Up Hoodie Blank

Full-face zip hoodies (where the zipper extends to the top of the hood) are a niche product. These are available from select blank suppliers and are popular for custom streetwear. DTF transfers can be applied to the back panel and sleeves, but the full-zip front limits front decoration options.

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Specialty Blank Apparel

Black Blank Shirts

Black is the single most popular blank color for DTF printing because DTF's white ink underbase makes full-color designs pop on dark garments. Stock black blanks in your most-used styles:

• Gildan 5000 Black
• Bella Canvas 3001 Black
• Next Level 3600 Black

Black Polyester Shirts

100% black polyester shirts are commonly used for sublimation but also work with DTF. When pressing DTF on polyester:

• Lower temperature to 270–290°F
• Use light-to-medium pressure
• Always use a Teflon cover sheet to prevent glazing

Blank Bandanas

Blank bandanas (typically 100% cotton, 22" x 22") are a growing niche for DTF decoration. Applications include custom dog bandanas, promotional event accessories, and western/country themed merchandise. Press DTF transfers onto bandanas at standard cotton settings. Bulk blank bandana sourcing is available through wholesale apparel distributors.

Infant Jerseys

Infant jerseys and onesies are a high-demand personalization product. When pressing DTF on infant apparel:

• Use CPSIA-compliant transfers
• Scale designs to infant proportions (4–6" max width)
• Test temperature on similar fabric scraps before pressing on the actual garment

Hoodie with Different Color Sleeves (Color-Block Hoodies)

Color-block hoodies feature contrasting sleeve colors — typically a different color body with colored sleeves, similar to a raglan t-shirt construction. These are popular for streetwear, school spirit wear, and custom team apparel. DTF transfers can be applied to the body panels at standard settings. When pressing near the color-block seam, use a heat press pillow to equalize pressure.

Comfort Colors Sweatshirts and Quarter-Zips

Comfort Colors has expanded beyond t-shirts into sweatshirts and outerwear:

• Comfort Colors 1566 — Garment-dyed crew neck sweatshirt, 10.0 oz ring-spun cotton, relaxed fit. The same vintage, broken-in aesthetic as the 1717 tee. DTF at 310–325°F, 15 seconds, medium-firm pressure.
• Comfort Colors Quarter Zip — A garment-dyed quarter-zip pullover with the signature Comfort Colors washed look. Ideal for school spirit wear, outdoor brands, and lifestyle apparel. DTF transfers apply at standard cotton settings with increased press time for the heavier fabric.
• Jiffy Comfort Colors — Jiffy Shirts is a popular wholesale supplier that carries the full Comfort Colors lineup at competitive pricing, often with same-day shipping on in-stock items.

Dri-Fit Hoodies Wholesale

Performance moisture-wicking hoodies (often called dri-fit hoodies) use polyester or poly-blend fabrics designed for athletic and outdoor use. Wholesale dri-fit hoodie options include:

• Nike Therma-FIT and similar branded performance hoodies (higher cost)
• Sport-Tek and Augusta Sportswear performance pullover hoodies (budget-friendly)
• DTF notes: Lower temperature to 270–290°F for polyester content, use a Teflon cover sheet

Eco-Friendly Hoodies Wholesale

The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly hoodies is growing. Wholesale eco-friendly options include:

• Organic cotton hoodies — Made from certified organic cotton, free of synthetic pesticides
• Recycled polyester blends — Made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles
• GOTS-certified blanks — Global Organic Textile Standard certified for environmental and social criteria

Wholesale eco-friendly blanks are available from specialty distributors and increasingly from mainstream suppliers. DTF transfers work on eco-friendly hoodies at the same settings as their conventional counterparts.

Beanie Blanks

Blank beanies are a growing product category for DTF and heat transfer decoration. Most beanie blanks are knit from acrylic, acrylic/wool blends, or 100% cotton. DTF transfers can be applied to beanies using a hat press or mini heat press at standard settings for the fabric type. Beanie blanks are available from the same wholesale suppliers that carry blank t-shirts and hoodies.

Blank T-Shirt Template

A blank t-shirt template is a design file (usually AI, PSD, or PNG) showing a flat-lay outline of a t-shirt used for mockups and design placement. These templates are used in e-commerce listings to show customers what the finished product will look like before ordering. Free blank t-shirt templates are available from design resource sites and most print-on-demand platforms.

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DTF Tips for Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Temperature and Time

Sweatshirts and hoodies are thicker than t-shirts, which means:

• Use the same temperature as for the fabric type (cotton, poly blend, etc.)
• Increase press time by 3–5 seconds compared to t-shirts to account for the thicker material absorbing more heat
• Increase pressure slightly — medium-firm for most hoodies

Dealing with the Kangaroo Pocket

Front-pocket hoodies have a raised seam where the pocket meets the body. Options:

1. Print above the pocket — Keep the transfer in the upper chest area
2. Use a heat press pillow — Place a pillow between the garment layers to equalize pressure over the pocket seam
3. Print on the back — The back panel of a hoodie is flat and easy to press

Zipper Hoodies

Never press directly over zipper teeth — it damages both the zipper and the heat press platen. Use a pressing pillow and split designs to work around the zipper.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best blank hoodie for DTF printing?

The Gildan 18500 (Heavy Blend Pullover) is the most cost-effective blank hoodie for DTF. For a premium option, the Independent Trading Co. IND4000 offers better construction and a modern fit. Press at standard temperatures for the fabric blend, adding 3–5 seconds of dwell time.

Can you DTF print on polyester hoodies?

Yes. Lower the temperature to 270–290°F, use light-to-medium pressure, and cover with a Teflon sheet to prevent scorching. Polyester blend hoodies (like the Gildan 18500 at 50/50) are the most common and work well with DTF.

How do you press DTF on a hoodie with a pocket?

Use a heat press pillow placed between the garment layers to equalize pressure over the pocket seam. Alternatively, print above the pocket line or on the back panel where the surface is flat.

Are blank bandanas good for DTF printing?

Yes. Cotton bandanas (22" x 22") accept DTF transfers at standard cotton settings. They are popular for custom dog bandanas, promotional items, and western-themed merchandise.