Printed Hoodies Example: Sports Brand Shirts, 3 Print Locations
A real project example: 120 hoodies and 200 T-shirts for a sports brand with three print locations each — technology choices, sizing, price guidelines and an 8-business-day turnaround.
This printed hoodies example comes from a real order we completed this summer: for a Latvian sports brand, we produced 120 hoodies and 200 T-shirts with three print locations on each item — a large logo on the back, a small mark on the left chest, and a slogan on the sleeve. We completed the job in 8 business days from artwork approval — screen printing for the large areas, DTF for the small elements; the indicative price was around €24 per hoodie and €9.50 per T-shirt (excl. VAT) at this volume. The client asked us not to publish the brand name until the collection launches, so we're showing the process, figures and technical solutions — photo and name usage is agreed with each client individually.
The task: one visual language, two garments
The brand was preparing for the launch of a new season and wanted a unified set: hoodies for the team and partners, T-shirts for sale in-store and at events. The main requirement was that the logo colour should look identical on black, grey and white backgrounds, and that the print should withstand at least 40–50 wash cycles at 30°C.
We started with a concrete proposal: three garment options with different fabric weights, a comparison of printing technologies, and a price table at 50, 100 and 250 pieces. After reviewing samples, the client chose a 320 g/m² hoodie with side pockets and a 180 g/m² cotton T-shirt.
Why we combined screen printing and DTF
The large back print was in two colours with no gradients — a classic screen printing job. At 120 pieces, screen printing becomes cheaper than digital printing, and the colour on dark fabric is denser and more durable.
The small elements — the chest mark and the sleeve slogan — had fine lines and a third colour, so we produced them using DTF. This avoided extra screen printing stencils and setup costs for each small colour. We ruled out the third option, embroidery, because the sleeve slogan was too fine to embroider well at under 10 mm height. For a broader overview of technologies, see our garment printing page.
Print locations and maximum sizes
| Print location | Technology | Maximum size |
|---|---|---|
| Back (centre) | Screen printing | 30 x 40 cm |
| Front (centre) | Screen printing or DTF | 30 x 40 cm |
| Left chest | DTF or embroidery | 8 x 8 cm |
| Sleeve | DTF | 8 x 25 cm |
| Back of neck under hood | DTF | 10 x 5 cm |
For hoodies, two technical limits need to be considered: you can't print across the pocket seam or the hood drawstring area on the front, and for XS–S sizes, the large artwork needs to be reduced by 10–15%, otherwise the design runs into the side seams. We prepare these reductions ourselves and send a visualisation for approval beforehand.
Price guidelines for this job
The figures below are indicative, excl. VAT, and include the garment, printing at the specified locations, and packaging. The exact price depends on quantity, size breakdown, number of colours and print area size.
| Quantity | T-shirt, 2 locations | Hoodie, 3 locations |
|---|---|---|
| 25 pcs | from €14.00 | from €31.00 |
| 50 pcs | from €11.50 | from €27.00 |
| 100 pcs | from €9.50 | from €24.00 |
| 250 pcs | from €8.20 | from €21.50 |
For screen printing, we additionally charge for stencil preparation — approximately €15–20 per colour per print location. This is a one-off cost, so for repeat orders with the same artwork, the price drops. DTF printing has no setup fee, but the price increases proportionally to the print area size, so for large areas at volume, screen printing is more cost-effective.
Files, samples and turnaround
The client sent their logo in vector format (.ai and .pdf); we defined the colours in Pantone shades and converted them for screen printing colours so the result would be consistent on black and grey fabric. If a logo is only available in .png or .jpg format, we redraw it — this usually takes 1–2 business days and is quoted separately.
Our schedule for this job was as follows:
- Day 1: quote, agreeing on garments and size breakdown
- Days 2–3: artwork, visualisations, printing of one sample hoodie
- Day 4: sample approval in person at Kandavas iela 29A
- Days 5–8: screen printing, DTF, quality check and packaging
The standard turnaround for garment printing is 5–10 business days, depending on quantity and number of technologies used. Urgent jobs can be arranged separately if the garments are in stock.
What to consider for a similar order
Size breakdown
For sports brands, we usually recommend a breakdown where S–M–L–XL make up around 80% of the volume. If the set is intended for retail sale, order a few XS and XXL sizes — they sell more slowly, but missing sizes harm the overall impression of the collection.
Number of colours
Every additional screen printing colour increases setup costs. If the logo has three or more colours and the print run is under 50 pieces, DTF almost always costs less.
Repeat orders
We keep artwork and prepared DTF files on file, so a second batch is usually 8–12% cheaper and faster. For this client, we produced a second batch of 60 hoodies in 5 business days.
We also work with single pieces, if you need a sample or a gift. See specific products in the T-shirts and sweatshirts and jackets sections.
FAQ
How many print locations can a single hoodie have?
Technically up to four: front or chest, back, sleeve and the back of the neck under the hood. Each additional location adds approximately €2–4 to the unit price, depending on technology and area.
What's the minimum order quantity?
For DTF and embroidery, we work with as little as 1 piece. For screen printing, the practical limit is around 20–25 pieces, since below that, the setup cost per piece becomes disproportionate.
Will the print survive washing?
Both screen printing and DTF, after proper curing, withstand 40–50 wash cycles at 30°C, when washed inside out without bleach. Avoid ironing directly over the print.
How long does a finished order take?
Usually 3–10 business days from artwork approval. If the order involves multiple technologies or more than 200 pieces, plan for 8–10 business days.
Can I get a sample before the full run?
Yes. We prepare one printed sample in 1–2 business days; this usually costs €25–40, and for larger runs, this cost is credited against the total invoice.
