Printing Planet UK
The choice between a branded hoodie and a branded T-shirt comes down to three things: how often it will be worn, what it needs to look like, and what your budget is per garment.
Brand Exposure: Hoodies Win
A hoodie is worn more often than a T-shirt. It works in spring, autumn, winter and cool summer evenings. A well-made branded hoodie can be a favourite garment for years. A T-shirt worn as outerwear has a shorter window in the UK climate.
If your goal is maximum visibility over time, a hoodie delivers more impressions per garment than a T-shirt. It is also a more desirable item, which means it is less likely to be discarded or used only as a gym shirt.
Print Quality: T-Shirts Are Easier
DTG printing works best on flat, smooth cotton jersey. A T-shirt provides an ideal surface. A hoodie has a front pocket, drawstring cords, a thicker fabric and a seam across the chest on some styles, all of which can complicate print placement.
Large front prints on hoodies are straightforward. Left chest prints require more care because the pocket on a typical pullover hoodie sits close to where a chest logo would go. Zip hoodies have a zip that splits the left chest.
Embroidery works on hoodies. Front pocket logos, left chest logos above the pocket and sleeve prints are all standard.
DTF transfers handle hoodies well on any fabric including polyester and cotton blends.
Cost Per Piece
| Item | Blank cost (approx) | DTG print | DTF print | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic T-shirt (Gildan) | £3 to £5 | From £12 total | From £10 total | From £15 total |
| Mid-range T-shirt (Stanley Stella) | £8 to £12 | From £18 total | From £15 total | From £20 total |
| Basic hoodie (Gildan) | £12 to £16 | From £22 total | From £18 total | From £25 total |
| Mid-range hoodie (Stanley Stella) | £20 to £28 | From £30 total | From £26 total | From £32 total |
Hoodies cost roughly 1.5 to 2 times more per piece than the equivalent T-shirt. At high quantities, the gap narrows because the decoration cost per piece falls regardless of the garment.
Which to Choose for Different Use Cases
| Use case | Better choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Summer event staff | T-shirt | Comfortable in heat, lower cost |
| Autumn or winter event crew | Hoodie | Worn comfortably outdoors |
| Corporate gift | Hoodie | Higher perceived value |
| Charity fundraiser | T-shirt | Lower cost, higher quantity |
| Sports team training | Hoodie | Worn before and after training |
| Brand merchandise for sale | Hoodie | Higher retail price achievable |
| Large-volume uniform order | T-shirt | Cost efficiency at scale |
Can You Order Both Together?
Yes. Many orders include a mix of hoodies and T-shirts. A common combination is a printed T-shirt for general staff and a hoodie for supervisors or as a premium option.
When ordering mixed items, the decoration is applied consistently across both. The print method should work on both garment types. DTF is the most flexible option as it adheres to any fabric and any garment style.
For hoodie printing in more detail, read our custom hoodie printing guide. For T-shirt printing options, visit our garment printing page.