Custom Hoodies for Tech Companies — What to Know Before You Order

If you work at a tech company, you already know that the hoodie is basically the unofficial uniform of the industry. From onboarding kits to company retreats to all-hands merch drops, custom hoodies are one of the most requested branded items we produce at Swagwear — and for good reason. Done right, a custom hoodie becomes something people actually wear, which means your brand travels everywhere they do.

But there's a lot that goes into a great custom hoodie order that most people don't think about until something goes wrong. Here's what we tell every tech company client before they place their first order.

Choose the Right Blank

The blank — the undecorated hoodie before your logo goes on — matters more than most people realize. The difference between a $12 hoodie and a $28 hoodie isn't just price. It's weight, fit, feel, and how well it holds up after 50 washes.

For tech companies, we most commonly recommend:

• Independent Trading Co. SS4500 — The gold standard for premium custom hoodies. Heavyweight (8.5 oz), a modern fit that works for all body types, and a softness that makes people reach for it first. This is what Spotify and Pinterest order from us.
• Bella+Canvas 3719 — Slightly lighter (7.2 oz), great for teams that want a fashion-forward fit. Popular with design teams and creative agencies.
• Next Level 9300 — A mid-weight option with exceptional color options. Great if your brand color is something specific that needs to match exactly.
• Gildan 18500 — The workhorse. Affordable, durable, and available in massive quantities. Great for large all-hands events where budget matters more than premium feel.

Decoration: Embroidery vs. Screen Printing

For hoodies, you have two main decoration options:

Embroidery

Embroidery works best for chest logos, sleeve hits, and any small logo placement. It gives a premium, three-dimensional look that elevates the garment. The limitation is detail — embroidery can't replicate fine lines or gradients, so logos with lots of detail sometimes need to be simplified.

Screen Printing

Screen printing works best for large back graphics, bold chest prints, and anything with multiple colors or detailed artwork. It's flat, vibrant, and cost-effective for larger quantities.

At Swagwear, most tech company orders use embroidery on the chest and either a clean back print or nothing on the back. It's a polished look that feels premium without being overdone.

Minimums and Timelines

Most quality decorators have a minimum order quantity — typically 24 to 48 pieces for embroidery and 48 to 72 pieces for screen printing. At Swagwear, we work with clients on both small runs and large programs, so we can usually accommodate even smaller orders for the right client.

Timeline-wise, plan for 2 to 3 weeks from artwork approval to delivery for standard orders. Rush production is available but adds cost. If you're ordering for an event, give yourself at least 4 weeks of runway to be safe.

Sizing for Corporate Orders

One of the most common mistakes on first orders is getting the size breakdown wrong. For a general corporate audience, a typical breakdown looks like this:

• S: 10%
• M: 25%
• L: 30%
• XL: 25%
• XXL: 10%

For a more technical or athletic audience, shift slightly toward M and L. For a general office population, add more XL and XXL. When in doubt, ask us — we've sized thousands of corporate orders and can advise based on your team's profile.

What to Send Us

To get started on a custom hoodie order, you'll need:

• Your logo in vector format (.ai, .eps, or high-resolution .pdf). If you only have a .png, we can usually work with it but vector is always better.
• Your preferred colorway. Tell us the Pantone color of your logo if you know it, or share your brand guidelines.
• Your size breakdown and total quantity.
• Your ship-to address and in-hands date.

That's it. We'll handle everything else — blank sourcing, decoration, quality control, and delivery.

Ready to Get Started?

Looking to set up a company merchandise store for your team? We handle that too. Or browse our full product catalog for inspiration.

Email us at info@swagwear.com or contact us here to request a quote. We work with tech companies across New York City and nationwide, and we'd love to help your team look great.