Best Hoodie Blanks In Australia For Custom Printing (2026 Guide)
The hoodie blank you choose is just as important as the design you put on it. A great print on a cheap hoodie still feels cheap. And a premium blank with a poor-quality print wastes everyone's time and money.
This guide covers what actually matters when choosing hoodie blanks for custom printing in Australia — based on real printing experience across thousands of garments.
What Makes a Good Hoodie Blank for DTG Printing?
Not all hoodies print equally. Here's what to look for:
- Cotton content: DTG ink bonds best with natural cotton fibres. 100% cotton or 80%+ cotton blends give the sharpest, most vibrant prints. Polyester-heavy blends can cause dye migration (colour bleeding into the ink) especially on dark garments.
- GSM (grams per square metre): Higher GSM = heavier, more premium feel. For custom branded hoodies, 280–380 GSM is the sweet spot.
- Surface texture: A smooth, tight knit surface produces cleaner prints. Heavily brushed or textured fleece can cause ink to spread unevenly.
- Pre-shrunk fabric: Always choose pre-shrunk blanks to avoid post-wash size changes that distort your print placement.
Hoodie Blank Comparison: What's Available in Australia
1. 280GSM French Terry Hoodie
Best for: Everyday wear, café and gym uniforms, casual branded merch
French terry is a mid-weight loop-back fabric — smooth on the outside, looped on the inside. It's lighter than traditional fleece, making it ideal for Australian climates where a full winter hoodie is overkill most of the year.
- Weight: 280 GSM
- Cotton content: 80% cotton / 20% polyester
- Print quality: Excellent on light colours, very good on dark
- Feel: Soft, breathable, slightly structured
2. 320GSM Fleece Pullover Hoodie
Best for: Premium branded merch, schools, tradies, winter workwear
The classic hoodie weight. 320 GSM fleece has enough body to feel substantial without being too heavy for Australian winters. This is the most popular blank for custom branded hoodies across Australia.
- Weight: 320 GSM
- Cotton content: 80% cotton / 20% polyester
- Print quality: Excellent — the smooth face of the fleece holds ink well
- Feel: Warm, structured, premium
3. 380GSM Heavyweight Hoodie
Best for: Premium streetwear brands, high-end merch, cold climate workwear
Heavyweight hoodies have become increasingly popular in Australia as the streetwear market matures. At 380 GSM, these feel genuinely premium — comparable to brands like Champion or Carhartt.
- Weight: 380 GSM
- Cotton content: 100% cotton or 90/10 blend
- Print quality: Outstanding — high cotton content means exceptional DTG results
- Feel: Dense, structured, premium weight
4. Zip-Up Hoodie (300GSM)
Best for: Gyms, sports clubs, corporate casual, events
Zip hoodies offer a different aesthetic and are popular for gym and sports branding. The zip means no front chest print area, so most designs go on the back or left chest.
- Weight: 300 GSM
- Cotton content: 80% cotton / 20% polyester
- Print quality: Very good on back and chest panels
- Feel: Versatile, athletic, clean
GSM Guide: Which Weight Is Right For You?
| GSM Range | Feel | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 240–270 GSM | Light, casual | Summer events, lightweight merch |
| 280–320 GSM | Mid-weight, everyday | Uniforms, branded merch, most businesses |
| 340–380 GSM | Heavy, premium | Streetwear, high-end brands, winter workwear |
Colours: What Prints Best?
Light coloured hoodies (white, grey, natural): The easiest to print on. DTG ink goes directly onto the fabric with no underbase needed. Colours are vibrant and accurate.
Dark coloured hoodies (black, navy, forest green): Require a white underbase layer first. Results are excellent on high-cotton blanks. Avoid very fine details or very light pastel colours on dark hoodies.
Most popular colours in Australia: Black, white, navy, stone/sand, and forest green are consistently the top sellers for custom branded hoodies.
Sizing: Australian vs US Sizing
Most hoodie blanks available in Australia follow US sizing conventions, which run slightly larger than traditional Australian sizing. As a general guide:
- If your customer wears AU size 10–12 (women's), recommend S or M
- For a relaxed/oversized fit, size up one
- Always provide a size chart with measurements (chest width, body length) rather than just S/M/L labels
No Minimum Orders on Hoodie Blanks at Diyprint
One of the biggest pain points with custom hoodies in Australia is minimum order quantities. Most traditional printers require 24–50 pieces minimum — which is a huge upfront commitment if you're testing a new design or running a small team order.
At Diyprint, we print from 1 piece with no minimum order. Whether you need 1 sample hoodie to check the quality before a bulk run, or 500 hoodies for a national event — we've got you covered.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote or browse our hoodie range to find the right blank for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I supply my own hoodie blanks for printing?
Yes, we accept customer-supplied garments for DTG printing. Note that we can't guarantee print results on unknown fabric compositions, and supplied garments aren't covered by our reprint policy if the fabric isn't DTG-compatible.
What's the minimum cotton content for DTG printing on hoodies?
We recommend at least 60% cotton for acceptable DTG results. Below 50% cotton, colours will appear washed out and the print may not adhere properly. For best results, choose 80%+ cotton.
Do hoodies shrink after washing?
All our blanks are pre-shrunk. Expect minimal shrinkage (1–3%) with normal washing. Always wash inside out in cold water to preserve both the garment and the print.
How long does it take to print custom hoodies in Australia?
At Diyprint, production takes 1–3 business days. Add 2–5 business days for metro delivery via Australia Post, or 5–10 days for regional areas.