Custom Hoodie Manufacturer in China: Low MOQ & Private Label Guide (2026)
Hoodies are the rare apparel category that sells in every season and every market — streetwear drops, gym brands, merch lines, staff uniforms, campus stores. If you want your own branded hoodie made, China is still the world's factory for it. But "find a hoodie factory" is where most first-time buyers go wrong: they end up with a trader, a watermark, or a 1,000-piece minimum they can't move. This guide covers what actually matters when sourcing custom hoodies from China in 2026.
Why Source Hoodies from China
China's garment cluster — especially Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta — combines fabric markets, knit factories, embroidery/print houses, and trimming suppliers within a short radius. That density means shorter lead times and lower unit cost than almost anywhere else, even for small runs. A 100-piece custom hoodie order is completely normal at a small-batch factory; you do not need to commit to a container.
What "Custom Hoodie" Actually Includes
Before you ask for a quote, get specific about the build. Each choice changes fabric cost and the production steps:
- Silhouette — pullover, zip-up, oversized, cropped, unisex, or fitted.
- Fabric — French terry, fleece (brushed or unbrushed), loopback cotton, or poly-cotton blend; weight 280–400 gsm.
- Decoration — embroidery, screen print, DTG (direct-to-garment), or heat-transfer vinyl.
- Branding — woven neck label, size tag, hangtag, polybag, and custom tissue or sticker.
- Color — piece-dyed, garment-dyed, or your Pantone match.
MOQ: What's Realistic
| Supplier Type | Typical Hoodie MOQ | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass-production knit factory | 500–2,000 pcs/style | Big reorders, chains | |
| Mid-size factory | 200–500 pcs/style | Growing brands | |
| Small-batch factory | 100 pcs/style | Startups, test drops, influencers | |
| Print-on-demand | 1 pc | Prototype, ultra-niche |
| Option | Look / Feel | Best Use | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushed fleece 320 gsm | Soft, warm, plush inside | Winter, loungewear | Most popular default |
| French terry 280 gsm | Smooth, breathable, premium | Spring/autumn, minimalist | Higher perceived value |
| Embroidery logo | Raised, durable, premium | Left chest, cuff | Best for small marks |
| Screen print | Flat, vivid, cheap at volume | Large front/back art | Setup per color |
| DTG print | Photo-quality, no setup | Complex art, low qty | Slower, pricier per pc |
Private Label Steps (End to End)
- Brief the factory — send a tech pack or clear photos: silhouette, fabric weight, colour, sizing, and decoration placement. Our tech-pack guide shows the minimum a factory needs.
- Get a quote & confirm FOB price — tiered by quantity (100 / 300 / 500 / 1,000+). Confirm what's included: labels, polybag, hangtag.
- Sampling — order 1–3 pre-production samples to check fit and hand-feel. The sampling process guide explains the rounds.
- Confirm & deposit — production usually starts after a 30% deposit; balance on completion.
- Production & QC — 10–15 days for a small batch; inline and final inspection per our QC checklist.
- Ship — express (DHL/FedEx) for a test run, or sea freight for reorders. See shipping by destination.
What It Costs (FOB, Indicative)
FOB factory price for a basic custom hoodie (brushed fleece, embroidered logo, woven label) typically lands in a tiered band. Exact numbers depend on fabric weight, decoration, and order size:
| Order Size | Relative Unit Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 100 pcs | Medium | Setup absorbed, in-stock fabric |
| 300 pcs | Lower | Better fabric & label pricing |
| 500 pcs | Lower still | Efficient line, bulk trims |
| 1,000+ pcs | Lowest | Optimised cutting & decoration |
Always ask for the price inclusive of your branding (labels, polybag, hangtag) so there are no surprises at checkout. Our cost-breakdown guide walks through every line item.
Lead Time & Reorders
A 100–300 piece custom hoodie run runs about 10–15 days after sample approval, plus transit. Keep your bestsellers in a reorder cycle: a confirmed second run lets the factory buy fabric ahead and shorten your next lead time. Plan seasons with our production calendar so you're not ordering winter stock in November.
FAQ
Can I mix colours within a 100-piece MOQ?
Yes, at most small-batch factories — e.g., 40 black + 30 grey + 30 navy still counts as one 100-piece style. Confirm the colour-split rule before quoting, since some factories set a per-colour minimum.
Embroidery or print for my logo?
Embroidery reads more premium and survives washing; best for small chest or cuff logos. Screen/DTG print suits large graphic backs. Many brands do both.
Do I need my own design file?
A clear reference photo plus measurements is enough to start. A full tech pack speeds sampling and reduces revision rounds — see our tech-pack guide.
How do I protect my design?
Use a written agreement and confirm pattern/design ownership up front. Our IP protection guide covers NDAs and who owns the blocks.
Bottom Line
Custom hoodies from China are accessible at 100 pieces if you pick a small-batch factory, use in-stock fabric, and specify decoration clearly. Avoid no-MOQ resellers, confirm branding is in the price, and plan reorders by season. That's the difference between a profitable drop and a garage of dead stock.