Custom Hoodies: The Highest-Retention Piece in Any Branded Apparel Program

Ask anyone which piece of branded apparel they still wear years after receiving it, and the answer is almost always a hoodie. Custom hoodies have the highest retention rate of any garment category in branded apparel programs across Orange County, which makes them one of the smartest investments a brand can make in its collection. Merchcraft, based in Santa Ana, develops custom hoodie programs for brands, teams, and gifting collections throughout OC.

Why hoodies outperform other branded pieces

A hoodie is comfortable, practical, and season-flexible in a way that most branded apparel is not. It gets worn on weekends, at the gym, running errands, in settings far removed from the original branded context. This translates into significantly more wear-life and brand impressions per piece than a polo or tee, which tend to be reserved for specific contexts.

Decoration options for custom hoodies

Screen printing

The standard for casual, graphic-forward hoodie programs. A bold front or back graphic in screen print works well on fleece and communicates a lifestyle or streetwear aesthetic that many Orange County creative and retail brands want.

Embroidery

For a more refined, premium finish, an embroidered logo on the chest or a small embroidered detail on the sleeve reads as considered and higher-end. This is the right choice for corporate gifting programs and brands wanting their hoodie collection to feel elevated rather than casual streetwear.

For guidance on which method fits your specific design, see our full screen printing vs. embroidery comparison.

Fabric and construction

Fleece weight and construction vary significantly across hoodie blanks. Lighter 6 to 7 oz fleece works well for warmer OC climates and year-round wear. Heavier 9 to 10 oz fleece feels more substantial and premium, better suited to cooler-weather gifting programs and outerwear-style branded collections. Pullover versus full-zip is largely a style preference, though zip hoodies read slightly more polished for corporate and client-facing gifting.

Who orders custom hoodies through Merchcraft

• Corporate gifting programs across Irvine and Newport Beach wanting a premium, high-retention gift item
• Creative and lifestyle brands in Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach building retail merchandise collections
• Event and organization apparel for Orange County community groups and teams
• Internal culture and team apparel programs for growing businesses across OC

Ordering custom hoodies

Minimum order is 24 pieces for screen printing, 12 pieces for embroidery. Standard turnaround is 7 to 10 business days after artwork approval.