Hoodie Cost Breakdown: How Much Does It Really Cost to Manufacture a Hoodie?
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- Issue Time
- Nov 17,2025
Summary
This guide breaks down the key cost components of hoodie manufacturing — including fabric, trims, labor, decoration, overheads, MOQ impacts, and logistics — helping brands grasp profit margins, refine pricing strategies, and negotiate effectively with hoodie manufacturers.
1. What Determines the Cost of Manufacturing a Hoodie?
The cost of producing a hoodie varies greatly depending on materials, complexity, and production quantity. A startup ordering 100 pieces and a streetwear label ordering 5,000 pieces will see dramatically different unit prices.
The main cost drivers include:
● Fabric (40–60% of total cost)
Fabric is by far the largest cost component.
Common fabrics & cost differences:
Cotton fleece (280–350 GSM) → mid-range cost
French terry → lighter and generally lower cost
Heavyweight 400–500 GSM → higher cost, common in luxury streetwear
Organic cotton or recycled blends → 15–40% higher than conventional
● Labor (15–25%)
Factors affecting labor cost:
Number of panels (raglan vs set-in sleeve)
Stitch complexity (flatlock, coverstitch, double-needle)
Country of origin (Asia vs Eastern Europe vs USA)
● Trims & Accessories (5–10%)
Includes:
Woven labels
Hangtags
Zippers, eyelets, drawcord tips
Custom packaging
● Decoration (5–25%)
Decoration can significantly change costs:
Screen print → lowest cost for volume
DTG print → best for low MOQ
Embroidery → higher cost, especially for large surfaces
Chenille patches, felt appliqué → premium pricing
● Overhead & Waste (3–8%)
Factories built in:
Cutting waste
Dyehouse fees
Energy and water usage
Machine overhead
● Shipping & Duties
Shipping can add:
$0.50–$3 per hoodie by sea
$3–$7 per hoodie by air, depending on destination & speed
2. Typical Hoodie Unit Cost Ranges
Approximate manufacturing cost ranges:
| Hoodie Type | Estimated Cost per Unit | Notes |
| Basic fleece hoodie | $6–10 | High-volume factories, simple trims |
| Midweight 320–350 GSM | $12–18 | Most fashion brands |
| Heavyweight premium hoodie | $20–40+ | Streetwear, luxury brands |
Organic / recycled | $18–30+ | Sustainability premium |
Fully custom cut & sew | $25–50+ | Custom patterns, special fabrics |
3. How MOQs Affect Cost
Higher MOQ = lower cost per unit
Lower MOQ = higher cost per unit
Factories often price:
50–100 pcs → highest cost (factory setup fees are spread over small batch)
200–500 pcs → sweet spot for small brands
1000+ pcs → best volume pricing
4. Why Cost Transparency Matters
A good hoodie manufacturer provides:
Detailed line-by-line costing
Clear MOQ tiers
Trim & decoration options with price variations
Updated pricing when cotton or polyester prices fluctuate
5. How Artisan Casual Supports Brands
Artisan Casual helps you estimate real production cost from day one:
Transparent cost breakdowns across multiple fabric weights
Options for organic & recycled materials
Small-batch support for startups
Premium finishing for scaling brands
If you want an accurate cost estimate for your design, Artisan Casual can produce a custom breakdown based on your tech pack.