Why Custom Sweatshirts Dominate Year‑Round
A quality sweatshirt delivers 24‑7 comfort and billboard‑size branding—perfect for chilly lecture halls, casual Fridays, and outdoor tailgates alike. Each piece generates roughly 5,800 impressions over its lifetime, giving you a lower cost‑per‑view than most social ads.
Fast marketing wins
- High retention. 60 % of recipients keep a branded crewneck for 2+ years.
- All‑season appeal. Layer‑friendly fleece gets worn in spring, fall, and even summer A/C.
- Low CPM. A $20 hoodie can cost under $0.004 per impression—cheaper than branded search clicks.
- No minimums, fast free shipping. Order one or a thousand; we ship qualifying orders free, nationwide.
Source: ASI Impressions Study, 2024
Decoration Methods Compared
| Method | Best For | Pros | Things to Know |
| Screen Printing | Campus events, bulk orders | Bright inks, lowest cost per piece | One screen per color; bold art works best |
| Embroidery | Corporate gifts, premium merch | 3‑D stitched logos last forever | Best on mid‑heavy fleece; higher unit cost |
| Direct‑to‑Garment (DTG) | Small runs, photo art | No minimums, unlimited colors | Slightly higher cost; cotton blends only |
| Tackle‑Twill Appliqué | Varsity & spirit wear | Vintage letter‑man look, textured feel | Longer lead time; layered sewing |
Need a deeper dive? See our Screen Printing vs Embroidery guide.
6 Design Tips for Scroll‑Stopping Sweatshirts
- Size Your Art Right. Keep front graphics within 12″ × 12″ for screen print; embroidery sweet spot is 4″ × 4″.
- Limit Your Colors. Two‑color prints pop harder and trim costs by 30 %.
- Use Sleeve & Hood Hits. Add class year or URL on a sleeve for premium retail vibes.
- Mind the Fabric Weight. Heavy fleece loves plastisol ink; French terry prefers soft‑hand water‑based.
- Contrast Is King. Dark fleece + light ink (or vice versa) reads perfectly from 20 ft away.
- Request a Pre‑Production Proof. We’ll stitch or print one sample so you can approve before bulk.
From Cart to Campus: Ordering Checklist
- Sweatshirt style (hoodie, crew, quarter‑zip) & fabric weight
- Decoration method (screen print, embroidery, DTG, twill)
- Quantity & size break—remember, no minimums
- In‑hand date
- Fast free shipping on qualifying orders or free pick‑up at any of our 30 college‑campus shops
- Need help? Our in‑house artists provide free design assistance via chat or in person.
Ready to go? Start your Custom Sweatshirts order or call (800‑242‑4787).
Case Study: 2,500 Crewnecks for Freshman Welcome Week
“Underground Printing delivered 2,500 screen‑printed crewnecks for our freshman orientation in just 6 days—and students wore them all semester.”
—Emma L., Indiana University Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the minimum sweatshirt order?
None! You can order a single piece or thousands—our bulk‑pricing tiers simply drop the unit cost as quantities rise.
How much does a custom sweatshirt cost?
Bulk pricing drops to $18.95 per piece on 250‑unit screen‑printed orders (and scales down for smaller runs too).
Do you offer design help?
Yes—our Online Design Studio is free, and live in‑house artists are available via chat or at any of our 30 locations.
Is shipping really free?
Absolutely. We offer fast, free UPS Ground shipping on all apparel orders!
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© 2025 Underground Printing. This article may contain links to our own products—because we genuinely believe they’re the best.