Custom manufacturing
Zip-Up Hoodie Manufacturer — Zip That Survives
The zip is the one component on a hoodie that a customer will judge the whole garment by. A cheap zip that snags, separates or rides a wave down the front makes an expensive hoodie feel cheap. It is also where cutting corners is most tempting, because the zip, the tape and the placket reinforcement are all separate costs. We specify the zip as an explicit component — type, length, tape colour and slider — and a stabilised placket so the front runs straight after washing.
500 pcsMinimum order
7–10 daysSampling
180,000 pcs / monthMonthly capacity
Fabric weight and construction options
| Weight / type | Material | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| 280–320 gsm | Brushed-back fleece, cotton–poly | Standard zip hoodie weight |
| 320–400 gsm | Heavyweight fleece | Premium streetwear zip hoodie |
| 400–480 gsm | Ultra-heavy fleece | Statement pieces; needs a strong zip to match |
| French terry | Loop-back, 280–340 gsm | Lighter, unbrushed, athletic and gym crossover |
| Cotton–poly (65/35) | Anti-pill fleece | Domestic wash-and-wear programmes |
Available decoration methods
| Method | Specification | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | Chest, sleeve, back | Fleece takes dense embroidery well; back logos are common |
| Screen printing | Body panel | Requires a low-bleed ink on brushed fleece; we test adhesion |
| Chenille patch | Varsity style | Applied as a sewn patch; a streetwear staple |
| Puff / high-density print | Raised logo | Works on the flat body, not across the brushed surface |
| Woven label / zip pull | Branded | A custom zip pull is a small detail customers notice |
Specifications we manufacture to
- Zip
- Metal or nylon, length and colour specified; YKK-grade available
- Placket
- Stabilised with fusible tape so the zip runs straight after wash
- Fabric
- Brushed fleece, French terry, cotton–poly; 280–480 gsm
- Hood
- Single or double layer, with or without drawcord
- Kangaroo, split pouch, or side-seam
- Cuff & hem
- Matched rib, pre-relaxed
- MOQ
- 500 pcs per colourway
- Sampling
- 7–10 days
Decoration methods for this product
Related product categories
Frequently asked questions
What zip should I use for a premium hoodie?
For a premium programme, a metal zip or a good nylon zip with a smooth pull. The visible difference between a cheap zip and a good one is the slider action and how the teeth mesh — a customer notices the moment they use it. We specify the zip as a named component in the tech pack so it cannot be substituted silently at production.
Why does the front of some zip hoodies go wavy?
Because the placket was not stabilised. When a knit fabric is paired with a zip and the edge is not reinforced, the fabric moves at a different rate from the tape and the front ripples. We fuse a stabilising tape into the placket and stitch at a controlled density, then wash-test it. A wavy front is a production shortcut, not an inevitable flaw.
Can the zip tape be a custom colour?
Yes. The tape is a separate component and can be dyed to a colour, though custom tape colours carry their own minimum. For small runs, a well-matched stock tape colour often looks better than a bespoke one that sits slightly off the body colour.
Zip-up or pullover — which should I stock?
They sell differently. A pullover hoodie is a casual layering piece bought on style; a zip-up is bought on utility, as something to open and close. If your range only has room for one, look at what your customer buys around it — a zip-up sits naturally next to outerwear, a pullover next to T-shirts.