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Hoodies: embroidery or print? Positions, zips and fabric
Embroidered chest, printed back? What sweat fabric, kangaroo pocket and zip mean for your logo – with every position on a hoodie and a checklist.
What makes the hoodie a special base
A hoodie is made of sweat fabric: a smooth knit on the outside, usually brushed or fleecy on the inside, so soft and fluffy. The models in our hoodie collection range roughly from 250 to 330 g/m². This fabric is thick and stable – exactly what embroidery needs. The stitches hardly pull the fabric together, and the logo sits cleanly.
Sweat fabric is also a good base for printing. Several models have an outer face of pure cotton, which holds print inks well. Some hoodies are unbrushed inside and therefore a little lighter. If you want hoodies embroidered with your logo, you will find models in different weights and cuts in the collection.
What you feel on the inside
Behind every embroidery there is a backing on the inside that stabilises the stitches. On the soft, brushed inside you will hardly notice it with a chest logo. With a large embroidered design, however, the area becomes noticeably firmer and heavier – one reason why large designs on hoodies are printed.
Embroidery or print: what matters on a hoodie
We explain the basic differences between the methods in our post embroidery or print for your company clothing. Here we focus on what matters specifically on a hoodie:
| Criterion | Thread on sweat Embroidery | Ink on top Print |
|---|---|---|
| Chest logo | The classic solution, looks premium and keeps its shape | Good for multicolour logos with fine detail |
| Back design | Heavy and stiff over a large area | The right choice for large lettering and graphics |
| Sleeve | Ideal for small logos, names or years | Possible, for example for longer lettering |
| Hood | Small logo on the side possible, depending on the hood lining | Small print on the side possible |
| Inside | Backing behind the design | Everything stays soft inside |
| Photos, gradients | Not possible | No problem, especially with DTF |
The positions on a hoodie
A hoodie has more areas than a T-shirt – but not every one suits every method. This is how we classify the positions:
| Position | Usually | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Left chest | Embroidery | The most common position for a company logo, visible and understated. |
| Centre chest | Print or embroidery | The design has to end above the kangaroo pocket, otherwise it runs over the pocket seam. |
| Back | The largest free area, ideal for lettering, a website or a large graphic. | |
| Sleeve | Embroidery | Small logo, name or year on the upper arm. |
| Neck | Small logo or website below the collar. Some of our models only have a neutral size label that is suitable for a neck print. | |
| Kangaroo pocket | Do not embroider | Embroidery would stitch the pocket layers together and close the pocket. |
The kangaroo pocket is a typical stumbling block for large front designs. In the layout consultation we check how much room your model leaves between neckline and pocket, and suggest the right size.
Zip hoodies: the zip splits the front
On a zip hoodie the zip runs straight down the middle of the chest. That rules out a centred logo, and the pockets are often split in two as well. Some models have a concealed zip that looks calmer but still divides the centre. These positions work on a zip hoodie:
Left or right chest
With a little distance from the zip – embroidered, the classic solution
Back and sleeves
Usable as normal, the back is the place for a large print
Logo centred on the chest
A design running across the zip rarely lines up cleanly
Large design over the pockets
Pocket seams and openings interrupt the area
Which hoodie suits which method
The cut plays a part too. You will find these three types in our range, each with our recommendation:
- FrontBack
Classic pullover hoodie
Embroidered logo on the chest, printed lettering on the back – a combination that works well on a hoodie.
- FrontBack
Zip hoodie
Embroidery to one side of the chest, print on the back. Looks a little sportier and can be worn open.
- FrontBack
Oversize and heavy hoodies
Lots of fabric and large areas: big printed designs look especially good here, a small embroidery adds an accent.
How we kit out whole teams with hoodies, T-shirts and jackets is shown on our page company clothing with embroidery.
Matching garments
Design them in the shop
How do you wash a hoodie?
Side noteEmbroidered and printed hoodies are best washed inside out so that nothing in the machine rubs directly against the design. Temperature and programme depend on the model’s care label. Do not iron directly over a print. You will find all the details in our washing instructions.
Before you order your hoodies
From the workshop
An emblem in several thread colours
The photo shows an embroidered emblem in several colours on grey knitted fabric. You can see clearly that the areas are densely filled, the colours meet cleanly and the fabric around them lies flat. That works when the base is stable and the embroidery file suits the type of fabric. Sweat fabric and firm knits give exactly that support.
With these points you are well prepared:
- Choose the model: with hood or zip, standard or oversize cut
- Decide embroidery or print for each position – usually embroidery at the front, print at the back
- Check that the front design fits above the kangaroo pocket
- On a zip hoodie, plan for the left or right chest instead of the centre
- Have your logo ready as a vector file – we create the embroidery file, included
- Collect sizes from your team and decide on colours
Hoodies with your logo: frequently asked questions
Is an embroidered logo uncomfortable on the inside of a hoodie?
Hardly, with a chest logo. The backing sits on the inside behind the design, and you rarely notice it on the soft inner face. Large embroidered areas become firmer, though, which is why we print large designs.
Can I have the whole back embroidered?
Technically yes, but the area becomes heavy and stiff. For large designs on the back we recommend print – screen printing for larger runs with few colours, DTF for many colours.
Can I combine embroidery and print on one hoodie?
Yes, that is a tried-and-tested combination on a hoodie: embroidery on the chest at the front, print on the back. We do both in our own workshop in Munich.
Can the hood be embroidered too?
A small logo on the side of the hood is possible depending on the model. We check this on your hoodie and show you the position in the print approval before we go into production.
Planning hoodies for your team? Send us your enquiry with your logo and preferred model – we will get back to you with a suggestion for embroidery and print. Delivery takes approx. 7–10 working days.
Team Shirtplus
Printing and embroidery in our own workshop in Munich. Created with AI support. Last updated: 22 Oct 2026.
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We advise you on the layout free of charge and tell you which method suits your logo.