Judge a hoodie sample on its hood, cuffs, hem, pocket, zip and decoration, because those are the parts that show wear first, then measure bulk against that approved sample when it lands. Good hoodie quality checks on delivery are quick if you set the standard properly at sample stage, and they catch problems before stock reaches your customers.
Hoodies have more parts than a T-shirt: a hood, often drawcords and eyelets, a pocket or a zip, and ribbed cuffs and hem. Each one is a place where a finish can be good or poor. Here is a routine that covers them.
Checking the sample
The sample is cut and sewn in your chosen style and fabric, with your branding where possible. Bulk production follows it, so raise anything you want changed now.
Measurements and fit
Lay the hoodie flat and measure:
- chest width, one cm below the armhole;
- body length from the high point of the shoulder to the bottom of the hem rib;
- sleeve length to the end of the cuff;
- hood height and hood width;
- for zip hoodies, the zip length against the front opening.
Then wear it. Check the hood sits well when up and down, the sleeves reach the wrist, and the hem rib sits at the hip without riding up.
The hood
Hoods are where a hoodie often looks cheap.
- The hood should keep its shape when up, not collapse flat.
- The centre seam should be straight and even.
- If there is a lining or double layer, it should lie flat inside.
- Eyelets, if used, should be evenly placed and firmly set.
- Drawcords should run smoothly and have neat, secure ends.
Cuffs, hem and neckline
Ribbed cuffs and hem should spring back after stretching. Pull each one a few times and check it returns to shape. On a crewneck sweatshirt, check the neck rib sits flat and round with no waves.
Pocket or zip
On a pullover, the kangaroo pocket should be square, with its edges stitched evenly and its corners reinforced. On a zip hoodie, run the zip up and down several times. It should move smoothly, sit flat when closed and not ripple the fabric either side.
Seams and inside finish
Turn the hoodie inside out. Look at the shoulder seams, side seams and armholes. Stitching should be even and secure, with no loose threads. Check the fabric inside: fleece should be evenly brushed, French terry should show regular loops.
Decoration
Measure the position of print, embroidery or a woven patch against your artwork. Check colours against your reference. On embroidery, look at the back for neat stitching and check the fabric around the logo is not puckered. On print, stretch the area gently and check the print moves with the fabric.
After washing
Wash and dry the sample the way your customers will, more than once if you can. Then measure again and look at the cuffs, the hem, the hood and the decoration. Note any shrinkage, twisting or change in feel.
Inspecting bulk on arrival
Bulk should match the approved sample. A practical inspection looks like this:
| Area | What to do |
|---|---|
| Count | Count cartons, then pieces by style, size and colour |
| Labels | Open several pieces per size; check size label, wash-care label and hang tag |
| Measurements | Measure two or three pieces per size against the sample |
| Colour | Compare pieces from different cartons side by side in daylight |
| Hood and trims | Check hood shape, drawcords, eyelets and zips on a spread of pieces |
| Decoration | Check position and finish on pieces from several cartons |
| Packing | Folding, polybags, stickers and barcodes as specified |
Spread your checks across cartons, sizes and colours. Opening many pieces from one carton tells you less than opening a few from each.
Knitted fabric moves, so very small differences in measurement between pieces of the same size are normal. Agree the tolerance you expect on key measurements at quotation, so we both check against the same standard. For colour, always compare in the same light you used for the sample, as shop lighting can make one batch look different from another when it is not.
Recording and raising anything you find
Keep notes by carton, with photos and the measurement you took. If something differs from the sample, send us specific details and photos, which lets us check it against our records quickly. Keep the approved sample as your reference for this and future orders.
What our own check covers
Our quality check on every order looks at measurements against the approved sample, seams, hood construction, zips and pockets, cuffs and hem, decoration position and labels, before the pieces are folded and packed to your specification. Your check on arrival adds your own view of what your customers will notice.
Before you sell
Photograph bulk pieces for your listings, not just the sample. Confirm your size chart against bulk measurements. Put a few pieces aside as reference for reorders.
If you are still choosing fabric, read our comparison of cotton fleece and French terry, since the fabric changes what you look for inside the hoodie.
Start with a sample from our white label hoodies. Send us your style, fabric, colours and branding, and we will confirm sample terms in the quotation.