Manufacturing
Custom Hoodies
White Cotton manufactures custom hoodies from 320 GSM lightweight fleece to 1100 GSM double-layered construction — two bonded plies of brushed fleece. Our factory in Barcelos, Portugal produces 9+ hoodie styles with full customization including fabric, colour, fit, and decoration. MOQ from 75 units per colourway (100 in one colour).
8 Styles Available
Double-Layered Hoodie
1100gsm · 100% Organic Brushed Cotton
Washed Run-Stitch Hoodie
520gsm · 100% Organic Cotton w/ Run-Stitch Embroidery
Luxe Fleece Hoodie
380gsm · 70% Cotton 30% Polyester
Signature Fleece Hoodie
440gsm · 80% Cotton 20% Polyester
American Fleece Hoodie
380gsm · 100% Organic Cotton
Marble Dyed Hoodie
440gsm · 100% Organic Brushed Cotton w/ 3D Embroidery
Ice Dyed Hoodie
440gsm · 100% Organic Brushed Cotton
Dual-Tone Block Hoodie
380gsm · 70% Cotton 30% Polyester
Recommended Fabrics
Fabric Guides for Custom Hoodies
Decoration Techniques
Weight Guide
Choosing the Right GSM for Your Hoodie
| GSM | Feel | Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320-360 GSM | Lightweight | Spring / Summer | Everyday basics, athleisure |
| 380-440 GSM | Midweight | All seasons | DTC brands, premium basics |
| 460-520 GSM | Heavyweight | Autumn / Winter | Streetwear, luxury basics |
| 550-580 GSM | Ultra-heavyweight | Winter | Premium streetwear |
| 1100 GSM | Double-layered | Winter / statement | Ultra-premium, limited drops |
From Brief to Delivery
How Hoodie Production Works
Brief & Quote
Send us your specs, reference images, or a reference garment. We respond with an itemised quote — fabric, manufacturing, decoration, labelling, all broken down.
Sampling
We produce your first sample usually in 4-8 weeks from payment. Review it, send feedback, and we iterate. Most brands finalise in 1-2 rounds. The sample is paid in full and is not credited against production.
Pre-Production Approval
Before bulk production begins you approve a pre-production sample made in your actual production fabric and trims. That is what every garment in your order will look like.
Production & QC
Cutting, sewing, finishing, decoration and quality control, all in our Barcelos factory. Every garment is individually inspected before packing. Production usually runs 6-12 weeks from the deposit.
Delivery
We work EXW Barcelos: your own forwarder collects at our factory, or we book the courier for you and invoice the transport separately, to your door or fulfilment centre. EU shipments move with no customs. Outside the EU we prepare the full export pack and you handle import clearance. We do not offer DDP.
Comparison
Portugal vs Turkey vs China for Hoodie Manufacturing
| Factor | Portugal | Turkey | China |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOQ | 75-100 units | 200-500 units | 300-1000 units |
| Lead time (EU delivery) | 6-12 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 16-24 weeks |
| Unit cost (380 GSM hoodie) | EUR 25-40 | EUR 15-25 | EUR 8-18 |
| GOTS-certified fabric | Sourced as standard | Sometimes | Rarely |
| Factory visit | 45 min from Porto | 3-4h flight | Not practical |
| EU customs/duties | None | None | 12-17% |
| Communication timezone | Same (WET/CET) | +1-2h | +7-9h |
Full analysis: Hoodie Manufacturer Europe — Portugal vs Turkey vs Eastern Europe
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
What hoodie weights do you offer?
We manufacture hoodies from 320 GSM lightweight to 1100 GSM ultra-heavyweight. Our most popular weights are 380-440 GSM for standard hoodies and 500+ GSM for premium heavyweight styles. Our Double-Layered Hoodie sits at the top of that range at 1100 GSM.
What is the MOQ for custom hoodies?
Our minimum order quantity for hoodies is 100 pieces per colour/fit — or 75 pieces if ordering 2+ colorways. For samples, there is no minimum — we produce single units for approval.
What fabrics are used for hoodies?
We offer French terry (280-500 GSM), brushed fleece (260-580 GSM), and polycotton fleece (280-550 GSM) for hoodies. We also offer organic cotton options with GOTS certification.
Can you do heavyweight hoodies over 500 GSM?
Yes. We specialize in heavyweight and ultra-heavyweight hoodies. Our range goes up to 1100 GSM with our double-layered construction — two bonded plies of 550 GSM brushed fleece.
What decoration options are available for hoodies?
We offer embroidery (flat, 3D puff, chenille), screen printing (water-based, plastisol, puff, discharge), DTG printing, DTF printing, and specialty techniques (rubber prints, woven patches, reflective). Most brands combine embroidery on the chest with screen printing on the back.
How long does hoodie production take in Portugal?
Samples usually take 4-8 weeks from payment, and most brands need 1-2 rounds. Bulk production usually runs 6-12 weeks from the deposit. Total from first contact to delivery runs roughly 3 to 6 months for a first production run. Reorders run faster because they skip the sample — production only, usually 6-12 weeks from the deposit — because patterns and specs are already established.
Why manufacture hoodies in Portugal instead of Turkey or China?
Portugal offers the best balance for European brands: EU-compliant production, 30-45 day lead times versus 90+ from Asia, GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics sourced as standard, lower MOQs (75-100 units versus 300-500 in Turkey), same-timezone communication, and a factory close enough to visit. Per-unit costs are higher than China, but total cost of ownership is often lower once shipping, duties, quality rejects and time are counted.
Can you match a reference hoodie I already have?
Yes. Send us your reference garment — or detailed specs (GSM, composition, measurements, construction details) — and we will evaluate it, advise on any improvements, and sample to match or exceed the quality. This is the most efficient way to start if you already have a product you are happy with.
Do you offer private label hoodies?
Yes. We offer full private label manufacturing — your branding, your labels, your packaging. We can also develop designs from scratch if you need a product development partner rather than only a factory. A tech pack ensures we manufacture your exact vision; still developing yours? We can help.
What is the hoodie cost per unit in Portugal?
Cost depends on weight, fabric, construction, decoration and quantity. As a guide, a 380 GSM organic cotton hoodie with embroidery at 100 units runs approximately EUR 28-38 per piece factory-direct. Heavier weights and more complex decoration increase the cost, and volume discounts apply above 200 units. We provide itemised quotations on request.
Do you produce both pullover and zip-up hoodies?
Yes. We manufacture pullover, full-zip, half-zip and quarter-zip styles, in both standard and oversized silhouettes. We can develop custom patterns if your fit requirements differ from our standard blocks.
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