American manufacturers lead the global apparel market, especially when you have hoodies in mind. Your business success relies on picking the right sweatshirt manufacturers in the USA to tap into this booming market.
The market offers diverse manufacturing options that fit various needs. Some manufacturers take orders as small as 50 pieces, while others can produce up to 400,000 pieces monthly. Hoodies typically cost between $20 and $50 per piece. The key challenge lies in finding a manufacturer that aligns with your requirements for quality, customization, and sustainability.
We analyzed 8 top American sweatshirt manufacturers based on their production capabilities and pricing structures. This guide helps you find the right custom clothing manufacturing partner. It works for startups and for brands that have been around for five years and want to boost production.
Table of Contents
List Of Best 8 Sweatshirt Manufacturers USA
When it comes to sweatshirt manufacturers USA, you’ll find a wide variety of options to suit different needs. Some stand out for their cutting-edge customization, so let’s take a look.
| Manufacturer | Specialization | MOQ | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Apparel | Small Business Focus | 150-200 pieces | Complete end-to-end solutions, Quality control checks |
| Tack Apparel | Performance Athletic Wear | No minimum for certain styles | Sport-Wick technology, Technical fabric options, Durability testing |
| Seam Apparel | Streetwear | 50 pieces | Urban style customization, Premium printing and embroidery |
| Affix Apparel | Custom Embroidery | Not mentioned | 3D embroidery effects, Free pre-production samples |
| Beautiful Connection Group | Green Production | 50 pieces (overseas), 120 pieces (NYC) | Eco-friendly materials, GOTS-certified organic cotton |
| Zega Apparel | High Volume Production | 50 pieces | 10-phase production process, 8,500+ brands served |
| Royal Apparel | Premium American-Made | Not mentioned | Union shop, Sweatshop-free guarantee, Eco-conscious materials |
| Independent Trading Co. | Specialized Hoodies | No minimum | Premium fleece products, Extensive customization options |
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1. Steve Apparel: Best Overall Sweatshirt Manufacturer for Small Businesses
In different sweatshirt manufacturers USA, Steve Apparel is a leading choice for small businesses in the USA looking to enter the sweatshirt market. Their business model helps startups and small brands create custom clothing lines without huge upfront investments.
Steve Apparel’s Low MOQ Advantages
Steve Apparel has a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of just 150-200 pieces per design, while most competitors require thousands of units per order. This lower threshold lets small businesses:
- Test multiple designs simultaneously
- Minimize inventory management headaches
- Reduce financial risk when launching new products
Quality-to-Price Ratio Analysis
Customers consistently praise Steve Apparel’s exceptional value. A client who switched to Steve Apparel said, “What appealed me most was the cost of the products which I was receiving from them… I was quite impressed with the fabric quality”.
Steve Apparel’s efficient production systems cut material costs without compromising quality standards. Their global fabric sourcing network helps secure materials that meet both quality needs and budget limits.
Production Timeline for Small Orders
Small orders move quickly through production at Steve Apparel. The whole process usually takes 30-35 days from start to finish. Here’s the breakdown:
- Product Sampling: 15 business days to create and perfect your sample
- Bulk Production: 15-17 days after sample approval
The production team sends regular updates throughout the process. Small businesses can better plan your marketing and sales activities with this transparency.
2. Tack Apparel: Top Performance Sweatshirt Manufacturer for Athletic Brands
Athletic brands looking for specialized performance wear solutions will find Tack Apparel among the top sweatshirt manufacturers USA that focus on technical athletic apparel. They excel in performance fabrics, making them ideal partners for brands creating workout gear for intense activities.
Tack Apparel’s Technical Fabric Options
Tack Apparel excels with its range of high-performance materials engineered for athletic wear. Their fabric selection has:
- Polyester blends – Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying materials perfect for intense workouts
- Nylon options – Quick drying, water repellent, and highly abrasion resistant
- Spandex-infused fabrics – Flexible and stretchy for athletic movement
- Specialized performance materials – Bamboo fiber that wicks moisture and resists odor
Athletic brands can pick materials that match their exact performance needs. Tack suggests a “blend of spandex and polyester” as the best material mix for tracksuits and athletic sweatshirts.
Moisture-Wicking Sweatshirt Technology
Tack Apparel’s Sport-Wick technology makes anti-static fleece perfect for athletes. It’s ideal for warm-ups and cool-downs. This technology:
- Pulls sweat away from the body to the outer layer
- Makes evaporation happen faster to control body temperature
- Keeps skin dry throughout physical activity
Their performance sweatshirts use 100% polyester construction (5.5-ounce weight) that manages moisture effectively. Breathability remains the key factor when choosing workout clothes materials.
Pricing for Performance Apparel
Tack Apparel’s competitive pricing grows with your athletic brand. Their model has:
- Better prices for bigger orders, which boost your profit margins as you expand
- Some styles available without minimum orders, helping new athletic brands get started
- Team and athletic organization discounts for bulk purchases
Their pricing approach builds long-term partnerships, as they say: “You’ll be able to benefit from higher profits as your brand and company grow along with us”.
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3. Seam Apparel: Leading Streetwear Sweatshirt Production Specialist
Seam Apparel stands out among sweatshirt manufacturers USA for brands seeking authentic urban design capabilities. Their streetwear production connects brands with manufacturing expertise that balances style and substance.
Urban Style Customization Options
Seam Apparel’s customization options are perfect for streetwear brands:
- Pick from polyester, cotton, and specialized fabric blends
- Get unique visuals with premium printing and embroidery
- Choose contrasting colors that match your brand look
- Add custom labels, hang tags, and branded packaging
Pricing for Trendy Sweatshirt Styles
Seam Apparel delivers “affordable prices while maintaining high standards of quality.” Their pricing makes high-quality production available through:
- Small minimum orders starting at 50 pieces
- Rates that help streetwear brands stay profitable
- Production that adapts as your needs change
- Smart manufacturing methods keep costs down
They achieve quality and affordability through smart material sourcing and efficient manufacturing.
Quality Standards for Streetwear Market
Quality matters a lot in streetwear. Seam Apparel delivers through complete quality assurance:
Their quality control watches every step from cutting to final inspection. Manufacturing procedures ensure consistency in all production runs. They pick premium fabrics from suppliers with high ethical standards.
4. Affix Apparel: Best Custom Embroidered Sweatshirt Manufacturer
Affix Apparel is America’s leading choice for embroidered sweatshirts in manufacturing. This sweatshirt manufacturers USA company brings a decade’s experience to create distinctive custom garments that stand out.
Embroidery Techniques and Capabilities
Skilled craftsmen at Affix Apparel use advanced embroidery equipment to create perfect stitches. Their process turns ordinary garments into stunning pieces with rich, textured designs. The team pays close attention to detail and makes sure logos and complex designs look exactly right on sweatshirts. Their blend of style and technical precision shows brand quality in every piece they make.
Thread Options and Quality
The company uses only premium polyester threads that stay bright wash after wash. Unlike screen printing where they can mix ink colors, Affix works with a wide range of stock thread colors from their suppliers. Of course, these quality materials mean your embroidered sweatshirts will stay vibrant and strong for years.
Pricing Structure for Embroidered Sweatshirts
Affix Apparel’s pricing works on a simple principle – order more, pay less per item. Thread count and design complexity shape the embroidery costs. They keep their rates competitive without cutting corners, making their work available to businesses of all sizes. But remember, you’ll need to pay upfront when you place your order.
Design Limitations and Possibilities
Affix Apparel can create:
- 3D embroidery effects that pop
- Unique shapes and die-cut designs
- Both simple logos and intricate patterns
All the same, they don’t create artwork from scratch but will convert your designs into production-ready DST formats for embroidery.
5. Beautiful Connection Group: Top Sustainable Sweatshirt Producer
Beautiful Connection Group (BCG) is the best choice for sweatshirt manufacturers USA. They help brands that care about being environmentally responsible. This New York-based manufacturer blends eco-conscious practices with superior production capabilities.
Eco-Friendly Material Options
BCG provides an excellent range of sustainable fabrics that environmentally conscious brands can choose from:
- Coolmax EcoMade – Created from recycled PET bottles while maintaining performance characteristics
- GOTS-certified organic cotton – Grown without harmful pesticides or toxic chemicals
- Recycled polyester – Reduces plastic waste while creating durable fabrics
These materials help protect the environment and deliver great comfort and durability. BCG’s detailed fabric reports help clients make smart choices about sustainable materials for their sweatshirt collections.
Pricing Premium for Green Production
BCG keeps prices competitive while maintaining their sustainability focus:
Small brands can start sustainable production with just 50 pieces from overseas factories. In NYC, the minimum order is 120 pieces. Traditional manufacturers usually need higher MOQs, but BCG lets brands test eco-friendly designs without huge inventory commitments.
Sample production takes 14-21 days, while bulk orders need 1-2 months. These timelines run slightly longer than standard manufacturing because of their complete eco-friendly processes.
Expert Insight: For brands targeting ESG-driven markets, BCG resolves key pain points—high costs and MOQs—while enabling differentiation through sustainability. Focus on GOTS-certified cotton or recycled polyester collections paired with compelling storytelling to maximize premium pricing potential.
Richard Jin, Apparel Manufacturer
6. Zega Apparel: Best High-Volume Sweatshirt Manufacturer
Zega Apparel ranks among top sweatshirt manufacturers USA with its impressive capacity to handle large-scale production while delivering quality standards. The company serves both 7-year old brands and emerging businesses that need reliable bulk manufacturing.
Bulk Order Pricing Tiers
Zega Apparel’s pricing structure makes bulk ordering economically beneficial. Standard sweatshirt prices range from $7.50 to $8.50 per piece, with a low minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 50 pieces per design. This pricing model benefits both startups and established brands.
Quality Control for Large Batches
Zega maintains strict quality protocols even with high-volume orders:
- Onsite quality assurance checks for loose threads, stitching errors, stains, and print mistakes
- Production of 5-10% extra items beyond ordered quantity to replace any defective pieces
- 100% quality guarantee with no defective pieces in final deliveries
The company’s dual approach to quality control combines onsite and offsite verification processes to ensure consistency across large production runs.
7. Royal Apparel: Premium American-Made Sweatshirt Specialist
Royal Apparel stands among the elite 3% of apparel manufacturers still made in USA. This premium sweatshirt maker is located in Hauppauge, New York. They blend quality craftsmanship with ethical production standards.
Premium Material Selection
Royal Apparel’s material options are a big deal as it means that industry standards with eco-conscious choices:
- Organic RPET French Terry (50% Combed Ring Spun Organic Cotton/50% RPET Recycled Polyester)
- Magnum 14.0 Oz/sq yd cotton providing superior print surfaces
- Triblend fabrics combining polyester (50%), cotton (37%), and rayon (7%)
The company’s fabric choices focus on strong performance and eco-friendly methods. They use recycled polyester made from old plastic bottles.
Ethical Labor Practices
Royal Apparel upholds strict workplace standards throughout their operation. The company enforces a “sweatshop-free” guarantee in all production facilities. Their New York union shop ensures fair wages and safe working conditions.
Pricing Structure for Domestic Production
Royal Apparel maintains competitive pricing despite domestic production costs. The company offers wholesale accounts specialized business-to-business rates. Orders over $250 qualify for free freight truck shipping.
8. Independent Trading Co.: Best Specialized Hoodie Manufacturer in USA
Independent Trading Co. started its journey in San Diego back in 1987. The company has grown into a leading sweatshirt manufacturers USA expert known for exceptional hoodie craftsmanship. Their deep roots in action sports have made them a trusted partner for brands looking for premium fleece products.
Fleece Quality and Sourcing
Independent Trading Co. employs premium ring-spun cotton in their fleece production. This creates exceptional print surfaces perfect for customization. Their fabric selection has:
- Heavyweight 10-13.5oz fleece (330-450gm) with 70% cotton/30% polyester blend
- Midweight 8.5oz options (280gm) to suit different needs
- Special Blend fabrics that deliver outstanding softness
Their fleece mostly contains 100% cotton face yarn for “supreme printability and softness,” while maintaining durability with polyester backing. The premium LEGEND Cross-Grain Hood features a robust 450gm 3-end brushed back fleece with 20 singles ring-spun cotton.
Specialized Hoodie Designs
The product line showcases unique styles. The flagship IND4000 10oz Heavyweight Pullover stands as “the go-to blank sweatshirt for brands all over the world”. The company also creates specialized designs such as:
- Boulevard and Mainstreet heavyweight collections
- Avenue midweight options
- Premium pigment-dyed and mineral wash variations
The LEGEND 13.5oz Cross-Grain Hood represents “the best Hooded Sweatshirt they’ve ever made”. Body panels cut cross-grain help limit vertical shrinkage.
Custom Branding Options
Independent Trading offers more than ready-to-customize blanks. Their custom manufacturing capabilities are extensive:
- Design styles for fabrics of all types (jersey, French terry, sherpa)
- Specialty treatments like marled fleece, yarn dye, and custom washes
- Many trim options from zipper pulls to patches, labels, and drawcords
The company’s manufacturing expertise spans three decades. Their facilities in California and China ensure quality control at every production stage.
Conclusion
Your brand’s success depends on choosing the right sweatshirt manufacturer. Each manufacturer brings something unique to the table.
Quality control standards, production schedules, and customization options should shape your decision. American manufacturers like Royal Apparel give you closer oversight and faster shipping. Overseas partners offer better prices but need more time to deliver.
Your specific requirements will point you toward the best manufacturing partner. Think about your order size, customization needs, eco-friendly goals, and budget limits. We’re here to help you find the right manufacturing partner in China. Just reach out to us at leelinesourcing.com or [email protected] for more details.
People Also Ask about Sweatshirt Manufacturers USA
1. What should I look for in a USA-based sweatshirt manufacturer?
When choosing a sweatshirt manufacturer in the USA, consider factors like quality of materials (e.g., cotton, fleece), customization options (printing, embroidery), production capacity, lead times, pricing, and whether they prioritize ethical or sustainable practices.
2. Are sweatshirts made in the USA better quality than imported ones?
Not necessarily—quality depends on the manufacturer’s standards, not just location. USA-made sweatshirts often have stricter labor and production rules. This can result in better craftsmanship and durability.
3. How much do custom sweatshirts from USA manufacturers typically cost?
Pricing varies widely based on order size, fabric choice, and customization. Small batches usually cost $20 to $40 per unit. But if you order in bulk, like 100 or more units, the price can drop to $15 to $25 each. Keep in mind, premium or eco-friendly options might be pricier.
4. Do USA sweatshirt manufacturers offer low minimum order quantities (MOQs)?
Some manufacturers help startups by offering minimum order quantities (MOQs) as low as 10 to 50 pieces. Larger producers, however, may ask for 100 to 600 units for custom orders. Check with individual companies for specifics.
5. Can I get eco-friendly sweatshirt manufacturers USA?
Yes, several USA manufacturers, like Royal Apparel and Bella+Canvas, provide sustainable options. These include organic cotton, recycled polyester blends, and GOTS-certified fabrics. They appeal to eco-conscious brands.
