Acid Wash Hoodies for Your Brand: What to Know First
By The Velocity Wear Team
Faded, washed-out hoodies are all over independent streetwear right now. They look like something you found in a vintage shop in Brighton, except they fit and they've got your logo on. If you're thinking of adding one to your range, there are a few things you should know before committing.
Acid wash, vintage wash, garment dye: what's the difference?
People use these terms loosely, and suppliers do too, so it's worth being specific when you order.
- Acid wash usually means a strong, mottled, marbled fade. Bold contrast between light and dark patches.
- Vintage wash or stone wash is softer. An overall faded, slightly uneven tone that looks worn in.
- Garment dyed means the hoodie is dyed after it's sewn, which gives rich, slightly irregular colour and a soft handfeel. Often combined with a wash.
When you brief a supplier, send a reference photo. The words mean different things to different people. A photo doesn't.
Every piece will be slightly different
This is the big one. Washing effects are partly random. Two hoodies from the same batch will have different patterns of fade. That's the charm, but it can surprise customers who expect their hoodie to look exactly like the product photo.
Tell them upfront. A line on the product page like each piece is individually washed, so fading will vary slightly from the photos, heads off complaints and actually makes the product sound more special.
Which prints suit a washed hoodie
- Cracked or distressed prints lean into the vintage look beautifully.
- Puff print on a washed hoodie is a strong current combination.
- Tonal or off-white prints feel more natural on faded fabric than bright neon.
- Embroidery works, especially in a slightly darker or contrasting thread.
Very clean, crisp corporate logos can look odd on a heavily washed hoodie. If your brand is sharp and minimal, go for a subtle vintage wash rather than an aggressive acid wash.
Colours that wash well
Black fading to charcoal is the bestseller. Brown, forest green, washed navy and a dusty pink or lilac are also popular. Lighter colours don't show the effect much. Ask for a sample in your chosen colour, because washes react differently on different dyes.
Sell it with photos
Washed hoodies need close-ups. Show the texture of the fade, the print sitting on it, and the hoodie in natural light. Studio lighting flattens it. And photograph more than one piece so customers see the variation.
Care instructions for washed hoodies
Washed hoodies can shed a little colour in the first few washes. Tell customers to wash separately, inside out, on a cool wash, and to avoid tumble drying on high heat. A care card in the parcel reduces complaints and keeps the faded look intact for longer.
Pricing
The washing process adds cost and time compared with a standard hoodie. That's fine, because washed hoodies generally sit at a higher retail price. Just build the extra into your numbers from the start, and expect a washed finish to take longer than our standard 10 to 15 working days.
Get a feel for base costs on the pricing page, then ask us whether a wash finish is available for your custom hoodies order, since it depends on the fabric and colour. A sample is strongly recommended for any washed style.
