Gildan Zip-Up Hoodies for Custom Merch: The Complete Buying Guide
Quick Answer- The Gildan Classic Zip-Up Hoodie sits in the Bear Grips Pro Shops catalog at $49.92 on the free plan or $41.88 on VIP, a save of $8.04 per unit.
- It is a full-zip hooded fleece, distinct from a pullover hoodie, best suited to left chest plus back designs since the zipper splits a center front graphic.
- You can list it for sale with no minimum order and no inventory to hold, and it ships free to the buyer in about a week.
- Set your own retail price on top of the base cost. Most sellers price zip hoodies $15 to $20 over VIP base.
The Gildan zip-up hoodie is one of the more recognizable blanks in the custom apparel world: a full-zip hooded fleece that reads a step more polished than a pullover and layers easily over a t-shirt or work uniform. For anyone building a Pro Shop, it is a solid mid-catalog piece that appeals to gym members, team parents, and company staff who want something they can zip on and off through the day. Here is what it actually costs, what it is made for, and how to sell it without guessing.
What Is the Gildan Zip-Up Hoodie, Exactly?
Inside the Bear Grips Pro Shops catalog, the piece is listed as the Classic Zip-Up Hoodie, made by Gildan. It is a full-zip hooded sweatshirt, meaning the front opens edge to edge rather than pulling over the head. That single design difference changes how you print it (more on that below) and who reaches for it: people who want a layer they can take off without messing up their hair or removing a hat, and people who wear it half-zipped over a t-shirt at the gym or the job site.
It sits alongside other fleece pieces in the catalog: the Bear Grips Comfort Soft Hoodie ($36.88 VIP), the Champion Unisex Performance Hoodie ($45.88 VIP), and the Perfect Soft Crewneck Sweatshirt ($34.88 VIP). The zip-up fills the gap between the affordable pullover and the premium Champion piece.
Gildan Zip-Up Hoodie Pricing in the Bear Grips Catalog
| Plan | Base price | Live products | Notes |
|---|
| Free | $49.92 | 3 | No monthly fee, higher per-item base |
| Self-Service VIP | $41.88 | 200 | $59/mo, lowest base prices, full control |
| Done-For-You VIP | $41.88 | 250 | $105/mo, we build the shop and mockups for you |
The VIP base saves $8.04 per hoodie compared with the free plan. Add unlimited colors and design elements to the base price at no extra charge, then set your own retail on top. A full breakdown of the profit math is in the pricing post below.
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Who Actually Buys a Custom Zip-Up Hoodie
- Gym and studio owners selling a mid-price layer piece members wear to and from class.
- Team and league managers who want a warmup layer that zips open at the bench.
- Small business owners outfitting staff with something dressier than a pullover but less formal than a jacket.
- Event and reunion organizers selling a step-up piece alongside a basic tee.
Design Considerations for a Garment That Splits Down the Middle
The zipper is the one thing that trips up first-time sellers. A logo or graphic designed for a pullover hoodie front will get cut in half by the zipper track on this piece. Working layouts that avoid the problem:
- Left chest logo, small (3-4 inches). Sits entirely on one side of the zipper, the safest default.
- Full back graphic. No zipper interference at all, the most common layout for team and brand pieces.
- Left chest plus full back. The combination most sellers land on: small front mark, larger back design.
Avoid centering a wide graphic across the front unless you are comfortable with it splitting visually when the hoodie is zipped.
How to Start Selling a Custom Gildan Zip-Up Hoodie
- Sign up for the free plan (3 live products) or Self-Service VIP ($59/mo, 200 products).
- Upload your logo as a transparent PNG.
- Add the zip-up hoodie to your shop and choose your colors.
- Set a retail price. Most sellers land between $56.88 and $61.88 on VIP base.
- Share your shop link. Every signup also gets a built-in affiliate link paying 10% of any referred vendor's subscription plus $1 per unit they sell.
Add the Zip-Up Hoodie to Your Shop
No minimum, no inventory, ships free in about a week. Set your own price and keep the margin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gildan zip-up hoodie the same as a pullover hoodie?
No. The zip-up opens fully down the front with a zipper, while a pullover has a closed front and goes on over the head. Bear Grips stocks both styles, and the Classic Zip-Up Hoodie is the full-zip option at $41.88 VIP base.
Do I need to order a minimum quantity?
No. Single-piece printing costs the same base price as a large order. List it once and sell one at a time, no inventory to hold.
How much can I charge for it?
You set your own retail price. Most sellers price the zip-up hoodie $15 to $20 over the VIP base of $41.88, landing between $56.88 and $61.88.
How fast does it ship?
About a week from order to the buyer's door, with free shipping included in the base price.
Cameron WellsCustom Apparel and POD Industry Writer
Cameron has been writing about the custom apparel and print on demand industry for seven years, with a background in e-commerce operations. He covers platform comparisons, no-minimum vendors, and what is changing for small custom merch businesses.
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