Lesson learned for college hoodies

AWDis has made a name for itself across the garment decoration business, but with the launch of its latest line, the JH501 College Hoodie, it is hoping to pack 18 years of lessons and experience into one print-ready garment. Acting editor, Benjamin Austin, quizzed Andy Brown, senior brand lead, about the product.

Every lesson learned from 18 years of creating and perfecting print-ready garments has been brought together in this brand-new hoodie. Thoughtfully designed from the fabric up, it delivers the smooth, reliable print performance decorators expect, alongside lasting durability and a comfortable fit that feels just right from the first wear.

Every detail has been considered to make customisation simple and results consistently impressive, whether it is printed, embroidered or rebranded. Built on AWDis’ expertise and created with printers and embroiderers in mind, this exciting new addition offers a dependable canvas for creativity and premium results with ease, every time.

Andy Brown, senior brand lead for AWDis, shared the inspiration and thinking behind the development of the new JH501 College Hoodie 2.0.

What inspired the development of the JH501 College Hoodie 2.0?

At AWDis, we’re always looking for ways to evolve our range, improve the products our customers already know and love, and bring fresh ideas to the market. After 18 years of the iconic JH001, we asked ourselves one simple question: “How can we make a great hoodie even better?” The answer is the JH501 – an exciting new 280gsm option designed with printers and embroiderers in mind, and one you won’t want to miss.

What makes the JH501 College Hoodie 2.0 different from existing products, including the original JH001?

The 2.0 is especially exciting thanks to its brand-new PurePrint fabric, developed specifically for the new style. With a thicker, softer hand feel, it creates an excellent print surface for consistently strong decoration results. We’ve also refined the shape for an improved overall fit and added thoughtful details to make customisation even easier for printers and decorators, including a locker patch for extra design space, a size pip for simple rebranding, and our newly upgraded drawcords.

What kinds of customers would be interested in the JH501 College Hoodie 2.0?

The JH001 has become a staple for customers across a wide range of markets, so it was essential that the versatility people know and trust carried through into the 2.0. From leavers and uniforms to events and clubs, it remains a strong all-round option. Where the 2.0 becomes even more appealing is in the merchandise market, with its improved rebranding features giving printers and brands even more freedom to make the garment their own.

What qualities does the fabric bring to the final print/product?

PurePrint501 fabric has the same 100% cotton face as the JH001, but uses a 20% finer yarn to create a smoother, softer surface and a more even base for ink distribution. Its three-needle construction gives the fabric a thicker, more premium hand feel, while also improving stretch and shrinkage performance. The result is a fabric that feels better, prints beautifully and delivers stronger all-round performance.

Which feature do you think printers and embroiderers will love the most and why?

I think the fabric and overall quality will really stand out to decorators. Every detail has been carefully developed to deliver excellent results, from the print surface through to the finishing touches. One feature I think printers and embroiderers will particularly appreciate is the upgraded drawcords. Made using the same premium yarns as the face of the fabric, they have a substantial, high-quality feel and are finished with metal tips in either gunmetal or silver to complement the hoodie colour, adding a more considered, trend-led finish.

What feedback have you received so far from decorators during product trials?

The feedback so far has been excellent. We’ve tested PurePrint501 across a wide range of decoration methods, with particularly strong results from screen printing and DTG. We really put the fabric through its paces to make sure it delivers the same reliable print performance decorators know from the JH001, while offering the benefits of a smoother, more refined surface.

What excites you most about bringing this product to the market?

There’s always an element of risk when launching something new, but I’m confident the 2.0 will be really well received. We’ve created a strong new option for the 280gsm hoodie market, combining the familiarity customers value with thoughtful improvements throughout. I’m excited to see how decorators respond to it and, even more, to see the different ways they make it their own and take it into new markets.