CUSTOM ACID WASH HOODIES Drum-Washed in Our Own Factory
Star Faith International manufactures acid wash hoodies for UK streetwear labels that want a genuine mottled, worn-in finish achieved through real garment dyeing, not a printed-on distressed graphic. Because our wet-process facility sits inside the same building as our cutting tables and sewing lines, every hoodie is cut, sewn, dyed, washed and finished on one controlled production line. Minimum order: 50 pieces per design, per colourway.
How the Acid Wash Process Actually Works
Acid washing works by tumbling finished garments with a bleaching or oxidising agent inside large industrial drums. The agent strips colour unevenly from the fabric surface, creating the cloud-like mottled pattern the finish is known for. Because the effect depends on how each garment moves and folds inside the drum, no two hoodies come out marked identically, which is exactly the point for a vintage-inspired drop.
That variation is also why this finish is difficult to buy through a sourcing agent. The wash has to be dialled in on a physical sample, adjusted, and re-run a process that takes days when the drums are in a partner factory somewhere else, and hours when they’re forty feet from the sewing line.
Wash Intensities We Produce
We run everything from a subtle surface fade through to heavy mottling, plus tie-dye variations using the same drum equipment. Intensity is controlled through wash duration and agent concentration, both of which are recorded against your approved sample so repeat orders land in the same colour range rather than drifting batch to batch.
Why Fabric Weight Matters Before the Wash
Lightweight fleece loses structure in the drum and comes out thin and misshapen. We build acid wash hoodies on 300–400 GSM brushed-back fleece specifically because it holds its body through the agitation, and we pre-shrink before dyeing so the finished measurements match the approved sample rather than shrinking past it.
Fabric, Fit and Construction Specifications
- Fabric: 300–400 GSM brushed-back fleece, 80/20 cotton-poly or 100% cotton
- Finish: Genuine drum acid wash, pre-shrunk before dyeing
- Fits available: Regular, oversized (custom blocks on request)
- Standard features: Drawcord hood, kangaroo pocket, rib-knit cuffs and hem
- Decoration options: Embroidery, DTG, puff print, all applied post-wash
- Size range: XS–4XL, custom grading available
- Minimum order: 50 pieces per design, per colourway
- Lead time: 12–18 working days after sample approval, wash cycle included
Custom blocks, alternative pocket styles and heavier 450 GSM fleece are all producible, our merchandising team will confirm feasibility and any MOQ adjustment when they review your tech pack.
Adding Graphics On Top of the Wash
One of the most common mistakes brands make with washed garments is decorating first and washing second, which fades and cracks the artwork. We apply decoration after the wash stage, so your graphic sits cleanly on the finished faded base rather than being stripped by the drum.
Embroidery on Washed Fleece
Flat and 3D puff embroidery works particularly well on acid wash because the thread colour stays true against a faded, variable background, giving you a crisp logo on a deliberately imperfect base.
DTG and Puff Print
DTG printing handles photographic and gradient artwork on the washed fleece, while puff print adds raised texture that contrasts well against the flat mottled finish. Both are run in-house, so there’s no second vendor and no extra shipping leg between wash and decoration.
Private Label Finishing
Woven neck labels, hang tags and retail packaging are applied at the same stage, see our private label clothing service for the full finishing specification. For a washed garment this matters more than usual: a printed neck label will fade with the wash, which is why we recommend woven labels and tags on this product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the acid wash effect real dye or a printed graphic?
It’s a genuine wet process. Finished garments are tumbled in industrial drums with an oxidising agent that strips colour unevenly from the fabric surface. Printed “distressed” effects are a different product entirely, they sit on top of the fabric and look flat by comparison, particularly under wear.
Will every hoodie in my order look identical?
No, and it shouldn’t. Garment-to-garment variation is inherent to drum washing and is part of the finish’s character. What we do control is the overall colour range, wash time and agent concentration are logged against your approved sample so the batch lands within an agreed tolerance rather than varying wildly.
What is the minimum order for custom acid wash hoodies?
50 pieces per design, per colourway. That’s roughly a quarter of the 200+ piece minimum most trading agencies quote UK brands, which makes a seasonal capsule drop viable without committing to dead stock.
How long does acid wash add to the lead time?
Acid wash hoodies ship 12–18 working days after sample approval, including the dye and dry cycle. That’s marginally longer than an unwashed hoodie, and the wash sample approval stage sits before that window begins.
Does acid washing weaken the fabric?
Not when the wash is properly timed. Over-washing does degrade fibre strength, which is exactly why wash duration is calibrated and logged rather than eyeballed. Starting from 300–400 GSM fleece also gives the garment enough body to absorb the process without thinning.
Can I add my own logo and branding to acid wash hoodies?
Yes. Embroidery, DTG, puff print, woven neck labels, hang tags and retail packaging are all applied after the wash stage. For washed garments specifically, we recommend woven rather than printed neck labels, since printed labels fade in the drum.
Do you ship acid wash hoodies to the UK, and who handles customs?
Yes, the UK is one of our main export markets. We ship on DDP terms on request, meaning import duty and VAT are settled before delivery. FOB is available if you’d rather clear customs through your own freight forwarder.
Can I order acid wash hoodies in multiple colourways?
Yes, though the 50-piece minimum applies per colourway, not per order. Three colourways means 150 pieces total. Each colourway gets its own lab dip and wash approval, since the same wash intensity reads differently on different base colours.
What’s the difference between acid wash, stone wash and vintage wash?
Acid wash uses an oxidising agent for a high-contrast mottled effect. Stone wash uses abrasion for a softer, more uniform fade. Vintage wash is gentler still, aiming for an evenly aged look rather than visible marbling. All three run on our garment dye and wash line, we’ll recommend the right one once we see your reference imagery.
Can you match an acid wash finish from a reference sample I send?
In most cases, yes. Send the physical garment or clear photographs and we’ll produce a wash sample against it. Because the process is variable by nature, an exact match to a single reference piece isn’t guaranteed, but matching the intensity and character of the finish very reliably is.
Get a Quote on Acid Wash Hoodies
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