Behind the Scenes: Custom School Hoodies
A look at Our Custom School Hoodie Design Process
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Every year we design custom school hoodies for graduating school classes. There’s something special about the final year of school. Whether it’s secondary school or primary, the end of an era deserves to be marked in a way that lasts, and that’s where custom school hoodies come in. They’re memory packed keepsakes.
At Trad Craft, we recently worked on a custom graduation hoodie for the 2025 class of Scoil Mhuire, and in this blog post, we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how it came together—from screen to stitch.
If you’ve seen our TikTok or Instagram posts, you’ll know the process starts long before any hoodie gets printed. Let’s break it down.
From Brief to Design – Starting the Custom Hoodie Journey
Every custom school hoodie project begins with a conversation. For Scoil Mhuire’s 2025 graduating class, the school reached out looking for something special: a design that would capture the spirit of the students, feature their signatures, and of course, include the school crest.
Our designer team started with a blank digital template. In the video above, you’ll see a sped-up clip from the design stage—where we bring your ideas to life. It starts with selecting the right hoodie colour (a burgundy in this case) and positioning the crest and class print just right. We always aim for a balance between clean design and personal touches.
The back of the hoodie is the real standout. We created a print that includes every student’s signature—arranged around a bold “Class of 2025” graphic. It’s a design that’s both stylish and sentimental.
Why Custom School Hoodies Matter
Graduation hoodies have become a rite of passage for students across Ireland. Whether it’s sixth class or sixth year, a custom hoodie is more than just school merch, it’s a wearable reminder of your friends, your memories, and your time ta school.
And let’s be honest, everyone loves an excuse to wear something comfy, especially when it actually looks good.
Our custom school hoodies are made with durable materials that are built to last, whether you’re lounging at home or wearing them on school trips. And because we offer screen printing in-house, we can ensure high-quality prints that stand the test of time (and the washing machine).
The Screen Printing Process: How It Works
One of the most satisfying parts of the project is the screen printing stage. In this case, the Scoil Mhuire hoodie design was printed using our screen printer in Newbridge, Kildare.
The process involves creating a ‘screen’ for each part of the design. Ink is then pushed through the screen onto the fabric, layer by layer, to build the final print. The crest on the front was done in white for contrast with the dark burgundy fabric. The back print includes class signatures.
Looking Ahead to Graduation Season
As graduation season approaches, we’re already seeing more requests for custom school hoodies and end of year school t-shirts. T-shirts are a great alternative for warmer months or for schools planning events like sports days or school trips. Just like our hoodies, our school tees can be customised with names, crests, slogans, or even full-colour artwork. (Signatures work just as well on t-shirts, too.)
We work closely with schools to make sure every order feels personal, from colour selection to final delivery. And because everything is designed in-house, we can adjust layouts and tweak prints until everything’s just right.
Final Thoughts
We really enjoy designing custom school hoodies. There’s something really rewarding about helping students celebrate a big milestone, and seeing the finished hoodies being worn proudly is always a win.
If you’re planning an end-of-year celebration, leavers’ event or just want to mark the moment, now’s the time to get your design sorted. Whether you’re after a hoodie, a tee, or both, we’ve got you covered.
If you’d like to learn more about our bespoke printed clothing or to discuss your order, get in touch with us today. Our team is ready to help you bring your vision to life, creating the perfect custom design that celebrates your school experience in style.