Grade G1 — Light
Very similar toned light frost effect. It appears more like a texture effect rather than a visual one.
Snow Wash Hoodies
Custom Snow Wash Hoodie Manufacturer
Snow wash is ordered when the buyer has already decided not to use acid wash – probably due to their reference photo or competitor piece being too much or too contrasty for their design vision. This frosty, evenly mottled finish is the gentler of the two options, and acts in its own way on fabric and color that makes it difficult to treat snow wash as "acid wash but lighter." This page describes the options for ordering – grade, fabric, color, construction, and pricing. For details on the washing process itself, we have a separate page on the snow wash process.
The most helpful information to share in an initial inquiry isn't the perfect specification – it's the reference photo and the level of loudness or subtlety you would like the finish to achieve. Our grade system below will help you define that and get a sample in your first attempt.
◆ Graded G1–G3
◆ 350gsm terry base
✓ OEKO-TEX Std 100
✓ BSCI Audited
3
Wash grades — G1 light to G3 deep
350gsm
Standard terry base
50pc
MOQ / style / colorway / grade
7–15d
Sampling turnaround
25–35d
Bulk production, after approval
Wash grades, G1 to G3
Approved on real swatches
Grade G2 — Classic
Equally spread frosted mottle. It is visually noticeable from the standard viewing distance. The most popular grade.
Grade G3 — Deep
More intense frosting with a visible texture modification. It is still a less eye-catching effect compared to the acid-washed one, whatever the grade it is.
The grade is identified using a physical sample, not an image on a computer screen. The frosted effect is very subtle and screen colors may make G1 and G2 samples look visually the same in an image while they are visually different in real life.
What grade suits what use case?
Basic vs. statement textureGrade G1 is appropriate if you want to create a premium basic that happens to have texture rather than a wash effect. It comes as a premium fabric rather than a visible wash effect, and this allows the use of it to be used in combination with the chest logo and/or embroidery that does not need to conflict with the garment. Grade G2 is probably the one the buyers are referring to by saying "snow wash hoodie," but not specifying anything else. This wash effect is easily identifiable, evenly toned, and suitable for creating a wash-program piece. Grade G3 goes one step further and can be used in the creation of a more directional piece of clothing that still remains quieter than any acid wash grade G2 or G3.
As compared to acid wash, there is less difference between the grades in the snow wash category. Even grade G3 snow wash cannot compare with the dramatic impact of acid wash G2 and especially G3. This is due to the nature of the process rather than to its limitations. If you want to create something really different, then you should try using the acid wash program.
Fabric weight & base color
What the frost sits on top ofThe standard base fabric weight is 350gsm terry, light enough that the frosting will evenly distribute itself over the entire surface while maintaining enough construction to maintain its shape through the washing process and subsequent home washing. This is lighter than the 400gsm fleece standard used in the acid wash process, which is one reason the two wash processes feel so different even prior to the consideration of color and grade.
The behavior of base color in snow wash differs from that of acid wash. For snow wash, mid-toned and lighter colors show off the frosted effect best; the process uses a lift technique and therefore works best with mid-toned and lighter colors rather than the dramatic contrast acid wash offers on dark base colors. The most requested colorway by far is heather grey, followed by washed indigo – in tribute to the crewneck sample being offered in this colorway – and stone and washed olive are also frequently requested. Darker base colors such as washed black are perfectly acceptable candidates for snow wash; however, the frosting effect will be much subtler against darker colors and resemble more closely a fine heather effect rather than frosting.
Snow wash is superior to acid wash on pastel and light colors; the frosted effect looks better on light base colors than the contrasting marbling of the acid wash process. This is part of the reason that when companies wish to produce light-colored seasonals, snow wash tends to be the default choice rather than pushing the acid wash program onto base colors it cannot do justice to.
Construction & customization
What's on the tech packThe pullover, as well as the full zip, can be selected with either a kangaroo pocket or without a pocket, with either a ribbed or raw hem, and with drawcord hardware, which can be either flat or round and either with a metallic tip or plain. None of the options above affects MOQ. Neck, care labels, and hangtags will be specified separately and affixed after the garment goes through washing and drying.
Screen printing, puff printing, as well as embroidery, can all be done regardless of the grade of the garment and after the washing and drying, as in any other washing programs. The location of the printed pattern will be determined on the stable and fully prepared garment and not on the one that is still moving around during washing.
Receiving the same grade in 500 samples
Not just the approved sampleThe evenness of Snow wash is precisely why making consistent bulk production harder than it seems to be. As the process relies on even distribution rather than random contrasts of high and low, an out-of-sync recipe for the wash becomes apparent much quicker than in the case of acid wash – an inconsistent G2 batch will appear as a flaw, whereas an inconsistent acid wash will just "make part of its character." Every single batch is compared to the approved swatch in the same lighting conditions throughout the washing process, not just during the final quality control, and also colorfastness testing alongside the usual stitching and measurement check at the AQL 2.5/4.0 pre-shipment inspection run.
MOQ & what drives the unit price
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for 3 grades of fabric per style is 50 pieces per colorway and 50 per grade, meaning that G1, G2, and G3 are, in fact, different types of fabrics created from the same base garment. If running all 3 grades together in one style, we have an MOQ of 150, not 50 pieces. Price per piece depends mostly on wash grade, as G3's longer and more complicated wash procedure costs more than G1's simple one, and on any additional decorations. The cost of the base fabric is much more consistent across grades in this wash type compared to acid wash, as all 3 grades are produced using the same 350gsm terry fabric, without switching to another fabric weight depending on the intensity of the wash.
Quotation is separated into grades in order to be ready during the feasibility stage to know which one is driving the costs before sample creation.
Reordering is when it becomes noticeably faster. Once a certain combination of grade and colorway has an approved sample on record, feasibility and sampling stages are omitted completely; the buyer just confirms the quantity and makes a deposit for production to start. It applies to all wash programs but becomes a little bit more important in this particular case, as evenly distributed frost is the sort of wash recipe that can be repeated easily.
Frequently asked questions
What wash grades are available for snow wash hoodies?
Three standard grades: G1, a light, close-toned frosting; G2, a
clearly visible even mottle; and G3, a deep, heavier frost with
more surface texture change. All three are shown on physical
fabric swatches during sampling, not approved from a photo.
What fabric weight is used for snow wash hoodies?
350gsm terry is the standard base — light enough that the
frosted mottle reads clearly and evenly, with more structure
than a plain terry so it holds shape after repeated washing.
Heavier or lighter weights can be discussed at the feasibility
stage if a program needs something outside that range.
How is snow wash different from acid wash?
Acid wash produces high-contrast, marbled patterning. Snow wash
produces a softer, more evenly distributed frosted mottle with
less contrast between light and dark areas. They're different
wash recipes on different standard fabric weights, not two names
for the same effect.
What base colors work best for snow wash?
Mid-tone and lighter colors tend to show the frosted effect most
clearly — heather grey and faded indigo are the most requested,
with stone and washed olive also common. Very dark bases can
still run through the process but the frosting reads more subtly
against them.
What's the MOQ for snow wash hoodies?
50 pieces per style, per colorway, and that applies per grade as
well, since G1, G2 and G3 are effectively different finished
fabrics. Running all three grades in one style is a 150-piece
minimum across them, not 50 total.
How does the snow wash effect actually get created?
It's a controlled stone-wash and bleaching process tuned for a
softer, more even result than acid wash, generally using a
lighter treatment cycle and finer abrasive media. Full detail on
the process and quality control is covered on our snow wash
process page — this page focuses on what's available to order.
Ready when you are
Have a reference photo? Start with a quote.
Feasibility check and cost estimate within 2 business days. Send a reference image and we'll help match it to the closest grade.
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