Even in 2026, social media is filled with unique and personalized gifts. One of the most in-demand is the "kisses hoodie." This lovely present consists of placing your own lip prints on a hoodie. They are usually arranged in a letter or a shape. It is personal, imaginative, and distinctive. But many people find it hard to use this project. They often choose the wrong textiles. The design goes off after one wash.
At Clothing Manufacturer Ltd., we approach this project from the viewpoint of a professional. We have completed over 10 years in the clothing industry. Our client base features more than 1,000 fashion brands globally. We know what makes a print stick. This is a DIY project, but you will learn smart techniques that assure quality. You wouldn't want your hard work to ruin a good sweatshirt.
To learn how to make a kisses hoodie well, you need more than just lipstick and a sweatshirt. Only the right fabric will do. You need special textile paints. We utilize a curing process that is similar to the one used in our factories. We will walk you through our "5-step QC production method" with a simple version. This way, your gift will be durable enough for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Fabric Selection: To absorb paint best, choose hoodies with an 80% or higher cotton content.
- Paint vs. Lipstick: Do not use any type of lipstick; instead, use water-based fabric paint.
- Pre-wash: You need to wash the hoodie to remove any chemicals that hinder paint adhesion.
- Application: Apply paint first to your lips, then press firmly, and finally roll your lips slightly for a full print.
- Curing: The design must be heat-set with an iron or hairdryer to become permanent.
Picking the Right Canvas: Material Selection Matters
The first step to learning how to make a kisses hoodie is choosing the right garment. We have made streetwear for over 6 years. The foundation material is what determines the final product quality. If you choose the wrong fabric, the paint will not adhere and it will just peel off later.
We strongly recommend that you choose a sweatshirt made of 100% cotton or a cotton-heavy blend (at least 80% cotton). Cotton fibers are natural and can absorb water. They let the fabric paint go into the fabric and attach to it. Polyester is different. It is plastic-based. It resists water-based paints. This results in a spotty and fast-fading print.
Surface texture is a crucial factor here. For the best, choose a "smooth face" fleece. This option means that on the outside, the hoodie has a very tight weave with very little fuzz at all. A fuzzy surface destroys the specifics of the lip prints. As a top hoodie manufacturer, we suggest heavyweight fleece (350gsm or over) for such projects. The weighty fabric lies flat as you work on it. This avoids distortion.
Last but not least, think about color. A white or light gray hoodie is the best for beginners. The red- or pink-colored paint will look bright with no extra labor. If you want to know how to make a kisses hoodie on a black garment, you should, however, be informed that it is much more complicated. You must use opaque paint or a white base layer. This will make it more complicated.
Necessary Supplies and Preparing for Safety
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. Using professional-grade materials distinguishes between a craft project and a wearable garment. Based on our industry standards, the following are all the supplies we recommend.
Required Materials:
- First Class Fabric Paint: Choose textile acrylics labeled "soft body." Stay away from standard acrylics (they crack) and lipstick (they stain and fade).
- Fabric Medium: If you only have acrylic paint, mix it with a fabric medium to make it flexible.
- Cardboard: A big piece to put inside the hoodie. It acts as a barrier against paint bleeding through to the back.
- Masking Tape: To make the clean lines of the rectangle and letter shapes.
- Small Paint Brush: For applying paint to your lips with precision.
- Iron or Hairdryer: Essential for the heat-setting phase.
Safety First:
In our factories, we are very concerned about safety. Standards like OEKO-TEX are strictly followed. Be careful with the paint you are putting on your skin.
- Check the Label: Make sure your paint is non-toxic and water-based.
- Barrier Method: Apply a thick layer of lip balm or a barrier cream to your lips before applying the paint. This protects your skin from staining and irritation.
- Patch Test: Put a small dot of paint on your arm to check for allergic reactions before putting it on your face.
How to Make a Kisses Hoodie: Step-by-Step Execution
Now we come to the manufacturing step. This chapter explains how to make a kisses hoodie using methods that are similar to professional screen printing.
Step 1: Prep the Garment
This step is a must. New clothes come with "sizing" (chemicals) to keep them crisp in stores. These chemicals repel paint.
- Wash the hoodie alone, without any fabric softener.
- Dry it well.
- Iron the chest area until it is perfectly flat. Wrinkles will ruin your stencil.
Step 2: Stenciling
Choose your design. The viral trend usually has a rectangular box or an initial letter filled with kisses.
- Insert the cardboard inside the hoodie. Make the fabric smooth over it.
- Tape the outline of the shape using masking tape. Press down the tape edges firmly so that the paint doesn't bleed under the tape.
- If you need a specific letter template, you can follow this guide on preparing your stencil to get the proportions right.
Step 3: The Application (The Kissing Technique)
This is the main part of how to make a kisses hoodie.
- Coat Your Lips: Use the brush to paint your lips. Don't dip your lips directly into the paint because it will get too messy. A thin and even coat is the best option.
- The Press: Bend over the hoodie. Push your lips hard onto the fabric in the taped area.
- The Roll: Don't slide your lips. Rather, press down and gently roll your lips from the middle to the outside. Then, just lift straight up. This ensures the lip lines are distinct.
- Spacing: Scatter the kisses around. A few overlaps look good, but too much overlap creates a blob. You can turn the angles of your kisses randomly to make them look more natural.
Step 4: Clean Up and Peel
- Use a makeup wipe or oil-based cleanser to get the lip paint off your lips before changing colors. This helps to keep the colors bright.
- When the area is full, slowly remove the masking tape while the paint is still slightly wet. This will prevent the paint from peeling off with the tape.
The "Pro" Finish: Curing and Quality Control
Most DIY tutorials stop when the painting is done. But, as a professional manufacturer, we know that your job is not complete until the print has been cured. Curing is a chemical process that causes the paint to attach itself to the fabric fibers. If you want to know how to make a kisses hoodie that can survive the washing machine, you need to follow this "5-step QC" adaptation.
1. Visual Check:
Look at the design. Are there missing pieces? You can use a fine brush to touch up edges or add details if a print looks too faint.
2. Deep Drying:
Place the hoodie flat for at least 24 hours. Even if the fabric feels dry after one hour, there is still moisture in the fibers that needs to evaporate. So, be patient.
3. Heat Setting (The Secret):
This is the most important step in learning how to make a kisses hoodie.
- Turn the hoodie inside out.
- Adjust the iron to medium-high heat (no steam).
- Iron the back side of the design for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep the iron moving.
- Alternatively, you could put parchment paper on top of the design and iron for 2 minutes directly.
- The temperature causes a chemical reaction (polymerization) that makes the paint permanent.
4. The Wash Test:
Wait for at least 72 hours after heat setting before washing the garment for the first time. When you do wash it, turn it inside out and use cold water.
5. Final Inspection:
After the wash, check the print. A properly heat-set hoodie should be just as vibrant as it was when wet. This process mimics the tunnel dryers used in our factories. Thus, your sentimental gift will last a lifetime.
FAQ: Common Questions About Making a Kisses Hoodie
We often receive questions about customizing garments. The most common queries about how to make a kisses hoodie are found here.
Can I use regular lipstick to make a kisses hoodie?
No, you should not use lipstick. Lipstick is made of wax and oils. It does not dry or set like paint. It will smear if you touch it and it will wash out immediately in the laundry, likely staining the rest of the clothes in the load. You must use fabric paint for a permanent result.
How do I wash my kisses hoodie without ruining it?
To protect the design, turn the hoodie inside out before washing. Use a gentle cycle with cold water. Harsh detergents and hot water can break down the paint over time. Air drying or hanging the hoodie is better than using a tumble dryer, as high heat can sometimes crack the paint after many washes.
What is the best fabric paint for skin contact?
Look for water-based, non-toxic fabric paints. Brands often label these as "safe for kids" or "non-toxic." Even with safe paints, we recommend applying a thick layer of lip balm or Vaseline to your lips before applying the paint. This creates a barrier that makes cleanup easier and protects your skin.
How do I remove paint from my lips after making the hoodie?
Fabric paint is designed to stick, so water alone might not work. Use an oil-based makeup remover, coconut oil, or baby oil. Massage the oil into your lips to break down the paint pigments, then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth. You might need to scrub gently with a sugar scrub if the paint is difficult to remove.
Can I make a kisses hoodie on a black sweatshirt?
Yes, but it's more difficult. Regular fabric paints are often semi-transparent and will not show up on black fabric. You need to buy "opaque" fabric paints made specifically for dark fabrics. As an alternative, you can paint a layer of white paint first, wait until it dries, and then apply colored kisses on top, though this is very difficult to do with lip prints.
