What is a softshell jacket?
Before we go deeper into printing softshell jackets, it helps to understand exactly what a softshell jacket is. A softshell jacket is made from a special type of fabric that is both water-repellent and breathable. That makes it ideal for outdoor activities where you could use some protection against the weather, without having to compromise on comfort.
Printing softshell jackets: what you need to know.
Printed softshell jackets are hugely popular in Belgium. People often wear them for their comfort and because they suit our weather. To get the most out of your brand awareness, it is important that your jacket is printed as well as possible. That may sound simple, but it certainly isn’t always the case. So it is wise to work with a professional clothing partner. At Maximum Image we have years of know-how in-house, so you can rest assured your jackets will be printed properly.Â
One of the most common problems when printing softshell jackets is dye migration (bleeding) of the logo. This happens because many softshell jackets have a special coating that causes a chemical reaction when the ink of the logo mixes with it. In many cases this only becomes visible after a few days or even weeks. Fortunately, it can be avoided. We explain how further on in this blog post.
Budget softshell jackets
Before we get to the standard softshell jackets, let’s start with our range of budget softshell jackets. Think of an event, or a gift when the budget is limited. These are usually 2-layer softshell jackets that are less water- and wind-resistant than 3-layer softshell jackets. Even so, they are perfectly fine for most people and, given the budget, extra attractive. Â
Two models we can recommend:
- SOL’S Race softshell jacket: approx. €21.70 incl. embroidery!
- Kariban IDEAL Basic softshell jacket: approx. €19 excl. embroidery.
Perfect for: youth organisations, events, giveaways, etc.Â
A standard softshell jacket, perfect as a promotional jacket.
As a standard jacket, we start with a popular softshell jacket from Clique, one of our best-selling jackets: the Clique Classic softshell (hoody). This softshell jacket is available for women, men and kids in modern colours. The model has everything you would expect from a standard softshell, and it is perfectly made for printing. On top of that, its value for money is so attractive that it appeals to a very wide audience. Think mainly of promotional use, but just as well of clubs, schools and so on. There is also a bodywarmer version of this softshell. Extra good news: the jacket recently got an upgrade and is now made with sustainable materials such as recycled polyester.Â
Perfect for: youth organisations, events, giveaways, etc.Â
Recommended retail price Clique Classic softshell: €31.00 excl. VAT.
Value-for-money softshell jackets.
In this category you will find the Printer Trial and Printer Karting softshell jackets. The difference between the two models is that the Trial has no hood and the Karting does. Both are available for women and men and come in several colours that run through the entire Printer range. A big plus if you want to combine the softshell with a polo shirt, sweater or other type of clothing. Another nice advantage is that you can easily switch the zip pullers of the softshell to a different accent colour, e.g. a navy softshell with yellow pullers instead of the standard red ones. The level of finish is slightly higher than on the standard softshells.Â
Perfect for:Â corporate clothing, workwear, clothing packages, etc.
Recommended retail price Printer Trial: €51.80 excl. VAT. Printer Karting: €62.00 excl. VAT.
Sustainable softshell jackets.
If you are looking for an environmentally responsible softshell jacket, you can opt for a model from Stanley Stella. In this case we are happy to suggest a hooded softshell called the Stella Discoverer. It is available for women and men, in 4 colours. The colour shown is Stargazer.
Perfect for: corporate clothing, merchandise, clothing packages, etc.
Recommended retail price: €64.00 excl. VAT.
Softshell jackets to work in.
Softshell jackets are also very popular as workwear. We have a number of specific softshell jackets that are designed to be worked in all day long. Our first model is the Tricorp Softshell Accent with hood. This softshell was launched in early 2024 as part of the new Accent line. Thanks to a subtle colour combination, you get a functional softshell jacket with a sleek look and plenty of personalisation options. What’s more, the jacket is made with sustainable materials. Highly recommended!Â
Tricorp also has a great range of multi-norm softshell jackets, which are important for certain types of jobs. Discover the collection here, or get in touch with our team for more information about the options.
Perfect for: transport companies, construction, industry, workwear, etc.Â
Recommended retail price Tricorp Accent with hood: €89.95 excl. VAT. Tricorp Multi-norm softshell: €178.85 excl. VAT.Â
Looking for a warm softshell jacket?
Softshell jackets are popular in Belgium because of the weather. You can wear them especially in spring and autumn, and unfortunately during some summers too. In winter it is often just a little too chilly for a softshell jacket. Good news: there is now also the very popular Clique Padded softshell jacket. It comes with a lovely warm lining. Just like the Clique Classic softshell, it is available with or without a hood. On top of that, its value for money is excellent and we highly recommend this jacket. This softshell can even be seen as a winter jacket.
Perfect for: all-round use.
Recommended retail price Clique Padded softshell without hood: €43.00 excl. VAT. Clique Padded softshell with hood: €55.20 excl. VAT.
A business softshell jacket: visit clients in style and in complete comfort.
Of course we also have a great range of more business-oriented softshell jackets. These jackets are again versatile, but radiate just a touch more luxury. Perfect as corporate clothing for office staff or sales teams. Combine with a smart shirt and/or pullover to complete the look. The model we are highlighting here is the J. Harvest Lodgetown. With its sleek look and available for women and men in 3 trendy colours, this is an ideal softshell jacket for anyone looking for a comfortable, business-style jacket. Its value for money is also very attractive for this segment. Book an appointment and discover the jacket in our showroom.
Perfect for: office staff, sales teams, etc.
Recommended retail price Lodgetown: €99.95 excl. VAT.
Printing vs embroidering softshell jackets
When you decide to personalise your softshell jacket, you basically have two choices: printing or embroidery. Both methods have their own pros and cons.
Advantages of printing softshell jackets
Often cheaper, a faster production time, and it can be applied to large areas. In addition, you don’t perforate the jacket as you do with embroidery, so the water repellency stays slightly better. That said, a softshell jacket isn’t designed for standing in the rain for hours on end.
Disadvantages of printing softshell jackets.
It can fade over time, especially after several washes. Another important point is the type of transfer used. If you opt for a basic transfer without an underlayer, there is a risk of dye migration (the effect where the fabric of your jacket shows through the transfer, e.g. a mottled look). At Maximum Image we always aim to work with high-quality transfers that minimise this phenomenon. In very exceptional cases it can still occur.
Advantages of embroidery
A luxurious look, durable (lasts a long time and doesn’t fade).
Disadvantages of embroidery
It can be more expensive, especially on large areas. It is not suitable for very detailed designs, e.g. fine lettering. A gradient effect is also harder to embroider.
Why print or embroider softshell jackets?
- Brand awareness: companies can print or embroider their logo or slogan on softshell jackets to increase their brand awareness.
- Team spirit: a uniform look creates a stronger team spirit and sense of belonging.
- Professional image: a company with personalised clothing always looks more professional.
Brands and types of softshell jackets to print.
On our quote platform you can already find a selection of softshell jackets to print or embroider. We recommend calling on our team free of charge and having a tailor-made quote drawn up. That way you can be sure of the right advice when buying your printed or embroidered softshell jackets.
We distribute: Tricorp, Harvest, Helly Hansen, Clique, B&C, Russell, Kariban, Stanley Stella, and many more.
Custom-made softshell jackets.
As well as standard softshell jackets, we can also produce them to your own design. We can base this on an existing model or start from scratch. Together with you, we develop a model that meets your needs. Whatever you can dream up, we can produce it.Â
Since 2025 we have also been able to work with existing fabrics and colours, which means we can produce a custom softshell from just 50 pieces!Â
Fully custom jackets are possible too, but then you need to allow for an MOQ of 250-500+ pieces. Don’t hesitate to contact us and together we’ll work something out, with no obligation.Â
Prices vary depending on the features chosen. From €15-20/piece (price for large quantities with few features).
