I know you check it hot, but should you see some fluid on the dipstick when it’s cold? I put a TH350 in and I just want to make sure there’s enough fluid initially before I start it.

 

See my post #15

 

If this is a fresh trans, put about 8 quarts of fluid in, start it, run it thru each gear, then top it off with the trans hot. Trans in park, engine idling

 

Short answer is yes and what matt n chief said.
You should see fluid on the stick, ambient.

Everyone treats an automatic trans with kid gloves or ignores it,
Don't get too hung up on hot n cold levels. The delta isn't much, a pint at max for the **** (ballpark for Rocket Scientist). Too full can be worse than a pint shy.
One can learn what a normal level is cold just by knowing where OK is while hot. Look at your power steering dipstick for example.

Change fluid often, it's cheap Do one after the initial break-in for new parts.
Synthetic isn't a bad choice for a new trans. All previously enjoyed transmissions which started life on dino juice should keep it on dino juice.