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Gildan Sweatshirts: The Ultimate Guide For Merchants

gildan-sweatshirts:-the-ultimate-guide-for-merchants
Gildan Sweatshirts: The Ultimate Guide For Merchants

Design custom products with Printify

Looking for a reliable Gildan sweatshirt for everyday wear or custom selling? Gildan is a go-to brand for creators and sellers thanks to its comfort, durability, and affordable price point.

This guide covers what makes Gildan sweatshirts so popular – from fit and materials to colors and customization – plus how to turn them into sellable products with Printify.

Key takeaways

  • Gildan sweatshirts deliver reliable comfort and durability at an affordable price, making them ideal for custom apparel and everyday wear.
  • Gildan apparel comes in different styles, from heavyweight fleece to softer midweight and moisture-wicking options.
  • A wide color range and classic sizing make it easy to create collections for different styles and audiences.
  • With Printify, you can design and sell Gildan sweatshirts worldwide with fast fulfillment and no minimums.

What is Gildan?

Gildan is a Canadian apparel manufacturer founded in 1984, Montreal. The brand is best known for blank clothing for customization, supplying creators, businesses, and sellers worldwide. It handles most of its own manufacturing – from fabric to final product – which keeps quality consistent and prices low.

On the sustainability side, Gildan currently holds an “It’s a start” rating from Good On You. The brand uses some lower-impact materials, including recycled fabrics, and its products are free from animal-derived materials.

Gildan is also part of the US Cotton Trust Protocol since 2021 – a program that makes sure cotton is farmed more responsibly, with better practices for water use, soil health, and emissions.

Gildan sweatshirts: Overview

Gildan offers a wide range of sweatshirts designed for everyday comfort, customization, and reliable printing results. If you’re comparing Gildan sweatshirt material for your collection, these popular crewneck options are a great place to start.

Gildan 18000 – Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt

The Gildan 18000 is made with Gildan’s Heavy Blend fabric, combining US cotton and polyester for a soft feel and added durability. The classic fit is an easy choice for daily wear, team apparel, or custom printing projects.

This sweatshirt holds its shape well after washing and offers a smooth surface that prints great – whether you’re using screen printing or DTG (direct-to-garment). That’s why it’s a favorite for sellers who want reliable results without paying a premium price.





Pro tip

Find the Gildan 18000 unisex crewneck in Printify’s Catalog to review sizing, color options, and mockups before you start selling.

Gildan SF000 – Midweight Softstyle™ Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt

If you’re after something softer and lighter, the Gildan SF000 is a solid pick. Crafted with a ring-spun cotton blend, this midweight fleece sweatshirt feels smoother against the skin while still offering enough warmth for layering.

It’s a popular choice for lifestyle brands, youth collections, and anyone wanting a more premium touch without heavy-blend fabric.





Pro tip

Browse the Gildan SF000 Unisex Midweight Crewneck Sweatshirt in our Catalog and see how it fits into your product lineup.

Unisex DryBlend® Crewneck Sweatshirt

The Unisex DryBlend crewneck is designed for moisture control, with a cotton-poly blend that helps wick away sweat. Great for gyms, school spirit wear, team gear, or just everyday comfort.





Pro tip

Plan your next Gildan DryBlend crewneck sweatshirt in Printify using this fabric for a softer, more premium feel.

Gildan sweatshirt sizing guide

Stacks of neatly folded Gildan sweatshirts in yellow, orange, green, and blue are arranged on wooden shelves.

Gildan sweatshirts feature a classic fit and sizes ranging from small to larger adult options, making it easy to find the right match for different body types and occasions. Whether you’re ordering a Gildan crewneck sweatshirt for yourself or selling online, the charts below will help you choose the right fit.

Gildan men’s activewear tops

This sizing guide applies to Gildan men’s sweatshirts, with a one-inch size tolerance. Remember to check the sizing guide for the chosen style to get the most accurate fit.

Size Width Length
S 20″ 28″
M 22″ 29″
L 24″ 30″
XL 26″ 31″
2XL 28″ 32″
3XL 30″ 33″
4XL 32″ 34″

Gildan women’s activewear tops

The sizing guide below also applies to women’s sweatshirts with a one-inch size tolerance. Refer to the sizing chart on product pages for accurate measurements for each style.

Size Width Length
S 19.25″ 26.97″
M 21.26″ 27.99″
L 23.23″ 28.98”
XL 25.24″ 30″
2XL 27.24″ 30.98″
3XL 29.25″ 31.97″
4XL 31.26″ 32.99″
5XL 32.24″ 33.98″

How do Gildan sweatshirts fit?

Gildan sweatshirts offer a comfortable, classic fit that follows traditional sizing. If you prefer a looser feel, consider sizing up, especially with cozy fleece-lined styles.

Do Gildan sweatshirts shrink?

Gildan sweatshirts may shrink slightly, especially with heat. However, most styles are made with pre-shrunk fabric and cotton-poly blends to help minimize size changes. While you might notice minor shrinkage after the first wash, it’s usually minimal and consistent with standard fleece apparel.

To maintain the fit, wash in cold water and tumble dry on low heat.

Gildan sweatshirt colors

A collection of colorful Gildan sweatshirts in black, gray, beige, red, and yellow, casually laid out.

Gildan sweatshirts come in a wide range of colors, from bold primaries to softer tones and pastels. On the official color charts, you’ll find everything from classic staples like black, white, blue, red, and green to lighter hues such as light purple, baby blue, and yellow haze.

Gildan leans more toward strong, saturated colors, which makes sense for team apparel, merch, and high-contrast designs. That said, there’s still a solid selection of lighter and heather tones for minimalist brands or softer aesthetics, making it easy to match your brand or audience.

Check out our Gildan color chart guide for a closer look at every shade.

Gildan hoodie vs sweatshirt: A quick comparison

A smiling woman with short hair sitting in a wicker chair, wearing a light blue hoodie with a playful cartoon design and pink shorts.

The choice between Gildan hoodies and sweatshirts comes down to style and function.

A Gildan crewneck sweatshirt is easy to layer and more affordable in price, since it doesn’t include a hood or pocket. It’s a solid choice for everyday wear, team orders, or simple custom designs.

Gildan hoodies add a hood and pouch pocket, making them better suited for colder days, casual streetwear, or customers who want extra comfort and utility. You’ll also find full zip hoodies for those who prefer an open-front style.

In short, choose sweatshirts for classic basics and hoodies for added warmth and features.





Pro tip

Not sure which to pick? Check out our hoodies vs sweatshirts guide for a deeper breakdown.

Design custom Gildan sweatshirts and hoodies with Printify

A man holds a green hoodie with the text "Positive Mindset" printed on it, in a room with a brown sofa, a wooden table, and a plant nearby.

If Gildan provides the blank clothing, Printify helps you turn it into custom sweatshirts you can sell worldwide.

With Printify, you get access to Gildan’s extensive range of customizable styles, plus a global Print Provider network for faster shipping. There are no minimum order requirements, so you can test designs or scale your business with confidence.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Sign up for a free Printify account. All you need is an active email address.
  2. Pick a Gildan sweatshirt from the Catalog.
  3. Add your design using the Product Creator. Upload your artwork or design one from scratch using pre-made elements, AI Image Generator, or stock photos.
  4. Connect your online store to automate fulfillment.

That’s it. When orders roll in, Printify handles printing, packing, and shipping directly to your customers.

FAQ

Yes. Gildan sweatshirts are known for reliable quality at a fair price – that’s why they’re so popular for custom apparel, team orders, and everyday wear. Most styles use durable cotton-poly blends with a classic fit and soft fleece inside. They’re designed for comfort, consistent sizing, and long-lasting quality, even after regular washing.

Both Hanes and Gildan make good sweatshirts, but they serve slightly different needs. Gildan stands out for durability and value – great for custom printing and bulk orders. Hanes tends to feel a bit softer out of the bag, more like something you’d grab off a retail shelf. Pick Gildan for value and consistency; go with Hanes if comfort comes first.

Gildan sweatshirts generally fit true to size. If you’re between sizes or prefer a looser feel, we recommend sizing up, especially with thicker fleece styles.

That depends on what matters to you. Gildan is hard to beat for the price – it’s affordable, durable, and easy to customize, which is why so many sellers use it. Other brands might feel softer or have trendier cuts, but if you want something reliable that won’t break the bank, Gildan’s a safe bet.

Make your next bestseller with Gildan and Printify

Gildan sweatshirts offer a solid mix of comfort, durability, and affordability, making them a smart choice for creators and sellers alike. Whether you’re launching your first design or expanding your product line, Printify gives you everything you need to bring Gildan sweatshirts and hoodies to life.

Explore the Gildan page on Printify and start creating your unique look today.

Make it happen today!

The post Gildan sweatshirts: The ultimate guide for merchants appeared first on Printify.

This originally appeared on Printify and is available here for wider discovery.
Shopify Growth Strategies for DTC Brands | Steve Hutt | Former Shopify Merchant Success Manager | 445+ Podcast Episodes | 50K Monthly Downloads