Gildan: Bulk Apparel at Wholesale Prices

Gildan Wholesale Apparel

Gildan is one of the most widely carried brands in the wholesale blank apparel market, and for good reason. Its lineup of t-shirts, hoodies, and tank tops has become a go-to for custom printing businesses, promotional campaigns, and anyone building a branded apparel program on a budget. The combination of printability, durability, and value is what keeps decorators coming back.

Gildan Hoodies: Consistent Quality at a Strong Price Point

The G185 Heavy Blend Hoodie is one of the more consistently ordered fleece blanks in the wholesale market year after year. Its popularity comes down to a few practical factors: it's easy to print, comfortable to wear, and priced competitively against comparable fleece blanks — without the quality drop-off that often comes at this price point. For bulk hoodie runs where cost-per-unit matters, the G185 is a reliable place to start.

The G500 T-Shirt: A Dependable Blank for Bulk Orders

The G500 Adult Heavy Cotton Tee is one of the more widely ordered wholesale blanks in the industry. At 5.3 oz. of ring-spun cotton, it prints consistently, holds up through repeated washing, and is available across a broad color range — making it a practical choice for everything from charity events to large uniform runs. Its price point makes high-volume orders genuinely feasible without compromising on a recognizable brand name.

The G800 50/50 Tee: The Shrink-Resistant Workhorse

The G800 Adult 50/50 T-Shirt sits between the G500 and the G640 in Gildan's tee lineup and is worth knowing about for any high-volume decoration program. The 50/50 cotton-polyester blend makes it noticeably more shrink-resistant than the all-cotton G500 — a practical advantage for programs where end customers are washing their shirts repeatedly, like spirit wear, school fundraisers, and event tees. The poly content also gives the G800 a slight sheen and a crisper drape compared to the G500, which some buyers prefer for promotional and retail-facing applications. It takes screen print cleanly and is available across a wide color range, making it a versatile alternative for bulk runs where the G500's all-cotton construction isn't the right fit.

The G640 Softstyle: A Softer Option at a Comparable Price

The G640 Softstyle is Gildan's answer to the growing demand for softer blank apparel. Constructed from 100% ring-spun cotton, it has a noticeably softer hand feel than the G500 — the ring-spun process produces a smoother, finer yarn that results in a softer fabric with a more refined drape. That makes the G640 a practical choice for retail-quality custom apparel, fashion-forward designs, and programs where end-customer comfort is a priority.

Gildan Softstyle Fleece: A Softer Alternative to the G185

Gildan's Softstyle fleece line — the SF000 Softstyle Fleece Crew and the SF500 Softstyle Fleece Pullover Hoodie — is worth considering for programs where the G185's 50/50 construction isn't the right fit. The Softstyle fleece is made from ring-spun cotton, which gives it a noticeably softer hand feel than the G185's blended fabric. It's a practical middle ground between the G185's value pricing and the premium feel of Independent Trading Co. or Lane Seven fleece — close enough in softness to satisfy end customers who care about fabric feel, while staying well within the budget of a large-run decoration program. Both styles are available in basic colorways and take screen print consistently.

Why Decorators Reach for Gildan

Gildan shirts show up in the catalogs of most major wholesale distributors because Gildan consistently delivers on three things: predictable sizing, reliable print surfaces, and competitive pricing across a wide range of styles. For decorators running high volumes or buyers managing tight budgets, that consistency is worth a lot — it means fewer reprints, fewer sizing complaints, and fewer surprises on delivery.

Beyond tees, Gildan's fleece and polo lines are worth knowing. The G180 Heavy Blend Fleece Crew is a crewneck counterpart to the G185 hoodie — same 50/50 construction, same pill-resistant surface, and one of the better-priced crewneck fleece blanks in the wholesale market for screen printing. Looking for the kids' version? It's the G18000B. Looking for a full zip? The G18600 is your answer. For programs that need a polo, the G880 Adult Jersey Polo brings Gildan's value proposition into the uniform category — a 50/50 moisture-wicking knit with a clean, embroidery-ready surface at a price point that makes outfitting larger teams genuinely practical.

Gildan's tank top lineup rounds out the blank apparel offering for warmer-weather programs. The G220 Adult Ultra Cotton Tank is a 6 oz. 100% cotton tank that's built heavier than most blank tanks on the market — durable enough for promotional and event use and a reliable screen print substrate. For a lighter, more retail-feeling option, the G642 Softstyle Tank brings the same ring-spun softness as the G640 tee into a sleeveless silhouette — a practical choice for gyms, summer events, and lifestyle brands where comfort and feel matter as much as price.

For youth programs, the G5000B Youth Tee mirrors the G500 in construction and print performance, making it easy to run adult and youth sizes together in a single decoration program without adjusting your setup. That kind of cross-style consistency is a practical advantage for decorators managing large or complex orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gildan best known for in wholesale apparel?

Gildan is known for offering reliable, print-friendly blanks at competitive wholesale pricing. Its t-shirts, hoodies, and tanks are widely used for screen printing, DTG, and embroidery across a broad range of applications — from promotional events and fundraisers to staff uniforms and custom merch programs. Consistent sizing and a wide color range across its core styles make it a practical choice for large or complex runs.

What is the difference between the Gildan G500 and the G640 Softstyle?

The G500 is a 5.3 oz. ring-spun cotton tee built for durability and consistent print results — a reliable workhorse for high-volume decoration runs. The G640 Softstyle is lighter at 4.5 oz. and uses a finer ring-spun yarn that produces a noticeably softer hand feel. If print consistency and cost-per-unit are the priority, the G500 is the more common choice. If end-customer comfort and a more refined feel matter, the G640 is worth the small price difference.

What is the difference between the Gildan G500 and the G800?

The G500 is 100% ring-spun cotton and is the heavier of the two at 5.3 oz. It's the more common choice for programs where pure cotton is preferred — including DTG printing, where cotton content significantly affects ink absorption and vibrancy. The G800 is a 50/50 cotton-polyester blend at 5.5 oz., which makes it slightly heavier but more shrink-resistant. The poly content also makes it dry faster and hold its shape better over repeated washes — an advantage for spirit wear, athletic events, and any program where dimensional stability through the laundry matters. For DTG printing, stick with the G500. For screen printing in high-wash environments, the G800 is worth the consideration.

What is the Gildan G185 and why is it popular for bulk hoodie orders?

The G185 is an 8 oz. 50/50 cotton-poly blend pullover hoodie. It's one of the more widely ordered fleece blanks in the wholesale market because it balances weight, printability, and price in a way that works for most bulk decoration programs. The poly content helps it resist shrinking better than a straight cotton fleece, and the surface takes screen print and embroidery consistently.

What is the best Gildan hoodie for embroidery?

The G185 Heavy Blend Hoodie is the most widely embroidered Gildan fleece, largely because its 50/50 cotton-poly blend produces a denser, more stable surface than a 100% cotton fleece. That stability is important for embroidery — a tighter backing means less puckering and more consistent stitch registration, especially on left-chest logos and name patches. The G185's 8 oz. weight also gives the needle enough material to work with cleanly. If you're running embroidery on Gildan fleece for the first time, the G185 is the safest starting point. The Softstyle fleece (SF000 / SF500) can also be embroidered, but its softer, looser construction may require a slightly heavier stabilizer — worth a test run before committing to a large order.

Is Gildan good for screen printing?

Yes, Gildan blanks are among the more commonly used substrates for screen printing in the wholesale market. The G500 in particular is a standard choice for plastisol and water-based ink printing, largely because its cotton surface takes ink evenly and holds color well through washing. The G185 hoodie is similarly well-regarded for print consistency in the fleece category.

How does Gildan compare to Bella+Canvas or Next Level for wholesale blank tees?

Gildan is generally more affordable than Bella+Canvas or Next Level and is the stronger choice for high-volume runs where cost-per-unit is the primary concern. Bella+Canvas and Next Level tend to offer softer fabrics, more fashion-forward fits, and a more retail-quality feel, which makes them a better fit for merch intended for resale or end customers who expect a premium product. The right choice depends on the end use, the decoration method, and the budget available.