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4.5 oz. 100% ring-spun cotton, 30 singles. Modern classic fit with side seams. EZ Print finish on solid colors for cleaner screen prints. Sizes XS through 3XL.
Key Features of the Gildan 980
- 4.5 oz./yd² (US) 7.2 oz./L yd (CA), 100% ring-spun cotton, 30 singles
- Heather Grey is 90/10 cotton/polyester
- Heather colors are 65/35 polyester/cotton
- Graphite Heather is 50/50 cotton/polyester
- Modern classic fit
- EZ print technology
- Narrow width, rib collar
- Taped neck and shoulders for comfort and durability
- Side seams
- Tear away label
Responsible Supplier: this product was made in a facility that is OEKO-TEX and FLA certified.
Responsible Materials: contains US grown BCI cotton
About the Gildan 980
The Gildan 980 Softstyle Lightweight is the more refined Softstyle in Gildan's catalog — the same 4.5-ounce 100% ring-spun cotton construction as the better-known Gildan G640, but with two real differences that matter at the print line: an EZ Print finish on solid colors, and a slightly slimmer modern classic fit. For screen printers and DTG shops that want a cleaner printing surface than the standard Softstyle without stepping up to the premium tier, the 980 sits in a useful middle slot.
EZ Print is a Gildan finishing process that removes loose surface fibers from the fabric before the shirt ships, leaving a smoother and lint-free surface for ink and toner to land on. In practice that means crisper line work for screen printing, sharper edges for DTG and DTF heat transfer, and noticeably less of the fuzzy halo that loose cotton fibers can produce on dark prints. The finish applies to solid colors only — heather variants don't get the same treatment because their polyester content already produces a smooth surface.
The modern classic fit sits a hair closer to the body than a traditional unisex tee but isn't fitted in the way a retail-cut shirt would be. Side seams give the body a cleaner shape than a tubular construction, and the narrow-width rib collar keeps the neckline trim. Taped neck and shoulders add durability where the seams take the most stress, and the tear-away label means decorators can remove the brand mark cleanly for relabeling programs. Colors run across solids and heathers, with each heather using a different blend ratio that's worth checking before you commit a heavy-coverage print: Heather Grey is 90/10 cotton/polyester, Graphite Heather is 50/50, and the rest of the heather range is 65/35 polyester/cotton — that last group has high enough polyester content to require dye migration considerations on dark prints.
For a softer step up at a higher price tier, the Bella+Canvas 3001 uses Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton with a finer 32-singles yarn for a more retail-quality finish. The Next Level 3600 sits in the same premium tier with combed ring-spun cotton and a fitted silhouette. For the standard Softstyle without the EZ Print finish or modern classic fit, the Gildan G640 is the budget-friendly option in the same fabric weight class.
FAQ
What's the difference between the Gildan 980 and the Gildan G640 Softstyle?
Both are 4.5-ounce 100% ring-spun cotton tees with 30 singles, so the fabric specs are essentially the same. The 980 adds the EZ Print finish on solid colors for a cleaner printing surface, uses a modern classic fit that sits slightly closer to the body, and has a narrow-width rib collar. The G640 uses a classic fit that's a bit more relaxed and doesn't include the EZ Print treatment. For programs where print quality is the deciding factor, the 980 is the better choice. For programs where the lowest unit price wins, the G640 typically lands a few cents lower.
What is EZ Print technology?
EZ Print is an enzyme-based finishing process that removes loose cotton surface fibers from the fabric before the shirt is shipped. The result is a smoother, lint-free surface that holds ink and toner more cleanly than untreated cotton. Screen printers see crisper edges and less halo around print art; DTG and DTF heat transfer decorators get sharper image detail because the substrate sits flat under the print. The finish is applied to solid colors only — heather variants already have a smoother surface from their polyester content.
Which decoration methods work well on the 980?
Screen printing, DTG, and DTF heat transfer all work cleanly on solid colors thanks to the EZ Print finish. Embroidery works fine on the ring-spun cotton base. For the heather colors that run 65/35 polyester/cotton, treat them like a poly-blend for screen printing — use low-bleed inks or a poly-friendly underbase to prevent dye migration on dark prints. Graphite Heather (50/50) and Heather Grey (90/10) are more forgiving but still benefit from a quick test print before a long run.
What sizes and colors are available?
Sizes run XS through 3XL. Body length runs 27" (XS) to 33" (3XL); chest width runs 16" (XS) to 28" (3XL), measured laid flat with a +/-1" tolerance. Color range covers a broad set of solids plus the heather variants noted above (Heather Grey, Graphite Heather, and the 65/35 heather group).
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Policies and Practices
Any order can be returned within 30 days of receipt. To be eligible for a return, your item must be: 1). unused, 2). unwashed, and 3).unaltered (it must be blank--no embroidery or printing, etc).
Make sure your item is in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in our original packaging.
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