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The style breakdown

Pick the Right Gildan T-Shirt. Every Single Time.

A no-nonsense guide to Gildan's wholesale lineup — what each style is made of, how it wears, and which one is worth your money.

01 — Start here

Before You Buy, Ask Yourself These

Gildan makes more than a dozen T-shirt, hoodie, and sweatshirt styles, and picking the wrong one is an easy (and expensive) mistake at bulk quantities. Run through this quick list of the most popular T-Shirt styles before you commit.

  • What's it for — event, uniform, retail line, or giveaway?
  • What's your budget per unit?
  • Do you want a classic, boxy fit or a slimmer, retail fit?
  • Will it be worn in hot weather or during activity?
  • Are you decorating? Screen print, DTF, DTG or embroidery?
  • Do you need extended sizing (up to 5XL) or tall sizes?
Buyer tip

Your decoration method should heavily influence your style pick, not just your budget. Ringspun and combed cotton styles (Ultra Cotton, Hammer) print more cleanly than open-end cotton (Heavy Cotton), so if sharp detail matters more than price, spend the extra dollar.

02 — The styles

Know Your Gildan

Here's a breakdown of Gildan's core T-shirt fabrics — the good, the not-so-good, and who each one is really built for.

Everyday

Heavy Cotton (G500/5000)

The workhorse. 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk open-end cotton in a classic, relaxed fit. It's the shirt most people picture when they think "wholesale tee" — reliable, widely available in dozens of colors, and priced to move in bulk.

Pros

  • Lowest cost per unit
  • Widest color selection
  • Reliable, classic fit
  • Good for screen printing

Cons

  • Slightly coarser texture
  • Not the softest hand feel
  • Can shrink with hot washing
Everyday+

Ultra Cotton (G200/2000)

The step up. 6.0 oz, 100% ringspun cotton with a smoother, more structured feel than Heavy Cotton. A favorite for work uniforms and cooler-weather apparel where a more substantial garment is the point.

Pros

  • Smoother, more premium feel
  • Cleaner screen printing surface
  • More durable, structured build
  • Great for cooler weather

Cons

  • Higher price than Heavy Cotton
  • Heavier — less ideal for hot climates
Retail

SoftStyle (G640/64000)

The fashion pick. 4.5 oz, ringspun cotton with a slimmer, more fitted cut — the closest thing in Gildan's lineup to a retail T-shirt. Runs lighter and more fitted than Heavy Cotton or Ultra Cotton.

Pros

  • Softest, most fitted feel
  • Retail-quality look
  • Lightweight, great for layering
  • Popular with fashion brands

Cons

  • Runs slimmer — check sizing
  • Pricier than Heavy Cotton
  • Less ideal for heavy-duty use
Performance

DryBlend (G800/8000)

Built for movement. A 5.5 oz, 50/50 cotton-poly blend that resists shrinking, wrinkles less, and wicks moisture better than 100% cotton. The go-to for staff uniforms, outdoor events, or team wear.

Pros

  • Moisture-wicking
  • Shrink- and wrinkle-resistant
  • Holds up well in heat
  • Smooth printing surface

Cons

  • Less breathable than 100% cotton
  • Slightly less soft hand feel
Premium

Hammer (H000)

The upgrade pick. 6.0 oz combed ringspun cotton with a structured, premium feel — the smoothest printing surface in Gildan's core lineup. Earns the price difference for higher-end printing.

Pros

  • Smoothest print surface
  • Premium, structured feel
  • Strong choice for embroidery
  • Durable, heavier build

Cons

  • Highest price point of the group
  • Fewer color options than Heavy Cotton
03 — At a glance

Side-by-Side Comparison

Style Fabric Weight Fit Best For Price
Heavy Cotton (G500/5000) 100% open-end cotton 5.3 oz Classic, relaxed Giveaways, fundraisers, bulk basics Low
Ultra Cotton (G200/2000) 100% ringspun cotton 6.0 oz Classic, structured Uniforms, cooler weather, screen printing Low–Mid
SoftStyle (G640/64000) 100% ringspun cotton 4.5 oz Slim, fitted Retail lines, fashion brands Mid
DryBlend (G800/8000) 50/50 cotton-poly 5.5 oz Classic Warm climates, active use, team wear Low–Mid
Hammer (H000) Combed ringspun cotton 6.0 oz Structured, premium High-end printing, embroidery Mid–High
04 — Decorators

Which Gildan for Which Decoration?

If you're customizing blanks, your style choice and decoration method need to work together. Here's the fast answer for the most common techniques.

  • Screen printing: Ultra Cotton or Hammer for the cleanest detail; Heavy Cotton if budget comes first.
  • DTG (Direct-to-Garment): SoftStyle's smoother, tighter knit prints best.
  • DTF (Direct-To-Film): Heavy Cotton and DryBlend are the safest bets.
  • Embroidery: Hammer and DryBlend hold stitching well without too much cupping.
  • Moisture-heavy or outdoor use: DryBlend, hands down.
Always check the label

"Heavy Cotton" and "Ultra Cotton" are brand names, not literal weight descriptions — Ultra Cotton is actually heavier than Heavy Cotton. Go by the oz. weight and fabric type, not the style name, when comparing.

05 — Common questions

Quick Answers

What's the difference between Gildan Heavy Cotton and Ultra Cotton?

Heavy Cotton (G500/5000) is 5.3 oz open-end cotton with a classic, relaxed fit. Ultra Cotton (G200/2000) is heavier at 6.0 oz and uses ringspun cotton for a smoother, more structured feel — despite the name, Heavy Cotton is actually the lighter of the two.

Which Gildan style is best for screen printing?

Ultra Cotton and Hammer print the cleanest thanks to their ringspun/combed construction. Heavy Cotton still prints fine and is the better choice if unit cost is the priority.

Do Gildan T-shirts shrink?

100% cotton styles are preshrunk but can still shrink slightly (2–3%) with hot washing and high-heat drying. DryBlend resists shrinkage more reliably. Wash cold and dry on low across all styles.

Is there a minimum order quantity?

No — Gildan wholesale apparel can be ordered individually or in bulk, with pricing improving at higher quantity tiers rather than requiring a fixed minimum.

Which Gildan style fits best for a retail or resale product?

SoftStyle. It's the lightest and most fitted of the group, closest to what shoppers expect from a modern retail tee.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Gildan T-Shirt?

Browse our full selection of Gildan wholesale apparel across every style and fabric weight — at prices that make stocking up a no-brainer.

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