How to Choose Gildan T-Shirt Blanks for Print on Demand

Gildan blanks work for print on demand when the seller matches the model to the print method, the fabric weight to the product type, and the size run to the target market. The Gildan 5000 and 18500 cover most POD volume, but they behave differently under DTF, DTG, and screen printing, and they serve different buyer expectations. This guide breaks down the models that matter for POD, the print methods each one handles, and the production issues that show up after the first wash.

Which Gildan Models POD Sellers Actually Use

Not every Gildan model is built for custom printing. The ones that appear repeatedly in POD catalogues share a trait: they take ink well, they hold shape after a heat press, and they are stocked in enough volume to support single-piece fulfilment.

• Gildan 5000 (Heavy Cotton, 5.3 oz / 180 GSM): The volume blank. It takes DTF and DTG without colour shift, holds a straight hem after pressing, and sits at the price point where most entry-level POD stores compete. The fabric is 100% preshrunk cotton with a relatively open weave, which means it breathes well but can feel slightly lighter than the weight suggests because of the knitting structure.
• Gildan 18500 (Heavy Blend Hoodie, 8 oz / 271 GSM): The fleece blank. A 50/50 cotton-polyester blend that holds DTF transfers on the chest and sleeve without scorching. The poly content reduces shrinkage, which matters for hoodies where a size run has to stay consistent across repeated wash cycles.
• Gildan 8000 (Heavy Cotton T-Shirt, 6.1 oz / 206 GSM): The premium blank. Thicker than the 5000, with a tighter weave that gives DTG prints better colour density. Suits stores positioning above the entry tier. The heavier fabric also holds its shape longer in a cut and sew workflow.

Models outside this shortlist exist, but for a POD catalogue that ships single pieces, the 5000, 18500, and 8000 cover the demand. Adding more models without differentiating them confuses the buyer and complicates the size chart. The principle behind print on demand catalog curation applies here: fewer blanks, each with a clear reason to exist, outperforms a long list of near-duplicates.

Fabric Weight and Composition by Model

Weight determines how the shirt hangs, how it takes ink, and how it survives washing. Composition determines whether the fabric accepts sublimation ink or only pigment ink.

The weight figures are pre-wash. Cotton shrinks 3-5% after the first wash, so a 180 GSM blank arrives at the customer feeling closer to 190 GSM. That shift matters when a seller publishes a size chart based on the factory spec rather than the post-wash measurement. The practical fix is to wash one sample before listing the measurements, and the reasoning behind that routine is covered in the guide to fabric weight and drape for custom clothing.

Print Method Compatibility

DTF (Direct to Film)

DTF works on all three models. The transfer film adheres to cotton and poly blends equally, and the heat press temperature (150-160°C for 10-15 seconds) sits within the tolerance of all Gildan fabrics. The issue to watch is dye migration on the 18500, where the polyester content can push sublimated dye into the white ink layer during pressing. Why dye migration ruins polyester prints explains the mechanism in detail.

DTG (Direct to Garment)

DTG performs best on the 5000 and 8000 because both are 100% cotton. The pretreatment and curing process bonds water-based ink to cotton fibres, and the tighter weave of the 8000 gives denser colour. On the 18500, DTG prints on the cotton face but can wash out faster on the poly content, which is why most POD producers switch to DTF for hoodies.

Sublimation

Sublimation does not work on Gildan 5000 or 8000 because they are 100% cotton. Sublimation ink bonds to polyester fibres under heat, so it slides off cotton and leaves a faded, incomplete transfer. For all-over sublimation prints, the Gildan line is the wrong choice; a polyester blank is the correct one, and the fabric behaviour that drives that decision is covered in which GSM works best for custom sublimated jerseys.

Sizing and Fit Considerations

Gildan blanks run large by design. The 5000 is cut as a unisex relaxed fit, which means a small measures closer to a standard medium in fashion brands. That sizing is an advantage for POD stores selling to the North American market, where relaxed fit is expected, but it causes returns when a store copies a fashion-brand size chart without checking the actual blank measurements.

The production-side fix is to measure each size on the blank you are listing, not the catalogue spec, and publish those numbers. The method for building a chart that reduces returns is laid out in sizing and fit charts that cut POD returns.

One tolerance issue repeats across Gildan runs: the chest width varies by up to a centimetre between batches. That variation is within the manufacturer's stated tolerance, but a buyer who received a tight-fitting shirt from one batch and a loose one from the next will read it as a quality problem. The tolerance framework that explains this is in what size tolerance is acceptable for custom POD apparel.

Common Gildan Blank Problems in POD

Shrinkage after first wash. Cotton Gildan blanks shrink 3-5%. Publish post-wash measurements, not factory specs, or the customer receives a shirt smaller than the chart promised.

Collar distortion after heat press. The ribbed collar on the 5000 can flatten under a heat press held too long. Cap press time at 15 seconds and use a Teflon sheet to distribute pressure.

Colour shift between dye lots. Gildan runs separate dye lots for the same colour name, and a "Sports Grey" from one lot can read cooler than another. Order a sample from the current lot before committing a large design to that colour.

Label irritation. The woven neck label on some Gildan models sits high and scratches. For private label production, tear-out labels or tagless prints solve this, and the options are compared in private label tags and packaging for POD brands.

FAQ

Is the Gildan 5000 good for POD?

Yes. The Gildan 5000 is the most common POD blank because it takes DTF and DTG prints cleanly, holds its shape after pressing, and is stocked in enough volume for single-piece fulfilment. It works best for entry-level and mid-tier tees where price per unit matters.

What GSM is the Gildan Heavy Cotton?

The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton is 180 GSM (5.3 oz per square yard). The Gildan 8000 is 206 GSM (6.1 oz). Both are 100% cotton but differ in weave density and hand feel.

Can you sublimate on Gildan cotton shirts?

No. Sublimation ink bonds to polyester, not cotton. A 100% cotton Gildan 5000 will produce a faded, incomplete sublimation transfer. For sublimation, use a polyester blank instead.

Do Gildan shirts shrink after printing?

Gildan cotton blanks shrink 3-5% after the first wash. The shrinkage happens on the cotton fibre, not on the print, so a DTF or DTG design stays intact. The garment measurements shift, which is why post-wash size charts matter.

Which Gildan model is best for hoodies?

The Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie is the standard choice. The 50/50 cotton-poly blend reduces shrinkage, holds DTF transfers well, and the 271 GSM weight gives the structure a hoodie needs.

Where do CatKissFish Gildan products ship from?

CatKissFish Gildan products ship from US warehouses. Production runs 2-3 days on most orders, with global shipping options detailed on the logistics page.

Related Articles

Fabric Types for Custom Apparel: A Practical Selection Guide

DTF, Sublimation, and Embroidery: Which Print Method Fits Your POD Product

Terry or Fleece: Which Fabric Suits Custom Hoodies?