Gildan makes four sweatshirts that POD sellers actually need to know about. Two crewnecks: the 18000 (budget workhorse) and the SF000 (softer, more premium). Two hoodies: the 18500 (same Heavy Blend as the 18000) and the SF500 (same Softstyle as the SF000).
Each serves a different price point, audience, and print method. Picking the wrong one means either leaving margin on the table or dealing with print quality issues that lead to returns.
This guide breaks down all four styles with real specs, print compatibility, pricing, and recommendations for which to sell on Etsy based on your niche and business model.
The Four Gildan Sweatshirts That Matter
Before diving into details, here's the quick map:
- Heavy Blend line (18000 crewneck + 18500 hoodie): 50/50 cotton-poly, 8 oz, classic fit, budget-friendly, massive color selection
- Softstyle line (SF000 crewneck + SF500 hoodie): 80/20 ring-spun cotton-poly with 100% cotton face, modern fit, softer feel, better for DTG
The Heavy Blend line is Gildan's legacy — the sweatshirt most POD sellers start with because it's cheap and available everywhere. The Softstyle line is newer, more retail-feeling, and better suited to sellers targeting quality-conscious buyers.
Full Comparison Table
| Spec | Gildan 18000 | Gildan SF000 | Gildan 18500 | Gildan SF500 | |------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------| | Style | Crewneck | Crewneck | Hoodie | Hoodie | | Weight | 8.0 oz/yd² | 8.4 oz/yd² | 8.0 oz/yd² | 8.4 oz/yd² | | Blend | 50% cotton / 50% polyester | 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester (100% cotton face) | 50% cotton / 50% polyester | 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester (100% cotton face) | | Fit | Classic, slightly boxy | Modern, dropped shoulder | Classic, standard | Modern, dropped shoulder | | Size range | XS – 5XL | S – 4XL | S – 5XL | S – 3XL | | Colors | 45+ | ~28 | 35+ | ~20 | | DTG print quality | Good (polyester can cause dye migration) | Excellent (100% cotton face) | Good | Excellent | | Screen print | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | | Embroidery | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | | Hood details | N/A | N/A | Double-lined, matching drawcord, pouch pocket | Double-lined, matching drawcord, pouch pocket | | Label | Tear-away | Tear-away | Tear-away | Tear-away | | Best for | Budget POD, bulk, team apparel | Retail brands, premium POD, DTG | Budget hoodies, merch | Premium hoodies, DTG |
Gildan 18000: The Budget Crewneck
The Gildan 18000 (also listed as G180) is the most-used crewneck sweatshirt in print on demand. It's not the softest or trendiest — it's the cheapest reliable option.
Fabric: 50/50 cotton-polyester Heavy Blend at 8 oz. The polyester content makes it durable, reduces shrinkage, and helps it hold its shape wash after wash. The downside is feel — it's standard fleece, not buttery soft. Gildan's MVS Air Spinning technology reduces pilling, which is a meaningful upgrade from older Gildan fleece.
Fit: Classic unisex with set-in sleeves. Runs slightly boxy. The chest width jumps 4 inches per size, consistent from XS through 5XL. That 5XL top end is one of the 18000's biggest advantages — most competing crewnecks stop at 2XL or 3XL.
Colors: 45+ options including safety colors (ANSI-compliant Safety Green and Safety Orange), heather sport variants, and a full range of basics. Heather sport colors use a 60/40 polyester-cotton blend instead of the standard 50/50.
Price through POD providers: Typically $15-22 base cost including printing. Retail pricing on Etsy: $32-48. For a deep dive on the 18000, see our Gildan 18000 size chart page.
Gildan SF000: The Premium Crewneck
The SF000 is Gildan's answer to sellers who want something softer and more retail-feeling without jumping to a different brand entirely.
Fabric: 80/20 ring-spun cotton-polyester at 8.4 oz, with a 100% cotton face. That cotton face is the key difference — it feels noticeably smoother against the skin and, more importantly for POD sellers, it takes DTG ink significantly better than the 18000's 50/50 blend.
Fit: Modern with dropped shoulders. This is a meaningful style upgrade over the 18000's boxy silhouette. The dropped shoulder gives it a relaxed, streetwear-adjacent look that drapes naturally rather than sitting stiffly.
Colors: ~28 curated fashion-forward shades. You won't find safety colors or bright sports tones here. Instead, the palette leans toward modern retail colors — Paragon, Cocoa, Stone Blue, and similar tones that appeal to brand-conscious buyers.
Price through POD providers: Typically $19-27 base cost. Retail pricing on Etsy: $38-55. The higher base cost is offset by the ability to charge premium retail prices — buyers can feel the difference.
Seller Mockups offers free downloadable listing images — size charts, product details, and care instructions — for both the Gildan 18000 and SF000. Add these to your Etsy listings to fill image slots, reduce returns, and build buyer confidence. No subscription required.
Gildan 18500: The Budget Hoodie
The 18500 (G185) is the hoodie version of the 18000. Same Heavy Blend fabric, same 50/50 blend, same classic fit — plus a double-lined hood with matching drawcord and a front pouch pocket.
Key specs: 8 oz, 50/50 cotton-poly, double-needle stitching throughout, 1x1 rib with spandex at cuffs and waistband. Available in 35+ colors including safety options. Sizes S-5XL.
Why sellers use it: It's the cheapest reliable hoodie in POD. The same reasons the 18000 dominates crewnecks apply here — consistent sizing, wide availability across POD providers, massive color selection, and a price point that leaves room for healthy margins.
Limitations: Same as the 18000 — the 50/50 blend isn't ideal for DTG. If you're selling designs with fine detail or photographic elements printed via DTG, the polyester content can cause dye migration (polyester dye bleeding into the print ink), which makes colors look duller or gives an unintentional vintage effect.
Gildan SF500: The Premium Hoodie
The SF500 brings the Softstyle treatment to the hoodie format. Same 80/20 ring-spun cotton-poly blend with 100% cotton face, same modern dropped-shoulder fit, same softer handfeel.
Key specs: 8.4 oz, 80/20 blend, double-lined hood, pouch pocket. Available in ~20 colors. Sizes S-3XL.
The tradeoff: Fewer colors (20 vs 35+) and a narrower size range (3XL max vs 5XL) compared to the 18500. If you sell to an audience that needs extended sizes or niche colors, the 18500 is your only Gildan hoodie option.
Why it matters for POD: The 100% cotton face produces noticeably better DTG print results. If your designs rely on color vibrancy, fine detail, or photographic elements, the SF500 is worth the higher base cost. The modern fit also photographs better in mockups — the dropped shoulder looks more contemporary in lifestyle shots.
Print Method Compatibility
This is where the Heavy Blend vs Softstyle decision matters most for POD sellers.
DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
DTG inks bond with cotton fibers. The higher the cotton content on the print surface, the better the result.
- SF000 / SF500 (100% cotton face): Excellent DTG results. Prints appear vibrant, crisp, and detailed. The cotton face absorbs ink cleanly with minimal spreading.
- 18000 / 18500 (50/50 blend): Acceptable DTG results, but the polyester content creates two problems. First, colors can appear slightly duller. Second, dye migration — the polyester dye can bleed into the print ink, especially on dark garments under heat. This is particularly noticeable on deep reds, dark greens, and navy blanks.
If DTG is your primary print method (which it is for most POD sellers), the Softstyle line is the better choice for print quality.
Screen Printing
Both lines perform well with screen printing. The 18000/18500 work excellently with plastisol inks, and their polyester content actually helps with durability. The SF000/SF500's smoother surface allows for finer detail and higher mesh counts.
For bulk orders and simple designs, either line works. For highly detailed screen prints, the Softstyle line has a slight edge.
Embroidery
The Heavy Blend line has a slight advantage for embroidery. The denser 50/50 fabric handles needle penetration better without puckering. Both lines work, but the 18000/18500 are the preferred choice for embroidered designs — especially for corporate logos, team apparel, and monogramming.
Pricing and Margins
Sweatshirts and hoodies command higher prices than t-shirts, which means better per-unit margins even with higher production costs.
| Style | POD Base Cost (est.) | Suggested Retail | Profit per Sale | |-------|---------------------|-----------------|----------------| | Gildan 18000 (crewneck) | $15 – $22 | $32 – $48 | $10 – $26 | | Gildan SF000 (crewneck) | $19 – $27 | $38 – $55 | $11 – $28 | | Gildan 18500 (hoodie) | $18 – $26 | $38 – $55 | $12 – $29 | | Gildan SF500 (hoodie) | $22 – $30 | $42 – $60 | $12 – $30 |
The math is straightforward: a single crewneck or hoodie sale often equals the profit of two t-shirt sales. Hoodies during Q4 (October through December) can see 2-3x normal volume, making them a significant revenue driver for seasonal sellers.
Pricing tip: Don't underprice the Softstyle line to match Heavy Blend pricing. The SF000/SF500 target a buyer who's willing to pay more for a better product. Pricing an SF000 at $35 instead of $42 doesn't attract more buyers — it just compresses your margin.
Which Should You Sell on Etsy?
Sell the Gildan 18000 if:
- You're running a volume-based POD business where per-unit cost matters
- You sell team apparel, event merch, or group orders where quantity beats premium feel
- You need extended sizes (4XL-5XL) for your audience
- You sell embroidered designs
- You're testing a new niche and want to minimize risk per listing
Sell the Gildan SF000 if:
- You're building a brand-focused shop targeting quality-conscious Etsy buyers
- Your designs rely on DTG print vibrancy — detailed artwork, photographic elements, bright colors
- You want a modern, retail-quality fit that photographs well in lifestyle mockups
- Your niche supports premium pricing ($40-55 for a crewneck)
Sell the Gildan 18500 if:
- You want the most affordable hoodie option for POD
- You need a wide color selection (35+) or extended sizes through 5XL
- You sell screen-printed or embroidered hoodies
- Your audience values warmth and durability over softness
Sell the Gildan SF500 if:
- You want a premium hoodie with better DTG print results
- Your designs are detail-heavy or color-critical
- Your audience is fashion-conscious and responds to modern, dropped-shoulder fits
- You're comfortable with a smaller color palette (20 colors) and sizes through 3XL only
The Multi-Style Strategy
Many successful Etsy sellers stock both lines. Use the Heavy Blend (18000/18500) as your value tier — "Classic Crewneck" or "Cozy Hoodie" — and the Softstyle (SF000/SF500) as your premium tier — "Premium Softstyle Crewneck" or "Midweight Hoodie." This lets you serve budget-conscious and quality-focused buyers from the same shop.
Sizing and Shrinkage
Both lines are preshrunk, but expect minimal shrinkage around 3-5% if buyers don't follow care instructions. The SF000 has slightly higher shrinkage potential due to its higher cotton content, but Gildan's preshrinking process keeps it manageable.
Sizing recommendations for your listings:
- Both lines run true to size for a classic fit
- Size up one for an oversized/relaxed look
- The SF000/SF500's dropped shoulders already create a more relaxed appearance, so buyers wanting oversized may not need to size up
Include a size chart in every sweatshirt listing. Sweatshirts have higher return rates than t-shirts because fit expectations vary — some buyers want oversized for lounging, others want fitted for layering. A clear size chart with chest width, body length, and sleeve measurements reduces returns significantly.
Care Instructions
Same for all four styles:
- Machine wash cold, inside out
- Tumble dry low or hang dry
- Do not iron directly on print
- Do not bleach
- Avoid fabric softeners (they can degrade DTG prints over time)
Include care instruction images in your Etsy listings. They fill image slots, reduce support questions, and signal professionalism. Seller Mockups provides these for free — no subscription needed.
FAQ
Does the Gildan 18000 shrink?
Minimally. Both the 18000 and SF000 are preshrunk. Expect around 3-5% shrinkage at most, primarily if dried on high heat. Cold wash and low-heat drying keeps shrinkage negligible.
Is the SF000 worth the extra cost over the 18000?
If you sell via DTG and your designs rely on color vibrancy or fine detail, yes. The 100% cotton face produces noticeably better print results. If you primarily screen print or sell simple text-based designs, the 18000's lower cost makes more financial sense.
Which Gildan hoodie is better for print on demand?
For DTG printing, the SF500. For screen printing and embroidery, the 18500. For the widest color selection and size range at the lowest cost, the 18500. For the softest feel and most modern fit, the SF500.
Can I sell both Heavy Blend and Softstyle in the same shop?
Absolutely. Position them as different tiers — "Classic" and "Premium." Many sellers offer the same design on both and let buyers choose. The Softstyle option typically sells at $5-10 more per unit.