Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie Guide
The Gildan 18500 is an 8oz 50/50 cotton-poly fleece hoodie that has dominated the decorator market for decades because it prices aggressively, presses reliably, and holds DTF transfers well with the right settings.
Specs and Construction
The Gildan 18500 is an 8oz 50/50 cotton-polyester fleece with a smooth pill-resistant exterior face and a soft, brushed interior. The 50/50 blend is the defining characteristic: equal parts cotton and polyester means decent softness from the cotton and good shape retention and reduced shrinkage from the polyester.
The 18500 is available in a pullover hooded sweatshirt, crewneck sweatshirt, and zip-up hoodie. All use the same 8oz 50/50 fleece construction. Colorway depth is among the deepest in the market, with 30+ colors across the full range.
Sizing and Fit
The 18500 runs true to size with a classic, relaxed fit. It is not a fashion fit blank. The silhouette is straight from chest to hip with a traditional unisex shape. Customers who buy the 18500 expect a comfortable, roomy sweatshirt, not a tailored look.
Sizing consistency across production runs is reliable. Blank-to-blank variation within a size is minimal enough that print placement can be set once per size rather than adjusted per garment. This makes the 18500 a strong choice for high-volume production.
DTF Press Settings
Press DTF on the Gildan 18500 at 315°F for 18 seconds at medium-firm pressure. The 50/50 construction requires poly blocker on white, cream, light gray, and other light colorways. Apply poly blocker, let it dry 30 seconds, then press. Cold peel after 25 seconds.
Pre-press the 18500 for 5 seconds before positioning the transfer. Fleece holds moisture, and the pre-press step removes it from the print area. Skipping the pre-press on the 18500 is the most common cause of adhesion failures on this blank.
Value Market Positioning
The 18500 retails decorated at $22-35 in most markets, making it the dominant choice for event hoodies, school spirit wear, team uniforms, and any order where price sensitivity outweighs premium feel. At high volume, the blank cost is typically $6-10 per unit.
For customers who want a step up from the 18500, the Independent Trading SS4500 (8.5oz 80/20 cotton-poly) offers a softer hand feel and higher cotton content at a modest price increase. But for pure value-per-unit at scale, the 18500 has no serious competition in the decorator market.