Independent Trading SS4500 Guide: Heavyweight Hoodie
The Independent Trading SS4500 is an 8.5oz 80/20 cotton-poly fleece with higher cotton content than the Gildan 18500, producing a softer hand feel, better color depth, and a print surface that takes DTF beautifully when pressed correctly.
Specs and Construction
The SS4500 is an 8.5oz 80% cotton / 20% polyester fleece pullover hoodie. The higher cotton content (80% vs 50% in the Gildan 18500) produces a noticeably softer hand feel and a richer, more vibrant color absorption from the dye bath. The 20% polyester provides enough shape retention and shrinkage control to keep the garment from distorting over time.
The SS4500 features a double-lined hood, a front kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs and waistband, and an athletic-style design that skews younger than the Gildan 18500's classic boxy silhouette. It is available in 30+ colorways.
SS4500 vs Gildan 18500
The SS4500 costs $2-4 more per unit than the Gildan 18500 at comparable quantities. For that premium you get a softer hand feel (80/20 vs 50/50 cotton-poly), slightly heavier weight (8.5oz vs 8oz), and a more modern silhouette. The Gildan has the edge in price and color depth. The Independent has the edge in hand feel and retail positioning.
In the decorator market, the SS4500 is the go-to step-up recommendation when a customer wants something better than the Gildan 18500 but is not ready to pay the price of the Champion Reverse Weave or premium fashion-fleece options.
DTF on the SS4500
Press the SS4500 at 315°F for 18-20 seconds at medium-firm pressure. The higher cotton content means slightly longer activation time than the 50/50 Gildan. Pre-press for 6-8 seconds. On light colorways, the 20% polyester content is low enough that dye migration risk is minimal, but poly blocker on white colorways is still a good practice.
Cold peel after 25 seconds. The 80/20 cotton-poly blend holds heat slightly differently than the 50/50 Gildan. Give the adhesive the full 25 seconds to crystallize before peeling.
Who Buys the SS4500
Streetwear brands, university-adjacent labels, and small clothing brands that need a step above the Gildan without the price of premium fashion fleece are the primary buyers. The SS4500 signals quality without being precious about it, which is exactly the positioning many small brands need.
For decorators doing wholesale or branded drops for clients in the $35-55 hoodie retail tier, the SS4500 is the blank that most consistently supports that price point while still delivering margin.