Gildan 18000 vs. Softstyle SF000: Which Crewneck Sweatshirt Wins for Your Brand?
By: YouApparel Posted on: Jan 6, 2026This blog compares two popular Gildan sweatshirt blanks for custom apparel businesses - the 18000 Heavy Blend and the SF000 Softstyle; both blank crewneck sweatshirts from Gildan. The 18000 is an industry-standard, budget-friendly option with a 50/50 cotton-polyester blend, making it ideal for bulk promotions, school spirit wear, and startups. The SF000 features an 80/20 ring-spun cotton-polyester blend with a 100% cotton face, creating a softer, more premium feel. The SF000 excels at direct-to-garment printing due to its cotton surface, while the 18000 offers more color options (45+ vs 28) and a wider size range. Both perform well for screen printing, but the choice depends on whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness and durability (18000) or retail-quality feel and print vibrancy (SF000).
Sometimes, picking the right sweatshirts for customization could make all the difference for your brand. A really good one can even define your brand’s reputation.
If you sell custom apparel, you have likely encountered the Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend. It is the industry standard for affordable promotions and streetwear. However, the newer Gildan SF000 Softstyle Midweight has gained traction among creators looking for a premium edge without a massive price jump.
This guide breaks down the technical differences to help you decide which fleece fits your business model.
Product Overview: The Iconic “Blend” vs. The Softstyle
The Gildan 18000 is a "Heavy Blend" fleece. It is built for volume, durability, and cost-effectiveness, due to which it consistently remains a go-to choice for school spirit wear, giveaways, and startup clothing lines on a budget. The Gildan 18000, also known as the G180, is one of our best decorator-approved blank sweatshirts, having consistently positive reviews from our customers who are involved with apparel decorations. The G180 is also mistaken for a heavyweight sweatshirt just because it has “Heavy” in the name, which is actually the name of the specific blend.
In contrast, the Gildan SF000 falls under the "Softstyle" line. While technically heavier by weight, it feels lighter and softer against the skin. It targets fashion-forward brands that want a retail-quality drape rather than a basic promo feel. The SF000 is generally seen as a premium style among budget-friendly blank sweatshirts, along the lines of offerings from brands like Independent Trading Company and BELLA+CANVAS in terms of quality.
Let’s get into the details.
Fabric, Composition & Handfeel
Fabric chemistry is the biggest differentiator here.
Gildan 18000: This uses a 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester blend, which is known as the Heavy Blend™. It features finer air-jet yarns (MVS Air Spinning Technology), which creates a slightly coarser surface but resists pilling effectively. The high polyester content makes it durable and warm, though less breathable.
Gildan SF000: This style relies on an 80% Ring-Spun Cotton / 20% Polyester blend (for most colors). The standout feature is the 100% cotton face. This creates a significantly smoother, softer surface.
If your customers prioritize "cozy" vibes and softness right out of the box, the SF000 wins. The 18000 softens up after washing but starts a little stiff.
Fit, Collar, Colors & Sizing
The silhouette changes how the garment sits on a body.
- The Fit: The 18000 has a classic, tubular fit. It feels a bit boxy with set-in sleeves, which can bunch up under the arms. The SF000 uses a modern dropped shoulder design. This gives it a relaxed, streetwear look that drapes naturally rather than sticking out.
- Sizing: The 18000 offers a massive range, typically XS–5XL. The SF000 is usually stocked in S–4XL.
- Colors: If you need Safety Green or specific team colors like bright Orange, the 18000 is your best bet with over 45 color options. The SF000 features a curated palette of about 28 fashion-forward shades including Paragon, Cocoa, and Stone Blue.
Construction, Features & Customization
Your printing method should dictate your choice here. Both styles feature tear-away labels so you can have your own label on them.
For DTG (Direct-to-Garment): The SF000 is clearly the better pick. DTG inks bind best with cotton. Since the SF000 has a 100% cotton face, prints appear vibrant, crisp, and detailed. The 18000's 50/50 blend might result in "dye migration," where the polyester dye bleeds into the ink, making colors look duller or vintage.
For Screen Printing: Both perform well. The 18000 is known to work with plastisol inks. However, the smooth surface of the SF000 allows for finer detail and higher mesh counts.
| Aspect | Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend | Gildan SF000 Softstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric blend | 50% cotton / 50% polyester (Heavy Blend fleece; some colors 60/40) | 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester with 100% cotton face (varies by heathers) |
| Weight | ~8.0 oz/yd² US (13.3 oz/L yd CA) | ~8.4 oz/yd² US (14 oz/L yd), 285 g/m² |
| Fit | Classic unisex, slightly boxy | Classic/dropped-shoulder, more retail drape |
| Handfeel | Standard fleece, comfortable but less “buttery.” | Softer, smoother, ringspun “Softstyle” feel |
| Print surface | Good for screen/DTF; DTG okay but not ideal | Excellent for DTG/screen thanks to 100% cotton face |
| Colors | 40+ options including safety colors | 28 curated fashion colors |
| Sizes | Adult XS–5XL; youth companions available | Typically S–4XL; fewer youth options |
| Price tier | Cheapest Gildan crewneck | Slightly higher with more perceived value |
| Best for | Bulk promo, schools, budget POD, teamwear | Retail brands, premium POD, DTG/DTF designs |
Pricing & Price Tiers
Price is often the deciding factor. The 18000 is aggressively priced as an entry-level garment. It allows for high margins on lower-priced items (e.g., selling for $25-$35). In YouApparel, the Gildan 18000 White is priced at an extremely competitive $6.24 per piece currently.
The SF000 costs slightly more at the wholesale level. However, the perceived value is much higher. Because it feels like a $60 retail sweatshirt, you can price your final product higher (e.g., $45-$55), often absorbing the extra wholesale cost while boosting profit margins. The SF000, in YouApparel, is priced at $10.29 per piece currently, and can go as low as $10.18.
Conclusion
Choose the 18000 for promos and bulk team orders. Choose the SF000 if you are building a fashion brand and using DTG/DTF printing but don’t want to stretch the budget too far. For a tier above, we recommend checking out blank sweatshirts from Independent Trading Company. Check out our blog on G185 vs Independent’s IND4000 to understand how the latter compares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gildan 18000 shrink?
Despite being preshrunk, the Gildan 18000 (G180) does shrink slightly; around 5% if at all, according to Gildan. Shrinkage reports from our customers are too few, and all of them are minimal.
How to wash a Gildan 18000 sweatshirt?
It’s machine-washable. We recommend keeping the sweatshirt inside out and cold washes on gentle cycles. Mild detergents can be used but avoid fabric softeners.
Does Gildan SF000 shrink more than 18000 because of higher cotton?
Because it has a higher cotton content, the potential for shrinkage is also more. However, the SF000 is preshrunk and specifically designed by Gildan to minimize shrinkage. As long as the care instructions are properly followed, the garment will only have minimal shrinkage if it even does shrink.
Which is warmer: 18000 or SF000?
The Gildan 18000 or G180 is denser and its Heavy Blend construction with 50% polyester and 50% cotton makes it warmer. The SF000, though slightly heavier, is softer and doesn’t feel as heavy either making it suitable for layering.
Do you decorate Gildan 18000 and Gildan SF000?
Yes. YouApparel specializes in apparel decoration backed by years of experience in decorating hundreds of styles from leading brands including Dri Duck, Kishigo, Under Armour, Gildan and so many more. We have been decorating G180 and G185 specifically for our customers for years now. Digitization and decorations in YouApparel are done by professionals that have been consistently delivering flawless results. And the service doesn’t demand a high cost either. Setup charges, if any, are waived for high volume orders too.