Independent Trading Co. IND4000 vs. Gildan 18500: A Decorator-Tested Hoodie Detailed Comparison

By: YouApparel Posted on: Dec 17, 2025

This decorator-tested comparison of the Independent Trading Co. IND4000 and the Gildan 18500 (G185) breaks down everything that matters when choosing heavyweight hoodies and sweatshirts for bulk orders or brand launches. The G185 delivers classic fit, 50/50 Heavy Blend fabric, durability, and unbeatable budget value, while the IND4000 offers premium 10 oz. weight, ultra-soft 32-singles yarn count, 100% cotton face, superior printability, and streetwear-level construction. We compare fabric, fit, colors, pricing, DTG, screen printing, embroidery performance, shrinkage, and wholesale value—helping apparel brands, decorators, and startups choose the hoodie that best aligns with their strategy.

Running a clothing brand specializing in sweatshirts with amazing designs often feels like a high-stakes matching game. You have ideas for the designs. You have the vision. You just can’t narrow down on a good canvas. This is particularly tiresome when you want just the right blank hoodie to bring your creativity to life.

Pick the wrong one, and your "premium streetwear" drop feels cheap. Overspend on the blank, and your profit margins vanish. For many, the search for decoration-friendly blank sweatshirts to buy in bulk often ends with Gildan or its industry-standard G185 hoodie.

But there is another contender in the wholesale market that’s earning a reputation for being one of the finest blank hooded sweatshirts for decorations. The IND4000 Hooded Sweatshirt from Independent Trading Company.

Now, how exactly do you choose between Gildan’s 18500 (also called the G185) and Independent Trading Company’s IND4000?

This blog will help you with that, so you can identify which of the two blank hoodies aligns better with your brand strategy.

Let’s break down “The Heavy” versus “The Standard”.

Quick Comparison 18500 vs IND4000

Here is how these two hoodies stack up against each other

Feature	Gildan 18500 (The Standard)	Independent Trading IND4000 (The Heavy)
Fabric Weight	8.0 oz/yd² (Midweight)	10.0 oz/yd² (Heavyweight)
GSM	260–270 GSM	330–340 GSM
Composition	50% US Cotton / 50% Polyester	70/30 Cotton/Poly (100% Cotton Face)
Yarn Count	20 Singles	32 Singles
Fit Style	Classic Fit	Generous Fit
Texture	Soft, air-jet yarn (reduced pilling)	Premium, ultra-soft feel
Wholesale Price	Budget Friendly (~$10)	Premium Tier (~$19)
Best For	Promotions, Events, Startups	Streetwear, Retail, Complex Prints

That’s the breakdown. But let’s get into the details to understand the styles better.

Fabric & Composition

Close-up fabric comparison showing Gildan 18500’s 50/50 cotton-polyester blend versus Independent Trading Co. IND4000’s 70/30 ringspun cotton and polyester blend with 100% cotton face, highlighting texture and composition differences.

Apart from the fabric weight, the biggest differentiator is obviously the fabric. Fabric is what actually dictates how a hoodie feels to touch, how it prints, how comfortable it is, and how long it lasts.

Gildan 18500: The G185 hoodie has been in the game for years, making it an iconic style. It features a widely preferred 50/50 cotton-polyester blend with Gildan’s own touches that gave it the name “Heavy Blend”. Gildan delivers more durability with this 8 oz. hoodie. The air-jet is made with finer yarns and MVS air-spinning technology, which makes the fabric considerably pill-resistant and gives it a smoother printing surface compared to most hoodies in the same price segment. The 50/50 blend also makes it resistant to shrinkage.

Independent IND4000: A heavyweight sweatshirt style that’s making a name for itself in the market, garnering high praise from small to big businesses that chose it. The 10 oz. IND4000 may be heavier but is near unrivaled in its price segment when it comes to softness. The hoodie features a 70% ringspun cotton and 30% polyester blend for standard colors, an 80/20 blend of the same for Black, Navy & Gunmetal Heather, 75/25 for Camo Colors and Grey Heather, 55/45 for Charcoal Heather, and 52/48 for Safety Colors. But the best feature associated with fabric is its 100% cotton face and very high yarn count. With a 32 singles yarn count, the hoodie delivers ultimate softness with a cozy interior and very smooth exterior. The part you print on is pure, high-quality cotton that can deliver sharper print detail.

Color Options & Availability

Both brands understand that color sells, but they approach it differently.

Gildan 18500 offers 45+ colors, focusing on high-volume staples like Navy, Black, Sport Grey, and Red. They also offer "Heather Sport" colors and high-visibility safety options (Green/Orange) that are ANSI/ISEA compliant.
IND4000 comes in 40+ colors, but the palette is more fashion-forward. Independent Trading Company offers unique earth tones like "Bone," "Saddle," and "Dusty Pink," alongside standard collegiate colors and exotic ones for the IND4000. They also offer specialized patterns like Duck Camo, Snow Camo, and Tiger Camo, which are huge in the streetwear scene.

Pockets & Construction Details

The construction quality is where the price difference becomes visible.

Gildan 18500: Uses a standard double-lined hood with a matching flat drawcord. The pouch pocket is reinforced with double-needle stitching. It’s functional, durable, and familiar.

IND4000: Steps it up with split-stitch double-needle sewing on all seams, which is stronger and looks more refined. The hood is fleece-lined for extra warmth, and it features nickel eyelets (metal rings) for the drawcords, adding a distinct high-end touch that the Gildan lacks.

Fit & Sizing: Classic vs. Streetwear

Fit is subjective, but if you plan to buy either of the two hoodies in bulk, you should know your audience’s preference. The Gildan G185 comes in up to 5XL sizes, while the IND4000 comes only up to 3XL.

Gildan 18500 (Classic Fit):

True to size with a slightly boxy cut. It’s the "standard" fit most Americans are used to. It sits at the waist and has roomy sleeves.
Recommendation: Stick to standard sizing. For a trendy "oversized" look, customers usually need to size up one or two sizes.

IND4000 (Generous Fit):

Designed with a relaxed, generous fit right out of the bag. It is longer in the body and sleeves compared to the Gildan. This silhouette is preferred by modern streetwear brands.
Recommendation: It runs slightly large. If your customers want a standard fit, they might want to consider sizing down. We recommend getting a sample first.

Best Customization Methods

How you plan to decorate these hoodies should heavily influence your choice.

Screen Printing:

Winner: IND4000. The 100% cotton face is a dream for screen printers. It holds detail incredibly well, and the ink sits smoothly on top of the fabric rather than soaking in too much.

Gildan 18500: Still prints well, especially for bold, simple graphics (1-3 colors). However, because it is 50% polyester, you need to be careful with dye migration (the shirt color bleeding into the ink), especially on red or dark fabrics.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment):

Winner: IND4000. DTG printers rely on cotton to absorb the pre-treatment and water-based inks. The 100% cotton face of the IND4000 yields vibrant results.

Gildan 18500: The 50/50 blend can result in a "vintage" or slightly washed-out look with DTG. It’s not bad. In fact, it’s a popular aesthetic, though it won’t be as crisp as the one you get with the IND4000.

Embroidery:

Winner: IND4000. The heavier 10 oz. fabric supports dense stitching better, though the lighter Gildan G185 is known to take embroidery really well.

Pricing & Wholesale Value

This is usually the deciding factor.

Gildan 18500: Like most styles from Gildan, this hoodie is very budget-friendly. Wholesale pricing of Gildan’s Heavy Blend 18500 hooded sweatshirt in YouApparel comes at a very competitive, discounted price of $10.40 per piece, regardless of order volume. The hoodie, after customizations, can sell for $35-$45.

IND4000: The IND4000 is premium in almost every aspect - construction, fabric, comfort, and customizability. However, the pricing still won’t raise one’s eyebrows. Solid colors and heather color options of the Independent IND4000 hooded sweatshirt come at an unbeatable price of around $19, making it a solid choice if you seek cozy blank hoodies under $20. Camo colors, however, come at around $28 per unit. The hoodie can be sold blank at anywhere between $35 and $45 (excluding camos that can sell for higher). Customized, the IND4000 can easily be sold for over $50, typically between $55 and $75.

At YouApparel, you can take advantage of our flat low pricing and low customization charges to get your custom hoodies at significantly lower costs.

Shrinkage & Care Instructions

18500: Thanks to the high polyester content, shrinkage is minimal (2-3%). It’s a "wash and wear" garment that holds its shape well.

IND4000: Being cotton-rich, it will shrink slightly more (3-5%), especially if dried on high heat. It is often recommended to wash cold and hang dry to maintain that premium feel.

We recommend following the instructions in the care label of these hoodies to ensure longer life.

Which Hoodie Should You Choose?

Choose the Gildan 18500 if:

You are launching a brand with limited capital.
You need high-volume merchandise for events, schools, or giveaways.
Your designs utilize simple graphics or you want a vintage aesthetic.
Price is the primary concern for your customer base.

Choose the Independent Trading IND4000 if:

You are building a streetwear or lifestyle brand.
Your customers expect retail-quality weight and softness.
You are using complex screen prints or DTG designs that need a smooth surface.
You can go for a retail price above $55.

There is no single "best" hoodie- only the best one for your business model. The Gildan 18500 remains the undefeated champion of value and versatility, perfect for getting your foot in the door. The Independent Trading IND4000, however, is the upgrade path for brands ready to compete with top-tier labels on quality and fit.

Ready to feel the difference yourself? We recommend ordering samples of both, though you might already be familiar with the G185, considering its popularity. But the IND4000 can definitely give you second thoughts.

At YouApparel, we make it easy to source the industry's best blanks at unbeatable prices. Be it heavy or standard hoodies, vintage or hi-vis hoodies, we've got you covered with exceptional support and decoration services at the best overall costs for bulk orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gildan 18500 made of?

Gildan 18500 or the G185 features what the brand calls the Heavy Blend™ - a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester with a 20 singles yarn count, except for Heather colors which have a 60% polyester and 40% cotton blend. The Heavy Blend fabric is made of finer yarns and MVS air spinning technology which not only minimizes pilling but also enhances the durability of the hoodie.

Is Gildan 18500 good for DTG printing?

Yes. Its Heavy Blend™ fabric composition uses MVS air spinning technology and finer yarns to deliver a smooth printing surface. This works really well for DTG printing though a 100% cotton fabric is considered ideal for DTG.

Where can I buy Gildan 18500 wholesale?

Among the most budget-friendly hoodies to procure wholesale - particularly for print-on-demand startups and beginners in apparel decoration, the G185 is widely available across wholesale stores online and offline. You can get the Gildan 18500 (G185) from YouApparel at the best per-unit prices even if you order just one or a few dozen. YouApparel does not have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) either.

Gildan 18500 vs 18000 - what's the difference?

The Gildan 18000 or G180 is the crewneck variant of the Gildan 18500 (G185) hoodie, with the same weight and fabric composition featuring Gildan’s trademarked Heavy Blend.

Is G185 the same as Gildan 18500?

Yes. The same product with different style codes.

What are IND4000 hoodies made of?

Standard colors of the IND4000 hooded sweatshirt from Independent Trading Company is made of a fabric blend of 70% ringspun cotton and 30% polyester blend 3-end fleece. The hoodie has a 100% cotton face for decorations, and features a high 32 singles yarn count indicating superior softness. Colors like Black, Classic Navy, & Gunmetal Heather feature an 80/20 cotton-polyester blend, while Camo colors and Grey Heather are 75/25 cotton-polyester. Safety colors have the lowest amount of cotton in the fabric out of all other colors, featuring a 52/48 cotton-polyester blend.

How much does IND4000 shrink?

The IND4000 comes pre-laundered and is made of top-quality ringspun cotton-polyester fleece blend. YouApparel’s customers have not reported any significant shrinkage so far, even without proper care. However, the brand recommends following specific washing instructions in the hoodie’s care label to considerably minimize shrinkage.

What is IND4000 wholesale price?

Currently, the per-unit wholesale price of Independent Trading Company IND4000 hoodie stands at $19.15 in YouApparel, which makes it one of the finest, decoration-friendly hoodies in the market for under $20. As the market fluctuates, YouApparel will adjust the pricing to remain competitive but still retain our market-best wholesale prices on blank apparel from rapidly-growing brands like Independent Trading Company.

Are there quality issues with IND4000?

Our customers have not reported anything regarding quality so far, though a few of them have remarked on the sizing having found the hoodie to run slightly smaller than expected. The hoodie from Independent Trading Company is generally praised for top-notch quality. But like in any apparel that’s manufactured in big batches, a few pieces in the batch will show minor inconsistencies in texture and sizing, and rarely minor loose stitching.

How does IND4000 fit?

The Independent Trading Company IND4000 heavy hoodie offers a generous fit that’s roomy, relaxed, and great for layering.