Gildan 18000 (G180) Heavy Blend Crewneck Sweatshirt: Complete Style Guide

The Gildan 18000 is the crewneck sweatshirt counterpart to the best-selling 18500 hoodie. Also known as the G180, it uses the same 8.0 oz Heavy Blend 50/50 cotton/polyester fabric, the same air-jet yarn construction, and the same relaxed fit — just without the hood and pouch pocket. The clean crewneck silhouette makes it the go-to blank sweatshirt for schools, corporate giveaways, teams, and anyone who wants a large, uninterrupted canvas for DTF chest and back prints.

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Gildan 18000 Specifications

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Gildan 18000 Size Chart

The crewneck runs slightly shorter in body length than the 18500 hoodie (26" vs. 27" at size S) since there is no hood adding weight to the neckline. For a full comparison across all Gildan styles, see our Gildan Size Chart Complete Guide.

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Color Availability

The Gildan 18000 is available in 30+ colors.

Core Neutrals: White, Black, Sport Grey, Ash, Charcoal, Dark Heather, Sand Blues: Navy, Royal, Carolina Blue, Indigo Blue, Sapphire Reds & Pinks: Red, Cardinal Red, Garnet, Maroon Greens: Forest Green, Irish Green, Military Green, Safety Green Yellows & Oranges: Gold, Safety Orange Purples: Purple

The color range is slightly smaller than the 18500 hoodie. Check current availability at SanMar, S&S Activewear, or JiffyShirts.

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DTF Printing on the Gildan 18000

The DTF process for the 18000 is identical to the 18500 hoodie. Same fabric, same blend, same settings.

Recommended DTF Press Settings: Key advantage of the crewneck for DTF: The absence of a hood and pouch pocket means you get a completely flat, uninterrupted press surface from collar to hem. This makes the 18000 ideal for large front prints, oversized graphics, and full chest-to-belly designs that would be interrupted by a hoodie pocket.

For complete fleece settings, see our DTF temperature and time chart. For placement ideas, see our Shirt Placement Guide.

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Gildan 18000 vs. 18500

Bottom line: Choose the 18000 when you want a clean canvas for oversized prints. Choose the 18500 when customers want a hoodie.

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Is a Gildan crewneck sweatshirt good for DTF printing?

Yes. The Gildan crewneck sweatshirt, style 18000 (G180), is a good blank for DTF printing: its 8.0 oz 50/50 cotton and polyester fleece presses cleanly at 285 to 300°F, it has no hood or pocket to interrupt a large print, and it is one of the cheapest crewnecks you can buy in bulk. Choose it for schools, teams and giveaways, and choose a hoodie when customers want one.

Gildan makes more than one crewneck, so make sure you are buying the right one. The Heavy Blend 18000 is the standard 8.0 oz crewneck covered on this page. The Gildan Softstyle crewneck is lighter and softer. Check the style number on the distributor listing before you order a case. For price comparison against other budget sweatshirts, see the cheapest sweatshirt guide.

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Where to Buy Gildan 18000 Wholesale

SanMar — Full catalog. Requires reseller account. S&S Activewear — Competitive pricing. Fast shipping. JiffyShirts — No minimums. 1–2 day shipping. Free shipping at $59.

For more on choosing the right sweatshirt blanks, see our Blank Hoodies and Specialty Apparel Guide.

Background reading: the DTF process explained.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Gildan crewneck sweatshirt?

A Gildan crewneck sweatshirt is a fleece pullover with a ribbed crew neck and no hood. The most common blank is the Heavy Blend 18000, an 8.0 oz sweatshirt in 50% cotton and 50% polyester.

What size is a medium Gildan 18000 crewneck?

A medium Gildan 18000 measures 22 inches across the chest and 27 inches long, laid flat. The fit is relaxed, so most people keep their usual size.

How do you press DTF transfers on a Gildan crewneck?

Pre-press for 3 to 5 seconds, then press at 285 to 300°F for 15 to 20 seconds at medium pressure, cold peel and post-press with parchment. Follow your transfer supplier's settings if they differ.

Does the Gildan 18000 shrink?

The 50/50 blend shrinks less than 100% cotton, though a hot dryer can still shorten the body a little. Wash printed sweatshirts inside out in cool water and tumble dry low.

Gildan 18000 or 18500: which should I buy?

Buy the 18000 for a flat, uninterrupted print surface and a slightly lower price. Buy the 18500 when customers want a hood and a front pouch pocket.