If you’ve ever ordered custom printed T-shirts, you’ve probably come across Hanes and Gildan. They’re two of the most familiar names in blank apparel, and both offer plenty of options for everything from company shirts and school apparel to event merchandise.
Gildan is known for its affordable basics and wide selection of colors and sizes, while Hanes offers a range of cotton and blended fabrics, including some heavier styles and options for extended sizing. The two brands still offer distinct product lines, even though Gildan acquired HanesBrands in December 2025 — which means these two familiar names in custom apparel are now under the same parent company.
Let’s take a look at how they compare.
Hanes vs Gildan at a Glance
| Gildan | Hanes | |
| Best Known For | Affordable blank apparel and a wide selection of styles | A familiar name for comfortable, everyday printed apparel |
| T-Shirt Options | Basic cotton tees, softer and blended styles, and heavyweight options | Everyday cotton and blended tees, plus heavyweight styles |
| Sizing | Many styles offer adult and youth sizes, with some extending to 5XL | Some styles extend to 6XL, with youth sizes available on selected tees |
| Color Selection | Extensive, especially on popular T-shirts | Varies by style, with some more limited palettes |
| Sweatshirts | Options include versatile cotton-polyester blends | Options include heavier fleece and blended fabrics |
| Best Suited for | Large group orders, promotional shirts, events, and budget-conscious projects | Everyday wear, uniforms, events, and orders prioritizing specific fabric or fit features |
About the Brands
Gildan
Gildan was founded in 1984 in Montreal, Canada, and grew into a major apparel manufacturer. It’s often one of the first brands people look at when it comes to custom apparel, especially for larger orders. Its range covers the basics that printers and organizations regularly need, from standard cotton T-shirts to softer tees and hoodies in a wide selection of colors.
That breadth is a big part of its appeal. If you’re ordering shirts for a school, organizing a company event, or putting together merchandise, you can usually find several options at different price points. Many popular styles also offer adult and youth sizes, which helps keep group orders straightforward.
Gildan is particularly appealing for projects where you need a reliable blank garment, plenty of color choices, and a price that works across dozens or hundreds of pieces.
Hanes
Hanes has been around since 1901 and has a long-established reputation in basic apparel. In the custom printing space, its T-shirts and sweatshirts offer a familiar option for customers who want straightforward garments for teams, events, uniforms, and branded merchandise.
Its range includes traditional cotton tees, cotton-polyester blends, and heavier sweatshirts. Some styles also offer useful features like tagless labels or preshrunk fabric. Sizing can be another reason to look at Hanes, with certain T-shirts available up to 6XL.
Hanes can come in a little higher on price, depending on the style, so it’s worth checking what you’re getting for the difference. Fabric weight, composition, and available sizes can all vary between garments, and those details are more useful than the brand name alone.
Our Favorites from Each Brand
Here are some of our favorites and bestsellers from each brand, including their staple tees and hoodies.
Gildan Favorites
Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt
The Gildan 5000 is a classic 5.3 oz cotton tee with a substantial feel. It comes in 66 colors, with adult sizes S–5XL and youth sizes YXS–YXL, making it a flexible choice for school events, fundraisers, and large group orders. At $7.75 per shirt (all prices are based on an order of 50 pieces with one-color screen printing), it’s also a budget-friendly option for everyday printed apparel.
For a lighter shirt, the 64000 uses ring-spun cotton and weighs 4.5 oz, giving it a smoother feel than a traditional basic tee. It comes in 62 colors, with adult sizes XS–5XL and youth sizes YXS–YXL. At $8.39 per shirt, it’s a good option for branded apparel and merchandise where a softer, lighter fabric is preferred.
Gildan 18500 Blend Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
Made from an 8 oz, 50/50 cotton-polyester blend, the 18500 is a versatile hoodie for teams, schools, and casual branded apparel. It comes in 32 colors, with adult sizes S–5XL and youth sizes YXS–YXL. At $21.09 per hoodie, it offers a practical option for groups that need matching adult and youth sweatshirts.
Hanes Favorites
Hanes 5250 Unisex Authentic T-Shirt
The 5250 is a straightforward unisex tee with an adult size range extending from S to 6XL, plus youth sizes YXS–YXL. Its extended adult sizing is useful for group orders that need to accommodate a wider range of sizes. With 35 colors available and a price of $9.28 per shirt, it’s slightly more premium than the Gildan basics.
The 5170 ComfortBlend is a cotton-polyester blend tee for customers who prefer a blended fabric over an all-cotton shirt. It comes in 19 colors, with adult sizes S–4XL and youth sizes YXS–YXL. This one is also priced at $9.28 per shirt.
Hanes F170 Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
The F170 is the heavier of our two featured hoodies, weighing 9.9 oz and using a 90/10 cotton-polyester blend. Its preshrunk PrintPro fabric is designed for decorated apparel. It comes in 10 neutral colors and adult sizes S–3XL, with no youth version. At $33.95 per hoodie, it’s an option for adult orders looking for a heavier sweatshirt.
What to Consider When Choosing Between Hanes and Gildan
Fabric and Feel
Both brands offer everyday cotton tees, lighter options, blended fabrics, and sweatshirts, but the individual styles can feel quite different.
Gildan’s popular range covers several bases. The 5000 Heavy Cotton is a straightforward cotton tee, while the 2000 Ultra Cotton is heavier at 6 oz. For something lighter, the 64000 SoftStyle uses ring-spun cotton, which gives it a smoother feel. The 8000 DryBlend takes a different approach, with a cotton-polyester blend designed to wick moisture.
Hanes also has options for different preferences. Its 5180 Beefy-T is a substantial 6.1 oz ring-spun cotton tee, with preshrunk fabric and a high stitch density that provides a smooth surface for printing. The brand also offers lighter cotton styles and cotton-polyester blends, so it’s best to compare individual garments rather than assume all Hanes shirts have the same feel.
Color Selection
Color is one area where Gildan has a clear advantage. Its popular T-shirts come in broad color ranges: we carry 66 colors for the 5000 Heavy Cotton, 62 for the 64000 SoftStyle, and 59 for the 2000 Ultra Cotton. That gives you plenty of flexibility if you’re matching school colors, coordinating a team, or offering customers several choices.
Conversely, Hanes has a more limited selection on most styles. The 5170 tee and F170 hoodie, for example, offer fewer than half as many colors as their Gildan counterparts. This may be enough for many straightforward custom orders, but you may have fewer choices if you’re trying to match a specific shade.
The difference isn’t just about how many colors appear in the catalog. Check the colors available in the sizes you need, particularly for larger group orders. And if matching a particular brand color is important, compare the garment shades with your artwork before finalizing the order.
Sizing and Group Orders
If you’re ordering for a school, company, team, or event, the size range can be just as important as the color selection. A style that works for most adults may not cover your entire group, especially if you need youth sizes, extended adult sizes, or tall options.
Gildan’s popular core styles offer a broad range of sizing, with many available in both adult and youth versions. That makes it easier to coordinate shirts across age groups, although the available sizes vary by garment and color.
Hanes has some useful options of its own. The 5250 Authentic Tee, for example, is available in youth sizes and extended adult sizing, including sizes up to 6XL. That can make it a good fit for orders where a wider range of adult sizes is a priority. Other Hanes styles have narrower size ranges, so it’s important to check each product individually.
Price and Value
Gildan is generally a strong starting point if you’re trying to keep the cost of a bulk order down. Its popular core styles cover a range of fabric weights and finishes, so you can compare options without automatically moving into a higher price bracket. That’s one reason Gildan is a common choice for event shirts, school orders, promotional apparel, and other projects where you’re buying for a group.
Hanes can cost more for some comparable styles, though the difference depends on the specific garments. Fabric weight, composition, construction, and available sizing all affect what you’re getting for the price. For example, a heavier ring-spun cotton tee and a lighter basic tee aren’t directly comparable.
Hanes vs. Gildan: Which Brand Should You Choose?
For most custom apparel projects, both brands are worth considering. The easiest way to narrow things down is to start with the requirements of your order.
Gildan is a strong choice if you want:
- Affordable options for large orders.
- A broad selection of T-shirt and hoodie colors.
- Matching adult and youth styles.
- A choice of basic cotton tees, softer ring-spun shirts, and everyday sweatshirts.
Hanes is a strong choice if you want:
- A T-shirt available in sizes up to 6XL.
- A particular cotton-polyester blend or a heavier sweatshirt.
- Familiar, straightforward styles for uniforms, teams, and events.
- A garment that fits your needs within its available color range.
If you’re ordering general-purpose printed T-shirts and want plenty of colors at an accessible price, start with Gildan. If you need extended sizing or have a particular Hanes garment in mind, compare the specifications and see how the pricing works for your order.
Ultimately, the style you choose will have more influence on the finished shirt’s feel, fit, and appearance than the brand name alone. Compare the actual garments, check the size charts, and make sure the available colors work with your design before placing your order.
To get started comparing your options, check out our Quick Price before you commit to an order, and contact our team if you want more advice on which shirt might be better for your needs.