If you're buying blank hoodies to decorate with DTF (direct-to-film) transfers, one spec matters more than almost any other: GSM. It's shorthand for grams per square metre, and it tells you how heavy and dense the fabric is. Get it right and your transfers sit flat, adhere well and last; get it wrong and you'll fight curling, poor adhesion or a garment that feels cheap. Here's what you need to know.
What GSM actually measures
GSM is simply the weight of one square metre of the fabric. A higher number means a denser, heavier, warmer garment. It doesn't directly measure quality, but in fleece it's a good proxy for how substantial a hoodie feels. Blank hoodies typically run from around 240gsm at the lightweight end up to 450gsm for premium heavyweight styles.
The main weight bands
- 240-270gsm (lightweight): Soft, cheaper and good for warmer weather or fashion layering. Fine for DTF, but the thinner fleece can show transfer edges more and offers less structure.
- 280-300gsm (midweight): The sweet spot for most jobs. Heavy enough to feel substantial and hold a transfer flat, light enough to stay affordable. Gildan Heavy Blend and Fruit of the Loom Classic hoods live here.
- 320-360gsm (heavyweight): A premium feel that customers associate with quality. Excellent for DTF because the dense surface gives the film a stable, flat base to bond to.
- 400gsm and above (premium heavyweight): Streetwear-grade fleece with a thick, structured hand. Our own Don Darcy range runs to 450gsm brushed cotton and French terry for exactly this market.
How GSM affects DTF specifically
DTF transfers are pressed onto the fabric with heat and pressure, and they perform best on a flat, stable, tightly-knit surface. That's why midweight and heavyweight fleece tends to give the cleanest results: there's enough density that the film bonds evenly and the print doesn't distort when the garment is stretched or worn.
Very lightweight or loosely-knit fleece can be trickier. The surface flexes more, which can stress the edges of a transfer over time, and thin fabric transmits heat differently, so you may need to adjust your press settings. It's not that you can't DTF a lightweight hoodie, it's that heavier fabrics are more forgiving.
Brushed vs unbrushed inside
Most fleece hoodies are brushed on the inside for softness. That brushing doesn't affect the outer print surface, which is what matters for DTF, but it does affect how premium the hoodie feels to the wearer, so it's worth noting when you're choosing a blank to resell.
Our recommendation
For most DTF work, aim for 280-350gsm. It's the best balance of print performance, perceived quality and price:
- Best value for events and teamwear: a 280gsm midweight like Gildan Heavy Blend.
- Best all-rounder for resale: a 300-340gsm heavyweight that feels premium without a premium price.
- Best for streetwear and premium brands: 400gsm+ heavyweight fleece such as Don Darcy 450.
Because we carry no minimum order, the smartest move is to buy one hoodie at each weight, run a DTF transfer on each, wash them a few times and see which holds up best for your setup. Feel and durability tell you more than a spec sheet ever will.
Ready to test? Browse the full wholesale hoodies collection, or jump straight to premium heavyweight in the Don Darcy range.