Two names come up again and again when you're buying blank apparel to print: Gildan and Fruit of the Loom. Both are trusted trade staples, both are stocked in depth, and both will do a solid job for most orders. But they aren't identical, and picking the right one for a given job saves you money and headaches. Here's how they actually compare.
The quick answer
If you want the broadest colour range, heavier fabrics and a slightly more structured feel, Gildan usually wins. If you want a softer hand, a trimmer European fit and keen pricing on lightweight tees, Fruit of the Loom is often the better call. Beyond that, it comes down to the specific garment.
T-shirts
Gildan's Heavy Cotton (G5000) is the workhorse of the printing world: a tight, heavyweight 180gsm knit that gives screen printers a smooth, stable surface and holds colour well. If you want something softer and more retail-feeling, Gildan Softstyle (G64000) drops to a ringspun 150gsm with a much nicer hand.
Fruit of the Loom counters with the Valueweight (F61036) at 165gsm, one of the most cost-effective printable tees on the market, and the heavier Super Premium (F61044) at 205gsm for a more substantial feel. FotL tees tend to run slightly slimmer than Gildan, which matters if your customers expect a fashion fit rather than a boxy classic cut.
Hoodies and sweatshirts
For fleece, Gildan's Heavy Blend (G18500) range is the go-to for value: a dependable 280gsm polycotton that prints cleanly and washes well, ideal for teamwear, workwear and event merch on a budget. Fruit of the Loom's Classic hood and sweat range sits at a similar weight but with the softer FotL handle many customers prefer against the skin.
If your customer wants premium heavyweight, neither entry-level range will cut it, and you'll want to look at heavier options in the hoodies collection instead.
Polos
Gildan's DryBlend and Softstyle polos are reliable polycotton options that resist shrinkage and take embroidery well. Fruit of the Loom's 65/35 pique polos are a long-standing favourite for workwear and uniforms, with a tried-and-tested finish that decorators know inside out.
Colour range
This is where Gildan tends to pull ahead. Across its core tees and fleece, Gildan offers a huge palette, which matters when a customer wants an exact brand colour or a wide spread of options for a range. Fruit of the Loom covers all the essentials and most popular shades, but the sheer breadth of Gildan's colour card is hard to beat.
Price
Both brands are competitively priced, but Fruit of the Loom's Valueweight and Original tees are among the cheapest quality printable blanks you can buy, which makes them ideal for high-volume, budget-sensitive jobs. Gildan's pricing is keen too, especially on the Heavy Cotton tee and Heavy Blend fleece, and its heavier weights can represent better value per gram.
So which should you choose?
- Screen printing on a budget: Fruit of the Loom Valueweight or Gildan Heavy Cotton.
- Softer, retail-feel tees: Gildan Softstyle or a premium FotL ringspun.
- Widest colour choice: Gildan.
- Trimmer, European fit: Fruit of the Loom.
- Value fleece for teamwear: Gildan Heavy Blend.
The honest truth is that for most everyday printing jobs, either brand will serve you well, and many print shops keep both in stock so they can match the garment to the customer. Because we have no minimum order, the easiest way to decide is to order a single sample of each, print a test, and feel the difference for yourself.
Browse the full ranges in our Gildan collection and Fruit of the Loom collection, or explore all our wholesale blank t-shirts.