Executive Summary
Choosing between Gildan and Jerzees goes beyond brand loyalty. It’s about comfort, printability, price, and durability. This detailed Gildan vs Jerzees comparison explores everything from fabric composition and fit to screen printing performance and wholesale value, helping you make the best choice for your brand, print shop, or personal wardrobe.
Bella and Jerzees – A Little Introduction
Ever ordered a T-shirt online that looked perfect on-screen but shrank, faded, or lost shape after a few washes? You’re not alone. Clothing returns are among the highest in the e-commerce industry.
These returns often occur due to unclear size charts or low-quality fabrics. And when it comes to blank apparel, two brands dominate the U.S. wholesale market, Gildan and Jerzees. Both are known for their affordable, print-friendly tees, but they differ in feel, fit, and longevity.
Key Takeaways
- Clear comparison of Gildan vs Jerzees fabric quality, softness, and durability
- Find out which brand performs best for DTG, screen printing, or embroidery
- Learn how shrinkage, color retention, and pilling resistance compare
- See wholesale price trends and USA availability
- Identify which brand aligns with your print shop or retail brand priorities
The Buyer’s Everyday Challenge
Buying T-shirts online can be risky from inconsistent sizing to thin fabrics that fade quickly. According to Baymard Institute, 70% of shoppers abandon carts before completing their purchase, often due to uncertainty about product quality.
For apparel businesses and print shops, this makes choosing the right blank shirt, like Gildan or Jerzees, even more important to ensure repeat customers and positive reviews.
The Gildan vs Jerzees Fabric and Fit Comparison
1. Fabric Composition and Weight
Gildan offers lines like Ultra Cotton and Softstyle, made with 100% ring-spun cotton or 50/50 cotton-poly blends. These deliver a soft texture and hold prints exceptionally well.
Jerzees, on the other hand, features its signature NuBlend® fabric, a 50/50 cotton-poly blend engineered for pill resistance and a smooth surface — ideal for screen printing and heat transfers.
| Feature | Gildan Softstyle / Ultra Cotton | Jerzees NuBlend / Heavyweight |
| Fabric Type | 100% Ring-Spun Cotton or 50/50 Blend | 50/50 Cotton-Poly NuBlend |
| Fabric Weight | 5.3 – 6 oz | 5 – 5.6 oz |
| Texture | Soft and breathable | Smooth and stable |
| Durability | High (preshrunk) | High (pill-resistant) |
| Ideal Use | DTG printing, embroidery | Screen printing, team wear |
2. Comfort and Fit
Fashion is what you buy; style is what you do with it.: Nicky Hilton
Gildan offers a slightly structured fit, ideal for those who prefer a modern silhouette. The Softstyle line, made of ring-spun cotton, provides superior comfort and a smoother drape.
Jerzees, however, offers a looser, relaxed fit that’s perfect for bulk orders like school uniforms or corporate events.
3. Durability, Shrinkage, and Wash Performance
It is a fact that shoppers consider fabric durability to be their top purchasing factor.
Both brands perform well in this area:
- Gildan Ultra Cotton is preshrunk, ensuring minimal size change after washing.
- Jerzees NuBlend uses advanced yarn spinning to prevent pilling and shrinkage, maintaining its texture across 40+ washes.
Verdict:
- For soft hand feel and premium comfort, go with Gildan Softstyle.
- For longevity and bulk uniform use, Jerzees NuBlend wins.
4. Printability and Color Retention
Both Gildan and Jerzees are print shop favorites in the U.S.
- Gildan Softstyle excels in DTG and sublimation thanks to its ring-spun cotton.
- Jerzees NuBlend provides an ultra-smooth surface for screen printing and vinyl transfers.
Both retain color well through multiple wash cycles, though Gildan cotton tees tend to show slightly deeper hues over time.
5. Price and Wholesale Availability (USA)
| Product Type | Gildan Average Wholesale | Jerzees Average Wholesale |
| Blank T Shirts | $2.10 – $3.00 | $1.90 – $2.80 |
| Hoodies | $10 – $15 | $9 – $14 |
| Sweatshirts | $7 – $10 | $6 – $9 |
Both brands offer bulk discounts via major distributors like AlphaBroder, S&S Activewear, and SanMar. Gildan has slightly higher prices for ring-spun cotton, while Jerzees dominates 50/50 blend markets for schools and corporate events.
Choose Based on Your Priorities
If You Value Softness and Style, go with Gildan because it:
- is best for custom apparel brands and DTG printing
- Rhas ring-spun cotton offers a smoother feel
- Offers a premium look ideal for resale or retail wear
If You Value Durability and Bulk Affordability, go with Jerzees because it offers:
- NuBlend fabric resists pilling and shrinkage
- Great for schools, sports teams, and events
- Affordable wholesale USA pricing
Bonus Tip:
If you run a print shop, try Gildan Softstyle (64000) for premium prints and Jerzees 29M NuBlend for budget-friendly orders both deliver strong print adhesion and fabric hand feel.
Gildan vs Jerzees at a Glance
| Feature | Gildan | Jerzees |
| Fabric Type | 100% Ring-Spun / 50/50 Blend | 50/50 Cotton-Poly |
| Fabric Weight | 5.3–6 oz | 5–5.6 oz |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Shrinkage | Minimal | Very Minimal |
| Pilling Resistance | Moderate | High |
| Printability | Great for DTG | Great for Screen Printing |
| Comfort | Softer Feel | Smoother Surface |
| Price Range | Slightly Higher | Budget Friendly |
| Best For | Retail Brands | Bulk & Uniforms |
Real-World Example: Where to Go for Gildan and Where to Prefer Jerzees
Meet Sarah: The Print Shop Owner Balancing Quality and Cost
Meet Sarah, the owner of a small but growing print shop in sunny Florida. Like many print shop owners, she faced a familiar dilemma finding the right balance between comfort, print quality, and cost efficiency when choosing blank apparel. After years of testing different brands, Sarah discovered that Gildan and Jerzees each have their sweet spots depending on the type of customer and project.
Why Gildan Works Best for Premium DTG Printing
For her premium DTG printing orders, Sarah switched to Gildan Softstyle, a favorite among small apparel brands and boutique retailers. The ring-spun cotton offered an exceptionally soft feel and allowed prints to appear vibrant, sharp, and long-lasting. Her clients immediately noticed the difference. The Gildan vs Jerzees t-shirts comparison quickly became clear: Gildan Softstyle delivered smoother fabric and better print adhesion for fashion-forward designs. Within two months, Sarah reported a 30% increase in repeat orders, particularly from local artists and custom merch sellers who prioritized fabric texture and color accuracy.
Why Jerzees is Ideal for Bulk Orders and Everyday Wear
However, when it came to bulk school uniforms, athletic events, and community giveaways, Sarah preferred Jerzees NuBlend. The 50/50 cotton-polyester blend offered a sturdy yet comfortable feel, proving resistant to shrinkage and pilling after repeated wash cycles. The Jerzees vs Gildan hoodies debate was also an easy choice for her, as Jerzees hoodies held up better under frequent use, especially in humid climates like Florida’s. Customers praised their pill-resistant fleece and consistent sizing, which made Jerzees ideal for large bulk orders where reliability and cost-per-unit mattered more than premium softness.
Matching Each Brand to the Right Printing Technique
Sarah also learned that choosing between the two brands depends on the type of print shop workflow. For DTG or sublimation, Gildan’s ring-spun fabrics and high-stitch density provide smoother print surfaces. For screen printing or heat transfers where speed and volume are key, Jerzees’ NuBlend fleece and preshrunk tees offer better durability and easier handling.
How Sarah Sources Gildan and Jerzees Wholesale in the USA
From a wholesale perspective, she sources Gildan blanks directly from USA suppliers like Alpha Broder and SanMar, where bulk discounts on Gildan blank shirts help keep costs low. Meanwhile, her Jerzees wholesale orders come through trusted distributors in the U.S., offering reliable shipping for large-scale school or business apparel programs.
Gildan for Softness, Jerzees for Reliability
In short, Gildan shines when quality, softness, and print clarity are priorities, perfect for fashion boutiques, branded merch, and premium retail lines. Jerzees, on the other hand, excels when longevity, affordability, and consistency take center stage, ideal for schools, events, and organizations ordering in bulk.
The Bottom Line: Choosing What Works for You
Sarah’s story proves there’s no single “winner” in the Gildan vs Jerzees comparison, just the right choice for each use case. For businesses wanting standout custom t-shirts, Gildan delivers superior comfort and print vibrancy. For those needing dependable, cost-effective hoodies and sweatshirts, Jerzees offers unmatched reliability and value.
Whether you’re a print shop owner, event organizer, or clothing startup, understanding where each brand excels helps you make smarter buying decisions and keeps your customers coming back for more.
Things to Consider Before Buying Any Brand
Gildan or Jerzees, no matter what brand you decide to buy, consider the following things first:
- Always follow care instructions on cotton blends.
- Note: Colors may vary under studio lighting.
- “Preshrunk” means reduced shrinkage, not complete elimination.
Conclusion: Make the Smart Choice
If you’re a brand, print shop, or buyer looking for everyday T-shirts:
- Choose Gildan for premium softness and fashion-forward appeal
- Choose Jerzees for affordable bulk orders and lasting performance
Both deliver quality, consistency, and easy printability trusted by thousands of U.S. print shops.
Explore Gildan and Jerzees blank shirts from verified USA Trade Enterprises today and find the perfect balance of comfort, price, and performance.
FAQs
Gildan uses ring-spun cotton for a softer, premium feel, while Jerzees focuses on pill-resistant 50/50 blends for long-lasting durability.
Jerzees NuBlend performs better for screen printing and vinyl transfers due to its smoother knit surface. Gildan Softstyle is ideal for DTG printing.
Yes. Gildan Softstyle and Ultra Cotton are softer because they use ring-spun cotton, which is finer and smoother to touch.
Jerzees is typically more cost-effective in bulk orders, while Gildan offers better premium quality for retail and fashion use.
Absolutely. Both Gildan and Jerzees are used by thousands of print shops and wholesale suppliers across the USA due to their consistency and print performance.
