Custom Gildan Hoodies Canada - No Minimum Order

The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 is the single best-selling hoodie for custom printing in Canada. At $19.07 CAD, the Gildan 18500 delivers heavyweight construction, a classic silhouette, and over 40 colour options — making it the default choice for teams, businesses, events, and organizations from coast to coast.

Fabric Composition and Weight

The Gildan Heavy Blend hoodie is constructed from a 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend at 8 oz/yd². This balanced blend gives you the soft, natural feel of cotton combined with the durability and shrink resistance of polyester. The heavyweight fabric provides substantial warmth without excessive bulk, making it suitable for Canadian weather from early fall through late spring.

Air Jet Yarn Construction

Gildan uses air jet yarn technology in the Heavy Blend 18500, which blows away loose fibres during the spinning process. The result is a cleaner, softer fabric surface with significantly reduced pilling compared to conventional yarn. This means your custom Gildan hoodie maintains its smooth appearance wash after wash — critical for hoodies that carry printed or embroidered logos.

Design Details That Matter

Every Gildan 18500 features a double-lined hood with a colour-matched drawcord, a spacious front pouch pocket, and 1x1 athletic rib knit cuffs and waistband with spandex for shape retention. These details may seem small, but they add up to a hoodie that looks and feels professional. The double-lined hood holds its shape over time, the spandex in the cuffs prevents stretching out, and the pouch pocket is deep enough to be genuinely useful.

40+ Colour Options

The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 is available in over 40 colours — the widest colour range of any hoodie in our catalogue. This includes classic neutrals like Black, Navy, and Sport Grey, bold options like Royal, Red, and Heliconia, earth tones like Maroon and Dark Chocolate, and safety colours like Safety Green and Safety Orange. Whatever your brand colour or team palette, the 18500 almost certainly has a match.

Who Orders the 18500?

The Gildan 18500 is ordered by everyone — sports teams in Toronto, tech startups in Vancouver, university clubs in Montreal, construction companies in Edmonton, and school groups in Calgary. It is the universal custom hoodie because it works for every application, fits every budget, and delivers consistent quality that organizations can rely on year after year.

The Gildan Softstyle SF500 represents Gildan's premium hoodie offering — a step up from the Heavy Blend in softness, fit, and overall hand feel. For organizations that want a custom Gildan hoodie with a more modern, retail-quality touch, the Softstyle SF500 delivers without the price tag of premium brands like Comfort Colors or Champion.

Ring-Spun Cotton Blend

The Gildan SF500 is made with ring-spun cotton in its blend, which produces a noticeably softer fabric compared to the open-end yarn used in the Heavy Blend. Ring-spun yarn is created by continuously twisting and thinning cotton fibres, resulting in a smoother, finer thread. The difference is immediately apparent when you hold both hoodies side by side — the Softstyle hoodie feels more like a retail garment you would buy off the rack.

Lighter Weight for Layering

At 7.5 oz/yd², the Gildan Softstyle SF500 is lighter than the 8 oz Heavy Blend. This makes it an excellent layering piece for transitional seasons — light enough to wear under a jacket in winter, but substantial enough to serve as outerwear in spring and fall. Teams and businesses in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary appreciate the versatility of a hoodie that works across multiple seasons without overheating.

Modern Retail Fit

The SF500 features a more contemporary, slightly tapered fit compared to the relaxed cut of the Heavy Blend. This modern silhouette appeals to younger demographics and fashion-conscious buyers who want their custom hoodie to look like something they would choose to wear — not just a uniform they have to wear. University clubs, tech companies, and lifestyle brands across Canada increasingly choose the SF500 for this reason.

Growing Colour Selection

While the Gildan Softstyle SF500 does not yet match the 40+ colour range of the Heavy Blend, its colour options are steadily expanding. The current lineup includes essential colours that cover most branding needs, with Gildan adding new options regularly. For organizations that need a specific colour match, the Heavy Blend 18500 may offer more choices — but for those who prioritize softness and fit, the SF500 is worth the trade-off.

When to Choose the SF500 Over the Heavy Blend

Choose the Gildan Softstyle SF500 when your priority is comfort and a retail feel — employee appreciation gifts, premium merchandise, lifestyle branding, and university apparel. Choose the Heavy Blend 18500 when you need the widest colour range and the lowest price point. Both accept screen printing and embroidery equally well, so the decoration quality will be identical regardless of which Gildan hoodie you choose.

Screen printing on Gildan hoodies is the most popular decoration method for custom hoodie orders across Canada. The 50/50 cotton-polyester blend of the Heavy Blend 18500 and the ring-spun blend of the Softstyle SF500 both provide an ideal surface for screen printing — accepting ink cleanly, holding colour vibrantly, and delivering prints that last for years. Visit our custom hoodies page to start your order.

Why the Cotton-Poly Blend Works So Well

The cotton component of Gildan hoodies absorbs ink into the fabric fibres, creating a strong bond between the ink and the garment. The polyester component provides a smooth, consistent surface that ensures even ink coverage across the entire print area. This combination produces screen-printed hoodies with sharp detail, vibrant colours, and excellent washability — exactly what you want for branded merchandise, team apparel, and event giveaways.

Consistent Print Surface Across Colours

One advantage of Gildan hoodies for screen printing is the consistency of the fabric surface across all 40+ colours. Whether you are printing on a Black hoodie, a Sport Grey hoodie, or a Safety Green hoodie, the fabric texture and ink absorption remain uniform. This means your logo will look the same on every colour — critical for businesses in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver that order multiple colourways of the same design.

Multi-Colour Printing Capabilities

Modern screen printing on custom Gildan hoodies supports multi-colour designs with precise registration. Front chest logos, large back prints, sleeve prints, and even hood prints are all achievable. For designs with 1 to 6 spot colours, screen printing is the most cost-effective method, with per-unit costs decreasing as order quantities increase. This makes it the go-to method for bulk hoodie orders across Canada.

Water-Based and Plastisol Ink Options

Plastisol ink is the industry standard for screen printing on hoodies — it sits on top of the fabric, producing bold, opaque colours that pop on dark garments. Water-based ink absorbs into the fabric for a softer hand feel with no raised texture, ideal for vintage or distressed designs. Both ink types work excellently on Gildan hoodies, and our production team will recommend the best option based on your design, hoodie colour, and desired finish.

Print Durability and Care

Screen prints on Gildan hoodies are engineered to last. When properly cured during production, plastisol prints will not crack, peel, or fade for the life of the garment. We recommend washing inside-out in cold water and tumble drying on low heat to maximize print longevity. Teams, businesses, and organizations in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa can expect their screen-printed Gildan hoodies to maintain their appearance through hundreds of washes.

Embroidered Gildan hoodies deliver a premium, professional appearance that screen printing simply cannot replicate. The textured, three-dimensional quality of thread-stitched logos communicates quality and permanence — making embroidery the preferred decoration method for corporate branding, executive gifts, and upscale team apparel. Visit our embroidery services page to learn more about our capabilities.

Heavy Blend Fabric Is Ideal for Embroidery

The 8 oz heavyweight fabric of the Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 provides an excellent foundation for embroidery. The dense cotton-polyester construction supports stitch patterns without puckering or distortion, and the fabric weight prevents the embroidery from pulling or sagging over time. This is why the Gildan 18500 is the most frequently embroidered hoodie in our production facility.

Placement Options

Embroidery on Gildan hoodies is most commonly placed on the left chest — the standard corporate placement for logos and brand marks. However, our commercial embroidery machines also handle back yoke placement, sleeve logos, and even hood embroidery for organizations that want maximum brand visibility. Full back embroidery is available for designs up to 12 inches wide, though left chest placement remains the most popular option for custom Gildan hoodies ordered by businesses in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Thread Colour Matching

Our embroidery department maintains an extensive thread library that allows us to match virtually any brand colour. Whether your logo uses specific Pantone values or standard colour references, we can replicate it accurately in thread. On dark Gildan hoodies like Black, Navy, and Dark Heather, metallic and bright thread colours create a striking contrast. On lighter hoodies like Sport Grey and White, subtle tone-on-tone embroidery adds an elegant, understated touch.

Stitch Count Considerations

Embroidery pricing is typically based on stitch count — the total number of stitches required to complete your design. Simple text logos may require 3,000 to 5,000 stitches, while detailed graphic logos can reach 10,000 to 15,000 stitches. Our digitizing team converts your artwork into an optimized stitch file that balances detail with efficiency, ensuring your embroidered Gildan hoodie looks sharp without unnecessary production costs.

When to Choose Embroidery Over Screen Printing

Choose embroidery on Gildan hoodies when you want a premium, professional appearance — corporate gifts, employee uniforms, executive team apparel, and branded merchandise for clients. Choose screen printing when you need large, multi-colour graphics, photographic detail, or the lowest possible per-unit cost on high-volume orders. Many organizations in Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa combine both methods — embroidered left chest logo with a screen-printed back design — for a complete branding package.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing Gildan hoodies for your custom order is the unmatched colour selection. The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 is available in over 40 colours — more than any other hoodie in our catalogue. This means you can match virtually any brand palette, school colour, or team identity without compromise.

Classic Neutrals

The most popular Gildan hoodie colours are the classic neutrals that work with every design and brand. Black is the single best-selling hoodie colour in Canada, followed closely by Navy, Sport Grey, White, and Dark Heather. These five colours account for the majority of custom hoodie orders because they pair well with any logo colour and suit both casual and corporate applications. Businesses in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary order these neutrals more than any other colours.

Bold and Bright Colours

When your brand or team needs to stand out, Gildan hoodies offer a range of bold, vibrant options. Royal blue delivers a classic athletic look, Red makes a powerful statement, Cardinal Red adds depth and sophistication, Heliconia provides a vivid pink option, and Irish Green covers the bright green spectrum. These bold colours are popular with sports teams, event organizers, and brands that want their custom hoodies to command attention.

Earth Tones and Warm Colours

For a more subdued, natural aesthetic, the Gildan hoodie lineup includes rich earth tones. Maroon is a perennial favourite for school and university apparel, Dark Chocolate offers a warm neutral alternative to black, Sand provides a light, versatile base for vintage-style designs, and Military Green delivers the outdoor aesthetic that lifestyle brands love. These earth tones are increasingly popular with coffee shops, outdoor brands, and artisan businesses in Montreal, Edmonton, and across British Columbia.

Safety and High-Visibility Colours

Gildan hoodies are available in Safety Green, Safety Orange, and Safety Pink — ANSI-compliant high-visibility colours that meet workplace safety requirements. Construction companies, landscaping crews, road maintenance teams, and warehouse operations across Canada order custom Gildan hoodies in these safety colours with company logos for both branding and compliance purposes.

Heather and Muted Options

Heather colours add visual texture and a modern aesthetic to custom Gildan hoodies. Graphite Heather, Dark Heather, and Sport Grey (itself a heathered colour) offer sophisticated, muted tones that appeal to fashion-forward buyers. These heather options are particularly popular for retail merchandise, tech company swag, and lifestyle brands that want a contemporary look without bold colour.

Youth Gildan hoodies give schools, sports teams, and family organizations the ability to outfit younger members in the same quality and style as adults. Gildan produces dedicated youth versions of both the Heavy Blend and Softstyle lines — properly proportioned for children and teens, not just scaled-down adult patterns.

Gildan 185B Youth Heavy Blend at $19.29

The Gildan 185B Youth Heavy Blend ($19.29) is the youth counterpart to the adult 18500. It shares the same 50/50 cotton-polyester blend, 8 oz heavyweight fabric, air jet yarn construction, double-lined hood, and pouch pocket. The Gildan 185B is available in a wide range of colours that match the adult version, making it easy to create a unified look across all age groups.

Gildan SF500B Youth Softstyle at $20.80

The Gildan SF500B Youth Softstyle ($20.80) brings the premium ring-spun softness of the adult SF500 to youth sizes. This is the softer, more premium option for youth Gildan hoodies — ideal for school spirit wear, youth group apparel, and organizations that want a higher-end feel for their younger members.

Youth Sizing: YXS to YXL

Both youth Gildan hoodies are available in sizes YXS through YXL, covering children approximately ages 6 through 14. The YXS fits most 6-7 year olds, while the YXL accommodates most 12-14 year olds. For teens who fall between youth and adult sizing, we recommend comparing measurements — many 13-14 year olds may fit comfortably in an adult Small.

Matching Adult and Youth for Schools and Teams

The most common use case for youth Gildan hoodies is matching them with adult versions for school spirit wear and sports teams. A school in Toronto can order the adult 18500 in Navy for staff and the youth 185B in Navy for students — identical fabric, colour, and construction in both sizes. Sports teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver use this approach for parent-child tournaments and community events where a unified look matters.

Popular Uses for Youth Hoodies

Elementary schools across Canada order custom youth Gildan hoodies for spirit wear programs, graduation gifts, and school trip apparel. Youth sports teams use them for warm-ups and team identity off the field. Dance studios, martial arts academies, and music programs in Ottawa, Montreal, and across Ontario outfit their youth members in branded Gildan hoodies that build community and program pride.

Not every hoodie application calls for a pullover. Gildan full-zip hoodies offer the same heavyweight quality and colour options as the pullover Heavy Blend, with the added convenience of a full-length zipper. For organizations that need easy on/off functionality, layering versatility, or simply prefer the zip-front aesthetic, Gildan has you covered.

Gildan 1860 Heavy Blend Full-Zip at $20.95

The Gildan 1860 Heavy Blend Full-Zip ($20.95) shares the same core construction as the pullover 18500 — 50/50 cotton-polyester blend, 8 oz fabric weight, air jet yarn, and double-lined hood. The addition of a full-length YKK zipper and split kangaroo pockets (instead of the pullover pouch pocket) make this the preferred Gildan hoodie for corporate uniforms, retail staff, and anyone who needs to zip up and unzip throughout the day.

Gildan 186B Youth Full-Zip at $28.25

The Gildan 186B Youth Full-Zip ($28.25) brings full-zip convenience to youth sizes. Matching the adult 1860 in fabric and construction, the 186B youth full-zip hoodie is available in popular colours that coordinate with the adult version. Schools and youth programs in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary order the 186B alongside the adult 1860 for a consistent look across all age groups.

Full-Zip vs Pullover — When to Choose Each

Choose a Gildan full-zip hoodie when your application requires easy layering — retail employees who adjust throughout their shift, trade show staff who move between indoor and outdoor environments, and corporate teams who layer hoodies over dress shirts. Choose a pullover when you want a larger uninterrupted print area on the front, a more casual streetwear aesthetic, or a slightly lower price point.

Decoration Considerations for Full-Zip

The front zipper on Gildan full-zip hoodies splits the front panel into two halves, which affects print placement. Large front logos are typically moved to the left chest or back panel. Left chest embroidery works perfectly on the full-zip style, as the logo sits on a single uninterrupted panel. Back prints remain unaffected by the zipper and can span the full width of the garment, making the back the primary branding real estate on custom full-zip Gildan hoodies.

Popular Full-Zip Applications

Gildan full-zip hoodies are the top choice for corporate uniforms, retail staff apparel, trade show gear, and employee gifts. Restaurants, gyms, auto shops, and service businesses in Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, and across Canada order embroidered full-zip hoodies as everyday work wear. The professional zip-front look bridges the gap between casual and business casual, making it appropriate for customer-facing roles where a pullover hoodie might feel too informal.

When ordering custom hoodies in Canada, the three most popular blank hoodie brands are Gildan, Champion, and Comfort Colors. Each brand occupies a different price tier and serves a different aesthetic — understanding the differences helps you choose the right hoodie for your specific project, budget, and audience.

Gildan Heavy Blend — Best Value at $19.07

The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 ($19.07) delivers the best value of any custom hoodie on the market. With over 40 colours, consistent quality, and the lowest price per unit, the Gildan hoodie is the smart choice for bulk orders, team apparel, event giveaways, and any project where cost efficiency matters. The 50/50 blend provides good softness at an unbeatable price point. For organizations ordering 50+ hoodies, the savings over premium brands add up quickly — a 100-piece order saves over $1,600 compared to Champion and over $3,100 compared to Comfort Colors.

Champion S700 — Premium Athletic Brand at $35.95

The Champion S700 Powerblend Hoodie ($35.95) brings the iconic Champion brand recognition to your custom hoodie order. The signature C logo on the sleeve adds instant brand cachet that resonates with younger demographics. The Powerblend fabric (50/50 cotton-poly) is engineered to reduce shrinkage and pilling. Choose Champion when your audience values brand recognition and you have the budget to support the premium price point.

Comfort Colors 1567 — Vintage Garment-Dyed at $50.35

The Comfort Colors 1567 ($50.35) is the premium option for custom hoodies with a vintage, lived-in aesthetic. Each hoodie is garment-dyed after construction, producing rich, muted tones with a pre-washed softness that feels like a favourite hoodie from day one. The 100% ring-spun cotton fabric is the softest of the three brands. Choose Comfort Colors when your project demands a premium, trendy look — retail merchandise, lifestyle brands, and university greek life apparel.

Side-by-Side Comparison

At $19.07, the Gildan Heavy Blend costs roughly half the price of the Champion S700 and less than 40% of the Comfort Colors 1567. All three accept screen printing and embroidery equally well. The Gildan offers the widest colour range (40+), Champion offers mid-range options with brand recognition, and Comfort Colors specializes in unique garment-dyed shades. For pure value and versatility, Gildan hoodies win decisively.

When to Choose Each Brand

Choose Gildan for bulk orders, team apparel, corporate uniforms, events, and any project where budget is a factor. Choose Champion when brand recognition matters — influencer merchandise, premium employee gifts, and youth-targeted promotions. Choose Comfort Colors for retail-quality merchandise, lifestyle brands, and any project where the vintage garment-dyed aesthetic is central to the design concept. Many organizations in Toronto, Vancouver, and across Canada mix brands across different projects based on the specific audience and purpose.

Custom Gildan hoodies are one of the most popular choices for corporate events and team-building activities across Canada. Unlike t-shirts that get tossed in a drawer, a quality branded hoodie becomes everyday outerwear that employees actually want to wear — extending your brand visibility far beyond the event itself.

Employee Appreciation Gifts

Gildan hoodies make excellent employee appreciation gifts that feel substantial and thoughtful. The Heavy Blend 18500 with an embroidered company logo on the left chest creates a premium gift that employees wear to the office, on errands, and around the neighbourhood. Companies across Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary use branded hoodies as onboarding gifts, holiday presents, and milestone rewards.

Corporate Retreats and Team-Building Events

Team-building retreats and company off-sites need gear that unifies the group. Custom hoodies with event-specific designs — retreat dates, team slogans, or inside jokes — create lasting mementos. The Gildan SF500 Softstyle is especially popular for retreats where comfort matters, and the ringspun cotton feels premium without the premium price tag.

Trade Show Giveaways

Standing out at trade shows requires more than a booth banner. Branded Gildan hoodies worn by your booth staff create a professional, cohesive look that draws attention. Some companies also use hoodies as high-value giveaway items for qualified leads — a strategy that generates far more goodwill than pens or keychains.

Company Uniform Hoodies

For workplaces that need a casual uniform option, Gildan hoodies provide warmth and brand consistency at an affordable price point. Warehouses, tech companies, landscaping crews, and retail teams across Canada order custom hoodies as part of their uniform programs. The 50/50 blend resists shrinking through repeated washing, maintaining a professional appearance over time. Browse our full corporate apparel collection to find the right fit for your team.

Getting the sizing right on custom Gildan hoodies is essential — especially when ordering for a team, company, or event with people of all body types. Gildan hoodies are designed with a relaxed unisex fit that works for both men and women, making them a versatile choice for group orders.

Adult Sizes: S Through 5XL

The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 is available in adult sizes from Small through 5XL, covering the widest possible range of body types. This extended size range makes it one of the most inclusive custom hoodies available in Canada — no one on your team gets left out.

Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Size Chart

Youth Sizes: YXS Through YXL

Gildan youth hoodies are available in sizes YXS through YXL, covering children from approximately age 4 through 16. Youth hoodies feature the same Heavy Blend construction as adult sizes — 50/50 cotton/polyester, double-needle stitching, and pill-resistant fabric — scaled to fit younger wearers comfortably.

Sizing Tips for Group Orders

Gildan hoodies run true to size with a relaxed unisex fit. For a standard comfortable fit, order your regular size. For a slightly oversized streetwear look, size up one. When ordering for a group, have each person provide their preferred size in advance. We offer free size exchanges on unworn blanks within 30 days for custom hoodies Canada orders.

Transparent pricing is a core value at T-Shirt Elephant. When you order custom Gildan hoodies, you see real-time pricing in our online designer — no hidden fees, no surprise setup charges. There is no minimum order required, so you can order as few as one hoodie or as many as several hundred.

No Minimum Order Required

Unlike many custom apparel shops that require minimums of 12 or 24 pieces, T-Shirt Elephant has no minimum order on Gildan hoodies. Need a single custom hoodie for yourself? Order one. Need 200 for a corporate event? We handle that too. Every order gets the same attention to quality regardless of size.

Volume Pricing Tiers

The more custom Gildan hoodies you order, the less you pay per unit. Pricing tiers adjust automatically in our online designer as you increase quantity.

Free Shipping Over $250 CAD

All orders over $250 CAD ship free anywhere in Canada. For a typical team order of 12+ custom hoodies with decoration, you will easily clear this threshold. Browse our full selection of pull-over hoodies and start designing today.

The fabric and construction of your custom hoodie directly impacts how it feels, how it wears, and how long it lasts. Gildan hoodies are engineered with proven construction methods that deliver comfort, durability, and a smooth printing surface — which is why they have become the industry standard for custom decorated hoodies.

50/50 Cotton/Polyester Blend

The Gildan Heavy Blend 18500 uses a 50% cotton, 50% polyester fabric blend that combines the best properties of both fibres. The cotton provides softness and breathability against the skin, while the polyester adds strength, shape retention, and resistance to shrinking. This balanced blend ensures your custom hoodies maintain their fit and feel through dozens of wash cycles.

Air Jet Yarn Technology

Gildan uses air jet yarn in their Heavy Blend hoodies — a process that blows air through the yarn to remove loose fibres and create a cleaner, smoother surface. The result is a softer feel against the skin and a cleaner printing surface for screen printing and embroidery. Air jet yarn also significantly reduces pilling, keeping hoodies looking new longer.

Double-Needle Stitching

Double-needle stitching at the waistband and cuffs provides reinforced seams that resist stretching and unravelling. This construction detail is especially important on hoodies that see daily wear — the cuffs and waistband are the first areas to show wear on a poorly constructed hoodie.

Pill-Resistant Construction

Nobody wants a hoodie covered in fabric pills after a few washes. Gildan hoodies feature pill-resistant construction that keeps the fabric surface smooth and clean. Combined with the air jet yarn process, this means your custom hoodies look professional even after months of regular wear.

Pouch Pocket & Athletic Rib

The classic front pouch pocket design provides hand warming and casual storage. The 1x1 athletic rib with spandex at the cuffs and waistband delivers a secure, comfortable fit that holds its shape without feeling restrictive. These details make Gildan hoodies a practical, everyday garment — not just event-day apparel.

Great artwork and smart design decisions separate professional-looking custom Gildan hoodies from amateur ones. After producing thousands of decorated hoodies, our team has distilled the most important design principles into actionable tips.

Artwork Placement Options

Custom hoodies offer more decoration real estate than t-shirts. The most popular placements include front centre (full chest, 10-12 inches wide), left chest (3-4 inches wide, ideal for logos and crests), full back (12-14 inches wide, maximum visual impact), and sleeve (left or right, great for secondary branding). Many customers combine two or more placements for a complete branded look on their Gildan hoodies.

Colour Considerations on Dark vs Light Hoodies

Decoration colours need to contrast with your hoodie colour for maximum impact. White and light-coloured designs pop on dark hoodies like Black, Navy, and Forest Green. Dark designs work best on lighter hoodies like Sport Grey, Sand, and Ash. For screen printing on dark hoodies, an underbase layer of white ink is printed first to ensure bright, vibrant colours — our production team handles this automatically.

Design Size Recommendations

Hoodies are bulkier garments than t-shirts, so design sizing should be adjusted accordingly. A design that looks great at 10 inches wide on a t-shirt may need to be scaled up to 12 inches on a hoodie to maintain visual proportion. Left chest logos should be 3-4 inches wide. Back designs can extend up to 14 inches wide for maximum visual impact on custom Gildan hoodies.

Vector vs Raster Artwork

For the sharpest results, provide vector artwork in AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF format. Vector files scale to any size without quality loss. If you only have a raster image (PNG or JPG), ensure it is at least 300 DPI at the intended print size. Low-resolution logos are the number one cause of disappointing results on custom hoodies.

Free Design Assistance

T-Shirt Elephant offers free artwork review and basic cleanup on every order. Our designers adjust sizing, optimize colours, and ensure your custom Gildan hoodies look polished. Email your artwork or questions to [email protected] and our team will help bring your vision to life.

Proper care extends the life of your custom Gildan hoodies and keeps the printed or embroidered decoration looking sharp. Following these simple guidelines ensures your hoodies maintain their colour, shape, and decoration quality through dozens of wash cycles.

Machine Wash Cold, Inside Out

Always turn your custom hoodie inside out before washing. This protects the screen-printed or embroidered decoration from direct friction with other garments in the wash. Use cold water on a gentle cycle — hot water can cause the 50/50 blend to shrink and can fade both the fabric colour and the decoration over time.

Tumble Dry Medium

Tumble dry on a medium heat setting. High heat can damage screen-printed designs and cause excessive shrinkage. For best results, remove your Gildan hoodie promptly from the dryer to minimize wrinkles and maintain the smooth fabric surface.

Do Not Iron Directly on Print or Embroidery

Never place a hot iron directly on a screen-printed or embroidered area. The heat will damage the decoration. If pressing is necessary, turn the hoodie inside out and iron on a low setting, avoiding the decorated areas entirely.

Do Not Bleach

Bleach will damage both the fabric colour and any decoration on your custom hoodie. For stain removal, use a mild stain remover applied directly to the stain before washing. Avoid chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach products on decorated garments.

Remove Promptly from Dryer

Leaving Gildan hoodies sitting in the dryer after the cycle completes leads to wrinkles that set into the fabric. Remove promptly and fold or hang immediately. This simple step keeps your custom hoodies looking neat and professional without the need for ironing.

Choosing Gildan hoodies for your custom apparel order means partnering with one of the most transparent and sustainability-focused manufacturers in the industry. Gildan has made significant investments in responsible manufacturing practices that matter to environmentally conscious customers across Canada.

Gildan Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

Gildan publishes an annual ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report documenting their progress on sustainability goals. The company has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste generation across their global operations. For businesses ordering custom hoodies with corporate social responsibility mandates, Gildan provides the transparency and accountability that procurement teams require.

Responsible Manufacturing Facilities

Gildan owns and operates their own manufacturing facilities rather than subcontracting to third-party factories. This vertical integration gives them direct control over working conditions, wages, and environmental compliance. Their facilities in Central America and the Caribbean have received multiple certifications for fair labour practices and workplace safety standards.

Cotton Sourcing Practices

The cotton used in Gildan hoodies is sourced through traceable supply chains with a commitment to sustainable farming practices. Gildan has invested in programs that support cotton farmers in adopting more sustainable growing methods, reducing water usage, and minimizing pesticide application. This responsible sourcing extends to every Heavy Blend and Softstyle hoodie in their lineup.

Recycling and Waste Reduction Programs

Gildan operates recycling programs at their manufacturing facilities that divert fabric waste from landfills. Scrap materials are repurposed into industrial cleaning products, insulation, and other secondary uses. Their water recycling systems at key facilities recover and reuse a significant percentage of process water, reducing overall water consumption. Explore our sustainable custom apparel options for eco-friendly alternatives.

T-Shirt Elephant ships custom Gildan hoodies to every province and territory in Canada. Whether you are in downtown Toronto or northern British Columbia, you get the same quality, pricing, and service. Our production facility in the Greater Toronto Area processes orders for customers from coast to coast.

Major Cities We Serve

We produce and ship custom hoodies to customers in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Halifax, Kitchener-Waterloo, and every city in between. Our online designer and ordering system works identically regardless of your location — design your Gildan hoodies online, and we produce and ship directly to your door.

Free Shipping Over $250 CAD

All orders over $250 CAD ship free across all provinces. Standard shipping reaches most Canadian destinations within 7-10 business days after production. For a typical order of 12+ custom Gildan hoodies with decoration, the $250 threshold is easily reached.

Local Pickup in Toronto

Toronto-area customers can pick up orders directly from our facility at 18 Raitherm Road, North York. Local pickup eliminates shipping costs entirely and gets your custom hoodies into your hands the moment production is complete. Visit our custom t-shirts Toronto page for more details on local service.

Rush Delivery: 5-7 Business Days

Need your custom Gildan hoodies fast? Our rush production option moves your order to the front of the queue with delivery in 5-7 business days. Rush orders are available for most Gildan hoodie styles and decoration methods. Contact us for availability on your specific order.