Are Gildan T-shirts good quality and worth it?+
For the price, most people say yes. Gildan's blank T-shirts are widely praised as solid, sturdy and dependable, which is why they became the printing industry's go-to base. They sit at the value end rather than the premium end, so the trade-off is a slightly heavier, more utilitarian hand compared with boutique blanks. If you want a reliable, affordable shirt to wear or print on, Gildan is hard to beat.
How does Gildan compare to Bella+Canvas and Next Level?+
Think of it as a spectrum. Gildan is the value workhorse, prized for keeping costs low on events, merch and workwear, while brands like Bella+Canvas and Next Level position themselves as softer, more fashion-forward blanks at a higher price. None is simply better; it depends on whether you prioritize budget and durability or a slimmer, premium feel. Gildan's strength is doing the basic job well and cheaply at scale.
Why is Gildan the standard blank shirt for screen printers?+
Because that is precisely the business Gildan built. The company makes undecorated blank activewear such as t-shirts, hoodies and fleeces that are then decorated by screen-printing companies with designs and logos, and by 2001 it was the leading distributor of 100% cotton T-shirts in the US per the ACNielsen S.T.A.R.S. Report. Consistent, affordable, printable blanks at volume are its entire reason for being.
Where are Gildan products made?+
Manufacturing is centered in Central America and the Caribbean. Gildan owns and operates facilities in Rio Nance, Honduras, and the Caribbean, and it opened its first offshore sewing facility in Honduras in 1997. The company has noted its factories in low-wage countries like Honduras and Haiti allowed it to lower its price per shirt below that of Chinese manufacturers as of 2006. That vertically integrated, low-cost model underpins the brand's pricing.
When and where was Gildan founded?+
Glenn and Greg Chamandy founded Gildan in 1984 with the acquisition of a knitting mill in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It originally made fabric to supply Harley Inc., the family's childrenswear business, before pivoting to sell 100% cotton T-shirts to wholesalers and screen-printers. That Canadian, family-founded origin is the start of what became a global activewear manufacturer.
What does Gildan actually make beyond T-shirts?+
Quite a lot. Alongside its blank t-shirts, hoodies and fleeces, Gildan supplies branded and private-label athletic, casual and dress socks to US retailers under names including Gold Toe, PowerSox, SilverToe, Auro, All Pro and Gildan itself, and it also manufactures and distributes Under Armour and New Balance brand socks. So the company is a major force in basics and legwear, not just tees.
Which well-known brands does Gildan own?+
Through a long run of acquisitions, several. Gildan bought Anvil Knitwear's parent in 2012, Comfort Colors in 2015, and American Apparel in 2017, among others. In August 2025 it agreed to purchase the American undergarments maker Hanesbrands for US$2.2 billion in cash and stock. So when you reach for some familiar blank-apparel labels, you may be buying Gildan.
Who runs Gildan now?+
Leadership shifted recently. Co-founder Glenn J. Chamandy left as president and CEO in December 2023, and Vince Tyra was appointed president and CEO effective February 2024, with Craig A. Leavitt serving in the interim. The transition was contentious enough that in March 2024 Gildan announced its intention to sell the company amid a battle between top stockholders over Chamandy's dismissal and proposed reinstatement.
Has Gildan faced labor controversy?+
It has. Genesis, S.A., a Haitian factory whose main customer is Gildan, was accused of being the most serious offender in a campaign of retaliatory dismissals targeting leaders of a union-organizing effort in Port-au-Prince. A 2012 Workers Rights Consortium report also noted that Gildan ultimately intervened aggressively at Genesis and, to its credit, played a pivotal role in achieving reinstatement. It is a worthwhile detail for shoppers who weigh supply-chain conduct.
Do Gildan shirts shrink, and how should I wash them?+
Gildan's cotton tees are typically preshrunk, and owners generally report they launder well and hold up over repeated washing. Some find a model can shrink or sit a little oddly after the very first wash before settling, which is common with cotton, so washing cool and avoiding high heat in the dryer is the safe habit. Buy your true size and let the shirt relax into shape over the first few cycles.
