Gildan® 64000 Softstyle T-Shirts
Our standard custom designs are printed on the Gildan® 64000 Softstyle®—a lightweight, ring-spun cotton T-shirt chosen for its everyday comfort, modern fit, smooth printing surface, and versatile style.
What makes it special?
The Gildan® 64000 combines the familiar simplicity of an everyday T-shirt with the softer feel and smoother surface of ring-spun cotton.
Its high stitch density creates a refined printing surface that helps artwork appear clean, sharp, and vibrant while keeping the garment light, breathable, and comfortable.
Lightweight ring-spun cotton
Solid-color Gildan® 64000 shirts are made from 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton with a fabric weight of 4.5 oz/yd² (approximately 153 g/m²).
This makes the 64000 noticeably lighter than a heavyweight T-shirt. It has a soft drape and breathable feel that work especially well for everyday wear and warmer weather.
Ring-spun cotton is produced by twisting and refining the cotton fibers into a smoother yarn. The result is a soft fabric with a more even surface, making it particularly well suited to detailed printed artwork.
Modern fit and durable construction
The Gildan® 64000 has a modern classic fit with a tubular body. It offers a clean everyday silhouette with comfortable room to move, without the heavier or more oversized character of a heavyweight shirt.
It is constructed with:
- A narrow rib-knit crew collar
- Taped neck and shoulders for comfort and durability
- Double-needle stitching on the sleeves and bottom hem
- A tubular body without side seams
- A removable tear-away label for additional comfort
- These practical details help the shirt maintain its structure through regular wear and washing.
What Softstyle® ring-spun cotton means for you
- Soft everyday comfort — the ring-spun fabric feels smooth and comfortable against the skin.
- Lightweight breathability — the 4.5 oz fabric provides comfort without the bulk of a heavyweight shirt.
- A smooth printed finish — high stitch density creates an even surface that helps artwork reproduce clearly.
- A versatile fit — the modern classic shape works comfortably across a variety of casual settings.
- Reduced label irritation — the original manufacturer’s label is designed to tear away cleanly.
- Dependable construction — reinforced hems and taped shoulders add strength where the shirt receives regular wear.
Solid and heather color blends
The fabric composition varies according to the selected shirt color.
Solid colors are made from 100% ring-spun cotton, providing a smooth and uniform surface.
Sport Grey and Antique Heather colors are generally made from 90% cotton and 10% polyester.
Other Heather colors are generally made from 65% polyester and 35% cotton, giving them a softer, subtly textured appearance.
Because blended colors contain polyester, their texture and printed appearance may differ slightly from solid cotton colors. The exact fabric composition is shown with the available color options whenever applicable.
How it differs from the Comfort Colors® 1717
The Gildan® 64000 and Comfort Colors® 1717 are both made with ring-spun cotton, but they offer different wearing experiences.
The Gildan® 64000 is:
- Lighter and more breathable
- Cleaner and more uniform in appearance
- Modern and versatile
- Well suited to everyday graphics and casual wear
- Made with a smooth, high-density printing surface
The Comfort Colors® 1717 is:
- Heavier and more substantial
- Garment-dyed for a vintage, lived-in appearance
- Relaxed and more generously cut
- Designed to have natural color character
- Used for our premium Atelier artwork
- [Learn more]
Both shirts offer softness and dependable print quality. The principal difference is whether you prefer the lighter, cleaner feel of the Gildan® 64000 or the heavier, vintage character of the Comfort Colors® 1717.
Why we chose the Gildan® 64000
At Denis The Cat Studio, we use the Gildan® 64000 for our versatile everyday designs because it balances softness, breathability, dependable construction, and excellent printability.
Its smooth surface allows our artwork to reproduce with crisp detail and vibrant color, while its lightweight fabric makes it an easy shirt to wear throughout the year.
It is a comfortable and practical canvas for designs that bring a little more cat personality into everyday life.
More than 40 years of apparel experience
Founded in Canada in 1984, Gildan has grown into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of everyday apparel.
The company entered the Canadian and U.S. printwear markets in the early 1990s and has spent more than four decades developing its textile manufacturing and garment-decoration expertise.
The Softstyle® collection reflects that experience by combining lightweight comfort with smooth fabrics designed for printing and customization.
A more responsible manufacturing approach
Gildan owns and operates most stages of its production process, including yarn spinning, textile manufacturing, sewing, and distribution. According to the company, this vertically integrated structure provides greater visibility and oversight across its supply chain.
Gildan reports several broader manufacturing practices:
- The U.S. cotton used in its products is described by Gildan as sustainably grown and ethically harvested.
- The company reported sourcing 100% sustainable cotton in 2025, using its definition of cotton supplied through qualifying third-party-verified programs.
- Gildan states that 100% of its fabric-cutting scraps are recycled into fiber and used in new products.
- Renewable and alternative energy sources, including biomass and solar energy, are used within its manufacturing operations.
- Gildan states that dyed wastewater generated by its textile facilities is treated through biological treatment systems before being returned to the environment.
- Gildan® products are certified under STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which involves independent testing against restricted and potentially harmful substances.
- Gildan operates a largely vertically integrated supply chain, giving the company direct oversight over much of the production process.
- These statements describe Gildan’s broader manufacturing program and should not be interpreted as a product-specific environmental impact rating for an individual T-shirt.
Learn more about Gildan’s manufacturing and sustainability practices.
Caring for your shirt
Proper care will help preserve the softness of the fabric and the appearance of the printed artwork.
- Machine wash cold and inside out
- Wash with similar colors
- Use only non-chlorine bleach when necessary
- Tumble dry on low or medium heat
- Do not dry-clean
- Use a cool iron if necessary
- Do not iron directly on the printed artwork
Because some shirt colors contain cotton-polyester blends, their texture and response to washing may vary slightly. Following these instructions will help your shirt retain its fit, softness, color, and printed detail.