The Gildan 8000 is the DryBlend tee, a 5.5 oz. 50/50 cotton and polyester shirt in a classic fit, sold in S to 5XL. It is the blend version of Gildan's budget tee: lighter than the 2000, holds its shape better after washing, and is marketed as moisture wicking. DTF presses well on it, as long as you respect the polyester half.
- Fabric
- 50% U.S. cotton, 50% polyester (heathers 65/35)
- Weight
- 5.5 oz.
- Sizes
- S to 5XL
- Fit
- Classic, tubular body
- Label
- Tear-away
The short version on DryBlend
DryBlend is Gildan's name for its 50/50 fabric. Gildan's spec sheet describes it as having moisture wicking properties. In practice, a 50/50 tee dries faster than cotton, wrinkles less, and shrinks less. It also pills a bit more over time, and it feels slicker than an all-cotton shirt.
If you want the long version on why blends behave differently, our post on polyester vs cotton walks through it. For this shirt, what matters is simple: half the fiber is polyester, so heat and dye behave a little differently than on a Gildan 2000.
Construction
- Non-topstitched, classic width rib collar
- Taped neck and shoulders
- Tubular body with no side seams, per Gildan's spec sheet
- Recycled black tear-away label. Gildan notes orders may mix this with the older tear-away label during the changeover.
- Classic fit
Gildan 8000 size chart
These are the product measurements from Gildan's spec sheet for the 8000, in inches. Chest is measured flat, one inch below the armhole. Sleeve length runs from the center of the neck, over the shoulder, to the sleeve hem. Body length runs from the high point of the shoulder to the hem at the back.
| Measurement (in) | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest width (flat) | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| Sleeve length | 15 5/8 | 17 | 18 1/2 | 20 | 21 1/2 | 22 7/8 | 24 1/4 | 25 3/8 |
| Body length (back) | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
Gildan's body size chart maps those to chest sizes of 34 to 36 inches for a Small, up to 62 to 64 inches for a 5XL. The 8000 uses the same chest and length numbers as the 2000, so a crew that already knows its 2000 sizes can order the 8000 the same way.
Colors and fabric by color
Gildan's spec sheet lists roughly 42 colors for the 8000. They include the standard darks (Black, Navy, Maroon, Forest Green, Purple), a strong set of brights (Electric Green, Lime, Safety Green, Safety Orange, Heliconia, Azalea, Daisy), and a run of team shades like Texas Orange, Tennessee Orange, Gold, Kelly Green, and Carolina Blue.
Heathers break from the 50/50 rule. Gildan lists them at 65% cotton and 35% polyester. That group includes Dark Heather, Graphite Heather, Heather Dark Navy, Heather Deep Royal, and Heather Scarlet Red. Sport Grey, Sport Royal, and Sport Scarlet Red round out the heathered look.
For a broader look at how these shades line up across Gildan styles, see the Gildan color chart. If you're building spirit wear, the Texas Orange, Tennessee Orange, and Carolina Blue options are why a lot of schools pick this shirt.
Who uses the 8000
- Sports teams and camps. The team color range and quicker dry time fit practice shirts and camp tees.
- Work uniforms. Blends hold their shape and color through frequent washing. Safety Green and Safety Orange cover hi-vis crews.
- Fun runs and charity events. Big runs, bright colors, one wear and then into the drawer. The 8000 is built for that.
- Schools. PE uniforms and field day shirts. Our list of spirit wear ideas has design angles that suit these colors.
Pressing DTF on a 50/50 blend
DTF works on cotton, polyester, and blends, which is one reason it has taken over short runs. On the 8000, use the standard settings: 300°F, high pressure, 10 seconds, instant hot peel, and a 5 second post-press. Full steps are in our heat press settings guide.
Dye migration on dark and bright blends
Polyester is dyed with disperse dyes that can turn to gas under heat and move into whatever sits on top. On a 50/50 Red, Scarlet Red, or Maroon, that can show up as a pinkish tint in white areas of the print. It is less of a risk at 300°F for 10 seconds than at sublimation temperatures, but it happens. Our post on DTF on polyester covers the signs and the fixes.
- Do not raise the temperature to "make it stick better." Raise the pressure or check your platen instead.
- Skip extra press cycles. Pre-press, press, post-press. That is it.
- On red shirts, do a test print with a large white area before a full run.
Shiny press marks
Polyester shows heat press box marks more than cotton does. A cover sheet helps, and so does a pressing pillow that keeps the platen edge off the fabric. Most marks fade after the first wash.
No side seams
Gildan builds the 8000 as a tubular body, so a wide back print can sit flat across the shirt without a side seam ridge near the edges. That is a small advantage over side-seamed fashion tees when you print oversized art.
FAQ
Is the Gildan 8000 good for DTF?
Yes. DTF bonds to both cotton and polyester. The main things to watch on the 8000 are dye migration on reds and press marks, both handled by keeping to 300°F and using a cover sheet.
How is the Gildan 8000 different from the 2000?
The 8000 is a 5.5 oz. 50/50 blend. The 2000 is a 6 oz. 100% cotton tee. The 8000 shrinks and wrinkles less. The 2000 feels thicker and softer once washed.
Do the heather colors use a different blend?
Yes. Gildan lists heathers at 65% cotton and 35% polyester, so they actually carry less polyester than the solid 50/50 colors.
Does the Gildan 8000 shrink?
Blends shrink less than 100% cotton. Expect a small change after a hot wash, not the bigger change you see on an all-cotton tee.
Printing team shirts on the 8000
Put every size of your design on one gang sheet and press each shirt at 300°F. Running bigger team orders every week? Look at our wholesale DTF program.