The ATC Everyday Hoodie (ATCF2500) vs Gildan 18500 is one of the most common hoodie comparisons in the Canadian wholesale blank market. Both are 50/50 cotton/polyester fleece hoodies at competitive wholesale pricing — but they are very different garments built for different applications.
The ATC F2500 Everyday Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt is a Canadian-exclusive heavyweight hoodie at 13 oz — built for durability, team programs, and cold-weather use. The Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt is a lighter 8 oz workhorse — the most widely used promotional hoodie in North America — built for affordability, colour variety, and large bulk orders.
Both are available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing with domestic Canadian shipping. Both decorate beautifully with DTF printing, screen printing, and embroidery. But choosing the wrong one for your program costs money and creates disappointed customers.
This guide covers everything you need to know to choose between them.
ATC F2500 — What You Need to Know
The ATC F2500 Everyday Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt is produced by ATC (Authentic T-Shirt Company) — a Canadian wholesale blank brand available through Fabrik Apparel.
ATC F2500 key specs:
- Fabric: 50% cotton / 50% polyester fleece
- Weight: 13 oz — significantly heavier than most wholesale hoodies
- Construction: Compacted yarns to minimize shrinkage
- Hood: Double lined with drawstring
- Cuffs: Rib knit
- Sizing: Adult and youth available
- Canadian brand
What makes the ATC F2500 stand out:
The 13 oz weight is the defining characteristic of the ATCF2500 — it is significantly heavier and more substantial than most wholesale hoodies including the Gildan 18500. When you pick up an ATC F2500 it feels like a serious garment — dense, warm, and built to last through years of use.
The compacted yarn construction minimizes shrinkage — a critical feature for team programs where sizing consistency across multiple washes matters. Players and crew members who wash their gear frequently appreciate a hoodie that holds its shape and size season after season.
Who the ATC F2500 is for:
- Sports teams needing durable team hoodies that hold up through a full season
- Schools and youth programs where long-term durability matters
- Trades and workwear programs needing a heavy-duty outdoor fleece
- Corporate programs where the hoodie will be worn regularly
- Cold-weather applications where warmth is the priority
- Anyone who wants a heavyweight hoodie that feels premium without the premium price tag
Gildan 18500 — What You Need to Know
The Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt is the most widely used promotional hoodie in North America — and for good reason. An 8 oz 50/50 cotton/polyester blend at some of the most competitive wholesale pricing available, the 18500 is the default choice for promotional programs, events, and any application where cost-effectiveness is the primary consideration.
Gildan 18500 key specs:
- Fabric: 50% cotton / 50% polyester
- Weight: 8 oz — midweight
- Construction: Air-jet yarns for softer feel and reduced pilling
- Hood: Double-lined with colour-matched drawcord
- Cuffs: 1×1 rib with spandex — retains shape through repeated wear
- Waistband: 1×1 rib with spandex
- Quarter-turned to eliminate centre crease
- Preshrunk fleece knit
- Sizing: Adult and youth available
- Tear-away label
What makes the Gildan 18500 stand out:
The 18500’s combination of competitive pricing, wide colour range, and consistent availability makes it the most reliable promotional hoodie in the Canadian market. For large bulk orders where per-unit cost is the deciding factor — the 18500 delivers acceptable quality at the lowest price point in the wholesale market.
The air-jet yarn construction produces a softer feel than you’d expect at this price point and the spandex-infused rib cuffs and waistband ensure the hoodie retains its shape through repeated wear and washing.
Who the Gildan 18500 is for:
- Promotional programs where cost is the primary consideration
- Event giveaways and large bulk orders
- Short-term use programs — one-time events, conferences, tournaments
- Programs with very large quantities where per-unit cost matters most
- Budget-conscious organizations needing acceptable quality at the lowest price
ATCF2500 vs Gildan 18500 — Side by Side
| ATCF2500 | Gildan 18500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 50/50 cotton/polyester | 50/50 cotton/polyester |
| Weight | 13 oz — heavyweight | 8 oz — midweight |
| Feel | Dense, substantial, warm | Soft, lightweight, casual |
| Shrinkage | Compacted yarns — minimal shrinkage | Preshrunk — low shrinkage |
| Cuffs | Rib knit | 1×1 rib with spandex |
| Hood | Double lined with drawstring | Double lined with colour-matched drawcord |
| Brand origin | Canadian — SanMar Canada exclusive | Global — Gildan |
| Best for | Teams, workwear, cold weather, durability | Promotions, events, large bulk, budget |
| DTF printing | Excellent | Excellent |
| Screen printing | Excellent | Excellent |
| Embroidery | Excellent | Very good |
| Price point | Mid-range | Budget |
| Colour range | Good — focused selection | Wide — 30+ colours |
Weight — The Most Important Difference
The single biggest difference between the ATCF2500 and the Gildan 18500 is weight — and it affects everything else about how the hoodie performs.
ATCF2500 at 13 oz:
A 13 oz hoodie is heavy. It feels substantial in your hands before you put it on — and when you wear it you feel warm and properly covered. This is the weight you want for a hoodie that will be worn through cold Canadian winters, outdoor work environments, and sports seasons that run from September through April.
The extra weight also means the ATCF2500 holds decoration better — embroidery sits cleanly on the dense fleece surface without puckering, and DTF transfers bond to the heavier fabric for exceptional durability through repeated washing.
Gildan 18500 at 8 oz:
An 8 oz hoodie is a midweight fleece — perfectly comfortable for mild weather and indoor wear but noticeably lighter than the F2500. For promotional giveaways, spring/fall events, and any program where the hoodie will be worn occasionally rather than daily through a Canadian winter — the 8 oz weight is entirely appropriate.
The lighter weight also means faster production, lower shipping costs per unit on large orders, and a more affordable per-unit cost — all of which matter for budget-conscious bulk programs.
Feel and Fit
ATCF2500 feel:
Dense, warm, and substantial. The ATCF2500 feels like a proper outdoor hoodie — the kind you reach for when it’s cold and you need real warmth. The compacted yarn construction gives it a slightly more structured feel than lighter hoodies — it holds its shape well and maintains a consistent appearance through repeated washing.
Gildan 18500 feel:
Lighter and softer than the ATCF2500. The air-jet yarn construction produces a surprisingly soft hand feel for a budget hoodie — noticeably softer than many competitors at the same price point. The 1×1 spandex rib cuffs and waistband give it a clean, fitted appearance that holds up well through use.
Fit comparison:
Both the ATCF2500 and 18500 offer a classic relaxed fit — not fashion-forward or tapered. For teams and bulk programs where consistent sizing across a wide range of body types matters — the classic fit of both options works well. For programs where a more retail-inspired tailored fit is the goal — consider the Independent Trading Company SS4500 or Bella+Canvas 3719 instead.
Decoration Compatibility
Both hoodies decorate well across all major methods — but the weight difference affects decoration results.
DTF printing:
DTF printing works excellently on both the ATCF2500 and 18500. The heavier ATCF2500 fleece provides slightly better adhesion for DTF transfers — producing exceptional wash durability on a dense fabric surface. The 18500 also produces clean DTF results — the lighter weight requires standard pressing parameters.
Screen printing:
Screen printing on both hoodies produces bold consistent results. The ATCF2500’s heavier fleece holds ink coverage exceptionally well — ideal for bold team logos and multi-colour designs. The 18500’s quarter-turn construction and air-jet yarns produce a smooth, consistent print surface across large bulk runs.
Embroidery:
Embroidery is where the ATCF2500 has a clear advantage. The 13 oz dense fleece provides excellent stability for embroidery stitching — logos sit cleanly without puckering and the heavy fabric handles dense stitch counts with ease. The 18500 also embroiders well but the lighter weight requires more careful backing selection for complex or dense designs.
Pricing in Canada
Both hoodies are available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing with domestic Canadian shipping.
ATCF2500 — mid-range wholesale pricing reflecting its heavier construction and Canadian-exclusive distribution. More expensive than the 18500 per unit but delivers significantly more perceived value — the weight difference is immediately apparent to end users.
Gildan 18500 — budget wholesale pricing — one of the most affordable hoodies in the Canadian wholesale market. The lowest per-unit cost for a decorated hoodie program in Canada.
Decorated retail pricing benchmarks:
- ATCF2500 decorated hoodie: typically retails at $45 to $65
- Gildan 18500 decorated hoodie: typically retails at $35 to $50
Both deliver workable margin at retail — the ATCF2500 at a higher retail price point that end customers accept given the perceived quality difference.
The 3% price difference is a no-brainer — here’s why.
At current Fabrik Apparel wholesale pricing the ATCF2500 costs $14.34 and the Gildan 18500 costs $13.99 — a difference of just 35 cents per unit. On an order of 24 hoodies that’s $8.40 total. On an order of 50 hoodies that’s $17.50 total.
For 35 cents per unit you get a hoodie that is 63% heavier — 13 oz vs 8 oz — with compacted yarns that minimize shrinkage, a denser fleece surface that holds decoration better, and a Canadian-brand quality standard built specifically for the Canadian decorated apparel market.
Put it this way — if a player, employee, or client receives your branded hoodie and immediately notices it feels premium and substantial, that reaction reflects directly on your brand. A hoodie that feels thin and lightweight communicates the opposite — regardless of how good the decoration looks.
For 35 cents more per unit, the ATCF2500 is one of the easiest upgrade decisions in decorated apparel. The only reason to choose the Gildan 18500 over the ATCF2500 is if you are producing a very large bulk promotional order where total cost is the absolute deciding factor — and even then, the perception difference is worth considering carefully.
Which Hoodie is Right for Your Order?
Choose the ATCF2500 if:
- You need a durable team hoodie for a sports program, school, or youth organization
- Cold-weather use is the primary application
- Embroidery is your decoration method
- Long-term durability and shrinkage resistance matter
- You want a Canadian brand with domestic distribution
- Your end users will wear the hoodie regularly through a Canadian winter
- You want a premium feel without premium pricing
Choose the Gildan 18500 if:
- Per-unit cost is the primary consideration
- You’re producing a large bulk promotional order
- The hoodie will be used occasionally rather than daily
- You need a wide colour range for matching program colours
- Spring/fall events where lighter weight is appropriate
- Budget-conscious organizations with large quantities
Frequently Asked Questions — ATCF2500 vs Gildan 18500 Canada
Which is heavier — the ATCF2500 or Gildan 18500? The ATC F2500 is significantly heavier at 13 oz compared to the Gildan 18500 at 8 oz. The F2500 is one of the heaviest wholesale hoodies available in Canada — ideal for cold-weather use and programs where warmth and durability are priorities.
Where can I buy the ATCF2500 and Gildan 18500 in Canada? Both are available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing with domestic Canadian shipping — no cross-border duties and fast turnaround from Canadian warehouses.
Which hoodie is better for embroidery? The ATCF2500 is the better choice for embroidery — the 13 oz dense fleece provides excellent stability for stitching without puckering. The Gildan 18500 also embroiders well but requires more careful backing selection for dense designs.
Which hoodie is best for a sports team program? The ATCF2500 — its heavyweight construction, minimal shrinkage through compacted yarns, and excellent decoration results make it the preferred choice for sports teams and youth programs that need durable gear that holds up through a full season.
Can Kode Garment decorate both the ATCF2500 and Gildan 18500? Yes. Kode Garment sources both through Fabrik Apparel and decorates them in our Newmarket, Ontario facility using DTF printing, screen printing, and embroidery. Contact us for a quote.
How long does production take for decorated hoodies in Canada? Standard production at Kode Garment is 7 to 10 business days from proof approval. We source blanks through Fabrik and decorate in-house — one seamless workflow from blank to finished garment.
Ready to Order Decorated Hoodies in Canada?
At Kode Garment we source both the ATCF2500 and Gildan 18500 through Fabrik Apparel and decorate them in our Newmarket, Ontario facility. Tell us your application — team program, promotional event, workwear, or merchandise — and we’ll recommend the right hoodie for your specific needs.
📍 Based in Newmarket, Ontario · Shipping Canada-wide 📞 905-235-9444 · Toll free 1-877-788-5633 ✉️ info@kodegarment.com
Browse ATC and Gildan at Fabrik Apparel →
The ATC F2500 and Gildan 18500 are two of the most popular wholesale hoodies in Canada — both available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing. Kode Garment decorates both the ATC F2500 and Gildan 18500 in Newmarket, Ontario using DTF printing, screen printing, and embroidery for teams, businesses, and organizations across Canada. Contact us to discuss which hoodie is right for your program.
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