Gildan Softstyle and Heavy Cotton: The Blanks Behind DRL's Short Sleeve and Kids' Tees

October 22, 2026

Not every tee needs to be heavyweight. Some DRL short sleeve tees and kids' tees are printed on Gildan blanks, which are known for being soft, widely available and good value. Here are the two styles we mean.

How DRL tees are made (and what we do not claim)

DEPARTMENT OF REAL LIFE (DRL) designs the artwork. Our print partner Printful prints each order on demand on blank garments and ships it to you. We are not owned by, sponsored by or affiliated with Gildan. The name is their trademark, and we mention it only so you know what your tee is made on.

Gildan Softstyle 64000: our Short Sleeve Tee

Solid colors: 100% ring-spun cotton
Sport Grey: 90% cotton and 10% polyester. Heather colors: about 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Graphite Heather: 50% and 50%
Fabric weight of 4.5 oz/yd²
Modern classic fit, with taped neck and shoulders
Made with OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes, according to Gildan

It is soft, light and easy to wear all day. White may look slightly off-white rather than bright white, and we note that on the product page.

Gildan Heavy Cotton 5000: our Youth Classic Tee

100% cotton for most colors (Ash is 99% cotton and 1% polyester)
Fabric weight of 5.3 oz/yd², a sturdy mid-weight tee
Classic fit with taped neck and shoulders

For kids, we like a tee that handles playground days and frequent washing, and this style does that well.

How the fabric helps our designs

Sharp, clean prints. The smooth ring-spun surface on the Softstyle gives artwork a tidy finish.

Everyday comfort at a fair price. These blanks keep costs sensible, so more people can enjoy a DRL design.

Durability for kids. The heavier cotton on the Youth Classic Tee is made for rougher wear.

An honest note. The Softstyle is lighter than our heavyweight tees and the Bella+Canvas tee, so choose heavyweight if you want the thickest feel.

Care tips

Machine wash cold, inside out
Tumble dry on low or hang dry
Avoid chlorine bleach
Never iron directly on the print

Where to find them at DRL

Browse the Short Sleeve Tee styles in our unisex collection and the Youth Classic Tee in our kids' collection. For delivery details, see our shipping policy and how DRL is made.