What Is Fabric Weight (GSM)? A Uniform Fabric Guide
When ordering uniforms, a spec like "230gsm" or "350gsm fabric" is easy to skip past, but it directly decides whether a shirt runs thick or thin, cool or warm, durable or quick to lose shape. This page explains what fabric weight (GSM) means, with a real lookup table for what Startee actually runs today — not generic numbers pulled from elsewhere.
What GSM means
GSM (Grams per Square Meter) measures a fabric’s mass over a standard area. Higher GSM means thicker, heavier fabric; lower GSM means thinner, lighter fabric. It’s a technical spec, not a fabric name — cotton, pique, fleece etc. are the material; GSM is how thick that material is woven or knit.
Why fabric weight matters when ordering uniforms
- Structure & shape: heavier weight holds a shirt’s shape better and wrinkles less, but runs warmer over a full day.
- Coolness: lighter weight is thinner and more breathable, suited to hot weather or active use, but loses shape faster.
- Durability: heavier fabric generally withstands frequent washing better — important for daily-wear uniforms.
- Print feel: weight affects how evenly DTG ink sets, especially on cotton.
In-stock weights for Startee t-shirts
| Weight | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 230gsm | The lightest of the three, cool and thin | Active events, team building, hot weather |
| 250gsm | A balance of coolness and structure | Daily office uniforms, class shirts |
| 280gsm | The thickest, most structured, warmer | Uniforms that need a substantial feel, cold weather, oversized local-brand fits |
230/250/280gsm are the three weights Startee always has on hand for t-shirts, no custom batch needed. These numbers apply to t-shirts specifically — pique polos and hoodies/sweaters run their own weights based on each fabric’s structure (see below).
Need a weight outside these three?
Any weight outside 230/250/280gsm — including specialty fibers like bamboo or organic cotton — can still be custom-ordered through a dye/weave batch, once the order meets a minimum threshold. See the real threshold and process at custom fabric sourcing for bulk orders.
Weight for pique polos and fleece hoodies/sweaters
- Pique polos: the textured, raised knit is inherently heavier than plain jersey at the same feel — Startee advises the exact weight based on the sample and use case (air-conditioned office vs. outdoor). See what is pique fabric.
- Fleece hoodies/sweaters: two lines currently run — brushed cotton fleece (350/380/420gsm) and back-brushed poly-cotton fleece (320/350/380gsm) — see fleece fabric for hoodies and sweaters.