July 3, 2026 · Texera Team
How to Choose a Fabric Weight (GSM) for Your Product
GSM (grams per square meter) measures fabric weight, and it's the single spec that most affects how a finished garment feels, drapes, holds shape, and costs. Picking the wrong GSM is one of the most common reasons a first sample disappoints its brand.
What GSM actually tells you
Higher GSM means denser, heavier fabric — more fiber packed into the same area. It's not a measure of quality by itself; a well-made 160 GSM jersey tee and a poorly-made 220 GSM one both exist. But GSM is a strong predictor of feel: light and drapey vs. structured and substantial.
Rough GSM ranges by product
- Lightweight tees, summer basics: 140-180 GSM
- Standard, everyday tees: 180-220 GSM
- Heavyweight/boxy streetwear tees: 220-280 GSM
- French terry sweatshirts: 280-360 GSM
- Heavyweight fleece hoodies: 380-450 GSM
- Structured twill (jackets, workwear): 240-320 GSM
These are starting points, not rules — fiber content changes how a given GSM feels (a 220 GSM cotton-poly blend drapes differently than 220 GSM combed cotton).
GSM and cost move together, but not linearly
Heavier fabric costs more per unit of fabric consumed, but the relationship to your final per-unit cost isn't 1:1 — GSM affects fabric cost, not labor or decoration cost, so a heavier fabric moves your total price less than people expect on a percentage basis. Our cost calculator breaks fabric cost out separately from labor and decoration so you can see exactly how much a GSM change actually moves your number.
When in doubt, sample two weights
If you're between two GSM options, it's often worth sampling both rather than guessing — the cost difference on a single sample is small compared to reprinting an entire production run in the wrong weight. Mention both options when you request a quote and ask for a side-by-side.