GSM and g/m² Explained — How to Choose the Right Fabric Weight

GSM and g/m² mean the same thing: grams per square meter. This number tells you how heavy and dense a fabric is — and it is one of the first specifications you should check when purchasing for your production or product range. Choosing the wrong weight for a given garment type results in a product that either drapes poorly, wears out too quickly, or simply does not meet your customers’ expectations.

What Does GSM Mean in Practice for Your Production?

GSM — or g/m² — is not just a number on a datasheet. It is a direct indicator of how a fabric behaves during production and in the finished product. A low GSM number results in a lighter, more flowing fabric with less coverage. A high GSM number provides more substance, better thermal retention, and a clearer sense of quality to the touch.

For you as a garment manufacturer or buyer, it is about matching the weight to the end product. A light summer top requires a different fabric than a sweatshirt or a rib knit cuff on a winter jacket. And although it sounds simple, this is exactly where many purchasing mistakes occur — especially when sourcing from multiple suppliers with inconsistent specifications.

At Jydsk Stoflager, we work exclusively with fixed, documented weight specifications for all our fabrics. You know exactly what you get — roll after roll.

How to Read Fabric Weight Across Fabric Types

Our range covers several weight classes, and they are not randomly distributed. Here is an overview of the fabrics we offer and what you can expect from them in production:

• Cotton jersey 200 g/m² — 150 cm wide, 95% cotton + 5% lycra. Light and supple, suitable for t-shirts, tops, and leggings for children and adults. Good crosswise elasticity and nice drape.
• Cotton jersey 220 g/m² — 160 cm wide, 95% cotton + 5% lycra. Slightly more substance than the 200 g/m² variant. Retains shape better after washing and is popular for bodysuits, dresses, and children’s clothing where durability matters.
• French terry 235–240 g/m² — 160 cm wide, 95% cotton + 5% lycra. The brushed backside provides warmth and volume. Primarily used for sweatshirts, jogging pants, and loungewear where weight is part of the product experience.
• Bamboo jersey 230 g/m² — 150 cm wide, 95% bamboo + 5% lycra. Soft and temperature-regulating. Oeko-Tex 100 certified and suitable for garments where skin comfort is a selling point.
• Rib jersey 240 g/m² — tubular knit, 35–45 cm wide, 95% cotton + 5% lycra. The heaviest weight in our range and the only tubular knit fabric. Used for rib cuffs and sleeve finishes where elasticity and shape retention are crucial.

Which Weight Suits Which Garment Type?

There is no universal rule, but there are clear guidelines that work well in practice. Here is what we see work best with our customers:

• 200–220 g/m²: T-shirts, tops, dresses, leggings, baby clothes, and children’s wear in general. The fabric drapes naturally and is easy to work with at higher sewing machine speeds.
• 220 g/m²: Bodysuits, rompers, and garments that need to withstand frequent washing without losing shape. The extra density provides better durability over time.
• 230–240 g/m²: Sweatshirts, hoodies, jogging pants, and winter comfort. French terry at 235–240 g/m² is the standard for loungewear in the mid-price segment and above.
• 240 g/m² rib: Rib cuffs and sleeve finishes as well as neckbands. Rib at 240 g/m² provides the necessary body to fit snugly and return to shape.

If you have a collection spanning multiple seasons, you will likely use two or three of these weight classes — and that is exactly what our jersey fabrics are designed to cover.

GSM and Digitally Printed Fabrics — What You Need to Know

When purchasing digitally printed fabrics, GSM is especially important. A fabric that is too light can result in see-through prints and uneven color absorption. A fabric that is too heavy can make it harder to achieve sharp details in fine-patterned designs.

Our digitally printed cotton jersey — either 200 g/m² or 220 g/m² — is chosen precisely because these two weight classes provide stable color reproduction and a clear, sharp print. Our designs are AI-generated and then manually refined in Photoshop. They are not available elsewhere. And because we work with stock fabric with consistent color reproduction from roll to roll, you can order in multiple batches without risking color variations between deliveries.

This is a practical advantage if you produce in stages or replenish continuously.

How to Use GSM in Your Purchasing Decisions

Next time you evaluate a new fabric for your collection, you should ask yourself three questions:

1. What is the end product? Clothing for children under two years often requires lighter fabrics with good stretch. Adult garments in the mid-segment tend toward 220 g/m² and above.
2. How many washes must it withstand? The higher the GSM, the more robust the fabric typically is over time — provided the construction is consistent, which it is in single jersey with lycra content.
3. What is your sales price range? A french terry product at 235–240 g/m² justifies a higher retail price than a 200 g/m² t-shirt fabric. The weight communicates quality directly to your customer’s hands.

Our minimum order is 10 meters per order regardless of fabric type — this allows you to test a new weight in production without tying up capital in large rolls. Delivery occurs within 1–3 business days to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — and all of Europe. All fabrics are either GOTS-certified or Oeko-Tex 100 — the majority of our digitally printed jersey is GOTS.

Conclusion — Weight Is Not Just a Number

GSM and g/m² are among the most concrete control tools you have as a buyer or manufacturer. They tell you something about drape, durability, season suitability, and the experience in your customer’s hands. Choosing correctly saves you returns, complaints, and unnecessary re-productions.

See our full range of jersey, rib knit, and french terry with complete specifications — or contact us directly for prices and advice on which weight suits your next collection. We have stock ready for dispatch and deliver within 1–3 business days.

FAQ — Fabric Weight for Buyers

Are GSM and g/m² the same?

Yes. GSM stands for grams per square metre and is identical to g/m². Both terms are used in the textile industry and refer to the same measurement: the weight of a fabric per square meter.

Can I order the same fabric in two different weight classes at Jydsk Stoflager?

Our digitally printed cotton jersey is available in 200 g/m² and 220 g/m² depending on design and variant. Other fabric types such as french terry and rib jersey have fixed weight specifications. Contact us for details about the specific design you are considering.

What is the minimum order at Jydsk Stoflager?

Minimum 10 meters per order — regardless of fabric type. This applies to both digitally printed variants and solid colour jersey, rib knit, and french terry.