The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton is the most printed-on t-shirt blank in the world. If you sell print-on-demand apparel on Etsy, Amazon, or Shopify, there is a strong chance your fulfillment provider uses it.
With 87 colorways across solids, heathers, and safety colors, the Gildan 5000 offers the widest range of any budget-tier blank. But finding all 87 colors in one place with accurate hex codes, tier classifications, and fabric types is surprisingly difficult. Gildan's own website scatters this information across multiple product pages. Distributor sites like S&S Activewear and SanMar show swatches that render differently on every screen.
This page is the definitive reference. Every hex code below is sourced from Gildan's official color specifications and verified against physical garment samples. Bookmark it, reference it when building your listings, and use the hex values directly in your mockups or design tools.
Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton: Quick Specs
| Specification | Detail | |--------------|--------| | Style Number | Gildan 5000 / G500 | | Fabric Weight | 5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²) | | Primary Material | 100% preshrunk cotton | | Fit | Classic / unisex | | Sizes | S through 5XL | | Collar | Seamless double-needle 7/8" topstitched | | Hem | Double-needle stitched sleeves and bottom | | Label | Tearaway | | Construction | Quarter-turned to eliminate center crease | | Print Compatibility | Screen print, DTG, heat press, DTF, vinyl | | Total Colors | 87 (17 Tier 1 + 70 Tier 2) |
The Gildan 5000 is not compatible with sublimation printing on most colors. Sublimation requires polyester or poly-blend fabrics with a white or very light base. The 50/50 blend heather colors can accept sublimation to some degree, but the results will be muted compared to 100% polyester garments.
Understanding Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 Colors
Gildan classifies its 5000 colors into two tiers. This distinction directly affects your pricing, availability, and fulfillment speed.
Tier 1 (Core) — 17 colors. These are the flagship colors that Gildan keeps in continuous, high-volume production. Tier 1 colors have the best wholesale pricing, the fastest restocking, and the widest size availability. Every major POD fulfillment provider (Printful, Printify, Gooten, SPOD) stocks Tier 1 colors across all sizes at all times. If you are just starting out or want to minimize fulfillment risk, build your catalog on Tier 1 colors first.
Tier 2 (Extended) — 70 colors. These are the extended palette. They are still widely available, but stock levels fluctuate more, certain sizes may temporarily go out of stock, and wholesale pricing is slightly higher. Some POD providers only stock a subset of Tier 2 colors. Always verify your fulfillment provider carries a Tier 2 color before listing it.
Before adding Tier 2 colors to your shop, check your POD provider's current inventory. Printful and Printify do not carry all 70 Tier 2 colors. Listing a color your provider does not stock means orders get held or cancelled, which damages your shop metrics.
Complete Gildan 5000 Color Chart
All 87 colors organized by color family. Each table includes the color name, hex code, tier (T1 = Tier 1 core, T2 = Tier 2 extended), and fabric type.
Neutrals (9 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | White | #FFFFFF | T1 | Solid | | Natural | #E7CEB5 | T1 | Solid | | Ice Grey | #D7D2CB | T1 | Solid | | Ash Grey | #C8C9C7 | T1 | Heather | | Sport Grey | #97999B | T1 | Heather | | Charcoal | #66676C | T1 | Solid | | Tweed | #4B4F54 | T2 | Solid | | Dark Heather | #425563 | T2 | Heather | | Black | #25282A | T1 | Solid |
The neutrals are the foundation of any POD catalog. White, Black, Sport Grey, and Charcoal alone account for a significant share of all POD t-shirt sales. Natural and Ice Grey have gained traction with the earth-tone aesthetic trend on Etsy.
Browns and Earth Tones (6 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Sand | #CABFAD | T1 | Solid | | Old Gold | #CDA177 | T2 | Solid | | Brown Savana | #796E65 | T2 | Solid | | Chestnut | #83635C | T2 | Solid | | Russet | #512F2E | T2 | Solid | | Dark Chocolate | #382F2D | T2 | Solid |
Sand is the standout here. It is a Tier 1 color with warm, creamy undertones that photograph beautifully and have become one of the most requested colors for vintage-style and boho designs on Etsy. If you only add one earth tone to your catalog, make it Sand.
Blues (15 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Light Blue | #A4C8E1 | T1 | Solid | | Carolina Blue | #7BA4DB | T1 | Solid | | Stone Blue | #7E93A7 | T2 | Solid | | Indigo Blue | #486D87 | T2 | Solid | | Sapphire | #0077B5 | T2 | Solid | | Tropical Blue | #00859B | T2 | Solid | | Antique Sapphire | #006A8E | T2 | Solid | | Royal | #224D8F | T1 | Solid | | Cobalt | #171C8F | T2 | Solid | | Neon Blue | #0C51A3 | T2 | Solid | | Metro Blue | #464E7E | T2 | Solid | | Steel Blue | #294F5A | T2 | Solid | | Midnight | #005670 | T2 | Solid | | Blue Dusk | #253746 | T2 | Solid | | Navy | #263147 | T1 | Solid |
Blues are the largest color family in the Gildan 5000 lineup. Navy and Royal are the workhorses — both are Tier 1 with universal appeal. Pay close attention to the difference between Navy (#263147) and Blue Dusk (#253746). They are close in value but Navy has a warmer undertone. Many sellers confuse these two in their listings.
Navy (#263147) is one of the top five best-selling POD colors across all platforms. It works with virtually every design style and pairs well with both white and light-colored prints. If you sell text-based or minimalist designs, Navy should be in your first round of mockups.
Greens (12 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Mint Green | #A0CFA8 | T2 | Solid | | Pistachio | #A9C47F | T2 | Solid | | Lime | #92BF55 | T2 | Solid | | Kiwi | #89A84F | T2 | Solid | | Electric Green | #43B02A | T2 | Solid | | Irish Green | #00805E | T1 | Solid | | Antique Irish Green | #00843D | T2 | Solid | | Turf Green | #007A3E | T2 | Solid | | Military Green | #5E7461 | T1 | Solid | | Forest Green | #273B33 | T2 | Solid | | Antique Jade Dome | #006269 | T2 | Solid | | Galapagos Blue | #005D6F | T2 | Solid |
Military Green (#5E7461) is the most underrated color in the Gildan 5000 lineup. It is a muted sage-olive that has become a top seller for vintage, outdoor, and nature-themed designs. It is Tier 1, widely stocked, and trending strongly on Etsy. Do not confuse it with a bright army green — the actual color is much more subdued and earthy.
Reds (9 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Red | #D50032 | T1 | Solid | | True Red | #BB1237 | T2 | Solid | | Cherry Red | #AC2B37 | T2 | Solid | | Sport Scarlet Red | #BA0C2F | T2 | Solid | | Antique Cherry Red | #971B2F | T2 | Solid | | Cardinal Red | #8A1538 | T2 | Solid | | Garnet | #7D2935 | T2 | Solid | | Maroon | #5B2B42 | T1 | Solid | | Antique Orange | #B33D26 | T2 | Solid |
The red family is where color accuracy matters most. Red (#D50032), True Red (#BB1237), Cherry Red (#AC2B37), and Sport Scarlet Red (#BA0C2F) all look similar on screen but are noticeably different in person. If you list the wrong red in your mockup, you will get "not as pictured" returns. Maroon (#5B2B42) is a perennial top seller, especially during fall and Q4.
Antique Orange (#B33D26) is categorized with reds by Gildan despite its name. It is a burnt red-orange, not a true orange. Make sure your listing title and description match the actual color appearance, not just the Gildan color name.
Pinks (6 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Light Pink | #E4C6D4 | T2 | Solid | | Azalea | #DD74A1 | T2 | Solid | | Coral Silk | #FB637E | T2 | Solid | | Heliconia | #DB3E79 | T1 | Solid | | Antique Heliconia | #AA0061 | T2 | Solid | | Dusty Rose | #E1BBB4 | T2 | Solid |
Heliconia (#DB3E79) is the only Tier 1 pink and it is a strong seller. It is a specific magenta-pink that does not match any generic "hot pink" swatch. This is one of the most commonly mis-colored shirts in mockup generators. Dusty Rose (#E1BBB4) and Coral Silk (#FB637E) have been trending on Etsy for women's graphic tees and bachelorette party designs.
Yellows and Oranges (10 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Cornsilk | #F0EC74 | T2 | Solid | | Yellow Haze | #F5E1A4 | T2 | Solid | | Daisy | #FED141 | T2 | Solid | | Vegas Gold | #F4D1A1 | T2 | Solid | | Gold | #EEAD1A | T2 | Solid | | Tangerine | #FF8A3D | T2 | Solid | | Orange | #F4633A | T1 | Solid | | Tennessee Orange | #B65A30 | T2 | Solid | | Sunset | #DC6B2F | T2 | Solid | | Terracotta | #E3775E | T2 | Solid |
Orange (#F4633A) is the only Tier 1 color in this family. Tennessee Orange (#B65A30) sells well for college-town shops and sports-adjacent designs. Terracotta (#E3775E) is part of the earth-tone trend alongside Sand and Military Green.
Purples (6 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Orchid | #C5B4E3 | T2 | Solid | | Violet | #8094DD | T2 | Solid | | Amethyst | #6C4B94 | T2 | Solid | | Purple | #470A68 | T2 | Solid | | Blackberry | #221C35 | T2 | Solid | | Berry | #7F2952 | T2 | Solid |
All purples are Tier 2, which means availability can fluctuate. If you plan to list purple variants, verify your POD provider stocks them before creating listings. Blackberry (#221C35) reads almost black in low light — consider noting this in your listing description so customers know what to expect.
Heather Colors (11 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Graphite Heather | #707372 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Military Green | #7E7F74 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Navy | #333F48 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Sapphire | #0076A8 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Royal | #307FE2 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Indigo | #4D6995 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Irish Green | #5CAA7F | T2 | Heather | | Heather Red | #B83A4B | T2 | Heather | | Heather Cardinal | #9B2743 | T2 | Heather | | Heather Orange | #FF8D6D | T2 | Heather | | Heather Radiant Orchid | #A15A95 | T2 | Heather |
Heather colors deserve special attention. These are not solid-dyed fabrics — they are cotton-polyester blends where the fibers create a visible mottled, flecked texture. A flat hex color fill in a mockup does not accurately represent what a heather shirt looks like. The texture is part of the product's visual identity.
More on heathers below.
Safety Colors (3 Colors)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|------|-------------| | Safety Green | #C6D219 | T2 | Solid | | Safety Orange | #E5801C | T2 | Solid | | Safety Pink | #E16F8F | T2 | Solid |
Safety colors are niche but consistent sellers for work-related, event, and volunteer designs. They are high-visibility by design. All three are Tier 2 and 50/50 cotton-poly blends.
Tier 1 Colors: The Complete List
Here are all 17 Tier 1 (core) colors in one table for quick reference. These are the colors you should prioritize for your POD catalog — best pricing, best availability, widest size range.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Category | Fabric Type | |-----------|----------|----------|-------------| | White | #FFFFFF | Neutral | Solid | | Natural | #E7CEB5 | Neutral | Solid | | Ice Grey | #D7D2CB | Neutral | Solid | | Ash Grey | #C8C9C7 | Neutral | Heather | | Sport Grey | #97999B | Neutral | Heather | | Charcoal | #66676C | Neutral | Solid | | Black | #25282A | Neutral | Solid | | Sand | #CABFAD | Brown/Earth | Solid | | Light Blue | #A4C8E1 | Blue | Solid | | Carolina Blue | #7BA4DB | Blue | Solid | | Royal | #224D8F | Blue | Solid | | Navy | #263147 | Blue | Solid | | Irish Green | #00805E | Green | Solid | | Military Green | #5E7461 | Green | Solid | | Red | #D50032 | Red | Solid | | Maroon | #5B2B42 | Red | Solid | | Heliconia | #DB3E79 | Pink | Solid | | Orange | #F4633A | Yellow/Orange | Solid |
Best-Selling Gildan 5000 Colors for Etsy and POD
Based on sales data across Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify POD shops, these eight colors consistently generate the most revenue:
1. Black (#25282A) — The universal safe choice. Works with every design, every niche, every season. If you only create one mockup, make it Black.
2. White (#FFFFFF) — Highest margin because it is the cheapest to fulfill. Shows designs with the most accurate color reproduction, especially for DTG. Essential for photo-heavy and full-color designs.
3. Sport Grey (#97999B) — The most popular heather color. It photographs well, reads as "casual premium" to buyers, and is neutral enough to work with any design. The heather texture adds visual interest to listing photos.
4. Navy (#263147) — The professional neutral. Strong performer for text-based designs, dad humor, occupation tees, and anything targeting a male demographic. Year-round consistent seller.
5. Maroon (#5B2B42) — Seasonal powerhouse that peaks in Q4 but sells year-round. Popular for collegiate aesthetics, vintage designs, and holiday themes. The deep wine tone feels more premium than Red.
6. Heliconia (#DB3E79) — The top-performing color for women's designs. This specific magenta-pink stands out in Etsy search results and is a strong choice for bachelorette, birthday, and empowerment designs.
7. Sand (#CABFAD) — The earth-tone breakout star. Sand has surged in popularity alongside the vintage, boho, and cottagecore trends on Etsy. Pairs beautifully with retro and nature-themed designs.
8. Military Green (#5E7461) — Trending strongly for outdoor, camping, vintage, and nature niches. The muted sage-olive tone feels current without being trendy. A reliable catalog staple.
Start with these eight colors when launching a new design. They cover the broadest range of buyer preferences. Once a design proves it sells, expand to additional colors. Creating all 87 color variants for a design that has not been validated is wasted effort.
Understanding Heather Colors
Eleven of the 87 Gildan 5000 colors are heathers. Understanding what makes them different is important for both your mockups and your listing descriptions.
What Makes a Heather Color Different
Heather fabrics are made from a blend of dyed and undyed (or differently dyed) fibers — typically cotton and polyester. When these fibers are spun together and knitted into fabric, the result is a soft, mottled texture with visible flecks of lighter and darker tones throughout the garment.
The three heather colors in the neutral family have different blends:
- Ash Grey — 99/1 cotton/poly. The heather effect is very subtle. It reads as near-solid.
- Sport Grey — 90/10 cotton/poly. Moderate heather texture with visible light flecks against the gray base.
- Dark Heather — 50/50 cotton/poly. The most pronounced heather texture of the three. Visible mottling with both light and dark fiber flecks.
The 11 dedicated heather colors (Heather Navy, Heather Royal, Heather Sapphire, etc.) are all cotton-poly blends with clearly visible heathered texture.
Why Heathers Matter for Mockups
A flat color swatch does not accurately represent a heather shirt. When a mockup shows Sport Grey as a uniform, flat gray rectangle, it misrepresents the product. The buyer expects one thing and receives something that looks different — even though the color itself is correct.
Good mockups simulate the heather texture. This is especially important for the darker heathers like Heather Navy (#333F48) and Graphite Heather (#707372), where the texture contrast is most visible.
Why Heathers Matter for Printing
Heather blends contain polyester fibers, which accept ink differently than 100% cotton. For DTG printing:
- Colors may appear slightly more muted on heather fabrics compared to solid cotton
- White ink underbase is critical on dark heathers — without it, the design will be dull and partially transparent
- The heather texture shows through lighter print areas, which can either enhance or detract from your design depending on the artwork
For screen printing, heather blends tend to hold ink well and produce sharp prints. The texture actually helps mask minor registration issues.
DTG vs. Screen Printing: Choosing Colors by Print Method
Not all Gildan 5000 colors perform equally across print methods. Here is how to think about color selection based on how your shirts will be printed.
Best Colors for DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
DTG is the standard print method for most POD providers. The printer jets ink directly onto the fabric, similar to an inkjet printer on paper.
Light colors (White, Natural, Ice Grey, Light Pink, Cornsilk) — No white underbase needed. Fastest print time, lowest cost, most vibrant color reproduction. Your design colors will be truest to your original artwork on these colors.
Medium colors (Sport Grey, Sand, Light Blue, Dusty Rose, Pistachio) — Require a white underbase for designs with light or white elements. Print quality is good but slightly less vibrant than on white.
Dark colors (Black, Navy, Maroon, Forest Green, Dark Chocolate) — Always require a white underbase layer. Print quality depends heavily on the printer and ink quality. Expect slightly less vibrancy than light-color prints. White ink thickness affects hand feel (the print will be slightly raised and stiffer).
If you sell primarily through Printful or Printify, your DTG prints on dark colors will have a white underbase whether you want it or not. Design accordingly — avoid large solid-white print areas on dark shirts, as they can feel plasticky. Break up white areas with texture or transparency for a softer hand feel.
Best Colors for Screen Printing
Screen printing produces the most durable, vibrant results but requires higher minimum quantities. If you bulk-print through a local screen printer rather than using POD:
Best performers: Black, White, Navy, Red, Royal, Maroon, Forest Green — dark, saturated solids that provide strong contrast with typical ink colors.
Avoid for screen printing: Heather colors can be tricky with screen printing because the textured surface can cause inconsistent ink coverage on fine details. Safety colors also tend to show registration errors more visibly due to their high brightness.
Halftone considerations: If your design uses halftone gradients, medium-tone shirts like Charcoal, Military Green, and Indigo Blue can produce striking results where the shirt color becomes part of the design.
Best Colors for Heat Press and DTF
Heat press (vinyl) and DTF (direct-to-film) transfers work on virtually any Gildan 5000 color because the design sits on top of the fabric rather than being absorbed into it. However:
- Dark colors show the transfer edge more visibly. Use designs with clean, bold edges rather than soft gradients.
- Light colors can show the transfer film on lighter designs. Match your film type (clear vs. white backing) to your shirt color.
- Heather colors may show slight texture through thinner transfer areas. This is usually not noticeable at arm's length but can affect close-up listing photos.
How to Use These Hex Codes in Your Mockups
Having accurate hex codes is only useful if you actually apply them. Here are the most common workflows:
Method 1: AI Mockup Generator with Built-In Colors (Fastest)
Seller Mockups has all 87 Gildan 5000 colors built in with the exact hex values listed on this page. Select "Gildan 5000" from the garment menu, pick your color, upload your design, and generate. Every color variant is manufacturer-accurate with no manual hex entry required.
This is the fastest path from design to listing-ready mockup. Generate all your color variants in minutes instead of hours.
Method 2: Photoshop with Smart Object Templates
- Open your PSD mockup template
- Select the shirt/garment layer
- Apply a Color Overlay (Layer > Layer Style > Color Overlay)
- Enter the hex code from the tables above (for example, #5B2B42 for Maroon)
- Set the blend mode to Multiply or Normal depending on your template
- Export each color variant individually
This method works but is time-intensive. Expect 2-3 minutes per color variant, which means generating all 87 colors for a single design takes 3-4 hours.
Method 3: Canva with Custom Color
- Choose a t-shirt mockup template in Canva
- Click the shirt color area
- Enter the hex code in the custom color picker
- Not all Canva templates support custom colors — check before building your workflow around it
Method 4: CSS / Web Storefront
If you run a custom Shopify or WooCommerce store, use these hex codes for your color swatches. Accurate color swatches reduce "is this the right shade?" customer service inquiries and lower return rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors does the Gildan 5000 come in?
The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton is available in 87 colors as of 2026. This includes 17 Tier 1 (core) colors and 70 Tier 2 (extended) colors. The lineup spans solids, heathers, and safety colors.
What is the difference between Gildan 5000 Tier 1 and Tier 2?
Tier 1 colors are core production colors with the best wholesale pricing, fastest restocking, and widest size availability. Tier 2 colors are the extended palette — still widely available but with slightly higher pricing and occasional stock fluctuations on certain sizes.
Are all Gildan 5000 colors 100% cotton?
No. Most solid colors are 100% preshrunk cotton, but heather colors are cotton-polyester blends. Ash Grey is 99/1 cotton/poly, Sport Grey is 90/10, and Dark Heather plus most dedicated heather colors are 50/50 blends. Safety colors are also 50/50 blends.
What are the best Gildan 5000 colors for Etsy?
The consistently best-selling colors on Etsy are Black, White, Sport Grey, Navy, Maroon, Heliconia, Sand, and Military Green. Start with these eight and expand based on what sells in your specific niche.
Can I sublimate on Gildan 5000 shirts?
Standard 100% cotton Gildan 5000 colors are not suitable for sublimation. Sublimation requires polyester content to bond properly. The 50/50 cotton-poly heather and safety colors can accept sublimation, but the results will be muted and washed-out compared to 100% polyester garments. For sublimation, use a polyester-specific blank instead.
What is the Gildan 5000 equivalent to the G500?
They are the same shirt. Gildan 5000 and G500 are interchangeable style numbers for the Heavy Cotton tee. Some distributors use 5000, others use G500. The product, colors, and specifications are identical.
Does Gildan retire colors from the 5000 lineup?
Yes, Gildan periodically adds and retires colors. When a color is retired, existing stock sells through but is not replenished. We update this page whenever the color lineup changes.
Bookmark this page. We update it whenever Gildan adds, retires, or modifies colors in the 5000 lineup. This is the most complete Gildan 5000 color reference with hex codes, tier classifications, and fabric types available online.
Start Creating Accurate Mockups
Every hex code on this page is built into Seller Mockups. Instead of manually entering color values or guessing with generic color pickers, select the Gildan 5000, pick your color, and generate a mockup that matches the actual shirt your customer will receive.
Color accuracy reduces returns, improves reviews, and builds buyer trust. It is the lowest-effort, highest-impact improvement most POD sellers can make to their listings.