The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton is the most-sold print-on-demand blank in the world. It's not the softest shirt. It's not the trendiest. But it's the most affordable, the most available, and the most consistently profitable blank you can sell.
If the Bella Canvas 3001 is the premium choice and the Comfort Colors 1717 is the vintage vibe, the Gildan 5000 is the workhorse — the blank that built the POD industry and still moves more units than anything else.
This guide covers everything you need to know: specs, sizing, colors, print compatibility, pricing, and how to position the G5000 in your shop for maximum margin.
Key Specs & Features
The Gildan 5000 is a medium-heavyweight blank built for durability and affordability.
| Spec | Detail | |------|--------| | Style # | G5000 | | Material | 100% U.S. cotton, preshrunk, 20 singles | | Weight | 5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²) | | Fit | Classic fit, loose comfort | | Construction | Tubular body (no side seams) | | Stitching | Double-needle armholes, sleeves, and hems | | Collar | 7/8" (2.2 cm) ribbed, non-topstitched | | Neck/Shoulders | Taped for comfort and durability | | Label | Tear-away for rebranding | | Sizes | S–5XL | | Colors | 60-80+ options |
Material exceptions by color:
- Ash Grey: 99% cotton, 1% polyester
- Sport Grey & Antique colors: 90% cotton, 10% polyester
- Heathers & Safety colors: 50% cotton, 50% polyester
The tubular construction (no side seams) is worth noting. It reduces manufacturing cost — which is why the G5000 is so cheap — but it also means the shirt can twist after washing. For most buyers at this price point, it's not a dealbreaker. But if you get complaints about shirts twisting, this is why.
The tear-away label is a genuine advantage. You can rebrand the shirt with your own label or simply remove the Gildan tag for a cleaner customer experience.
Size Chart
Full measurements in inches:
| Size | Chest Width | Body Length | Sleeve (Center Back) | |------|------------|-------------|---------------------| | S | 36" | 28" | 16.25" | | M | 40" | 29" | 17.875" | | L | 44" | 30" | 18" | | XL | 48" | 31" | 20.625" | | 2XL | 52" | 32" | 22.125" | | 3XL | 56" | 33" | 23.375" | | 4XL | 60" | 34" | 24.875" | | 5XL | 64" | 35" | 26.375" |
The fit runs true-to-size to slightly generous. The chest measurements are body width, not circumference — double them for the full chest measurement. For the complete sizing breakdown with fit tips, see our Gildan 5000 size chart.
Include a size chart image in every Gildan 5000 listing. The classic fit runs differently than modern retail brands, and buyers who are used to fitted shirts from H&M or Nike may order a size down. A clear size chart reduces returns — download one free from Seller Mockups.
Color Options
The Gildan 5000 offers one of the widest color selections of any POD blank — 60 to 80+ colors depending on the season.
What's available:
- Core neutrals: Black, White, Natural, Sand, Charcoal
- Full color spectrum: Red, Royal Blue, Navy, Forest Green, Gold, Orange, Purple, and dozens more
- Heather blends: Sport Grey, Graphite Heather, and other poly-blended heathers
- Safety colors: Safety Green, Safety Orange, Safety Pink — ANSI-compliant for workwear niches
- Extended sizing colors: Most core colors available through 3XL, select colors through 5XL
The safety color lineup is a unique advantage. Very few premium blanks offer ANSI-compliant safety colors. If you're selling to construction crews, warehouse workers, or event staff, the G5000 in Safety Green or Safety Orange is a genuine niche opportunity.
Not every color is available in every size. Check the full palette and availability in our Gildan 5000 color chart.
Printing Compatibility
The Gildan 5000's heavy cotton fabric handles print differently than lightweight blanks. Here's what to expect:
| Print Method | Quality | Notes | |-------------|---------|-------| | Screen printing | Excellent | The gold standard — thick fabric holds ink beautifully | | DTG (direct-to-garment) | Good | Slightly less sharp than on ring-spun cotton due to open-end fiber texture | | DTF (direct-to-film) | Good | Adheres well to the heavier fabric | | Embroidery | Good | Heavyweight fabric provides stable backing | | Iron-on transfers | Good | Works well for small runs | | Bleaching/Tie dye | Good | 100% cotton variants take bleach and dye evenly |
The honest take on DTG: The Gildan 5000 uses open-end cotton (as opposed to the Bella Canvas 3001's combed ring-spun Airlume cotton). Open-end cotton has a slightly rougher surface texture, which means DTG prints look good but not quite as crisp as on a BC 3001. For photorealistic or highly detailed designs, the BC 3001 will produce a visibly sharper result. For text, bold graphics, and standard POD designs, the difference is minimal.
Where the G5000 shines: Screen printing. The heavier fabric weight and cotton construction absorb and hold screen print ink better than lighter blanks. If you're doing bulk orders with screen printing, the G5000 is the best value in the game.
For poly-blend colors (heathers, safety colors), DTG results may vary. The polyester content can affect ink absorption and color vibrancy. If DTG quality matters for these colors, request a test print from your provider before listing.
Pricing & Profit Margins
This is where the Gildan 5000 earns its reputation. It's the most affordable popular blank at every major POD provider.
Base costs (approximate, 2026):
| Source | Base Cost | Notes | |--------|-----------|-------| | Wholesale (bulk) | $2.50–4.00 | For self-fulfillment or screen print shops | | Printful (DTG) | ~$6.95 | Lowest base cost on the platform | | Printify | ~$5.00–9.00 | Varies by print provider |
Margin comparison at $19.99 retail:
| Blank | Base Cost (Printful) | Retail Price | Gross Margin | Margin % | |-------|---------------------|-------------|-------------|----------| | Gildan 5000 | $6.95 | $19.99 | $13.04 | 65% | | Bella Canvas 3001 | $11.50 | $24.99 | $13.49 | 54% | | Comfort Colors 1717 | $13.50 | $29.99 | $16.49 | 55% |
The Gildan 5000 at $19.99 gives you $13.04 margin — roughly the same dollar margin as a BC 3001 at $24.99. But the lower retail price means more conversions, especially on price-sensitive platforms like Amazon and Walmart Marketplace.
At $14.99 retail, you're still clearing ~$8 per shirt on a Gildan 5000. Try that on a BC 3001 and you're barely breaking even.
If you're selling on Amazon where price competition is fierce, the Gildan 5000 lets you undercut competitors selling on premium blanks while maintaining healthy margins. A $16.99 shirt on Amazon with $10+ margin is a strong position.
Gildan 5000 vs Other Popular Blanks
Here's how the G5000 stacks up against the two other most popular POD blanks:
| Feature | Gildan 5000 | Bella Canvas 3001 | Comfort Colors 1717 | |---------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------| | Weight | 5.3 oz | 4.2 oz | 6.1 oz | | Cotton type | Open-end | Airlume combed ring-spun | Ring-spun, garment-dyed | | Fit | Classic boxy | Modern retail slim | Relaxed, oversized | | Softness | 5/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | | Durability | 9/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | | DTG quality | Good | Excellent | Good | | Screen printing | Excellent | Good | Good | | Base cost (Printful) | ~$6.95 | ~$11.50 | ~$13.50 | | Construction | Tubular | Side-seamed | Side-seamed | | Best for | Budget, bulk, Amazon | Premium, Etsy, Shopify | Vintage, trendy |
Bottom line: The Gildan 5000 wins on price and durability. The BC 3001 wins on softness and print sharpness. The CC 1717 wins on trend appeal and premium feel. None of them is objectively "best" — they serve different customers.
For the full head-to-head breakdown with the BC 3001, see our Bella Canvas 3001 vs Gildan 5000 comparison.
Best Platforms for Gildan 5000
The blank's biggest strength — low price — makes it ideal for price-sensitive marketplaces.
Amazon Merch / Amazon POD: The G5000 is the dominant blank on Amazon. Buyers on Amazon are price-driven and comparison-shopping. A $16.99 Gildan shirt outsells a $24.99 Bella Canvas shirt in most non-premium niches. This is where volume sells.
Walmart Marketplace: Same dynamic as Amazon — price-sensitive buyers, algorithm favors competitive pricing. The G5000's low base cost gives you room to win the buy box.
TikTok Shop: Emerging platform where impulse purchases dominate. Low prices drive conversions. The Gildan 5000 works well for trend-based and meme designs where buyers want the design, not a premium shirt.
Etsy: The G5000 can work on Etsy, but it's not the default choice. Etsy buyers tend to value quality and uniqueness over price. If you sell on Etsy, position the Gildan as your "Standard" option alongside a BC 3001 "Premium" tier. Don't try to compete with premium-only shops on shirt quality — compete on design and value.
The Dual-Tier Strategy
The smartest approach for multi-platform sellers: offer both.
Standard Tier — Gildan 5000
- Price: $14.99–19.99
- Position as: "Classic T-Shirt" or "Standard Tee"
- Best on: Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop
- Margin: $8–13 per shirt
Premium Tier — Bella Canvas 3001
- Price: $24.99–29.99
- Position as: "Premium Soft T-Shirt" or "Retail-Fit Tee"
- Best on: Etsy, Shopify, your own website
- Margin: $13–18 per shirt
This captures both segments. Budget buyers get a solid shirt at a fair price. Quality-conscious buyers self-select into the premium tier at higher margin. You're not leaving money on the table either way.
How to implement it:
- Create the same design on both blanks
- List the Gildan version on Amazon/Walmart at $16.99
- List the BC 3001 version on Etsy/Shopify at $26.99
- In your listing descriptions, be transparent about fabric differences
- Use different mockup styles for each — casual/bold for Gildan, lifestyle/premium for BC 3001
For mockups that match each blank's vibe, check our Gildan 5000 mockup guide.
Tips for Selling Gildan 5000
1. Don't apologize for the fabric. The G5000 is not a premium softness shirt, and that's fine. It's durable, affordable, and consistent. Position it for what it is — a reliable everyday tee — not as a discount version of something better.
2. Lean into the niche colors. Safety colors, deep jewel tones, and bright primaries are where the G5000's color range outperforms premium blanks. A Safety Green Gildan 5000 for a construction crew has zero competition from Bella Canvas.
3. Use size charts aggressively. The classic fit confuses buyers who are used to modern slim-fit shirts. A clear size chart image in your listing reduces returns by up to 30%. Download free size chart graphics for the G5000 from Seller Mockups — they're built specifically for this blank and ready to upload.
4. Price with confidence. Don't race to the bottom. $16.99–19.99 is the sweet spot on Amazon. Below $14.99, buyers start questioning quality. Above $21.99, they expect a premium blank.
5. Invest in strong mockups. Because the G5000 competes on price, your listing images are the only differentiator between your shop and the other 50 sellers with the same Gildan base. Unique lifestyle mockups — not the same Printful flat lay everyone else uses — are what get the click. See our Gildan 5000 mockup guide for setup tips.
6. Highlight durability in descriptions. Buyers at this price point care about value. "5.3 oz heavy cotton, double-needle stitching, pre-shrunk" communicates that this shirt will last. That's a selling point, not a compromise.
7. Offer the full size range. The G5000 goes up to 5XL in select colors. Extended sizes are underserved in POD — many sellers only list S–2XL. Offering 3XL–5XL opens up a market segment with less competition.
Conclusion
The Gildan 5000 is not glamorous. It's not going to win a softness contest against the Bella Canvas 3001 or a trend contest against the Comfort Colors 1717. But it's the most profitable blank for high-volume POD sellers, especially on price-driven platforms.
Its strengths are concrete: lowest base cost, widest color selection, best screen print compatibility, sizes through 5XL, and absolute reliability in production consistency. For sellers who are selling designs — not fabric — the G5000 is the smart foundation.
Use it as your budget tier. Pair it with a premium blank for customers who want to pay more. Price it confidently, use unique mockups to stand out, and include informational listing images (size charts, product details, care instructions) to reduce returns and increase conversions.
The Honda Civic of blank t-shirts gets you where you need to go.