# The low-cost heavyweight cotton workhorse for volume printing Record: `garment:gildan:5000` · Revision: `gildan-5000.2026-09-16.r1` · Projection: `vaybel` · Published: 2026-09-20 JSON: https://api.vaybel.com/garments/gildan-5000/vaybel.json · Page: https://vaybel.com/blanks/gildan-5000 · Schema: https://api.vaybel.com/garments/schema.json Research snapshot. Prices are timestamped observations, not quotes; stock, asset availability and production capability are not guaranteed. ## When to choose this garment ### Consider it for A less suitable pick when buyers expect ring-spun softness or a slim fashion fit. [C0013, C0121] Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt: 100% cotton main body (5.3 oz/yd^2, ~180 gsm), tubular seamless construction, preshrunk. [C0011, C0012] Ash is 99/1, Sport Grey and the Antiques are 90/10, and heather/safety colours are 50/50 cotton/polyester. [C0015, C0016, C0017] ### Keep in mind Selection guidance from the cited research, not a comparative ranking. Customer observations are not durability tests. Printing, fulfillment, prices and shipping must be evaluated separately. A 5.3 oz, 100% cotton, open-end, tubular preshrunk tee with a boxy classic fit and a broad colour range; strong value for DTG/DTF/embroidery when premium softness is not required. [C0011, C0013, C0012, C0100] ## Overview Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt: 100% cotton main body (5.3 oz/yd^2, ~180 gsm), tubular seamless construction, preshrunk. [C0011, C0012] Ash is 99/1, Sport Grey and the Antiques are 90/10, and heather/safety colours are 50/50 cotton/polyester. [C0015, C0016, C0017] ## Tradeoffs Low cost, durable, huge colour/size range versus a rougher open-end hand and a boxy cut. [C0013, C0100, C0121] Heather and safety colours are 50/50 blends, which affects DTG underbase/dye-migration handling. [C0017] ## Decoration Printful supports DTG (default), embroidery and DTF; all 21 Printify blueprint-6 providers offer DTG. [C0080, C0081] Print-file sizes vary by provider (e.g. SwiftPOD front up to 3692x4800 px; Printful up to 4500x5100 px) and by size. [C0091, C0093] ## Alternatives For a softer ring-spun or slim fashion feel, evaluate a ring-spun tee; alternatives were not benchmarked in this run. [C0013] ## When it fits Best for price-sensitive volume tees and extended sizes (S-5XL) where a structured, roomy cut is acceptable. [C0100, C0030] A less suitable pick when buyers expect ring-spun softness or a slim fashion fit. [C0013, C0121] ## Fit and sizing Classic (boxy) unisex fit; multiple independent reviewers describe it as roomy/relaxed rather than fitted. [C0030, C0121, C0122] Finished body length runs 28 in (S) to 35 in (5XL); half-chest 18 in (S) to 32 in (5XL). [C0040, C0041] 3XL-5XL centre-back sleeve length is unresolved between two Gildan documents and is held null. [C0051a, C0051b] ## Standard pricing Printful standard price (front DTG included): S-XL 9.44, 2XL 11.44, 3XL 13.44, 4XL 15.44, 5XL 17.44 USD (snapshot 2026-09-16; excludes shipping/tax). [C0100] Add-ons: back +5.95, each sleeve +2.49, chest embroidery +2.95 (unlimited-colour +3.50), inside/outside label +0.99/+2.49 USD. [C0101] Printify per-provider prices are not in the catalog API and require a live quote. [C0100] ## Customer evidence Printful's page shows 4.5/5 across 3186 reviews (mixed garment/print/fulfillment); 30 recent bodies were read. [C0123] Recurring themes: strong value and print surface, but firmer hand, some first-wash shrinkage, and operator-dependent print quality. [C0120, C0121] ## Fabric and colors 79 provider colourways recorded (35 on Printful with declared swatch hex; 44 more across Printify providers); Gildan publishes ~85 total. [C0020, C0021, C0153] White may look off-white and Natural shows fibre/seed specks by design. [C0151] ## Technical handoff Four measurement datasets (2 finished-garment, 2 body) plus per-provider print-file geometry are recorded; grade rules and validated assets are not public. [C0040, C0091] ## Sample before launch Before scaling: run a home wash/shrink test and a DTG/DTF durability test, and confirm 3XL-5XL sleeve length. [C0120, C0051a] ## Questions ### Is the Gildan 5000 100% cotton? The main body is 100% cotton; Ash is 99/1, Sport Grey/Antiques 90/10, and heather/safety colours 50/50 cotton/polyester. [C0010, C0015, C0016, C0017] ### How is it priced on Printful? Standard price starts at 9.44 USD (S-XL) with one front DTG print included; larger sizes and extra placements cost more. [C0100, C0101] ## Claim sources - [C0010] S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; '5.3-ounce, 100% US cotton'; S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; result.variants[].material cotton 100%; S004: Printify blueprint 6 (Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee / Gildan 5000) — no public locator; description '.:...100% cotton' - [C0011] S004: Printify blueprint 6 (Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee / Gildan 5000) — no public locator; description '.:...medium fabric (5.3 oz/yd^2 / 180 g/m^2)'; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; '5.3-ounce, 100% US cotton' - [C0012] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; description 'Tubular fabric'; 'Open-end yarn'; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; 'Classic fit, seamless body'; S004: Printify blueprint 6 (Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee / Gildan 5000) — no public locator; 'seamless body eliminates side seams'; '100% pre-shrunk cotton' - [C0013] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; description 'Open-end yarn'; S018: T-Shirt Elephant independent Gildan 5000 review — https://www.tshirtelephant.com/resource-guide/gildan-5000-review; 'open-end cotton (not ring-spun)' - [C0015] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; Ash variant material cotton 99% polyester 1%; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; '99/1 cotton/polyester (Ash)' - [C0016] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; Sport Grey variant material cotton 90% polyester 10%; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; '90/10 cotton/polyester (Sport Grey, Antique Cherry Red, Antique Irish Green, Antique Jade Dome, Antique Orange, Antique Sapphire)' - [C0017] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; Dark Heather / Graphite Heather variant material cotton 50% polyester 50%; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; '50/50 cotton/polyester (Blackberry, Dark Heather, Heather ... Safety Green/Orange/Pink, Graphite Heather)' - [C0020] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; result.variants[].color, .color_code (swatch hex) for the 35 Printful colours of product 438 - [C0021] S005: Printify blueprint 6 print providers — no public locator; blueprint 6 print_providers[].colors union (provider colourways); S012: Printify blueprint 630 (Gildan 5000 Tie-Dye, Crystal) — no public locator; blueprint 630 tie-dye colourways; S013: Printify blueprint 631 (Gildan 5000 Tie-Dye, Cyclone) — no public locator; blueprint 631; S014: Printify blueprint 632 (Gildan 5000 Tie-Dye, Spiral) — no public locator; blueprint 632 - [C0030] S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; spec sheet sizes S-5XL, 'Classic fit'; S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; product.variants sizes S..5XL; S005: Printify blueprint 6 print providers — no public locator; provider sizes S..5XL - [C0040] S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS table: Body Length at Back, Chest (half), Sleeve Length from Center Back, S-5XL - [C0041] S002: Printful product 438 size tables — no public locator; size_tables[type=product_measure]: Length, Width, Sleeve length, S-5XL, inches; +/-2in tolerance - [C0051a] S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; spec sheet Sleeve Length from Center Back 3XL = 22 3/8 / 23 5/8 / 25 in - [C0051b] S016: Gildan 5000 garment measurements + adult general sizing guide (InkSoft attachment) — https://cdn.inksoft.com/images/publishers/16912/ProductAttachments/1002762/GILDAN_5000.pdf; InkSoft Gildan garment measurements Sleeve Length-CB 3XL = 22 7/8 / 24 1/4 / 25 3/8 in; S002: Printful product 438 size tables — no public locator; Printful product_measure sleeve 3XL rounds to 22.8 / 24.2 / 25.3 in - [C0080] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; result.product.techniques: DTG (default), EMBROIDERY, DTFILM; files[] placements - [C0081] S005: Printify blueprint 6 print providers — no public locator; provider decoration_methods (dtg across providers; Fulfill Engine puff/glitter/metallic); S004: Printify blueprint 6 (Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee / Gildan 5000) — no public locator; description: 'Sleeve prints and neck labels are produced using DTF ... OPT OnDemand and Shirt Monkey' - [C0091] S006: Printify bp6 SwiftPOD (pp39) variants + placeholders — no public locator; SwiftPOD variants[].placeholders: front/back px by size (S 3021x3927, M 3356x4364, L-5XL 3692x4800), sleeves 1181x1181, neck DTF 750x750 - [C0093] S010: Printify bp6 Printful (pp410) variants + placeholders — no public locator; Printful-on-Printify variants[].placeholders: front/back px by size (S 3425x3882, M 4110x4658, L-5XL 4500x5100), sleeves 1050x1050, neck 750x750 - [C0100] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; result.variants[].price by size in USD: S-XL 9.44, 2XL 11.44, 3XL 13.44, 4XL 15.44, 5XL 17.44 (default front print included); S003: Printful product 438 public page schema.org (rating + 30 embedded reviews) — https://www.printful.com/custom/mens/shirts/unisex-classic-tee-gildan-5000?productId=438&productSlug=gildan-5000; public page schema.org Offer price 9.44 USD (from) - [C0101] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; files[]: back +5.95, sleeve_left/right +2.49, embroidery_chest_left/center +2.95 (full_color option +3.50), label_inside +0.99, label_outside +2.49, front_dtf/back_dtf +5.95 - [C0120] S003: Printful product 438 public page schema.org (rating + 30 embedded reviews) — https://www.printful.com/custom/mens/shirts/unisex-classic-tee-gildan-5000?productId=438&productSlug=gildan-5000; schema.org review[]: 30 embedded reviews with datePublished, reviewRating, description (paraphrased) - [C0121] S018: T-Shirt Elephant independent Gildan 5000 review — https://www.tshirtelephant.com/resource-guide/gildan-5000-review; review body: boxy fit, open-end rough texture softens, preshrunk 2-3%, strong print surface, double-needle durable - [C0122] S019: Fashion Reviewer independent Gildan 5000 review — https://fashionreviewer.blog/gildan-5000-heavy-cotton-t-shirt-review/; review body: classic roomy fit, sturdy hand, preshrunk, stable midweight printing surface - [C0123] S003: Printful product 438 public page schema.org (rating + 30 embedded reviews) — https://www.printful.com/custom/mens/shirts/unisex-classic-tee-gildan-5000?productId=438&productSlug=gildan-5000; aggregateRating ratingValue 4.5, reviewCount 3186, bestRating 5; 30 reviews embedded - [C0151] S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; Disclaimers: White may appear off-white; Natural has dark colour speckles; S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; 'Non-dyed fabric with visible specks ... (Natural)' - [C0153] S015: Gildan Heavy Cotton 100% Cotton T-Shirt 5000 spec sheet + measurements (Gildan artwork, relayed by Company Casuals) — https://docs.companycasuals.com/productspecifications/SpecSheetMeasurements_5000.pdf; COLORS section lists ~85 colourways with PMS; S001: Printful catalog product 438 (Gildan 5000) — no public locator; 35 Printful colours