These two are the most ordered blank t-shirts in North America, and most custom orders come down to choosing between them. They are not competing for the same job.
The short answer: Gildan 5000 if the shirts are being handed out. Bella+Canvas 3001 if they are being sold or worn by choice.
The specs, side by side
Gildan 5000 - Heavy Cotton
- 5.3 oz/yd2 (180 gsm)
- 100% US cotton, 20 singles
- Classic fit - roomy through the body, no side seams
- Rib collar, taped neck and shoulders, tear away label
- The widest colour range of any blank we carry
Bella+Canvas 3001 - Jersey Tee
- 4.2 oz/yd2 (142 gsm)
- 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 32 singles
- Retail fit with side seams - follows the body
- Coverstitched collar and sleeves, shoulder-to-shoulder taping
- Pre-shrunk
What those numbers actually mean
Weight
5.3 oz versus 4.2 oz sounds small on paper. On the body it is obvious. The Gildan feels substantial and structured. The Bella+Canvas is lighter and drapes rather than hangs.
Neither is better. A heavier tee suits a work environment and survives rougher treatment. A lighter tee is what people reach for when they have a choice.
Singles
This is the one most people have never heard of, and it matters more than weight. Singles measures how fine the yarn is - higher is finer. Gildan is 20 singles; Bella+Canvas is 32.
Combed and ring-spun means the shorter fibres have been removed and the remaining ones twisted tighter. The result is a smoother, softer surface. That is the difference you feel in the first three seconds of holding both shirts.
The fit
The Gildan has no side seams - it is a tube. That makes it roomier and more forgiving across a group where everyone is a different shape, which is exactly what you want for a team order.
The Bella+Canvas has side seams, which give it shape. It looks better on an individual and worse on a crowd where half the sizes were guessed.
Which prints better?
Both take DTF well. The Bella+Canvas has the edge on fine detail because the 32-singles surface is smoother - small text, thin lines and photographic detail come out slightly crisper.
For most designs the difference is not visible. For a design with 6pt text or a detailed illustration, it is.
For screen printing on a large run, either works, and the Gildan is the more common choice because the cost per piece matters more at volume.
The price gap
The Gildan is meaningfully cheaper per blank. On an order of 100 shirts that difference is real money.
The question is what the shirts are for. If you are handing them out at an event, nobody is comparing fabric and the Gildan is the sensible call. If someone is paying for the shirt, the Bella+Canvas justifies itself - a customer who buys merch that feels cheap does not buy merch again.
A simple rule
- Gildan 5000 - staff shirts, event giveaways, volunteer crews, school class sets, trade shows, anything in bulk where cost per piece drives the decision.
- Bella+Canvas 3001 - merch you sell, creator drops, gym apparel, small brand runs, anything where the wearer chose to put it on.
The third option nobody mentions
If you want the premium feel but a heavier, more substantial shirt, Comfort Colors 1717 is worth a look: 6.1 oz ring-spun cotton, garment dyed, in muted vintage shades. It costs more than both and photographs better than either. It is the tee that looks least like a uniform.
Feel them before you decide
Reading about fabric weight is not the same as holding two shirts. If you are ordering for a team or a shop, call 647-739-9487 and we will bring samples to you at no charge. Most people change their mind once they have handled both.
Or browse all tee styles and start a design online.