Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt: Canada's #1 Custom Printed Tee

The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt is the most popular blank t-shirt in Canada for custom screen printing and heat transfer. Trusted by businesses, schools, sports teams, and event organizers coast to coast, this heavyweight cotton tee delivers excellent value with a classic fit that looks and feels great on everyone.

Whether you're ordering 1 shirt or 10,000, the Gildan 5000 is the go-to choice for custom t-shirts in Canada, and we print them right here with no minimums, fast 10-day turnaround, and free shipping on orders over $250.

Fabric & Construction

• 100% preshrunk cotton (fibre content varies by colour, some heathers are 90/10 or 50/50 cotton/polyester blends)
• 5.3 oz / 180 GSM: midweight fabric that's substantial without being bulky
• Taped neck and shoulders for durability and a clean finish that won't stretch out
• Double-needle stitching on sleeves and bottom hem for reinforced durability
• Seamless collar with a lay-flat design that holds its shape wash after wash
• Tear-away label for easy rebranding, add your own custom label or go tagless
• Tubular construction for a classic, straight-cut silhouette
• Quarter-turned to eliminate centre crease

Fit & Sizing

• Classic unisex fit: relaxed through the body with a traditional straight cut
• Available in S through 5XL: one of the widest size ranges in the industry
• Youth version available: see Gildan 500B Youth Heavy Cotton T-Shirt for kids' sizes
• Ladies' fit available: see Gildan 5000L Ladies Missy Fit T-Shirt for a contoured women's cut
• True to size, most customers order their standard size

Why the Gildan 5000 is Canada's Best-Selling Custom T-Shirt

• 68+ colours available: the widest colour selection of any blank t-shirt, from classic Black and White to vibrant Safety Green and Heliconia
• Unmatched printability: the smooth, tight-knit cotton surface produces sharp, vibrant prints with excellent ink adhesion for screen printing, DTF, and heat transfer
• Preshrunk for reliability: customers get the same fit after 50 washes as they did on day one
• Affordable at any quantity: volume pricing brings the per-shirt price down as your order grows
• Proven durability: double-needle construction and taped seams mean this shirt survives workwear, sports, and daily abuse
• ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant: Safety Green colour meets high-visibility workplace standards

Best Print Methods for the Gildan 5000

• Screen Printing: the gold standard for bulk orders. The 100% cotton surface absorbs ink beautifully for bold, long-lasting prints. Best for orders of 12+ with 1-4 colours.
• DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing: works on all colours including darks and heathers. Great for small to medium orders with vibrant, full-colour designs.
• Heat Transfer / Vinyl: perfect for names, numbers, and simple graphics. Popular for team jerseys and personalized gifts.
• Embroidery: the Gildan 5000's midweight construction provides a stable base for left-chest logos and small designs.

Popular Uses for Custom Gildan 5000 T-Shirts

• Corporate & Business: Employee uniforms, company swag, trade show giveaways, team building events
• Sports & Teams: League jerseys, tournament shirts, team spirit wear, coaching staff
• Schools & Education: Spirit days, graduation shirts, club merchandise, fundraising
• Events & Promotions: Concerts, festivals, charity runs, 5K races, community events
• Personal & Creative: Band merch, art prints, family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations
• Workwear: Construction crews, landscaping, warehouse, retail staff (Safety Green meets ANSI standards)

Care Instructions

• Machine wash cold with like colours
• Tumble dry on low heat
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron directly on print or decoration
• Inside-out washing recommended for printed garments to extend print life

Specifications at a Glance

• Brand: Gildan
• Style: 5000 (G500)
• Fabric: 100% Cotton (heathers vary)
• Weight: 5.3 oz / 180 GSM
• Fit: Classic / Unisex
• Sizes: S to 5XL
• Colours: 68+
• Construction: Tubular, quarter-turned
• Collar: Seamless, lay-flat
• Stitching: Double-needle sleeves and hem
• Label: Tear-away for rebranding
• Compliance: ANSI/ISEA 107 (Safety Green)

Order Custom Gildan 5000 T-Shirts from T-Shirt Elephant

T-Shirt Elephant is Canada's leading custom apparel printer. We stock the full Gildan 5000 colour range in our facility and offer:

• No minimum order: order 1 shirt or 10,000
• 10-day standard production: rush available
• Free shipping on orders over $250 across Canada
• Free digital proof before production
• Screen printing, DTF, embroidery: all methods available
• Printed in Canada: supporting Canadian business since 2012