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, DTG printing, and heat transfer. Trusted by businesses, schools, sports teams, and event organizers coast to coast, this heavyweight cotton tee delivers unbeatable 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, DTG, 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 — the best price-to-quality ratio in custom apparel, starting from just $5.95 per shirt
• 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.
• DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing — ideal for full-colour photo-quality prints, small orders, and designs with many colours. Works best on 100% cotton colours (not heather blends).
• 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 – 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, DTG, DTF, embroidery — all methods available
• Printed in Canada — supporting Canadian business since 2010