Overview
The ATC1000 Everyday Cotton T-Shirt is the Canadian alternative to Gildan. Part of Authentic T-Shirt Company's Everyday Collection and distributed through SanMar Canada, it offers similar budget blank performance with the convenience of Canadian distribution and OEKO-TEX certification.
In this review, we'll cover what the ATC1000 offers - from its standard cotton construction and budget pricing to real-world printing performance and how it compares to the Gildan 5000.
Fabric & Quality
The ATC1000 uses 5.4 oz 100% preshrunk cotton with compacted yarns to minimize shrinkage. Like the Gildan 5000, this is standard open-end cotton - functional and durable, but not soft or premium feeling. It's workwear fabric designed for cost-effectiveness.
Key Fabric Features
- 100% preshrunk cotton - Compacted yarns minimize shrinkage
- Taped neck and shoulders - Comfort and durability
- Double-needle cover stitch - Reinforced sleeve and bottom hems
- 1x1 rib knit collar - Maintains shape
- Tear-away label - Easy rebranding for custom work
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 - Certified free of harmful substances
Fit & Sizing
The ATC1000 has a classic, boxy fit - standard promotional t-shirt styling. It's roomy and comfortable for general wear, but not fitted or fashion-forward. Similar to Gildan 5000 proportions.
Sizing runs true to standard North American sizing:
- Standard fit: Order your normal size
- Size range: S through 6XL available
- Tall sizes: Available in ATC1000T variant
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent value - one of the most affordable quality blanks
- Huge color selection (50+ colors)
- Great for screen printing - holds ink well
- Consistent sizing across batches
- Available up to 5XL in most colors
- Preshrunk for minimal shrinkage
- Durable - holds up well to repeated washing
Cons
- Not the softest t-shirt (try Authentic T-Shirt Company 64000 for softer feel)
- Boxy fit may not suit everyone
- Can feel stiff before first wash
- Heather colors contain polyester blend
Print Performance
The ATC1000 performs similarly to Gildan 5000 for printing - it's a reliable workhorse for standard print jobs without special considerations.
Screen Printing
The 5.4 oz cotton provides a solid printing surface. Standard plastisol inks cure well, and the fabric weight prevents bleed-through. Nothing exceptional, but reliable results for everyday print work.
DTG / DTF Printing
DTG and DTF work fine on solid colour ATC1000s. Pretreatment absorbs adequately on the cotton surface. For heather colours (which are poly-blend), watch cure temperatures to avoid dye migration.
Embroidery
The 5.4 oz weight handles embroidery reasonably well. The fabric is stable enough for logos and text designs. For heavy stitch-count work, consider backing for best results.
Note on Heathers & Neons
Heather and neon colours are 50/50 cotton-poly blends. Treat these like any poly-blend shirt - manage cure temperatures and watch for dye migration, especially with light inks on dark garments.
Best Uses
ATC1000 vs Alternatives
How does the ATC1000 compare to similar budget blanks?
| Feature | ATC1000 | Gildan 5000 | Gildan 64000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5.4 oz | 5.3 oz | 4.5 oz |
| Material | Open-End Cotton | Open-End Cotton | Ring-Spun Cotton |
| Fit | Classic/Boxy | Classic/Boxy | Semi-Fitted |
| Colours | 38+ | 60+ | 50+ |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX | None | None |
| Best For | Canadian Budget | Universal Budget | Comfort Upgrade |
Care Instructions
To get the most out of your ATC1000 t-shirts:
- Machine wash cold with like colors
- Tumble dry low or hang dry
- Do not bleach
- Iron on low heat if needed (avoid ironing directly on prints)
- Turn inside out when washing to protect prints
Our Verdict
The ATC1000 is a solid Canadian alternative to Gildan 5000. It offers similar budget blank performance with the added benefits of Canadian distribution and OEKO-TEX certification. If you're already ordering through SanMar Canada or have eco-conscious clients who value certified products, the ATC1000 makes sense.
We recommend the ATC1000 for:
- Canadian print shops using SanMar distribution
- Clients who value OEKO-TEX certification
- Large promotional/workwear orders on a budget
- Projects where Gildan alternatives are preferred
Consider alternatives if:
- You need maximum colour selection (Gildan 5000 has more)
- Universal availability is critical (Gildan is more ubiquitous)
- You want softer fabric (try Gildan 64000 or Parkour S05610)
- Fashion fit matters (try Bella+Canvas 3001)
