Gildan 5000 vs Bella+Canvas 3001
Two of the most-printed blank tees on the planet — but they target very different jobs. Here's exactly when each one wins, based on what we print every week in our Mississauga studio.
Bottom Line
Gildan 5000 is the safe, budget-friendly workhorse: heavier 6.0oz cotton, boxy classic fit, and the lowest landed cost for bulk runs. Bella+Canvas 3001 is the modern, fitted, ringspun-soft option that retail brands and event coordinators reach for when feel and drape matter more than price.
Gildan 5000 vs Bella+Canvas 3001
| SPEC | Gildan 5000 | Bella+Canvas 3001 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric Weight | 6.0 oz heavyweight | 4.2 oz lightweight |
| Cotton Type | Open-end cotton | Airlume combed ringspun |
| Fit | Classic / boxy | Tailored unisex |
| Side Seams | Tubular (no seams) | Side-seamed |
| Color Range | 60+ colors | 40+ colors |
| Sizes | XS – 5XL | XS – 4XL |
| Per-Unit Cost | $3.50 – $4.50 CAD | $5.50 – $7.00 CAD |
| Best For DTF | Bold, chunky artwork | Fine detail, photographic prints |
| Best For Screen Print | Plastisol on dark colors | Water-based / discharge |
| Turnaround (Toronto) | Same-day for stocked colors | Same-day for stocked colors |
| Wash Durability | Excellent — heavyweight | Very good — softens further |
The Honest Trade-Offs
Gildan 5000
Bella+Canvas 3001
Quick Answers
Which is better for screen printing in Toronto?+
For high-volume jobs (100+ shirts) with bold artwork, Gildan 5000 prints beautifully and saves your group 20-40% on landed cost. For small-batch retail drops or fine artwork, Bella+Canvas 3001's smoother surface holds finer halftones and ink-bleed control is much easier.
Will my logo look the same on both shirts?+
On bold spot-color artwork, both look identical to most customers. On fine detail (photographic DTF, halftones under 35 LPI, fine vector linework), Bella+Canvas 3001's smoother airlume surface wins because the print sits on top of the fabric instead of sinking into the open-end weave of the Gildan.
What's the price difference for 50 shirts?+
On a 50-piece, one-location job in Toronto, you're typically looking at a ~$80-120 CAD difference between the two — Gildan 5000 lands at roughly $14-16 per piece, Bella+Canvas 3001 at $16-19 per piece, both fully decorated.
Which shrinks more after washing?+
Both are pre-shrunk. Gildan 5000 typically loses about 3-5% in length after cold-wash/hang-dry. Bella+Canvas 3001 holds dimensional stability slightly better but the airlume cotton softens noticeably after the first 3-4 washes — most customers consider that a feature.
Can you order one of each as a sample?+
Yes — request a side-by-side sample pack through our quote form and we'll send a Gildan 5000 and a Bella+Canvas 3001 in your preferred color so you can compare in-hand before placing the bulk order. Sample fee is refunded against the first 25+ piece order.
What's the turnaround time?+
Both blanks are stocked locally — most orders ship or are ready for pickup in our Mississauga studio within 3-5 business days for screen printing, 1-2 business days for DTF. Rush 48-hour turnaround is available on both at +25%.
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