Gildan 5000 vs Gildan 2000 is one of the most common t-shirt comparisons in the Canadian wholesale blank market. Both are 100% cotton tees from Gildan — the most widely distributed wholesale blank brand in Canada — and both are available at competitive wholesale pricing through Fabrik Apparel.
At current Fabrik Apparel pricing the Gildan 5000 and Gildan 2000 sit just 12% apart in price — a small difference that gets overlooked by most buyers. But the difference between these two shirts goes well beyond that small price gap and understanding it will help you choose the right blank for your decorated apparel program.
This guide covers everything you need to know to choose between the Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton and the Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton — fabric construction, weight, decoration compatibility, colour range, and which one is right for your specific program.
What is the Gildan 5000?
The Gildan 5000 — also known as the Gildan Heavy Cotton T-Shirt — is the most widely ordered wholesale blank tee in Canada and one of the most ordered wholesale tees in North America. It has been the default choice for promotional programs, events, and bulk orders for decades — and for good reason. Reliable, affordable, available in 70+ colours, and consistent across large runs.
Gildan 5000 key specs:
- Product name: Heavy Cotton T-Shirt
- Fabric: 100% preshrunk cotton — 20 singles carded open-end (COE)
- Weight: 5.3 oz
- Fit: Classic fit — tubular body, seamless
- Collar: Non-topstitched classic width rib collar — taped neck and shoulders
- Label: Tearaway
- Colours: 70+ including solids, heathers, safety colours, and antique colours
- Sizing: S to 5XL
- Available through Fabrik Apparel
What COE cotton means:
The 5000 uses carded open-end (COE) cotton — the most common yarn type in standard wholesale tees. COE yarn is spun quickly and economically — producing a reliable, durable fabric that is slightly rougher and fuzzier at the fibre level than ringspun cotton. The result is a tee that is functional and consistent but doesn’t have the smooth, soft hand feel of ringspun alternatives.
What is the Gildan 2000?
The Gildan 2000 — also known as the Gildan Ultra Cotton T-Shirt — is Gildan’s premium cotton tee. Heavier at 6 oz and constructed with 18 singles ringspun cotton — the 2000 is noticeably more substantial and smoother than the 5000. It’s the right choice for programs where the end customer’s experience of the garment matters — uniforms, staff apparel, retail merchandise, and any application where a premium cotton feel is the goal.
Gildan 2000 key specs:
- Product name: Ultra Cotton T-Shirt
- Fabric: 100% preshrunk ringspun cotton — 18 singles
- Weight: 6 oz
- Fit: Classic fit — tubular body
- Collar: Rib collar — taped neck and shoulders
- Label: Tearaway
- Colours: 60+ including solids and heather blends
- Sizing: S to 5XL
- Available through Fabrik Apparel
What ringspun cotton means:
The 2000 uses ringspun cotton — a more refined spinning process where cotton fibres are twisted together into a tighter, smoother yarn. Ringspun yarn has fewer loose fibres than COE yarn — producing a noticeably softer, smoother hand feel and a cleaner printing surface. The tighter yarn construction also makes ringspun cotton more durable through repeated washing — fibres are less likely to pill or break down over time.
Gildan 5000 vs Gildan 2000 — Side by Side
| Gildan 5000 | Gildan 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | Heavy Cotton | Ultra Cotton |
| Fabric | 100% COE cotton | 100% ringspun cotton |
| Weight | 5.3 oz | 6 oz |
| Feel | Standard, slightly rough | Softer, smoother |
| Print surface | Good | Excellent — smoother |
| Colours | 70+ | 60+ |
| Sizing | S to 5XL | S to 5XL |
| DTF printing | Very good | Excellent |
| Screen printing | Very good | Excellent |
| Embroidery | Very good | Excellent |
| Best for | Promotions, events, bulk | Uniforms, staff, retail merch |
| Price point | Budget | Mid-range — 12% higher |
The Cotton Difference — COE vs Ringspun
This is the most important technical distinction between the 5000 and 2000 — and it’s worth understanding properly.
COE cotton (Gildan 5000):
Carded open-end cotton is spun using a faster, more economical process. The fibres are shorter and less aligned — producing a yarn that is slightly fuzzier and less consistent at the fibre level. The result is a tee that feels like a standard wholesale blank — functional and durable but without notable softness or smoothness.
This is perfectly appropriate for promotional programs, event giveaways, and any application where cost is the primary consideration and the tee will be worn occasionally.
Ringspun cotton (Gildan 2000):
Ringspun cotton is spun using a slower, more refined process. The fibres are longer, better aligned, and twisted more tightly — producing a smoother, softer yarn with fewer loose fibres. The result is a tee that feels noticeably more premium than a standard COE cotton tee — softer against the skin and smoother to the touch.
This matters for programs where end users wear the tee regularly — staff uniforms, team apparel, retail merchandise — because the difference in feel is noticeable after repeated use and washing.
Weight — 5.3 oz vs 6 oz
The Gildan 2000 is 13% heavier than the Gildan 5000 — 6 oz vs 5.3 oz. Despite the 5000 being named “Heavy Cotton” — the 2000 is actually the heavier tee. This naming causes confusion for many buyers so it’s worth being explicit:
Gildan 5000 at 5.3 oz: A standard midweight tee — appropriate for warm weather, casual wear, and promotional programs. Light enough to be comfortable in warm conditions and breathable through active use.
Gildan 2000 at 6 oz: A heavier, more substantial tee — produces a denser, more structured feel that many end users associate with quality. The extra weight is particularly noticeable in the chest area — the tee holds its shape better through repeated washing and doesn’t thin or become transparent over time the way lighter tees can.
For Canadian programs where the tee will be worn year-round — the 6 oz weight of the 2000 is appropriate for most seasons. For warm weather events and summer promotions — the 5.3 oz 5000 is comfortable and breathable.
Decoration Compatibility
Both tees decorate well — but the ringspun cotton surface of the 2000 produces noticeably better results across all decoration methods.
DTF printing:
DTF printing works excellently on both the 5000 and 2000. The smoother ringspun surface of the 2000 produces slightly sharper edge definition and better colour vibrancy — particularly for fine-detail artwork and photographic elements. The 5000’s COE surface produces good DTF results but the slightly rougher fibre texture can affect fine detail reproduction on complex designs.
Screen printing:
Screen printing on both tees produces strong results. The 2000’s smoother ringspun surface holds ink coverage more cleanly — producing crisper edges and more consistent colour across large runs. The 5000 is entirely appropriate for screen printing with bold simple artwork — the COE surface shows more variation on fine detail designs.
Embroidery:
Embroidery on both tees works well. The 2000’s heavier weight and smoother ringspun surface provides slightly better stability for embroidery stitching — logos sit cleanly with less fabric distortion. The 5000 embroiders well for standard left-chest logos and simple designs.
Colour Range
Gildan 5000 — 70+ colours:
The 5000 has one of the widest colour ranges of any wholesale blank tee — over 70 options including solids, heathers, safety colours, antique washes, and neon options. For programs that need a specific colour match or want to offer a wide colour selection — the 5000’s colour range is hard to beat.
Gildan 2000 — 60+ colours:
The 2000 offers a strong colour range covering most standard program needs — but with fewer specialty options than the 5000. For programs where colour variety is the priority and the specific colour you need isn’t available in the 2000 — the 5000’s wider range may be the deciding factor.
The 12% Price Difference — Is the Gildan 2000 Worth It?
At current Fabrik Apparel wholesale pricing the Gildan 2000 sits approximately 12% higher than the Gildan 5000. Here’s what that means in real numbers:
On an order of 50 tees the price difference is modest — a small total cost increase for a noticeably better garment. On a large promotional run of 500 tees the difference becomes more significant — and for pure promotional giveaway programs where end users will wear the tee occasionally the 5000 is the more cost-effective choice.
When the 12% premium is absolutely worth it:
- Staff and volunteer uniforms — people wearing your tee every day will feel and appreciate the quality difference immediately
- Retail merchandise — customers paying for branded merchandise expect a premium feel
- Corporate programs — a ringspun cotton tee represents your brand more professionally than a COE alternative
- Decorated programs where print quality matters — the smoother ringspun surface produces better decoration results on complex artwork
- Any program where the tee will be worn repeatedly — ringspun cotton holds up better through repeated washing than COE cotton
When the 5000 is the right choice:
- Large promotional giveaways where per-unit cost is the primary consideration
- One-time event shirts worn occasionally
- Programs with very large quantities where total cost is the deciding factor
- Budget-constrained organizations needing the lowest possible per-unit cost
- Programs where the wide 70+ colour range of the 5000 includes a colour the 2000 doesn’t offer
Which Tee is Right for Your Order?
Choose the Gildan 2000 if:
- Staff uniforms or volunteer identification
- Retail merchandise programs
- Corporate casual programs
- Any program where end users wear the tee regularly
- Decoration programs with complex fine-detail artwork
- You want a premium cotton feel without moving to a true premium brand like Bella+Canvas
- The 12% price premium is acceptable for your program
Choose the Gildan 5000 if:
- Large promotional giveaways
- One-time event shirts
- Budget-constrained bulk programs
- You need a specific colour only available in the 5000’s wider range
- Per-unit cost is the absolute primary consideration
Frequently Asked Questions — Gildan 5000 vs Gildan 2000 Canada
What is the difference between the Gildan 5000 and Gildan 2000? The primary difference is fabric construction — the 5000 uses carded open-end (COE) cotton at 5.3 oz while the 2000 uses ringspun cotton at 6 oz. The 2000 is heavier, softer, smoother, and produces better decoration results. The 5000 has a wider colour range and lower price point.
Which Gildan tee is heavier — the 5000 or 2000? Despite being named “Heavy Cotton” the Gildan 5000 is actually lighter at 5.3 oz. The Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton is heavier at 6 oz — 13% more fabric weight per square yard.
Which is better for screen printing — the 5000 or 2000? The 2000 produces slightly better screen printing results due to its smoother ringspun cotton surface — particularly for complex designs with fine detail. Both tees produce acceptable screen printing results for simple bold artwork.
Where can I buy the Gildan 5000 and 2000 in Canada? Both are available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing with domestic Canadian shipping — no cross-border duties and fast turnaround from Canadian warehouses.
Can Kode Garment decorate both the Gildan 5000 and 2000? Yes. Kode Garment sources both through Fabrik Apparel and decorates them in our Newmarket, Ontario facility using DTF printing, screen printing, and embroidery. Contact us for a quote.
How long does production take for decorated Gildan tees in Canada? Standard production at Kode Garment is 7 to 10 business days from proof approval. We source blanks through Fabrik and decorate in-house — one point of contact from blank to finished garment.
Ready to Order Decorated Gildan Tees in Canada?
At Kode Garment we source both the Gildan 5000 and Gildan 2000 through Fabrik Apparel and decorate them in our Newmarket, Ontario facility. Tell us your application and we’ll recommend the right tee for your program.
📍 Based in Newmarket, Ontario · Shipping Canada-wide 📞 905-235-9444 · Toll free 1-877-788-5633 ✉️ info@kodegarment.com
Browse Gildan at Fabrik Apparel →
The Gildan 5000 and Gildan 2000 are two of the most popular wholesale tees in Canada — both available through Fabrik Apparel at wholesale pricing. Kode Garment decorates both the Gildan 5000 and Gildan 2000 in Newmarket, Ontario using DTF printing, screen printing, and embroidery for businesses, teams, and organizations across Canada. The Gildan 5000 is ideal for promotional programs and bulk events. The Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton delivers a premium ringspun cotton feel worth every penny of the 12% price difference for staff uniforms, retail merchandise, and programs where quality matters.
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