Gildan 2000 vs Gildan 5000: The Real Difference
Gildan 2000 vs Gildan 5000: nearly identical budget tees. The real weight, fit, and price differences — and which workhorse to pick.
These two get mixed up constantly, and for good reason — Gildan 2000 vs Gildan 5000 is a comparison between two budget cotton workhorses that look almost identical on a product page. The honest answer: they’re more alike than different. The one spec that actually separates them is weight, and the naming is backwards from what you’d expect.
Quick verdict
| If you… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Want a slightly heavier, more substantial tee | Gildan 2000 (Ultra Cotton) |
| Want the cheapest, most-stocked option | Gildan 5000 (Heavy Cotton) |
| Print screen/plastisol in bulk | Either — both handle it well |
| Need the widest supplier availability | Gildan 5000 |
| Want sizes up to 5XL | Gildan 5000 |
The twist: despite the names, the Gildan 2000 “Ultra Cotton” is actually heavier (6.0 oz) than the Gildan 5000 “Heavy Cotton” (5.3 oz).
Gildan 2000 vs Gildan 5000 specs
| Spec | Gildan 2000 (Ultra Cotton) | Gildan 5000 (Heavy Cotton) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 6.0 oz / ~203 g/m² | 5.3 oz / 180 g/m² |
| Yarn | 100% cotton, 18 singles open-end | 100% cotton, open-end |
| Heather blend | Heathers 50/50; Sport Grey/antiques 90/10 | Heathers 50/50 cotton/poly |
| Fit | Classic / boxy | Classic / boxy |
| Construction | Tubular, taped neck & shoulders | Tubular, taped neck & shoulders |
| Sizes | S–3XL | XS–5XL |
| Colors | ~17 | 40+ |
| Price band | ~$4.79 base | ~$4.99 base |
| Best for | Heavier promo & screen-print tees | Broad value lines, widest stock |
Read across the rows and you’ll see why people confuse them: same fit, same construction, same price tier. The differences are weight, color count, and size range.
When Gildan 2000 is the better pick
The Gildan 2000 is the heavier of the pair, and that’s its main reason to exist.
- More substance. At 6.0 oz it’s noticeably beefier than the 5000’s 5.3 oz. For buyers who equate weight with quality — promotional, workwear-adjacent, and older audiences — that heft sells.
- Durability for bulk. The heavier 18-singles weave is a long-standing favorite for screen printing and promo runs that need to survive heavy washing.
- Marginally cheaper base. In our data it edges the 5000 on base price (~$4.79 vs ~$4.99), though the gap is small enough that supplier choice usually matters more.
The trade-off: a thin color selection (around 17 shades), a more limited size range (S–3XL), and fewer suppliers carry it than the 5000.
When Gildan 5000 is the better pick
The Gildan 5000 is the most-stocked blank tee in North America, and for most sellers it’s the safer default.
- Color and size range. 40+ colors and sizes from XS to 5XL — far more flexible than the 2000 for building a varied product line.
- Availability. Nearly every POD supplier carries the 5000. Stockouts are rare, which matters when a design takes off and you need consistent fulfillment.
- Lighter, slightly easier to wear. At 5.3 oz it’s still substantial but not as heavy as the 2000 — a better all-rounder for general audiences, especially in warmer climates.
The trade-off: it’s a hair lighter and a touch pricier at base than the 2000, and it’s not as soft as a ring-spun tee like Gildan’s own 64000.
The differences that actually matter
Weight is the real split. Don’t trust the names. “Ultra Cotton” (2000) is the heavier shirt at 6.0 oz; “Heavy Cotton” (5000) is 5.3 oz. If a customer holds both, the 2000 feels more substantial. That’s the single most reliable difference between them. The extra weight comes from the 2000’s heavier yarn and tighter body — useful if your niche reads thickness as quality, but a downside in hot climates where a 6.0 oz tee wears warm.
Fit and construction are effectively the same. Both are classic-fit, tubular (no side seams), with taped neck and shoulders and a double-needle hem. Neither is a fashion cut — both run boxy and roomy, true to standard North American sizing. If you need a slimmer or softer tee, neither of these is your blank; look at a ring-spun option like the 64000 instead.
Shrinkage and wash life. Both are pre-shrunk 100% cotton and lose only about 2–3% after a hot wash and high-heat dry — Gildan actually cuts the 2000 with extra body and sleeve length to absorb it. Over many wash cycles both hold up well; the heavier 2000 resists thinning marginally longer, which is part of why it stays popular for promo runs that get laundered hard. For repeat customers who wash often, either is a safe durable choice.
Print and durability are close. Both are 100% cotton with a sturdy open-end weave that screen prints and DTF-prints well, and plastisol on either will easily survive 50+ washes. On DTG the difference is negligible on solids; on heathers, note that both use 50/50 cotton/poly heather blends, so expect the same moderate DTG vibrancy and dye-migration behavior on heathered colors. Choose on weight and availability, not print quality.
Where this lands: the 2000 is a niche pick for sellers who specifically want more weight; the 5000 wins on flexibility and supply for almost everyone else. Compare live base prices for both across every supplier in our supplier directory before you lock in a line.
What the price gap means for margin
These two sit within about $0.20 of each other at base (~$4.79 for the 2000, ~$4.99 for the 5000 in our data), so price almost never decides this comparison — supplier choice swings the base cost more than the model does. The real economic factor is range and availability: the 5000’s 40+ colors and XS–5XL sizing let one blank cover far more of your catalog, and its near-universal stock means fewer fulfillment headaches when a design sells. The 2000’s ~17 colors and S–3XL range can force you onto a second blank to fill gaps, which complicates inventory and mockups. For most stores the flexibility of the 5000 is worth more than the 2000’s twenty-cent edge; reach for the 2000 only when the extra weight is specifically what the customer wants.
Common questions
Is the Gildan 2000 heavier than the 5000?
Yes, despite the names. The 2000 “Ultra Cotton” is 6.0 oz; the 5000 “Heavy Cotton” is 5.3 oz. The 2000 is the more substantial shirt in hand — the single most reliable difference between the two.
Do the Gildan 2000 and 5000 shrink?
Both are pre-shrunk and lose only about 2–3% after a hot wash, mostly on the first cycle. Gildan cuts the 2000 with extra length to accommodate it. Wash cold and tumble low to minimize movement; neither needs a size-up disclaimer.
Which is better for screen printing?
Both are excellent for plastisol screen printing and hold prints for 50+ washes. The heavier 2000 is a traditional promo favorite for its thickness; the 5000 wins on color and size selection. Print quality between them is effectively a wash — decide on weight and availability.
The bottom line
If you want the heavier, more “premium-feeling” budget tee, the Gildan 2000 delivers 6.0 oz of cotton for a hair less; if you want maximum color, size, and supplier flexibility, the Gildan 5000 is the safer default. Compare current prices for both in our product catalog, and see how the 5000 stacks up against the fashion standard in our Bella 3001 vs Gildan 5000 comparison.
