Gildan 5000 vs Bella Canvas 3001: What is the Best T-shirt for Your Business?

When selecting the T-shirt blank for your designs, you are likely to weigh these two options: Gildan 5000 vs Bella Canvas 3001. They are the two most popular mid-weight T-shirts that have become the standard in the industry. In this blog post, we will put these two T-shirts into comparison and dive into the nitty-gritty of two T-shirts so that you can pick the right one for your T-shirt products.

Materials

Material is the foundation of a garment. It determines not only the quality but also the fit and the feel of the piece. For customers, the material is surely among the most important criteria when shopping for clothing. Here are some material specifications of each t-shirt:

• Bella Canvas 3001: 4.2 oz./yd² (US) 7 oz./L yd (CA), 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, 32 singles
• Gildan 5000: 5.3 oz./yd² (US) 8.8 oz./L yd (CA), 100% cotton, 20 singles

Let’s break down these specifications and see how they differ on paper.

Composition

The good news is that both of these T-shirts are made from 100% cotton, which ensures better breathability and maximizes softness and comfort.

But other than the fabric composition, there are many other factors that also impact the quality and feel of the garment.

Weight

Gildan 5000 is heavier than Bella Canvas 3001 as it weighs 5.3 oz./yd², compared to Bella Canvas 3001’s weight of 4.2 oz./yd² (US). With its 5.3 ounces, Gildan 5000 brings a bit more substance to the table. This medium weight makes it sturdier, more resistant to wrinkling and gives you that extra reassurance when you want your tee to hold its own. On the other hand, Bella Canvas 3001 feels more lightweight and comfortable on the skin, making it an ideal candidate for year-round comfort. It’s the kind of tee that won’t weigh you down, perfect for those balmy summer days or as a base layer during chillier seasons.

Single Count

Bella Canvas 3001 has a higher number of singles (or higher thread counts), which means that it features a more refined, softer, and smoother fabric.

In addition to the above major specifications, there are also other things that you should consider:

Bella Canvas’s Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton

Bella Canvas 3001 is composed entirely of Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. What is this Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton and what makes it different from regular cotton fabric?

Basically, Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton is a premium type of cotton fabric that goes through specific manufacturing processes to acquire much-desired qualities like softness, and durability.

Combing is the process of removing all the impurities and short fibers from the cotton before it is spun into yarn. What remains are long and uniform fibers that make a smoother and stronger cotton yarn. As a result, the combed cotton looks more refined and is less likely prone to pilling than regular cotton.

Ring-spinning, on the other hand, is a method of spinning fibers into yarn. During the process, cotton fibers are twisted and drawn out into a thin stand by a spinning ring. The result is a finer, softer, and more durable strand, which sets ring spinning apart from other methods like open-end or carded cotton spinning.

By combining both of the processes, we will get high-quality cotton fabrics that excel in terms of refinement, softness, and durability. Especially, Bella Canvas has developed its own patented technique that applies combing and spinning methods and additional procedures to produce an exceptionally clean and smooth yarn.

Fiber content variation 

For both Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001, the fabric content is not the same for every color. For example, with Bella Canvas 3001, Ash is 99% cotton and 1% polyester. For Gildan 5000, there is a mix of various cotton-polyester composition ratios:  50% cotton/50% polyester (Blackberry, Dark Heather, Graphite Heather, Heather Colors, Lilac, Midnight, Neon Colors, Safety Colors, Sunset, and Tweed), 90% cotton/10% polyester (Antique colors & Sport Grey), and 99% cotton/1% polyester (Ash Grey).

Let’s touch on transparency, not in the metaphorical sense, but in the potential peek-through factor of lighter fabrics. Lighter colors in both Bella Canvas 3001 and Gildan 5000 might let a bit more light in, so keep that in mind when choosing your shade. The weight of the fabric plays a crucial role here – a heavier fabric generally means less transparency.

Fits

Besides materials, the fit is also a big factor that makes the difference between different types of T-shirts. Now, let’s put the Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001 into comparison to see how their silhouette differs.

Overall, both of the T-shirts feature relaxed and roomy unisex fits that are suitable for both genders. But there is still a slight difference if you pay close attention to how they fit the human body.

For, Bella Canvas 3001 is marketed as having a retail fit. Retail fit is designed to be more form-fitting around the shoulders, arms, and torso with a shorter sleeve length than the traditional classic fit. It appears to be more flattering and modern, neither too tight nor too loose. The retail fit is all about letting the fabric drape naturally, providing a polished look without sacrificing ease of movement. striking a balance between style and comfort.

On the other hand, Gildan 5000 takes a different approach with a traditional classic fit. If you’re the kind of person who appreciates the timeless, roomier, more relaxed fit that doesn’t cling too tightly, this one’s for you. Gildan 5000’s classic fit makes it an ideal option for casual wear as it keeps you free from any movement restriction. Plus, it looks flattering on different types of bodies. It can also give a peace of mind even when you are not 100% confident with your body.

The decision between retail fit and classic fit really comes down to your personal style and comfort preferences. Do you fancy a tee that hugs you in all the right places, showcasing your silhouette with finesse? The Bella Canvas 3001 is calling your name. Or are you more of a classic comfort seeker, wanting room to breathe without sacrificing that cozy feel? The Gildan 5000 is ready to be your wardrobe’s best friend.

Colors

Colors are also important factors to consider when you are choosing the blanks to make T-shirt products. The more colors, the more opportunities you get. Currently, Bella Canvas 3001 has an upper hand over Gildan 5000 as it has 86 colors while Gildan 5000 only has 71 colors.

• Bella Canvas 3001: White, Black, Antique Cherry Red, Antique Irish Green, Antique Jade Dome, Antique Orange, Antique Sapphire, Ash, Azalea, Berry, Blackberry, Brown Savana, Cardinal, Carolina Blue, Charcoal, Cobalt, Coral Silk, Cornsilk, Daisy, Dark Chocolate, Dark Heather, Electric Green, Forest Green, Garnet, Gold, Graphite Heather, Gravel, Heather Military Green, Heather Navy, Heather Radiant Orchid, Heather Red, Heather Sapphire, Heliconia, Ice Grey, Indigo Blue, Irish Green, Kiwi, Light Blue, Light Pink, Lilac, Lime, Maroon, Midnight, Military Green, Mint Green, Natural, Navy, Neon Blue, Neon Green, Old Gold, Orange, Purple, Red, Royal, Russet, Safety Green, Safety Orange, Safety Pink, Sand, Sapphire, Sky, Sport Grey, Sunset, Tangerine, Tennessee Orange, Texas Orange, Tropical Blue, Turf Green, Tweed, Violet, Yellow Haze
• Gildan 5000:  White, Black, Aqua, Army, Ash, Asphalt, Atlantic, Autumn, Baby Blue, Berry, Brown, Burnt Orange, Canvas Red, Cardinal, Carolina Blue, Charity Pink, Chestnut, Citron, Clay, Columbia Blue, Cool Blue, Coral, Dark Grey, Dark Lavender, Dark Olive, Deep Teal, Dust, Dusty Blue, Electric Blue, Evergreen, Forest, Fuchsia, Gold, Kelly, Lavender Blue, Lavender Dust, Leaf, Light Blue, Lilac, Maize Yellow, Marine, Maroon, Mauve, Military Green, Mint, Mustard, Natural, Navy, Ocean Blue, Olive, Orange, Orchid, Oxblood Black, Peach, Pebble Brown, Pine, Pink, Poppy, Red, Royal Purple, Rust, Sage, Sand Dune, Silver, Slate, Soft Cream, Soft Pink, Solid Athletic Grey, Spring Green, Steel Blue, Storm, Strobe, Sunset, Synthetic Green, Tan, Teal, Team Navy, Team Purple, Terracotta, Toast, True Royal, Turquoise, Vintage Black, Vintage Navy, Vintage White, Yellow

These two products come with widely different sets of colors. While Bella Canvas 3001 tends to provide more classic earthy and muted tones, Gildan 5000 features a broader spectrum of colors and more diverse ranges of shades. If you want to make the color of your T-shirt pop out, then Gildan 5000’s color palette is more suitable. On the other hand, if you prefer a more muted set of colors and a more toned-down version, then Bella Canvas 3001 has more to offer you.

Details

Small details make a significant difference, especially for such simple items as blank T-shirts. Now, let’s dive deeper into the super small details of Bella Canvas 3001 and Gildan 5000 and see what’re the differences.

Neckline

Both of these blank T-shirts come with a crew neckline with a rib-knit collar. Crewneck is a simple, timeless, yet versatile design for T-shirts. It gives a clean, sporty, effortless look that won’t ever go out of style. For these reasons, it has always been the ever-popular fashion choice for the longest time. If you want to create a universally loved T-shirt, then crewneck is what you need.

Side seam vs Tubular design

A noticeable difference between Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001 is how they are structured. While a Bella Canvas 3001 t-shirt is side-seamed with separated fabric panels sewn together, a Gildan 5000 shirt is constructed with tubular body, which basically means a tube with no side seam.

What are the differences between these two construction methods?

In the world of T-shirts, side-seamed construction is preferable as it provides a more tailored and body-hugging fit. The side seams allow the garment to be shaped in a way that fits the natural silhouette of the body, making the t-shirt look more fitted and stylish. Even better, it allows for better movement range and keeps up well with an active lifestyle.

Taped neck and shoulder

Both of these T-shirts come with taped necks and shoulders. Neck and shoulders are the important part that forms the structure and silhouette of a garment. These areas are prone to stretching and wear due to frequent movement and washing. Taping on these parts will help to enhance the durability and retain the form and structure of the garment.

Moreover, the taped neck and shoulders also help to hide the seams and edges, creating a soft and smooth surface and preventing skin irritation around the neck area.

Sizes

The size dimensions of Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001 are quite similar for most parts. You can compare the following size charts to see. But it should be noted that only Bella Canvas 3001 comes with XS size.

Bella Canvas 3001 Size Chart

Gildan 5000 Size Chart