“Compared 4 wholesalers side-by-side over 6 months. Apparel Globe came out top on price, speed AND service. Rare combo.”
“Compared 4 wholesalers side-by-side over 6 months. Apparel Globe came out top on price, speed AND service. Rare combo.”
“Mobile site is excellent. I check stock on my phone while I'm with customers and our quote-to-close time dropped 30%.”
“Set up our school uniform PO program in one phone call. Multi-user account, approval workflow, the whole thing.”
“Decoration quote builder is a real time-saver. We can quote a customer on a 500-piece corporate run in 10 minutes.”
“Email notifications are dialed in. I know when my order ships, when it's out for delivery, and when it's delivered. Zero chasing.”
“Stock counts per warehouse are accurate. We can split-ship from TX + WA when one runs low without calling.”
Gildan and Hanes are the value workhorses of the blank t-shirt world — the go-to choices for high-volume screen printing where cost and consistency matter most. This guide compares the Gildan 5000 and Hanes 5250 (Authentic) on fabric, weight, fit, color and price.
Both are affordable 100% cotton classics. Gildan offers the broadest color range and availability; Hanes leans slightly softer in some lines. For most bulk jobs, Gildan is the default, with Hanes a strong alternative.
| Spec | Gildan 5000 | Hanes 5250 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 100% cotton (~5.3 oz) | 100% cotton (~5.2 oz) |
| Fit | Classic, roomy | Classic |
| Softness | Standard | Slightly softer |
| Color range | Very large | Broad |
| Best for | High-volume screen printing | Value with a softer hand |
| Typical price | Lowest | Low |
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Gildan is typically the lowest-cost blank at bulk quantities, which is why it dominates high-volume screen printing.
Hanes often feels marginally softer in its cotton tees, while Gildan offers a wider color and style range.
Yes — both are heavy 100% cotton classics with smooth print surfaces ideal for screen printing.