When it comes to choosing the best blank t-shirt for printing, two names always stand out: the AS Colour Block Tubular Tee (5050T) and the Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton.
Both have loyal followings in the merch, streetwear, and promotional markets. But which is right for your next run of printed tees? In this post, we’ll break down AS Colour vs Gildan across key categories like fit, fabric, construction, printability, and value—then deliver a final scorecard verdict.
👉 If you’re new here, check out our T-Shirt Printing Services to see how we bring these blanks to life with DTF transfers.
AS Colour 5050T: Regular fit, tubular cut with no side seams, true to size. Available up to 5XL (extended sizes limited to certain colours).
Gildan 5000: Classic fit that works for almost everyone. Also goes up to 5XL, with consistent availability across colours.
Score: AS Colour 9/10 | Gildan 7/10
AS Colour 5050T: 200 GSM midweight, 100% carded cotton. Substantial feel without being too heavy.
Gildan 5000: 5.3 oz (approx. 180–190 GSM). Some colours use cotton-poly blends, which change the feel slightly.
Score: AS Colour 8/10 | Gildan 7/10
AS Colour 5050T: Features double-needle hems, taped shoulders, preshrunk fabric, and a tear-out label for easy rebranding. Tubular design = no side seams.
Gildan 5000: Built tough with taped shoulders, a seamless collar, and preshrunk jersey knit. Reliable but less premium in finish.
Score: AS Colour 9/10 | Gildan 7/10
AS Colour 5050T: Excellent for screen printing, DTG, heat transfers, and embroidery. The seamless body makes large prints easy.
Gildan 5000: Great for printing, especially for bulk orders. Polyester blends in some colours may affect print results.
Score: AS Colour 9/10 | Gildan 8/10
👉 Want to see how these blanks perform? Check out our Print Showcase Blog for real-world examples.
AS Colour 5050T: Wide range of solid and fashion tones, plus marle options. Stylish but not as broad as Gildan.
Gildan 5000: Huge palette, including safety, vintage, and specialty tones. Perfect when colour choice is a priority.
Score: AS Colour 8/10 | Gildan 10/10
AS Colour 5050T: Higher price point, positioned as a premium blank. Best for brands and fashion drops.
Gildan 5000: Extremely cost-effective and widely available. Ideal for events, promos, and budget-sensitive merch.
Score: AS Colour 6/10 | Gildan 10/10
AS Colour 5050T: Smooth and premium hand feel, holds its shape, preshrunk for consistency.
Gildan 5000: Comfortable but can feel stiff out of the bag until broken in.
Score: AS Colour 9/10 | Gildan 7/10
AS Colour 5050T: Sizes S–5XL, though extended sizes have limited colour options.
Gildan 5000: Sizes S–5XL widely stocked across the full colour range.
Score: AS Colour 8/10 | Gildan 9/10
AS Colour 5050T: Premium merch, streetwear, or fashion projects where the feel of the blank matters.
Gildan 5000: Large-scale, budget-sensitive orders or when you need a huge range of colours.
Score: AS Colour 9/10 | Gildan 8/10
| Category | AS Colour 5050T | Gildan 5000 |
|---|---|---|
| Fit & Sizing | 9 | 7 |
| Fabric & Weight | 8 | 7 |
| Construction & Quality | 9 | 7 |
| Printability | 9 | 8 |
| Colour Range & Styles | 8 | 10 |
| Price & Value | 6 | 10 |
| Comfort & Wearability | 9 | 7 |
| Availability & Sizing Range | 8 | 9 |
| Best Use Case | 9 | 8 |
| Total | 75/90 | 73/90 |
The AS Colour 5050T edges ahead with a total score of 75/90. Its tubular construction, premium finish, and print-friendly surface make it the stronger choice for brands and merch lines that want quality and presentation to shine.
The Gildan 5000, however, is no slouch. With a nearly identical score (73/90), unbeatable pricing, and one of the widest colour ranges on the market, it remains a top choice for high-volume runs and cost-driven projects.
Bottom line:
Choose AS Colour 5050T if you’re building a fashion label or premium merch drop.
Choose Gildan 5000 if you need cost-effective blanks for events, promos, or large-scale printing.
👉 Ready to get started? Sign up for our Pricing Matrix and start quoting your next job!
No worries at all! We've made a Pricing Matrix to help you figure out how much your next print job would cost, and we can send it to you right now to your inbox! :)
