The Gildan G500 and Bella+Canvas 3001C together represent the majority of blank t-shirt volume in North American decoration shops. They occupy different price tiers and serve different customer profiles, but shops regularly compare them when sourcing. This guide covers the fabric and fit differences, decoration performance on each method, price considerations, and a clear framework for deciding which blank to recommend to each customer type.
Fabric Construction
G500: 5.3 oz/yd² preshrunk 100% open-end spun cotton. Open-end spinning pulls and twists raw cotton fibers into yarn without the combing or ring-spinning steps. The result is a durable, cost-effective yarn with a more textured surface than ringspun cotton. The G500 uses a tubular body construction and is quarter-turned to eliminate the center crease. Seamless rib collar, taped shoulder-to-shoulder seam, double-needle sleeve and hem.
3001C: 4.2 oz/yd² 100% airlume combed and ringspun cotton. Combing removes short fibers and impurities before spinning. Ring-spinning continuously twists the remaining long fibers, producing a tighter, smoother, more durable yarn than open-end spinning. Airlume is Bella+Canvas's proprietary yarn finishing step that further reduces surface fiber protrusion. The result is a noticeably softer, smoother fabric with lower pilling tendency than open-end cotton.
The weight difference (5.3 oz vs 4.2 oz) means the G500 is a heavier, more structured garment. The 3001C is lighter and has more drape. For a decorated shirt that will be worn at an outdoor event in summer heat, the 3001C is more comfortable. For a shirt that needs to hold its shape through commercial laundering over a long service life, the G500's heavier construction is more durable.
Fit
G500: classic fit with a straight body, set-in sleeves, and a somewhat boxy silhouette. This is the traditional unisex t-shirt cut that runs consistent with American apparel sizing expectations. No side seams on the G500 (tubular construction). Works as a unisex blank for mixed-gender audiences without the fit issues a semi-fitted blank creates for larger body types.
3001C: semi-fitted retail cut with side seams, a slightly tapered body, and narrower sleeve openings than the G500. Looks better on a body compared to the G500. However, the tapered cut is a fit issue for some body types, which is why retail brands selling DTF-decorated product gravitate toward the 3001C while corporate uniform programs often stay with the G500.
Decoration Performance
DTF transfers: both work. G500 produces consistent DTF output with slightly more surface texture visible in the adhesive layer. 3001C produces marginally smoother DTF results due to the tighter ringspun surface. In standard production runs with typical viewing distance, the difference is not visible to most end consumers. For high-end retail applications where the decoration is examined closely, the 3001C surface is the better choice.
DTG printing: the 3001C is the superior DTG blank. Ringspun airlume cotton holds DTG ink with better edge sharpness and opacity than open-end cotton. G500 works for DTG but shows slightly more ink inconsistency on fine-detail designs. Dedicated DTG operations typically standardize on ringspun blanks rather than the G500.
Screen printing: both work equally well for standard plastisol screen printing. The G500's heavier weight can tolerate higher squeegee pressure and multi-pass printing without distortion. For water-based or discharge printing, the 100% cotton content in both blanks performs equivalently.
Price Comparison
The G500 is consistently 30 to 60% cheaper per unit than the 3001C at equivalent quantities. For a 500-shirt run, the per-unit cost difference is significant enough to change a customer's budget calculus. For a promo order going into a box rather than onto a retail shelf, the G500 cost advantage typically wins. For a retail brand ordering 100 units to sell at $35 each, the incremental cost of the 3001C per unit is absorbed by the higher retail margin.
Stocking Decision Framework
Stock the G500 as your primary blank when: your customer base is primarily promotional, corporate gifting, team uniforms, or event merchandise. The majority of the decorated apparel market by volume runs on the G500 or comparable commodity blanks.
Stock the 3001C as your primary or secondary blank when: your customers are retail brands, boutique apparel programs, fashion-adjacent decoration, or any context where the shirt is being sold to or worn by a consumer who will notice the fit and feel. Add the 3001C to your offering as a premium upsell option on jobs where the customer's end consumer will actually wear and care about the garment.
Shop both Gildan and Bella+Canvas blanks wholesale at TheClothingSpace. No minimums. Competitive bulk pricing on G500 and 3001C.
