One of the first decisions when ordering custom printed T-shirts is which blank to choose. Options range from basic, budget-friendly tees to fashion-forward premium styles, with everything from lightweight, fitted shirts to heavyweight tees with a relaxed, streetwear-inspired look.
If you’re after a thicker fabric and a more substantial feel, heavyweight T-shirts are a great place to start. Here are six of our favorites, from affordable everyday staples to premium garment-dyed styles.
At a Glance
| T-Shirt | Fabric Weight | Colors | Adult Sizes* | Youth Sizes* | Price per Shirt** |
| Gildan 5000 | 5.3 oz. | 66 | S–5XL | YXS–YXL | $7.75 |
| Gildan 2000 | 6.0 oz. | 59 | S–5XL | YXS–YXL | $8.30 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 6.1 oz. | 67 | S–4XL | YXS–YXL | $13.97 |
| Comfort Colors 6030 | 6.1 oz. | 36 | S–3XL | Not available | $15.81 |
| Port & Company PC61 | 6.1 oz. | 50 | S–6XL | YXS–YXL | $7.78 |
| Jerzees 29M | 5.6 oz. | 43 | S–5XL | YXS–YXL | $8.65 |
*Size availability varies by color
**When ordering 50 shirts with one color screen printed. Prices are subject to change.
Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton T-Shirt
Best for: Budget-friendly bulk orders and everyday custom tees
The Gildan 5000 is a reliable starting point for a custom T-shirt order. Its 5.3-ounce cotton fabric has a traditional, sturdy feel, and its classic fit works well for a broad range of wearers. Tubular construction means the body is made without side seams, giving the shirt a straightforward shape.
At $7.75 per shirt for our example order, it’s an economical choice for groups that need matching apparel without stretching the budget. Think school clubs, company giveaways, volunteer teams, family reunions, and community events where you may need a mix of sizes.
The 66-color selection also gives organizers plenty of room to coordinate shirts with a school, business, team, or event palette. Adult sizes run through 5XL, and youth sizes are available for orders that need to accommodate children too.
Compared with the heavier Gildan 2000, the 5000 has a slightly lighter fabric weight. It’s a practical option when you want a traditional cotton T-shirt with a substantial feel at an accessible price.
Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton T-Shirt
Best for: A heavier everyday tee at a budget-friendly price
The Gildan 2000 steps up the fabric weight while staying in the budget-friendly category. At 6.0 ounces, its cotton fabric feels more substantial than the Gildan 5000, which may appeal to customers who prefer a heavier T-shirt.
Its classic fit and broad size range make it a useful option for workwear, staff uniforms, school merchandise, team apparel, and branded merchandise intended for regular use. The 59-color range covers a variety of familiar basics and brighter shades, so it’s easy to find options for many organizational color schemes.
The Gildan 2000 is made from 100% cotton in its standard colors, although some heather and antique color options use cotton-polyester blends. Check the fabric composition of your chosen color if fiber content is important to your project.
At $8.30 per shirt for 50 pieces with a one-color print, the price difference from the Gildan 5000 is modest. If a heavier fabric is high on your list, the 2000 is a straightforward upgrade without moving into premium-priced tees.
Comfort Colors 1717 Pigment-Dyed Tee
Best for: Boutique merchandise and relaxed, vintage-inspired designs
The Comfort Colors 1717 has a different look and feel from the classic Gildan tees. Its ring-spun cotton is soft-washed and garment-dyed, which gives the fabric a broken-in feel and the finished shirt a distinctive color character. The relaxed, boxy fit adds to its casual appearance.
Garment dyeing means the finished shirt is dyed after construction. Pigment-dyed colors often have a slightly faded, lived-in look, and individual garments can show small variations in shade. This gives the 1717 a natural fit for vintage-inspired graphics, independent clothing labels, coffee shops, breweries, artist merchandise, and lifestyle brands.
The 67-color range includes muted earthy tones, pastels, and vivid colors, so there’s room to go beyond the standard black, white, and primary-color palette. Adult sizes run through 4XL, with youth sizes available as well.
At $13.97 per shirt, it costs considerably more than the Gildan options. The appeal is its particular combination of ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed color, and relaxed silhouette. If you’re building a merchandise line where the blank shirt is part of the product’s overall look and feel, those details may justify the higher price.
Comfort Colors 6030 Pigment-Dyed Pocket Tee
Best for: Subtle chest designs and casual branded apparel
The Comfort Colors 6030 is essentially the same style of shirt as the 1717, with one important addition: a chest pocket. It has the same 6.1-ounce ring-spun cotton fabric, garment-dyed finish, and relaxed fit, giving it that familiar Comfort Colors look with a little extra detail.
That pocket changes how the shirt works visually. A small logo or understated design on the chest can complement the pocket and suit a business, café, brewery, outdoor brand, or casual staff uniform. The overall look is simple and laid-back, particularly in the muted and earthy shades available across its 36 colors.
Compared with the 1717, the 6030 has a narrower size range, ending at 3XL, and no youth sizes. It also costs more, at $15.81 per shirt for the example order.
Choose the 1717 when you want a broad, uninterrupted front for a larger graphic. The 6030 is a strong candidate when you prefer a pocketed tee and a more understated chest design. The pocket is the key difference between the two styles, so it’s worth deciding whether that detail suits your artwork and intended use before ordering.
Port & Company PC61 Essential Tee
Best for: Affordable heavyweight shirts for teams, businesses, and large groups
The Port & Company PC61 has a 6.1-ounce fabric at a price close to the Gildan 5000. Its soft-spun cotton has a comfortable feel, while the classic fit and reinforced construction make it a dependable option for everyday group apparel.
The PC61 is a practical choice for company uniforms, school clubs, sports groups, promotional merchandise, and events where you need a consistent shirt across a wide range of sizes. Adult sizing extends to 6XL, giving it an advantage when you’re outfitting a large group with varied sizing needs.
Its 50 available colors cover familiar neutrals, bright shades, and more distinctive options, including pinks, greens, blues, and oranges. The standard colors use 100% cotton, while some heather shades and selected colors contain polyester blends. The shirt also has shoulder-to-shoulder taping and a coverseamed neck.
At $7.78 per shirt for our example order, the PC61 offers a heavier fabric than the Gildan 5000 for just three cents more per shirt. It’s a sensible choice for buyers who want a substantial everyday tee, a wide size range, and a broad color selection without paying premium blank-shirt prices.
Jerzees 29M Heavyweight Blend T-Shirt
Best for: Staff apparel and everyday shirts with a cotton-polyester blend
The Jerzees 29M takes a slightly different approach to heavyweight T-shirts. Its 5.6-ounce preshrunk jersey fabric combines cotton and polyester with moisture-management properties designed to help manage perspiration.
That blend makes it a useful option for staff apparel, volunteer shirts, recreational groups, and everyday branded clothing where wearers may be moving around throughout the day. It also provides an alternative to the all-cotton feel of the Gildan and Port & Company styles.
The 43-color selection includes options for coordinating shirts with a team or business identity. Adult sizes run from S through 5XL, and youth sizes are available for mixed-age groups. The classic fit keeps the overall shape familiar and easy to wear.
At $8.65 per shirt for our example order, the Jerzees 29M costs a little more than the Gildan 2000 and Port & Company PC61. Its main distinction is the cotton-polyester blend and moisture-management focus. If your priority is a 100% cotton tee, one of the other styles may suit your project better. If you want a blend for active, everyday use, the Jerzees deserves a place on your shortlist.
Why Heavyweight T-Shirts Work Well for Custom Printing
Heavyweight T-shirts are popular for screen printing because their substantial fabric provides a solid base for printed graphics. A well-chosen shirt can support everything from a small business logo to a large front or back design, while the overall garment has the feel many customers expect from a quality merchandise tee.
Heavyweight tees also work well for embroidery. Their thicker fabric generally offers a more substantial base for stitched logos and lettering, particularly on the chest or sleeve. Placement and design size still matter: dense embroidery can add weight to the fabric, so a simple logo or moderate-sized design is often a practical starting point. For pocket tees, the pocket and its seams also need to be taken into account when choosing a placement.
How to Choose the Right Heavyweight Tee
The best choice depends on your budget, the look you’re after, and what occasion the shirts are for.
- For the lowest cost: Start with the Gildan 5000 or Port & Company PC61. Both offer an economical route to heavyweight group apparel.
- For a heavier classic cotton shirt: Compare the Gildan 2000 and PC61, which both have a 6.0-ounce or heavier fabric.
- For a relaxed, garment-dyed look: The Comfort Colors 1717 offers a broad color selection and a distinctive finish.
- For a pocket style: Choose the Comfort Colors 6030 if you want a casual shirt with a chest pocket.
- For a cotton-polyester blend: The Jerzees 29M is a useful option for everyday apparel and active settings.
Before ordering, check the available sizes and colors for your preferred style, especially if your group needs several sizes or a particular shade. If you’re comparing several shirts, our Quick Price tool gives you a quote based on your quantity and decoration, helping you compare options before placing your order.