When our customers shop for a classic cotton T-shirt blank to apply their design to, two options that commonly end up on the final shortlist are the Gildan 5000 and the Next Level 3600. They’re both cotton tees with classic crew necks, a wide range of colors and sizes, and work well for everything from school groups and company events to fundraisers and sports teams.
However, there are real distinctions in fabric weight, feel, fit, color selection, and price that may make one a better fit for your needs.
At a Glance: Gildan 5000 vs Next Level 3600
| Gildan 5000 | Next Level 3600 | |
| Fabric Weight | 5.3 oz. | 4.3 oz. |
| Construction | 100% cotton, tubular | Combed ring-spun cotton, side-seamed |
| Feel | Traditional, sturdy | Lighter, smooth and soft |
| Fit | Classic fit | Semi-fitted |
| Color Options | 66 colors | 23 colors |
| Sizes* | Adult S–5XL, Youth YXS–YXL | Adult XS–3XL, Youth YXS–YXL |
| Pricing** | $7.60 per shirt | $10.25 per shirt |
| Best for | Large group orders, budget-conscious events, classic silhouettes | Retail-style merch, warm weather, softer feel |
*Size availability varies by color
**When ordering 50 shirts with one color screen printed
Fabric Weight & Durability
The Gildan 5000 is made from 5.3-ounce cotton and is part of Gildan’s Heavy Cotton collection. The Next Level 3600, on the other hand, is made from a lighter 4.3-ounce cotton and is classified as a lightweight shirt.
That one-ounce difference doesn’t sound like much, but it’s rather noticeable in practice.
The Next Level 3600 feels lighter against the skin and tends to drape more easily. For outdoor events in warm weather, that lighter fabric can be especially appealing.
Meanwhile, the Gildan 5000 has a more substantial feel and a traditional T-shirt weight that many people associate with a standard everyday cotton tee. The extra weight also gives the shirt more presence and structure, making it a dependable choice for shirts that will be worn and washed repeatedly.
Fabric Type
Although both shirts are made primarily from cotton, they use different types of yarn, which gives the two shirts a slightly different hand feel.
The Next Level 3600 uses combed ring-spun cotton, which produces a smoother, softer yarn than the open-end cotton commonly used in traditional basic tees. Combined with its lighter weight, it reads as a soft, premium shirt with a retail fit.
The Gildan 5000 uses a more traditional cotton construction, with a dependable, affordable design and a standard cotton feel. It has a more substantial hand than the 3600 and is built around a classic T-shirt shape.
Note: Although most options are 100% cotton, some colors are made with cotton-poly blends. For the Gildan 5000, that includes the heather and antique colors, which come in 50/50, 90/10, or 99/1 blends. For the Next Level 3600, Heather Gray is a 90/10 cotton-poly blend, while Oatmeal is 99/1.
Fit and Silhouette
The Gildan 5000 has a classic fit and tubular body, which means it’s made without side seams. That gives it a straight, classic silhouette with a traditional unisex fit and a little more room through the body.
The Next Level 3600 has a semi-fitted cut and side-seamed construction. It sits closer to the body, with a slightly more shaped look through the chest and waist that gives it a more contemporary fit.
If you’re ordering for people with different preferences, take a look at the size charts for both shirts before creating your size breakdown — the same labeled size can feel quite different from one brand to another.
Size Range
The Gildan 5000 is available in Adult S through 5XL, while the Next Level 3600 is offered in Adult XS through 3XL. Both styles are also available in Youth YXS through YXL, making them excellent choices for schools, youth organizations, sports teams, family reunions, and community events.
Keep in mind that availability can vary by both color and size, and youth sizes in the 3600 are limited to select colors, so be sure to check our website or contact us directly to confirm availability before finalizing your order.
Color Selection
The Next Level 3600 comes in 23 colors, which is still plenty if you’re happy with the basics like black, white, gray, navy, and red.
The Gildan 5000 has the larger color selection, with 66 colors available, making it easy to match company branding, school colors, team uniforms, or event themes.
Printing and Embroidery Compatibility
Both the Gildan 5000 and the Next Level 3600 are versatile blanks with excellent compatibility with different customization methods.
For screen printing, the Gildan 5000’s heavier cotton provides a substantial printing surface that works especially well for bold logos, lettering, team graphics, and school designs where you want the print to have a strong presence.
The Next Level 3600’s smooth combed ring-spun cotton provides a fine surface for detailed graphics and lettering, with a softer, more fashion-oriented finished feel. Digital printing methods can be useful in smaller batches when artwork contains many colors, gradients, photographs, or fine details.
When it comes to embroidery, the Gildan 5000 provides a slightly more stable surface for stitching, with a heavier 5.3 oz. fabric that can help reduce puckering on larger or denser designs. That said, the Next Level 3600 embroiders just fine for small logos and simple designs.
Price
For an order of 50 shirts with one-color screen printing, the Gildan 5000 costs $7.60 per shirt, while the Next Level 3600 comes out to $10.25 per shirt.
At roughly $2.65 more per shirt, the difference adds up quickly on larger orders. That’s why the Gildan 5000 is widely used as an affordable blank for group apparel such as schools, teams, events, and organizations. The Next Level 3600 sits in a more fashion-oriented category, so the added cost buys you a lighter fabric and retail-style construction.
To see the exact price per shirt for your quantity and decoration method, run your numbers in our Quick Price tool on the product page.
Which Shirt Should You Choose?
The Gildan 5000 and Next Level 3600 are both excellent choices for custom apparel, and both print and embroider well. But unlike shirts that differ only in the details, these two are built for somewhat different purposes.
Choose the Gildan 5000 if you:
- Prefer a heavier, more traditional cotton T-shirt.
- Want access to the widest possible range of color options.
- Need adult sizes up to 5XL.
- Are ordering in high volumes where every dollar matters.
Its 66 available colors give more flexibility when matching company branding, school colors, sports teams, or event themes. Its 5.3-ounce fabric and classic tubular fit give it the familiar shape and presence of a standard everyday tee. These qualities make it a popular choice for school and club shirts, sports teams and fan apparel, company events, fundraisers, volunteer groups, and large event orders, where a broad range of colors and an affordable price point are often preferred.
Choose the Next Level 3600 if you:
- Prefer a lighter shirt with a soft hand feel.
- Want a more contemporary, semi-fitted silhouette.
- Need adult sizes down to XS.
- Are printing detailed or artistic designs.
Its 4.3-ounce combed ring-spun cotton offers a smoother, softer feel, and its side-seamed construction gives it a retail-inspired shape through the chest and waist. Those features make it a strong choice for company merch, branded apparel, fundraiser shirts, creative designs, summer events, and casual everyday shirts, where feel and silhouette can be especially valuable.
Before committing to a large order, compare the current color and size availability, check the size charts, and order a sample if you’re uncertain about the fit or fabric. Whichever shirt you choose, both provide the durability, printability, and reliable performance that have made them trusted staples in the custom apparel industry for years.