If you are comparing popular blank T-shirts for staff uniforms, events or branded merchandise, three styles come up regularly: AS Colour 5001 Staple Tee, Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton and JB's Wear 1HT Classic Tee. They sit in a similar midweight range, but the construction, cotton type and fit details are different enough to affect which one is the better starting point for a branded order.
Quick comparison
| Style | Fabric weight | Construction / fabric | Fit / shape | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS Colour 5001 Staple Tee | 180 GSM | Australian combed cotton; side seamed | Regular fit | Repeat uniforms, branded merchandise, event teams and buyers wanting a broad colour range |
| Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton | 180 g/m² | U.S. cotton in solid colours; tubular body | Classic fit | Events, teams, promotional programs and classic T-shirt orders |
| JB's Wear 1HT Classic Tee | 190 GSM | Solid colours in cotton; Elastane rib crew neck | Classic fit | Staff uniforms, clubs, schools and buyers wanting a slightly heavier tee |
AS Colour 5001: broad colour choice and a cleaner combed-cotton feel
The AS Colour 5001 uses mid-weight 180 GSM Australian combed cotton and a side-seamed regular-fit construction. Its biggest practical advantage is the combination of a cleaner fabric feel and a very broad colour range, which can be useful for businesses building repeat uniform or merchandise programs.
Within the AS Colour range, the 5051 Basic Tee is lighter at 160 GSM and uses carded cotton, so it is the more straightforward value-focused option. The 5074 Staple Minus keeps the 180 GSM class but shortens the body by 5 cm, while the 5076 Staple Curve adds a curved hem.
Gildan 5000: classic tubular construction
The Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton is also around the 180 GSM class, but it uses a classic-fit tubular body rather than a side-seamed construction. Solid colours use 100% U.S. cotton, while selected colours use cotton/polyester blends. It is a practical option for events, teams and promotional programs where a familiar classic T-shirt shape is preferred.
Because the 5000 and AS Colour 5001 are similar in fabric weight, the decision between them is usually less about GSM and more about construction, hand feel, colour availability and brand preference.
JB's Wear 1HT: the heaviest option in this group
The JB's Wear 1HT Classic Tee is 190 GSM, making it slightly heavier than the AS Colour 5001 and Gildan 5000 and noticeably heavier than the AS Colour 5051. It has a classic fit and a shape-staying Elastane rib crew neck.
For businesses that prefer a more substantial everyday uniform tee, especially for staff, clubs or school groups, the 1HT is a useful style to compare against the lighter promotional options.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose AS Colour 5001 when you want 180 GSM combed cotton, a regular side-seamed fit and broad colour choice.
- Choose Gildan 5000 when you prefer a classic tubular-body T-shirt for events, teams or promotional programs.
- Choose JB's Wear 1HT when a slightly heavier 190 GSM classic tee is more important than a lighter promotional feel.
- Choose AS Colour 5051 when you want a lighter 160 GSM option for event or bulk promotional orders.
- Choose AS Colour 5074 or 5076 when body length or hem shape is the main fit consideration.
What about printing and embroidery?
For custom branding, NS PROMO can match DTF, Supacolour or screen printing to the artwork, garment and order quantity. Embroidery can also be considered where the logo size, stitch count and position suit the T-shirt. The best method depends on the artwork and the finish you want rather than the blank garment alone.
For a business or team order, send us the garment styles you are considering, your estimated quantity and logo file. We can compare the options and quote the decoration method that suits the job.
