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Brand comparisonBella+Canvas vs. Next Level vs. Comfort Colors: Which Blank Is Right for Your Brand?
Gildan 5000 tee, one front print, S–XL. Hoodies, polos and hats are priced the same way in the shop; anything unusual, a real printer prices by email within two business hours.
The 60-second answer: If you're printing merch, pick Bella+Canvas 3001. If you want the softest, snuggest fit, pick Next Level 3600. If you're going for a vintage/boutique feel, pick Comfort Colors 1717. If you're on a budget or ordering 100+ for a crew, pick Gildan 5000. Full comparison below.
The comparison table
| Blank | Weight | Feel | Fit | Best for | Upcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella+Canvas 3001 | 4.2 oz | Very soft, smooth | Slim retail | Brand merch, retail lines, startups | +$3 |
| Next Level 3600 | 4.3 oz | Softest of the four | Snugger fitted | Fashion prints, events, giveaways that feel expensive | +$3 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 6.1 oz | Heavy, drapey, worn-in | Boxy, oversized | Breweries, coffee shops, boutique merch | +$7 |
| Gildan 5000 | 5.3 oz | Standard cotton, durable | Regular / roomy | Crews, staff shirts, events, 100+ pc runs on a budget | $0 (base) |
Bella+Canvas 3001 — the retail standard
- Weight & feel: 4.2 oz Airlume combed ringspun. Smooth surface takes detail beautifully in screen print and DTF.
- Fit: True retail slim. Tell bigger crews to size up.
- Colorway range: Unmatched. If a color exists, Bella carries it.
- Best for: Merch lines, startups, anyone whose shirt represents a brand.
- Trade-off: The retail fit isn't universal — larger folks may prefer Gildan.
Next Level 3600 — the soft fitted alternative
- Weight & feel: 4.3 oz fine jersey — marginally softer than Bella+Canvas out of the bag.
- Fit: Slightly snugger than Bella. Modern athletic.
- Bonus: The CVC (6210) and tri-blend (6010) variants carry the best heathers in the business.
- Best for: Fashion-leaning prints, events where feel matters, budget-conscious premium.
- Trade-off: Not as universal a fit as Bella+Canvas.
Comfort Colors 1717 — the vintage heavyweight
- Weight & feel: 6.1 oz ringspun. Heavy, drapey, worn-in from the first wash.
- What's special: Garment-dyed — dyed after construction, giving washed, lived-in colors no other process matches. This is the aesthetic behind half the boutique merch you see.
- Fit: Boxy, oversized, drapey.
- Best for: Breweries, coffee shops, brands selling a vibe.
- Honest caveats: Garment-dyeing means slight lot-to-lot color variation. And the heavyweight runs warm — not ideal for July boardwalk wear.
Gildan 5000 — the affordable workhorse
- Weight & feel: 5.3 oz heavy cotton. Not as soft as the premium options, but wash-durable and doesn't shrink much.
- Fit: Regular / roomy. Universal fit — works on any body.
- Best for: Crews, staff shirts, events, giveaways, 100+ piece runs on a budget.
- The math: 100 printed Gildan 5000s are $800; the same 100 on Bella+Canvas 3001 are $1,100.
- Trade-off: If you want your shirt to feel premium in someone's hand at retail, skip Gildan — go Bella or Next Level.
Our cheat sheet
- Crisp, modern brand merch → Bella+Canvas 3001
- Softest fitted feel → Next Level 3600
- Vintage / boutique look → Comfort Colors 1717
- Volume & value → Gildan 5000
All four are in the catalog. Can't decide? Order one of each — small runs OK, and four tees clear the $50 free-shipping line — and put them on real bodies before committing to a full run.
Or just send us the order
Roughly how many, what it’s going on, and your logo — a real printer emails your exact price within two business hours (9–6 Eastern, Mon–Fri). Free proof before anything prints, no setup fees.