Comfort Colors 1717 vs Gildan 5000 vs BELLA+CANVAS 3001 (2026)
Choosing a blank t-shirt for custom printing comes down to feel, fit, durability, and unit cost. Three workhorse models dominate B2B custom apparel — Comfort Colors 1717 (premium garment-dyed), Gildan 5000 (workhorse value), and BELLA+CANVAS 3001 (retail-soft combed ring-spun). This guide compares all three head-to-head with full specs, pricing at volume, and decoration recommendations for restaurants, corporate uniform programs, event tees, and retail merch.
Order minimum: from 1 piece. CraftTory ships CC1717, G5000, and BC3001 with custom embroidery and DTF printing — no minimum, free digitizing on first order, 1-2 day samples, 3-5 day bulk production.
30-Second Decision Matrix
| Your use case | Best pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Premium merch, retail brand, restaurant FOH staff | Comfort Colors 1717 | Garment-dyed soft hand, premium retail look, washed-in color depth |
| High-volume orders, BOH staff, durable workhorse | Gildan 5000 | Best per-unit cost, structured fit, industrial wash-friendly |
| Modern brand, event tees, retail-soft hand, slim fit | BELLA+CANVAS 3001 | Combed ring-spun softness, modern unisex fit, color range |
| Multi-tier program (restaurant: FOH + BOH + retail) | All three together | CC1717 for FOH, G5000 for BOH, BC3001 for retail merch |
1. Comfort Colors 1717 — Premium Garment-Dyed Heavyweight
Comfort Colors 1717 Heavyweight Garment-Dyed Tee — from $36 decorated
blank $27.99 + decoration from $8
Gold-standard premium garment-dyed tee for B2B custom apparel. 6.1 oz of 100% ring-spun cotton, pigment-dyed for soft washed-in color hand. Retail aesthetic that competes with $40-60 retail tees. 40+ unique pigment colors including Pepper, Berry, Lagoon Blue, Pomelo.
View Details →Why customers pick Comfort Colors 1717
- Premium soft-hand feel. Garment-dyeing breaks down fabric structure during dyeing for a much softer hand than reactive-dyed cotton. "Vintage worn-in" feel from first wear.
- Retail aesthetic. Color depth and pigment dyeing creates a look that competes with $40-60 retail tees, justifying premium price points on custom merch.
- 40+ unique color palette including Pepper, Berry, Lagoon Blue, Khaki, Pomelo — colors that don't exist in standard reactive-dyed lines.
- Decoration durability. Embroidery holds 100+ commercial wash cycles. DTF on pigment-dyed cotton gives soft hand-feel print.
Where Comfort Colors 1717 loses out
- Higher per-unit cost. $27.99 blank means $36+ decorated — significantly above G5000 ($15 decorated) and BC3001 ($19 decorated).
- Slight per-batch color variation. Pigment dyeing produces unique color depth but slight batch variance — matters for tight brand-color matching.
- Not optimal for fine multi-color graphics. Soft hand and slight texture work against the crispness of detailed gradients.
2. Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton — The Workhorse Value
Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Classic Fit — from $15 decorated
blank $7 + decoration from $8
Workhorse value tee that has dominated the B2B custom apparel category for over two decades. 6.0 oz of 100% preshrunk cotton in classic American sizing with structured fit. Lowest per-unit cost of the three by a wide margin. 50+ reactive-dyed colors, available in tall LT-3XLT plus 4XL-5XL extended sizes.
View Details →Why customers pick Gildan 5000
- Lowest per-unit cost. Blank pricing at $7 — full-decorated programs land at $15-20. For 100+ piece programs the math wins by a wide margin.
- Industrial durability. Designed for commercial laundering — uniform programs that wash 5-7×/week last 1-2 years before showing wear.
- 50+ reactive-dyed colors with reliable batch-to-batch consistency (better PMS matching than CC1717).
- Tall sizes + big-and-tall. Available LT-3XLT plus 4XL-5XL — only one of the three with full size-inclusive range.
Where Gildan 5000 loses out
- Stiffer hand-feel. Heavy 6.0 oz preshrunk cotton without garment-dye or combed ring-spun process means more structured feel than CC1717 or BC3001.
- Boxy fit. Classic American cut runs roomier and shorter than modern-fit tees. Younger demographics often prefer BC3001's slim cut.
- Not premium-merch material. Structured workhorse aesthetic doesn't compete for retail-brand merch programs at $30+ retail price points.
3. BELLA+CANVAS 3001 — Retail-Soft Combed Ring-Spun
BELLA+CANVAS 3001 Unisex Jersey Tee — from $19 decorated
blank $11 + decoration from $8
Sits between Comfort Colors 1717 and Gildan 5000 on price, but pulls premium-feel value from combed ring-spun cotton (4.2 oz). Modern slim unisex fit that runs true-to-size. Wide color palette including heathers and color-block options. Side-seamed construction holds shape through commercial wash cycles.
View Details →Why customers pick BELLA+CANVAS 3001
- Retail-soft combed ring-spun cotton. Without garment-dyeing, BC3001 achieves a soft hand through the combed ring-spun yarn process — comparable to retail brand tees in the $30-40 price range.
- Modern unisex fit. Slim through the body, slightly tapered, runs true-to-size — appeals to younger demographics and gender-neutral brand positioning.
- 50+ colors including heathers. Tri-blend variants (3413 tri-blend, 3001CVC heather CVC) extend the palette beyond CC1717 or G5000.
- Side-seamed construction. Cleaner silhouette than tubular knit tees, holds shape better through commercial wash cycles.
Where BELLA+CANVAS 3001 loses out
- Lighter 4.2 oz fabric. Less durable than CC1717 (6.1 oz) or G5000 (6.0 oz) for industrial-laundered uniform programs. Better suited to retail merch and event tees that wash less frequently.
- Slim fit doesn't suit everyone. Larger body types often size up one full size compared to G5000.
- Mid-tier price without garment-dye premium. Customers wanting true premium retail feel still gravitate to CC1717.
Head-to-Head Spec Comparison
| Spec | Comfort Colors 1717 | Gildan 5000 | BELLA+CANVAS 3001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight | 6.1 oz | 6.0 oz | 4.2 oz |
| Material | 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed | 100% preshrunk cotton, reactive-dyed | 100% combed ring-spun cotton, reactive-dyed |
| Hand feel | Premium soft (washed-in) | Structured workhorse | Retail-soft |
| Fit | Classic relaxed | Classic boxy American | Modern slim unisex |
| Color palette | 40+ pigment colors (unique) | 50+ reactive (consistent batches) | 50+ incl. heathers |
| Sizes available | S-3XL | S-5XL incl. tall | XS-3XL |
| Blank price | $27.99 | $7 | $11 |
| Embroidered (from) | $36 | $15 | $19 |
| DTF printed (from) | $36 | $15 | $19 |
| Wash durability (embroidery) | 100+ cycles | 100+ cycles (industrial) | 100+ cycles |
| Best for | Premium merch, retail brands, FOH | High-volume programs, BOH, uniforms | Modern brands, events, retail-soft |
Cost at Volume — What You Actually Pay
Blank-price difference compounds dramatically at scale. Here's 100 decorated tees with single-location left-chest embroidery:
| Volume | CC1717 total | G5000 total | BC3001 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (sample) | ~$36 | ~$15 | ~$19 |
| 24 pieces | ~$816 | ~$324 | ~$432 |
| 100 pieces | ~$3,200 | ~$1,300 | ~$1,750 |
| 500 pieces (volume tier) | ~$14,500 | ~$5,800 | ~$8,000 |
Prices include left-chest embroidery, free digitizing on first order, no setup fees. Volume discounts at 24+, 100+, 500+. Tax not included for tax-exempt orders.
Decoration Method Recommendations Per Tee
What works best on Comfort Colors 1717
Premium garment-dyed cotton hand begs for decoration that respects the fabric texture:
- Embroidery — flat or 3D puff. Pigment color depth complements thread color. Standard logo: left chest 3.5" wide.
- DTF printing — for full-color graphics, DTF on garment-dyed cotton produces soft hand-feel that complements the garment feel.
- Screen-printing — works for vintage-style designs using water-based or discharge inks. Premium retail merch favorite.
What works best on Gildan 5000
Structured 6.0 oz fabric handles all methods well:
- Embroidery — best ROI per dollar. Holds up through commercial wash cycles indefinitely.
- DTF printing — performs well, slightly stiffer hand than on BC3001.
- Screen-printing — heritage method for G5000, particularly for high-volume event tees.
- HTV (heat transfer vinyl) — best of the three for player names + numbers (sports team uniforms).
What works best on BELLA+CANVAS 3001
Combed ring-spun cotton is the most decoration-versatile:
- DTF printing — best canvas for full-color graphics and photos. Soft fabric carries detailed prints without stiffening.
- Embroidery — works well, lighter fabric requires careful underlay digitizing to avoid puckering on dense logos.
- Screen-printing — water-based and discharge inks excel on combed ring-spun cotton.
Use Case Recommendations
Restaurants & Hospitality
Multi-tier restaurant programs typically use all three: CC1717 for front-of-house servers and management (premium retail aesthetic), G5000 for back-of-house kitchen staff (industrial durability, low cost for high-replacement-rate roles), and BC3001 for retail merch tees sold to customers. See our Restaurant Merchandise Guide.
Corporate Offices & Sales Teams
Office tees lean toward BC3001 for modern brand aesthetic (slim fit, soft hand). For executive gifts or premium swag, CC1717 in muted colors (Pepper, Khaki). For high-volume new-hire welcome kits, G5000 for cost-efficient base layer.
Schools, Sports Teams & Events
G5000 dominates event tees (race shirts, walk/run merch, school spirit) — per-unit cost matters most at 500-2000 piece volume. For tournament team uniforms with player numbers, G5000 + HTV name/number application is industry standard.
Nonprofit & Awareness Events
Mix G5000 (volunteer tees, low cost) with BC3001 (donor gift tees, premium feel justifying donation tiers). CC1717 for high-donor tiers ($500+ donation = CC1717 tee).
Retail-Brand Merch Programs
If you sell merch to customers (not employees), CC1717 is dominant — premium hand and washed-in color justify $35-50 retail price points. BC3001 is secondary for brands targeting modern slim-fit aesthetic.
Industrial Uniforms (Trades, Construction Support)
G5000 handles industrial laundering (commercial wash detergents, high-temp dryers) better than the other two. Embroidery on G5000 in industrial uniform programs lasts 18-24 months before showing wear.
Common Buyer Questions
Is Comfort Colors 1717 worth the price difference over Gildan 5000?
For premium merch and retail brand applications — yes. Soft hand and unique pigment colors create $35-45 retail-perceived value from $36 cost. For uniform programs or back-of-house staff where the tee is functional rather than brand-aspirational — no, the per-unit cost difference doesn't justify itself.
Why is BELLA+CANVAS 3001 lighter than the others?
BC3001 uses 4.2 oz combed ring-spun cotton vs the 6.0+ oz of CC1717 and G5000. Lighter weight produces a more retail-style hand and modern drape, but is less durable for industrial laundering. Choose by use case: retail-soft + lower wash frequency = BC3001; durable industrial use = G5000 or CC1717.
Which holds embroidery best?
All three hold embroidery for 100+ commercial wash cycles when stitched at proper density (15,000+ stitches per square inch). Gildan 5000 has a slight edge for industrial laundering durability because heavier preshrunk cotton resists shrinkage that can distort dense embroidery.
Can I print full-color photos or gradients on these?
Yes, on all three using DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing. DTF performs best on BC3001 (softest hand, best color reproduction) and CC1717 (premium feel preserved). G5000 handles DTF well, but heavier fabric reads slightly stiffer for ink-dense designs.
What's the cheapest decorated option?
Gildan 5000 with single-location DTF print at $15 decorated is the lowest-cost option. For 100+ piece volume programs, the per-unit cost drops to $12-13.
What runs the most true-to-size?
BELLA+CANVAS 3001 runs true-to-size for modern fit. Comfort Colors 1717 runs slightly large (relaxed classic fit). Gildan 5000 runs boxy and slightly short — recommend sizing up one for younger demographics.
Do all three come in tall sizes?
Only Gildan 5000 offers tall sizes (LT through 3XLT) and extended big-and-tall (4XL-5XL). CC1717 and BC3001 max at 3XL standard. For multi-size-inclusive uniform programs, G5000 is the only choice that scales across the full size range.
What's the typical turnaround for a custom order?
For single samples: 1-2 business day production. For bulk orders (50+ pieces): 3-5 business day production. Add 2-5 business days for shipping. Total: 2-3 weeks from order approval to in-hand for bulk programs. CraftTory ships from Fort Mill, SC to all 50 US states + Canada.
Can I order all three on the same purchase order?
Yes, CraftTory handles multi-product custom programs on a single PO. Common pattern: same logo embroidered on CC1717 (FOH), G5000 (BOH), and BC3001 (retail merch) — single quote, single PO, mixed quantities.
Final Recommendations
If you're starting a new B2B custom apparel program and need to pick ONE tee: choose Gildan 5000 for high-volume durability programs (uniforms, event tees, sports teams), or BELLA+CANVAS 3001 for modern brand aesthetic with reasonable cost (events, corporate, retail merch). Reserve Comfort Colors 1717 for premium merch tiers and FOH staff where the price premium pays for itself in brand perception.
If you're running a multi-tier program: all three together with consistent embroidered or DTF-printed branding gives you the cost flexibility to roll out hundreds of pieces while maintaining premium tiers for guest-facing or high-status roles.
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