Comfort Colors vs Bella Canvas: Which Blank Tee is Better?
2026-03-12 · 7 min read · Get Custom Team
Two of the most popular blanks on the market go head to head. We compare fabric, fit, print performance, price, and who each is really made for — so you can make the right call for your brand.
The Two Brands Everyone Argues About
Walk into any screen printing shop, scroll any blank apparel forum, or ask any streetwear brand what tee they use — you'll hear either Comfort Colors or Bella Canvas. Both are premium. Both have devoted followings. But they're actually built for very different customers, and choosing wrong can cost you real money.
This breakdown cuts through the hype.
The Quick Answer
- Choose Comfort Colors 1717 if you want a heavier, vintage-feel garment-dyed tee with an oversized silhouette. Best for streetwear, lifestyle brands, and small-batch drops.
- Choose Bella Canvas 3001 if you want a lightweight, fashion-forward tee with a smooth surface that's perfect for detailed prints. Best for retail-quality apparel and fashion brands.
Neither is objectively better. They serve different markets.
Fabric & Construction
Comfort Colors 1717
- Weight: 6.1 oz/yd²
- Material: 100% ring-spun cotton (some colors are 50/50 or 99/1 ring-spun/poly)
- Construction: Garment-dyed, pre-washed
The garment-dyeing process is what makes Comfort Colors feel the way it does. The shirt is constructed first, then dyed — which gives each piece a slightly unique, lived-in look right out of the bag. The pre-washing means minimal shrinkage after purchase. That heavy, soft-worn-in feel is the brand's signature.
Bella Canvas 3001
- Weight: 4.2 oz/yd²
- Material: 100% airlume combed and ring-spun cotton (heather colors include poly)
- Construction: Yarn-dyed
Bella Canvas uses a combing process that removes short fibers from the yarn before spinning, resulting in a smoother, more consistent fabric with fewer pilling issues. The airlume designation means the cotton is specifically processed for a consistently smooth surface — which is critical for print quality.
Fit & Silhouette
CC1717 Fit
The 1717 runs generous. Shoulders drop slightly, the body is boxy, and the length is on the longer side. This is intentional — Comfort Colors leans into the oversized streetwear trend. For youth sizing or customers who prefer a fitted look, size down.
BC3001 Fit
The 3001 is a modern unisex fit. True to size with a slightly tapered body — not fashion-fitted, but not boxy either. Works well across a wide range of body types and is genuinely versatile for mixed-audience merchandise.
Print Performance
| Factor | CC1717 | BC3001 |
|---|---|---|
| Plastisol ink | Excellent | Excellent |
| Water-based ink | Very Good | Excellent |
| DTG | Good | Excellent |
| Fine detail | Good | Excellent |
| Halftones | Good | Excellent |
| Discharge ink | Excellent | Very Good |
The BC3001's smoother surface gives it a clear edge for detailed, multi-color, or photographic prints. The CC1717's heavier fabric is exceptional for vintage and distressed designs where slight texture adds to the aesthetic.
One important note: because CC1717 is garment-dyed, the color underneath your print can subtly influence how lighter inks appear, especially with water-based inks. Always test on your actual colorway before a full run.
Color Range
- Comfort Colors: 65+ carefully curated, earth-toned, pigment-dyed colors. The palette is distinctive — muted, vintage-inspired, not corporate.
- Bella Canvas: 100+ colors, brighter and more varied. Includes true blacks, navies, and whites that are very consistent across dye lots.
If you're building a color-dependent brand (specific Pantone matching, consistent color across large orders), Bella Canvas has an edge. If your brand is built around earthy, vintage tones, Comfort Colors is unmatched.
Price Comparison
In bulk (24+ pieces), you can expect:
- Comfort Colors 1717: $8–12 per shirt depending on size
- Bella Canvas 3001: $7–11 per shirt depending on size
Comfort Colors runs slightly higher because of the garment-dyeing process. Both are worth the premium over cheaper alternatives.
At Get Custom, we offer bundle pricing on both that drops the per-shirt cost significantly when you buy 3 or more.
Who Each Blank Is For
Comfort Colors 1717 is for:
- Streetwear and lifestyle brands
- Small-batch limited drops
- Vintage and distressed aesthetics
- Brands where the blank itself is part of the brand identity
- Customers who value weight and durability
Bella Canvas 3001 is for:
- Fashion-forward retail brands
- Detailed or photographic screen prints
- DTG printing operations
- Brands that need consistent color matching across large runs
- Customers who prioritize a lightweight, soft feel
The Verdict
If you can only stock one: Bella Canvas 3001 for versatility, print quality, and price point. If your aesthetic specifically calls for a garment-dyed heavyweight with a vintage feel — Comfort Colors 1717 is worth every penny.
Many successful brands carry both. Browse our full selection to see which styles we have in stock.