Comfort Colors vs Bella Canvas is heavy and vintage vs light and retail. The Comfort Colors 1717 is a 6.1 oz garment-dyed tee with a relaxed, boxy fit and a faded look, while the Bella+Canvas 3001 is a 4.2 oz, smooth, side-seamed tee with a trimmer retail fit and clean, even color. Both take DTF transfers well at the same press settings.
- Comfort Colors 1717
- 6.1 oz, 100% ring-spun cotton, 20 singles
- Bella+Canvas 3001
- 4.2 oz, 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton (solids), 32 singles
- 1717 fit
- Relaxed
- 3001 fit
- Retail fit, side seamed
Quick answer
- Choose Comfort Colors when you want a thick, lived-in tee with a washed, vintage color and an oversized feel. Think college merch, beach towns, retro designs, and anything sold on "comfy."
- Choose Bella+Canvas when you want a lightweight, smooth, fitted shirt that looks crisp and modern. Think brand merch, fashion lines, athletic looks, and warm-weather wear.
Side by side
| Spec | Comfort Colors 1717 | Bella+Canvas 3001 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 6.1 oz/yd² | 4.2 oz/yd² |
| Fabric (solids) | 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton | 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton |
| Heathers | None in the standard 1717 line | Cotton/poly blends (3001CVC heathers are 52/48) |
| Yarn | 20 singles | 32 singles |
| Body | Seamless (tubular) | Side seamed |
| Dyeing | Garment dyed (pigment or reactive) | Not garment dyed |
| Fit | Relaxed, boxy | Retail, more tailored |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid to premium |
Specs come from the Comfort Colors style guide, S&S Activewear, and the BELLA+CANVAS product page.
Fabric and weight
The biggest difference you'll feel is weight. At 6.1 oz, the 1717 is almost 50% heavier than the 4.2 oz 3001. Comfort Colors uses a thicker 20 singles yarn, so the knit is beefy and a little textured. Bella+Canvas uses finer 32 singles combed and ring-spun cotton, which is why the 3001 feels smooth and almost silky by comparison.
That weight cuts both ways. The 1717 hides body lines and feels substantial, but it's warm. The 3001 is breathable and drapes nicely, but it's thinner and can show more through light colors.
Fit
The 1717 has a seamless tube body and a relaxed cut. It hangs straight and boxy, and plenty of people size up for an oversized look. The 3001 is side seamed, which lets Bella+Canvas shape the body for a closer retail fit. If your customers wear the shirt tucked, layered, or fitted, the 3001 is the safer bet. If they want "my favorite old tee," go 1717.
Feel and look
Comfort Colors: soft, washed, vintage
Comfort Colors dyes the finished shirt, then washes it. That's garment dyeing, and it's where the broken-in hand and the slightly uneven, faded color come from. No two shirts are exactly the same shade. Shades like Ivory, Bay, and Pepper are the look people buy the brand for.
Bella+Canvas: smooth, clean, modern
The 3001 is knit from yarn that's dyed before the shirt is sewn, so color is flat and consistent from shirt to shirt. The surface is smooth, which makes prints look sharp. Heathers add texture if you want a softer, sporty look. See the full range on our Bella+Canvas color chart.
Shrinkage
Comfort Colors says its garment dye and wash steps pre-shrink the shirt so it shrinks almost nothing at home. The 3001 is pre-shrunk too, but a light 100% cotton tee can still tighten up in a hot dryer. Tell your customers to dry on low either way, which also protects the print.
Who each shirt is for
- Comfort Colors 1717. Sorority and fraternity merch, souvenir shops, retro and distressed designs, church and camp shirts people actually keep, and anyone selling on comfort.
- Bella+Canvas 3001. Clothing brands, band merch, corporate swag that needs to look polished, fitness and athletic looks, and summer events where a heavy tee would be too warm.
Starting a line and torn between them? Many brands carry both: 3001 for the core line and 1717 for a vintage capsule. Our guide to starting a clothing brand with DTF covers how to keep that inventory light.
DTF on Comfort Colors vs Bella+Canvas
Both shirts press beautifully with DTF. The transfer brings its own white ink layer, so the print stays bright on a faded Comfort Colors shade or a dark Bella heather. Infynite transfers use one set of settings for both:
- Pre-press 5 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.
- Press at 300°F for 10 seconds with high pressure.
- Peel hot, right away, in one smooth low pull.
- Post-press 5 seconds with parchment or a Teflon sheet.
What changes in practice
- On the 1717, the heavier knit needs full pressure to push the adhesive into the fabric. Don't back off pressure because the shirt is thick. Comfort Colors also notes its neon colors are more heat sensitive.
- On the 3001, the light fabric can show a platen box mark. Press on a pad or pillow and keep the shirt flat. Side seams can make a shirt sit unevenly on the platen, so keep the print area clear of them.
- On Bella heathers, the poly content is fine at the same settings. See DTF on polyester if you're curious why.
The print sits a little more visibly on the smooth 3001 and blends in a little more on the textured 1717. If you want the print to look as worn as a Comfort Colors shirt, build in distressing or halftones.
FAQ
Is Comfort Colors heavier than Bella Canvas?
Yes. The 1717 is 6.1 oz/yd² and the 3001 is 4.2 oz/yd².
Which fits bigger, Comfort Colors or Bella Canvas?
Comfort Colors. The 1717 has a relaxed, boxy cut, and the 3001 has a closer retail fit. Check each brand's current size chart before ordering.
Is Bella Canvas garment dyed?
The standard 3001 is not. BELLA+CANVAS does sell a separate garment-dyed tee, the 4810GD, in its Washed Collection.
Do DTF transfers last on both?
Yes. Wait 24 hours before the first wash, wash inside out, skip bleach, and tumble dry low or hang dry. Details are in our DTF washing instructions.
Print on either blank
Pick the shirt that fits your customer, then send us the art. Orders placed before 1PM PT ship the same business day.