About Our Shirts

We use two main T-shirt blanks because the same shirt doesn’t work for every design. Some graphics look better on a clean, lighter tee with a more fitted shape. Others need a heavier shirt, a washed colour and a little more room. We choose the blank based on the design, colour and feel we’re after.

Bella+Canvas 3001

Lighter. Cleaner colour. More fitted.

The Bella+Canvas 3001 is our go-to when we want a softer, lighter shirt and a cleaner colour underneath the artwork. It’s made from 4.2 oz Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton and has a side-seamed, classic unisex fit that sits closer to the body than our Comfort Colors tees.

We tend to use Bella+Canvas when a design benefits from a more traditional black, navy or solid colour rather than a washed finish.

Comfort Colors 1717

Heavier. Garment washed. More relaxed.

Comfort Colors has a noticeably different feel. The 1717 is a heavyweight, garment-dyed ring-spun cotton tee with a relaxed tubular body. The garment-dye and wash process gives many of the pigment colours their softer, slightly faded appearance before you ever put the shirt on. Comfort Colors also uses reactive-dyed shades where a more traditional colour is wanted.

The cut is roomier and feels more boxy than the Bella. We use it when that heavier, broken-in shirt and washed colour are part of the design rather than something we’re trying to hide.

Which one is better?

Neither. They’re doing different jobs.

Choose Bella+Canvas if you prefer: a lighter tee, cleaner colour and a more streamlined fit.

Choose Comfort Colors if you prefer: a heavier tee, relaxed fit and the slightly worn-in character of a garment-dyed shirt.

You’ll see the shirt style listed on each product page. Because the two blanks fit differently, check the size guide for the specific shirt rather than assuming the same size will feel identical across both.