Comfort Colors 1717 vs Bella+Canvas 3001: Which T-Shirt Should You Buy?

Last reviewed: October 2026. Written by the LM Apparel team.

Key takeaways

• Weight: Comfort Colors 1717 is about 6.1 oz per square yard (roughly 207 g/m²). Bella+Canvas 3001 is about 4.2 oz (roughly 142 g/m²).
• Fit: Comfort Colors is relaxed and slightly boxy. Bella+Canvas is a true-to-size retail fit.
• Chest measurements are almost identical at each size, but Comfort Colors body length is a little shorter.
• You can tell which blank a design uses from its product title: jersey tee means Bella+Canvas, garment-dyed means Comfort Colors.

What is the difference between Comfort Colors 1717 and Bella+Canvas 3001?

They are two of the most popular blank tees for printed shirts, and both are soft and made from ring-spun cotton. They get there in different ways. The Bella+Canvas 3001 is a smooth, light jersey with a modern retail fit. The Comfort Colors 1717 is thicker and garment-dyed, with a relaxed cut and the lived-in feel of a shirt you have owned for years.

We print our designs on both, so we know the differences well. Every design is printed on one of the two, and this guide explains how to tell which is which, how each fits, and how to choose.

How do they compare at a glance?

How do the fabrics feel?

The Bella+Canvas 3001 feels smooth and light. It is easy to layer under a blazer, a hoodie or a lab coat, and it is comfortable in warmer weather. The Comfort Colors 1717 feels thicker and more substantial, and because the finished shirt is dyed after it is sewn, it feels softly broken in from the first wear. Printers often point out that the smooth surface of the lighter tee shows fine detail crisply, while the heavier garment-dyed tee gives designs a softer, more vintage look.

What do the weights mean in grams?

Fabric weight is usually given in ounces per square yard in the US, and in grams per square meter elsewhere. The conversion is simple: one ounce per square yard is about 33.9 grams per square meter. That puts the Bella+Canvas 3001 at roughly 142 g/m² and the Comfort Colors 1717 at roughly 207 g/m². In practice, the Comfort Colors is about half as heavy again as the Bella+Canvas, which is why it feels so much more substantial in the hand. Retail fabric weights are often described loosely, so treat these as approximate.

What does garment-dyed actually mean?

Most tees are made from fabric that is dyed first and then cut and sewn. A garment-dyed tee is the other way around: the finished shirt is sewn together first and then the whole garment is dyed. That process gives the soft, textured, slightly washed look Comfort Colors is known for, and it is also why colors can vary slightly from one shirt to the next. Our guide to garment-dyed versus jersey tees goes into more detail.

How do they fit?

This is the biggest practical difference. Here are the measurements from our size guide, in inches:

Two things stand out. The chest measurements are almost identical at each size, so the roomier feel of the Comfort Colors comes from its heavier fabric, tubular cut and relaxed shape rather than a much wider chest. And the Comfort Colors body length is a little shorter, by roughly 0.2 to 1.4 inches depending on the size. Garment measurements can vary by up to 1.5 inches on the Bella+Canvas and by 1 to 2 inches on the garment-dyed Comfort Colors, so treat the numbers as close guides rather than exact figures. Sleeves are measured differently on the two charts, so we have left them out of the comparison. To convert to centimeters, multiply inches by 2.54. Some designs are offered in additional sizes, so check each product page for the full range.

How do you choose a size?

• Measure a tee you already like. Lay it flat, measure across from armpit to armpit, double it and compare it with the chest column.
• For a classic fit, choose a size whose chest measurement is about 2 to 4 inches larger than your body. For a roomier fit, add 4 to 6 inches.
• Prefer a women's fit? Unisex tees are cut a little wider through the body, so many women choose one size down from their usual unisex size.
• Want an oversized look? Go one or two sizes up.
• Buying a gift? A unisex M or L fits most adults, and the relaxed Comfort Colors is the more forgiving choice. Our sizing walkthrough goes into more detail.

Do they shrink?

Comfort Colors tees are pre-shrunk, and Bella+Canvas tees shrink very little. Washing cold, inside out, and drying on low heat keeps both the fit and the print in good shape. Our guides on washing graphic tees and washing garment-dyed tees cover the full routine.

How do they age after many washes?

The two tees age differently. Garment-dyed Comfort Colors shirts are known to develop a natural, slightly faded, vintage look with repeated washing, which many people consider part of the appeal. The Bella+Canvas keeps a smoother, more uniform look. Neither is better, it depends on whether you want a shirt that looks broken in or one that stays crisp. For both, cold washes and low heat in the dryer make the biggest difference to how long a tee and its print last, and our post on how often to replace a graphic tee covers what to watch for.

Which one should you choose?

• Choose Comfort Colors 1717 if you want a thicker, softer, broken-in feel, a relaxed fit and a washed, vintage look. It is also the better choice when you are unsure of a gift recipient's size.
• Choose Bella+Canvas 3001 if you want a lighter, smoother, true-to-size tee for layering under a blazer or lab coat, for warmer weather, or for a cleaner, more modern look.
• Own both. Many people keep a lightweight tee for days with meetings or calls and a garment-dyed one for everything else.

How can you tell which blank a design uses?

The product title tells you. Designs labeled jersey tee are printed on the Bella+Canvas 3001 and follow its size chart. Designs labeled garment-dyed or vintage-wash are printed on the Comfort Colors 1717 and follow its chart. A few examples:

• Comfort Colors 1717 (garment-dyed): the Microduck Robot Splash Art tee and the Minimalist Medical Aesthetic tee.
• Bella+Canvas 3001 (jersey): the Minimalist Pharmacist Aesthetic tee and the Beyond Measure tee.

How long does delivery take, and when should you order?

Each tee is printed to order and ships free anywhere in the US. Production takes 2 to 7 business days and delivery adds 3 to 5 business days, so most orders arrive within 5 to 12 business days. For a gift with a deadline, order about three weeks ahead. For the holidays, order by Friday, December 4, 2026. We currently ship within the United States only.

Can you return or exchange for size?

Because every tee is made to order, a size or color chosen at checkout cannot be returned or exchanged, so check the chart before you order. 30-Day Issue Protection covers items that arrive damaged, defective, misprinted or different from what you ordered. Email support@lilymeleapparel.com with your order number and photos within 30 days of delivery, and we reply within one business day.

What should you skip?

• Ordering by usual size alone. The two blanks fit differently, so check the right chart.
• Assuming the garment-dyed color will match the product photo exactly. Garment dyeing can cause small variations.
• Comparing sleeve numbers across the two charts. They are measured differently.
• Leaving a gift order until the last minute.

Related guides

• Garment-dyed vs jersey tees: what is the difference
• Unisex graphic tee sizing guide
• How to spot a low-quality graphic tee before you buy
• How often should you replace a graphic tee

Sources

• LM Apparel T-shirt size guide
• Blue Cotton: Comfort Colors 1717 vs Bella+Canvas 3001
• Blue Cotton: Next Level 3600 vs Comfort Colors 1717 (construction)
• OOShirts: Comfort Colors size chart explained
• Merchize: Bella Canvas 3001 guide
• Printful: Comfort Colors custom shirts

The Bottom Line

Comfort Colors 1717 and Bella+Canvas 3001 are both good tees, built for different tastes. The Comfort Colors is heavier, softer in a broken-in way, and relaxed. The Bella+Canvas is lighter, smoother and true to size. Pick the one that matches how you like to wear a tee, check the right size chart, and order a few weeks early if it is a gift. The size guide has the full measurements for both, and you can browse all of our tees to see each design.

Know your blank, check the chart, and order early.

Frequently Asked Questions