Three t-shirt blanks dominate print on demand: the Bella Canvas 3001, the Comfort Colors 1717, and the Gildan 5000. Between them, they account for the vast majority of POD t-shirts sold on Etsy.
Each one targets a different buyer, a different price point, and a different brand identity. Picking the wrong blank doesn't just affect your margins — it affects who buys from you and how they perceive your shop.
This guide puts all three side by side with real specs, honest pros and cons, and a clear decision framework so you can stop guessing and start stocking the right blank for your business. For a broader overview of all available options, see our best t-shirt blanks for Etsy roundup.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Spec | Bella Canvas 3001 | Comfort Colors 1717 | Gildan 5000 | |------|-------------------|---------------------|-------------| | Material | 100% Airlume combed & ring-spun cotton | 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed | 100% preshrunk cotton | | Weight | 4.2 oz (lightweight) | 6.1 oz (medium-heavy) | 5.3 oz (medium) | | Fit | Retail / slim modern | Relaxed / loose | Classic | | Neckline | Crew with seam, rib knit | Crew with seam, rib knit | Seamless crew, rib knit | | Colors | 100+ | 60+ (muted, vintage tones) | 60+ | | Sizes | XS – 3XL | S – 4XL | S – 5XL | | Best Print Method | DTG | Screen print / DTG | Screen print | | Price Tier | Premium | Mid-premium | Budget |
For deep dives on each blank individually, see our complete guides: Bella Canvas 3001, Comfort Colors 1717, Gildan 5000.
Fabric and Feel
This is where the three blanks diverge most sharply.
Bella Canvas 3001 uses Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton — the softest fabric of the three. The tight, smooth weave feels retail-quality out of the package. It's lightweight at 4.2 oz, which means it drapes well and feels comfortable in warm weather. The downside: lighter colors can be slightly transparent, and the thin fabric won't appeal to buyers who prefer a substantial, weighty shirt.
Comfort Colors 1717 is garment-dyed ring-spun cotton at 6.1 oz. The garment dyeing process gives every shirt a pre-worn, vintage softness that you can't replicate with standard dyeing. It feels broken-in from day one. The heavier weight gives it a substantial, relaxed feel — like a shirt you've owned for years. This is the blank that's driven the "vintage aesthetic" trend on Etsy.
Gildan 5000 uses standard preshrunk cotton at 5.3 oz. Honest assessment: it's the coarsest of the three. The fabric is sturdy and durable but doesn't have the buttery softness of the BC 3001 or the vintage feel of the CC 1717. What it does have is consistency and durability — this shirt holds up to heavy wear and frequent washing without losing shape.
The fabric difference is immediately noticeable when you hold all three. If your buyers care about how the shirt feels (fashion, gifts, premium niches), the BC 3001 or CC 1717 is worth the higher cost. If your buyers care about price and durability (events, workwear, everyday humor tees), the Gildan 5000 delivers.
Fit and Sizing
Fit determines who buys your shirt as much as the design does.
Bella Canvas 3001: Retail slim fit. This is the tightest-fitting of the three — closer to what you'd find at H&M or Zara than a traditional blank tee. It looks polished and modern. Sizes run XS to 3XL. Buyers who want a contemporary, fitted look gravitate here. Buyers who prefer relaxed fits size up or go elsewhere.
Comfort Colors 1717: Relaxed loose fit. This is the opposite end of the spectrum — boxy, roomy, and designed to be worn oversized. Sizes S to 4XL. The relaxed fit is a feature, not a bug. It's exactly what the vintage/oversized aesthetic crowd wants. The extended size range to 4XL is also a selling point for inclusivity-focused shops.
Gildan 5000: Classic fit. Falls between the other two — not slim, not oversized. Sizes S to 5XL, the widest range of the three. This is the safe middle ground that works for the broadest audience. The 5XL option matters if you serve plus-size customers — neither the BC 3001 nor CC 1717 goes that high.
For detailed measurements, see our size chart guides: BC 3001 size chart, CC 1717 size chart, G5000 size chart.
Always include a size chart image in your Etsy listings regardless of which blank you sell. Each blank fits differently, and buyers who are used to one blank will be surprised by another. Seller Mockups provides free downloadable size chart images for all three blanks — no subscription required. Grab them and add them to every listing.
Print Quality
Print quality depends on both the blank and the print method. Here's how each blank handles the most common POD techniques:
| Print Method | BC 3001 | CC 1717 | Gildan 5000 | |-------------|---------|---------|-------------| | DTG (Direct to Garment) | Excellent — smooth surface, vibrant colors | Good — garment dye can slightly affect color consistency | Good — coarser texture, slightly less detail | | Screen Printing | Good | Excellent — heavy fabric takes ink well | Excellent — sturdy fabric, clean prints | | DTF (Direct to Film) | Good | Good | Good | | Embroidery | Adequate — lightweight fabric can pucker | Good — heavier fabric handles it well | Good | | Sublimation | No (100% cotton) | No (100% cotton) | Limited (some poly-blend colors) |
The BC 3001 is the best DTG blank of the three. The smooth Airlume cotton surface produces the sharpest detail and most vibrant colors. If your designs have fine lines, gradients, or photographic elements, this is the blank to use.
The CC 1717 prints well but with a caveat. Garment dyeing means the fabric surface has slight color variation. On most designs this adds character — prints look intentionally vintage. On designs requiring exact color matching or crisp lines, the variation can be a drawback.
The Gildan 5000 is reliable but not exceptional at DTG. The coarser cotton texture means slightly less detail than the BC 3001. Where it excels is screen printing — the heavier fabric takes ink cleanly and the results are durable.
Color Options
| Blank | Total Colors | Palette Style | Standout Colors | |-------|-------------|---------------|-----------------| | BC 3001 | 100+ | Modern, fashion-forward, full spectrum | Heather shades, deep jewel tones, true brights | | CC 1717 | 60+ | Muted, earthy, garment-dyed vintage | Pepper, Blue Jean, Yam, Moss, Berry | | G5000 | 60+ | Standard, bold, classic | Safety colors, bright primaries, deep darks |
Bella Canvas 3001 has the largest color selection by far. Over 100 options including heather blends, triblends, and fashion-forward shades you won't find on the other two. If your brand depends on offering a wide color range, BC wins by default. See the full palette: BC 3001 color chart.
Comfort Colors 1717 has fewer colors, but the colors it does offer are unique. Garment dyeing creates muted, vintage tones that don't exist on standard blanks — Pepper, Blue Jean, Yam, Moss, Berry, Chambray. These colors are a selling point in themselves. Many buyers specifically search for "Comfort Colors" because of the color palette. Full palette: CC 1717 color chart.
Gildan 5000 offers a solid standard palette with some unique additions like safety colors (ANSI-compliant) for workwear niches. The colors are bold and true — what you see is what you get. Full palette: G5000 color chart.
Pricing and Profit Margins
Here's where the decision gets practical. All numbers assume selling on Etsy through a standard POD provider.
| Factor | BC 3001 | CC 1717 | Gildan 5000 | |--------|---------|---------|-------------| | POD base cost (with print) | $13 – $16 | $14 – $18 | $9 – $12 | | Typical retail price | $28 – $35 | $30 – $38 | $22 – $28 | | Etsy fees (~12%) | $3.36 – $4.20 | $3.60 – $4.56 | $2.64 – $3.36 | | Profit per sale | $8.64 – $14.80 | $7.84 – $15.44 | $6.64 – $12.64 | | Margin | ~31 – 42% | ~26 – 41% | ~30 – 45% |
A few things to notice:
The Gildan 5000 has the highest percentage margin thanks to its low base cost. But the dollar profit per sale is similar across all three because premium blanks command higher retail prices.
The CC 1717 supports the highest retail prices. Buyers who search for "Comfort Colors" expect and accept premium pricing. A CC 1717 tee at $35 feels normal; a Gildan 5000 at $35 feels overpriced.
The BC 3001 hits a sweet spot. High enough quality to justify $28-35, low enough cost to maintain healthy margins. It's the most versatile choice for sellers who want one blank to do everything.
Don't price premium blanks at budget prices. Selling a Comfort Colors 1717 at $22 destroys your margins and signals low quality to buyers who know the blank. Research what top sellers charge for each blank in your niche and price accordingly. For a detailed pricing framework, see our pricing guide for POD products.
Which One Should You Sell?
Use this decision guide to match each blank to the right seller profile and brand type.
| If Your Shop Is... | Best Blank | Why | |--------------------|-----------|-----| | Fashion-forward, modern aesthetic | BC 3001 | Slim fit, softest fabric, 100+ colors, best DTG quality | | Vintage, boho, cottagecore, retro | CC 1717 | Garment-dyed vintage feel, relaxed fit, earthy color palette | | Budget-friendly, high-volume, humor/meme | Gildan 5000 | Lowest cost, widest size range (S-5XL), durable | | Gift-focused (birthdays, holidays) | BC 3001 or CC 1717 | Gift buyers pay premium, perceived quality matters | | Events, group orders, bulk | Gildan 5000 | Cost per unit is critical for bulk pricing | | Inclusive sizing (up to 5XL) | Gildan 5000 | Only blank that goes to 5XL | | Oversized/relaxed aesthetic | CC 1717 | Designed to be worn loose, looks intentional not sloppy |
For head-to-head comparisons between any two of these blanks, see our detailed matchups: BC 3001 vs Gildan 5000, CC 1717 vs BC 3001, Gildan 5000 vs CC 1717.
Can You Sell All Three?
Yes — and many of the most successful POD sellers do exactly that.
The multi-blank strategy works like this: Offer the same design on different blanks at different price points. A buyer searching for "funny nurse shirt" might want a $24 Gildan for everyday wear. Another buyer searching "comfort colors nurse tee" wants a $35 vintage-feel shirt. Same design, different product, different customer.
How to structure it:
- Gildan 5000 as your standard/budget option — list at $22-28
- Bella Canvas 3001 as your premium option — list at $28-35
- Comfort Colors 1717 as your vintage/oversized option — list at $30-38
Each listing targets different keywords, different buyer intent, and different price sensitivity. One design, three listings, three chances to capture a sale.
The operational complexity is minimal — your POD provider handles everything. The main investment is creating three sets of mockups per design. This is where having a mockup tool that supports all three blanks with accurate colors pays off quickly.
Seller Mockups supports all three blanks with manufacturer-accurate hex colors — the exact garment shades from Bella Canvas, Comfort Colors, and Gildan spec sheets. The "Make It Unique" AI scene regeneration creates a unique lifestyle scene for every mockup, so your BC 3001 listing, CC 1717 listing, and G5000 listing each have distinct photos even when the design is the same. At 300 DPI, every image is sharp enough for Etsy's zoom feature.
Don't forget to fill all 10 image slots on every listing. Beyond your lifestyle mockups, add size chart images, product detail graphics (fabric weight, material), and care instruction images. Seller Mockups provides these as free downloads for all three blanks — grab them and add them to every listing to reduce returns and build buyer confidence.
The Verdict
There's no single winner. Each blank is the best choice for a specific seller, niche, and buyer.
Pick the Bella Canvas 3001 if you want the softest shirt, best DTG print quality, and the widest color selection. It's the all-rounder that works for most shops.
Pick the Comfort Colors 1717 if your brand leans vintage, boho, or cottagecore. The garment-dyed aesthetic and relaxed fit are a competitive advantage in those niches — buyers actively search for this blank by name.
Pick the Gildan 5000 if margin per unit matters more than perceived premium quality. It's the workhorse of high-volume POD, and the S-5XL size range makes it the most inclusive option.
Or stock all three and let the customer decide. The best POD sellers don't bet on one blank — they offer options and let the data tell them where to double down.