The Comfort Colors 1717 is the single most requested blank on Etsy, and for good reason. The 6.1 oz garment-dyed heavyweight tee commands premium pricing, photographs beautifully, and comes in 65 colors that no other blank can replicate. The garment-dyed process gives every shirt a lived-in, vintage feel that buyers are willing to pay $30-40 for.
But if you are building listings around the CC 1717, you need accurate color data. Not approximate swatches from a wholesaler catalog. Not a screenshot from someone else's listing. You need the actual hex codes and tier availability so your mockups, color charts, and listing photos match what ships to your customers.
This is the definitive Comfort Colors 1717 color reference for 2026. All 65 colors. Every hex code. Tier 1 and Tier 2 availability. Organized by color family so you can find exactly what you need.
Comfort Colors 1717 Quick Specs
Before the color charts, here is what you are working with:
| Specification | Detail | |--------------|--------| | Style Number | 1717 / C1717 | | Brand | Comfort Colors (Gildan) | | Fabric Weight | 6.1 oz/yd² | | Material | 100% ring-spun cotton | | Dye Process | Garment-dyed | | Preshrunk | Yes | | Hem | Double-needle stitched | | Sizes | S through 4XL | | Total Colors | 65 | | Fabric Type | Solid (all colors) |
All 65 Comfort Colors 1717 colors are solid fabric, garment-dyed. Unlike the Bella Canvas 3001 which spans multiple fabric blends (heathers, CVCs, triblends), every CC 1717 color uses the same 100% ring-spun cotton construction. The only variable is the dye color and the tier.
Understanding Tier 1 vs. Tier 2
Comfort Colors divides its 1717 colors into two tiers that affect pricing and availability through POD fulfillment providers:
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Tier 1 (29 colors): The core lineup. These are stocked in every size at every major wholesaler and POD provider. They have the lowest fulfillment costs and the fastest turnaround. If you are building a shop and want reliable, always-in-stock colors, start here.
-
Tier 2 (36 colors): Extended and seasonal colors. Still available through most POD providers, but they may carry slightly higher fulfillment costs, longer production times, or occasional stock limitations. Many of the trendiest CC 1717 colors (Banana, Citrus, Burnt Orange) are Tier 2.
For new shops, build your core listings around Tier 1 colors. Add Tier 2 colors for seasonal collections and trend-driven designs. This way you always have reliable fulfillment on your bestsellers while still capitalizing on trending colors.
Complete Color Chart: All 65 Colors
Neutrals (9 Colors)
The foundation of any CC 1717 collection. Neutral garment-dyed shirts outsell every other category because they pair with virtually any design and appeal to the broadest audience.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| White | #ffffff | Tier 1 | Clean base, slightly warmer than retail white due to garment wash |
| Ivory | #f7f0dd | Tier 1 | Warm off-white, extremely popular for vintage and cottagecore designs |
| Sandstone | #948f7f | Tier 1 | Warm taupe-grey, photographs as a muted earth tone |
| Khaki | #9e9076 | Tier 1 | Sandy tan, pairs well with earthy/botanical designs |
| Granite | #828385 | Tier 1 | Cool medium grey, neutral undertone |
| Grey | #6e6e6c | Tier 1 | True mid-tone grey, darker than Granite |
| Pepper | #61605d | Tier 1 | Dark charcoal with warm undertone, a perennial bestseller |
| Graphite | #464948 | Tier 1 | Near-black dark grey, popular alternative to straight black |
| Black | #191919 | Tier 1 | Deep black, garment wash gives it a softer look than piece-dyed blacks |
Pepper (#61605d) is one of the top 3 bestselling CC 1717 colors across Etsy. The warm charcoal tone photographs well and works with both light and dark design colors. If you stock one dark neutral beyond black, make it Pepper.
Blues (14 Colors)
The largest color family in the CC 1717 lineup. Blues range from icy pastels to deep navies, and several of these are among the most recognizable Comfort Colors shades.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Chambray | #c3e4ec | Tier 1 | Light ice blue, soft pastel |
| Ice Blue | #7d98a2 | Tier 2 | Muted steel blue, cooler than Chambray |
| Flo Blue | #6183b6 | Tier 2 | Medium periwinkle-blue, bright but not vivid |
| Blue Jean | #617c99 | Tier 1 | The iconic CC color. Muted denim blue, instantly recognizable |
| Washed Denim | #637ea4 | Tier 2 | Slightly brighter and bluer than Blue Jean |
| China Blue | #455677 | Tier 2 | Dark slate blue with cool undertone |
| Mystic Blue | #5e74ae | Tier 2 | Medium-dark violet-blue |
| Denim | #535e71 | Tier 1 | Darker, greyer cousin of Blue Jean |
| Royal Caribe | #2f8ebe | Tier 2 | Bright teal-blue, tropical feel |
| Lagoon Blue | #43bccc | Tier 2 | Vivid aqua, strong summer seasonal color |
| Sapphire | #14aacb | Tier 2 | Bright cyan-blue, high visual impact |
| Midnight | #455472 | Tier 2 | Dark navy-blue with slight purple undertone |
| Navy | #0d1d40 | Tier 1 | Classic deep navy |
| True Navy | #293b5c | Tier 1 | Slightly lighter and bluer than Navy |
Blue Jean (#617c99) is arguably the signature Comfort Colors color. It is the shade most people picture when they think "Comfort Colors tee." If you are creating a CC 1717 mockup collection for your shop, Blue Jean should be your first blue.
Greens (11 Colors)
Greens are having a sustained moment in POD. The nature-inspired, earthy green palette in the CC 1717 lineup hits the cottagecore and outdoor aesthetic perfectly.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Chalky Mint | #7dbcc2 | Tier 1 | Muted mint-teal, one of the bestselling CC colors overall |
| Seafoam | #47a2a0 | Tier 1 | Deeper teal-green, saturated but not bright |
| Island Reef | #88cfc1 | Tier 1 | Light mint-green, beachy and fresh |
| Island Green | #1b9075 | Tier 2 | Rich emerald-teal, tropical |
| Light Green | #4f8077 | Tier 1 | Muted sage-teal, earthy |
| Bay | #92a197 | Tier 2 | Pale grey-green, extremely subtle |
| Blue Spruce | #5b8084 | Tier 1 | Deep teal with blue undertone, Pacific Northwest feel |
| Sage | #5c624f | Tier 2 | Muted olive-green, very earthy |
| Moss | #505e4b | Tier 2 | Dark olive, forest green family |
| Hemp | #525b40 | Tier 2 | Dark yellow-green, military/utility tone |
| Emerald | #396a70 | Tier 2 | Deep jewel-tone teal-green |
Yellows and Oranges (10 Colors)
Warm tones that pop in listing photos. These colors are seasonal powerhouses — Butter and Yam in particular drive significant search volume on Etsy.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Banana | #faf0bd | Tier 2 | Pale pastel yellow, very soft |
| Butter | #f8e29f | Tier 1 | Warm golden yellow, one of the top 5 bestselling CC colors |
| Citrus | #fac35e | Tier 2 | Deep golden-orange yellow |
| Mustard | #c9a84c | Tier 2 | Warm ochre-gold, vintage appeal |
| Melon | #ee8a6e | Tier 2 | Salmon-coral, warm and inviting |
| Peachy | #f5b99a | Tier 2 | Soft peach, light and feminine |
| Yam | #bb6848 | Tier 1 | Burnt sienna-orange, a signature CC bestseller |
| Burnt Orange | #f07842 | Tier 2 | Bright warm orange |
| Terracotta | #e2845e | Tier 2 | Warm clay orange, earthy |
| Paprika | #de4659 | Tier 2 | Red-orange, bold and spicy |
Butter (#f8e29f) and Yam (#bb6848) are consistently in the top 5 bestselling CC 1717 colors on Etsy. Butter peaks in spring and summer. Yam peaks in fall. Plan your seasonal collections around these two.
Reds and Pinks (10 Colors)
From soft pastels to vivid neons, the red and pink family covers a wide range. Crimson and Brick are reliable year-round sellers. Neon Pink and Crunchberry attract a younger demographic.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Bright Salmon | #f37268 | Tier 1 | Warm coral-red, cheerful and summery |
| Watermelon | #e66a7d | Tier 1 | Pink-red, a strong summer seasonal color |
| Crimson | #b94f5e | Tier 1 | Deep warm red, muted and sophisticated |
| Red | #c12744 | Tier 2 | True red, brighter and cooler than Crimson |
| Brick | #b13b55 | Tier 1 | Deep berry-red, darker than Crimson |
| Chili | #ab3d57 | Tier 2 | Dark berry-red, similar to Brick with cooler undertone |
| Blossom | #f1c5d7 | Tier 2 | Soft baby pink, light and delicate |
| Crunchberry | #f1719e | Tier 1 | Bright bubblegum pink, high visual impact |
| Neon Pink | #ef4192 | Tier 2 | Vivid hot pink, attention-grabbing |
| Neon Red Orange | #f17173 | Tier 2 | Bright coral-neon, eye-catching |
Purples (7 Colors)
A compact but well-spaced purple range. Grape and Berry are reliable mid-tone staples, while Hydrangea and Periwinkle catch the pastel trend.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Orchid | #b19ec0 | Tier 2 | Soft lavender, pastel purple |
| Violet | #6e6ba0 | Tier 1 | True medium purple |
| Grape | #6d6493 | Tier 1 | Muted purple, slightly blue undertone |
| Berry | #96607b | Tier 1 | Warm mauve-purple, earthy |
| Wine | #69617a | Tier 2 | Dark muted purple with grey undertone |
| Periwinkle | #6678b6 | Tier 2 | Blue-purple, trendy pastel-meets-medium tone |
| Hydrangea | #8fa8d8 | Tier 2 | Light blue-lavender, soft and airy |
Neons (3 Colors)
High-visibility statement colors. These work for specific niches — summer, beach, festival, workout, and youth-oriented designs.
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Neon Violet | #9b6fc0 | Tier 2 | Bright purple with warm undertone |
| Neon Lemon | #f0e85c | Tier 2 | Vivid yellow-green, high visibility |
| Neon Cantaloupe | #ffa770 | Tier 2 | Warm peach-orange neon |
Specialty (1 Color)
| Color Name | Hex Code | Tier | Notes |
|-----------|----------|------|-------|
| Espresso | #3e3028 | Tier 2 | Rich dark brown, unique in the CC lineup |
Espresso (#3e3028) is the only true brown in the CC 1717 lineup. It fills a gap that most POD sellers overlook. If you sell designs with earthy, rustic, or coffee-themed aesthetics, Espresso is a strong niche color with less competition than the usual neutrals.
Color Count Summary
| Color Family | Count | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | |-------------|-------|--------|--------| | Neutrals | 9 | 9 | 0 | | Blues | 14 | 5 | 9 | | Greens | 11 | 5 | 6 | | Yellows/Oranges | 10 | 2 | 8 | | Reds/Pinks | 10 | 5 | 5 | | Purples | 7 | 3 | 4 | | Neons | 3 | 0 | 3 | | Specialty | 1 | 0 | 1 | | Total | 65 | 29 | 36 |
Why Garment-Dyed Colors Look Different in Photos vs. Real Life
This is the single most important thing to understand about Comfort Colors — and the reason most mockup generators produce inaccurate results.
The Garment-Dye Process
Standard t-shirts (Gildan 5000, Bella Canvas 3001) are piece-dyed: the fabric is dyed in bolts before it is cut and sewn. The result is perfectly uniform color across every inch of the garment. A single hex code represents the shirt accurately.
The Comfort Colors 1717 is garment-dyed: the shirt is cut and sewn from raw white cotton first, and then the entire finished garment is submerged in dye vats. The dye interacts differently with every part of the shirt based on:
- Seam density — thicker layered areas (collar, hems, side seams) absorb dye differently than single-layer fabric
- Cotton fiber variation — natural variation in ring-spun cotton means no two square inches absorb identically
- Garment tension — how the shirt sits in the dye vat affects absorption patterns
- Wash process — the post-dye wash that gives CC its softness also pulls dye unevenly
What This Means Visually
A Comfort Colors Pepper shirt is not a uniform #61605d across its entire surface. It has:
- Slightly lighter tones along seams and hems
- Subtle variation from chest to hem
- A faintly washed, vintage quality that is the entire selling point
- Batch-to-batch variation — two Pepper shirts ordered a month apart may differ slightly
This is not a defect. It is the product's core value proposition. Customers pay a $10+ premium specifically for this aesthetic.
Why This Creates Problems for Mockups
A flat color fill using hex #61605d does not look like a garment-dyed Pepper shirt. It looks like a piece-dyed charcoal shirt. The hex code tells you the approximate center-point of the color, but it does not communicate the texture, variation, and vintage character that makes Comfort Colors what it is.
This is why generic mockup generators produce CC 1717 listings that look wrong. The customer sees a perfectly uniform shirt in your listing, receives a beautifully varied garment-dyed shirt, and thinks they got the wrong color — even though both are technically "Pepper."
Color variation between batches is normal for garment-dyed products. Your fulfillment provider will ship shirts that may vary slightly from the hex values in this chart. This is expected and is part of the garment-dyed appeal. Include a note in your Etsy listings about natural color variation to set customer expectations.
Trending CC 1717 Colors for 2026
Based on Etsy search volume, social media trends, and wholesale order data, these are the CC 1717 colors driving the most demand in 2026:
Perennial Bestsellers (Year-Round)
These five colors consistently rank in the top 10 across all seasons:
-
Butter (
#f8e29f) — The warm golden yellow that started the "Comfort Colors aesthetic" on TikTok. Works with virtually any design style. Tier 1 availability means reliable fulfillment. -
Chalky Mint (
#7dbcc2) — A muted mint-teal that photographs beautifully and appeals to both men and women. The go-to color for beach, nature, and lifestyle brands. -
Blue Jean (
#617c99) — The signature CC color. The muted denim blue that most people associate with the brand. If you only mock up one CC 1717 color, this is it. -
Yam (
#bb6848) — Burnt sienna-orange that dominates fall collections. Pairs perfectly with vintage, retro, and collegiate designs. -
Pepper (
#61605d) — The warm charcoal that outsells standard grey and black combined for many sellers. Works with every design color and style.
Rising Colors for 2026
These colors are seeing accelerating search volume and social media mentions:
- Ivory (
#f7f0dd) — Replacing white as the preferred light neutral for the "clean vintage" look - Seafoam (
#47a2a0) — Deeper than Chalky Mint, trending for nature and outdoors niches - Blossom (
#f1c5d7) — Soft pink riding the "soft girl" and cottagecore aesthetics - Mustard (
#c9a84c) — Warm ochre-gold for vintage and retro designs - Blue Spruce (
#5b8084) — Deep teal trending in the outdoor/PNW/hiking niche
Seasonal Color Strategy
| Season | Top Colors | Why | |--------|-----------|-----| | Spring | Butter, Chalky Mint, Blossom, Island Reef | Pastels and fresh tones drive spring buying | | Summer | Blue Jean, Seafoam, Watermelon, Lagoon Blue | Bright and beachy, strong gifting season | | Fall | Yam, Pepper, Brick, Mustard, Espresso | Warm earth tones for back-to-school and holiday prep | | Winter | Ivory, Graphite, Berry, True Navy | Rich, cozy tones for holiday gifting |
Tips for Photographing and Mocking Up Garment-Dyed Tees
Getting CC 1717 colors right in your listings requires understanding the unique challenges of garment-dyed fabric.
Challenge 1: Monitor Calibration vs. Physical Color
The hex codes in this chart represent the center-point of each color. But a hex code displayed on your monitor and the same hex code displayed on your customer's phone will look different. Add garment-dye batch variation on top of that, and you have three layers of potential color mismatch.
What to do: Use the hex codes as your starting point, but always compare your mockup against a physical shirt sample when possible. Order samples of your most popular colors and use them as a reference when evaluating your mockups.
Challenge 2: Lighting Changes Everything
Garment-dyed fabrics are especially sensitive to lighting conditions because the subtle color variations in the fabric interact differently with warm vs. cool light:
- Cool/fluorescent lighting makes garment-dyed colors look flatter and greyer
- Warm/natural lighting brings out the depth and variation in the dye
- Direct sunlight can blow out the subtle variation that makes the shirt appealing
- Overcast/diffused light is ideal for showing the true character of garment-dyed fabric
What to do: If you are photographing physical samples, shoot in diffused natural light. If you are using AI mockups, look for scenes with warm, even lighting that will show the color accurately.
Challenge 3: The Flat Color Problem
The most common mistake in CC 1717 mockups is applying a flat, uniform color fill. This makes a garment-dyed shirt look like a Gildan 5000. The garment-dyed character — the subtle wash, the seam variation, the vintage feel — is lost.
What to do: Use a mockup generator that understands garment-dyed texture, not just color values. AI-powered generators that composite your design onto realistic garment-dyed fabric produce dramatically better results than template-based color-fill tools.
Challenge 4: Design Color Interaction
Your design colors will look different on a garment-dyed surface than on a piece-dyed surface. The slight texture variation in garment-dyed fabric affects how printed colors appear:
- DTG prints on garment-dyed fabric may show slightly less color saturation
- White ink base layers are essential on medium and dark garment-dyed colors
- Screen print colors can shift slightly due to the dye chemistry of garment-dyed fabric
What to do: When mocking up designs on darker CC 1717 colors, make sure your mockup reflects the white underbase that DTG and screen printers use. A design mockup without the underbase will look more transparent than the actual print.
When creating listings for multiple CC 1717 colors, generate mockups for each color rather than using a single mockup with a color-picker overlay. Customers want to see how the design looks on the specific color they are buying, especially with garment-dyed shirts where the overall aesthetic changes with every color.
CC 1717 vs. Gildan 5000: Different Products for Different Markets
If you are choosing between the Comfort Colors 1717 and the Gildan 5000, you are not comparing two versions of the same product. They occupy completely different market positions.
| Feature | CC 1717 | Gildan 5000 | |---------|---------|-------------| | Weight | 6.1 oz (heavyweight) | 5.3 oz (midweight) | | Material | 100% ring-spun cotton | 100% cotton (open-end on many colors) | | Dye Process | Garment-dyed | Piece-dyed | | Fit | Relaxed, boxy, oversized | Traditional, standard fit | | Feel | Soft, broken-in from day one | Standard cotton hand feel | | Color Consistency | Natural variation (intentional) | Highly uniform | | Total Colors | 65 | 87 | | Price Point (retail) | $30-40 printed | $18-28 printed | | Fulfillment Cost | Higher ($8-12) | Lower ($5-8) | | Target Buyer | Premium/aesthetic-driven | Value/practical-driven | | Best Platform | Etsy, Shopify, Instagram | Amazon, Etsy, bulk orders | | Mockup Challenge | Garment-dyed texture accuracy | Color accuracy to hex values |
When to Use CC 1717
- You sell on Etsy and target the aesthetic/lifestyle/vintage buyer
- Your designs are meant to look like premium branded merchandise
- You want higher margins per unit, even with higher fulfillment costs
- Your brand is built around the garment-dyed, vintage look
- You sell in niches like cottagecore, retro, collegiate, or outdoor lifestyle
When to Use Gildan 5000
- You sell on Amazon where price competition is fierce
- You need the widest possible color range (87 colors)
- You prioritize predictable, uniform colors in your listings
- You sell high volume at lower margins
- Your designs are the primary value — the blank is secondary
Many successful POD sellers stock both. They use CC 1717 for premium Etsy listings at $35+ and Gildan 5000 for Amazon listings at $22. Same designs, different blanks, different price points, different customers.
Mockup Implications
The Gildan 5000 is easier to mock up accurately because its piece-dyed fabric is uniform. A hex code fill gets you close to reality. The CC 1717 is harder because the garment-dyed process creates visual texture that a flat fill cannot replicate.
This is where AI-powered mockup generators have a significant advantage. They can render the subtle variation, washed-out seams, and vintage character of garment-dyed fabric in a way that template-based tools cannot.
Quick Reference: All 29 Tier 1 Colors
For quick access, here are all 29 Tier 1 colors — the core lineup with the best availability and lowest fulfillment costs:
| Color Name | Hex Code | Family |
|-----------|----------|--------|
| White | #ffffff | Neutral |
| Ivory | #f7f0dd | Neutral |
| Sandstone | #948f7f | Neutral |
| Khaki | #9e9076 | Neutral |
| Granite | #828385 | Neutral |
| Grey | #6e6e6c | Neutral |
| Pepper | #61605d | Neutral |
| Graphite | #464948 | Neutral |
| Black | #191919 | Neutral |
| Chambray | #c3e4ec | Blue |
| Blue Jean | #617c99 | Blue |
| Denim | #535e71 | Blue |
| Navy | #0d1d40 | Blue |
| True Navy | #293b5c | Blue |
| Chalky Mint | #7dbcc2 | Green |
| Seafoam | #47a2a0 | Green |
| Island Reef | #88cfc1 | Green |
| Light Green | #4f8077 | Green |
| Blue Spruce | #5b8084 | Green |
| Butter | #f8e29f | Yellow/Orange |
| Yam | #bb6848 | Yellow/Orange |
| Bright Salmon | #f37268 | Red/Pink |
| Watermelon | #e66a7d | Red/Pink |
| Crimson | #b94f5e | Red/Pink |
| Brick | #b13b55 | Red/Pink |
| Crunchberry | #f1719e | Red/Pink |
| Violet | #6e6ba0 | Purple |
| Grape | #6d6493 | Purple |
| Berry | #96607b | Purple |
Bookmark this page. We update it whenever Comfort Colors adds or retires colors from the 1717 lineup. This is the most complete CC 1717 color chart with hex codes available online.
Start Creating Accurate CC 1717 Mockups
You have the colors. You have the hex codes. Now you need mockups that do them justice.
Seller Mockups uses AI to generate photorealistic Comfort Colors 1717 mockups with accurate garment-dyed texture — not flat color fills. Upload your design, pick your CC 1717 color, and get a listing-ready mockup that shows the vintage, washed character your customers expect.
No Photoshop. No templates. No flat-fill color swaps that make a $35 garment-dyed tee look like a $15 piece-dyed shirt.