The Gildan 5000 and Comfort Colors 1717 sit at opposite ends of the POD t-shirt spectrum. One is the budget workhorse that's been the default blank for decades. The other is the trending premium pick that's exploded on Etsy over the past two years.
They're both 100% cotton. They're both widely available through major POD providers. And they both sell well. But they attract completely different buyers, serve different brand strategies, and require different pricing approaches.
This guide breaks down every difference that matters: fabric, fit, colors, print quality, and — most importantly — which one makes you more money.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Gildan 5000 | Comfort Colors 1717 | |---------|-------------|---------------------| | Material | 100% open-end cotton, preshrunk | 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed | | Weight | 5.3 oz/yd² | 6.1 oz/yd² | | Fit | Classic, boxy | Relaxed, loose | | Softness | 5/10 | 8.5/10 | | Look | Standard, clean | Vintage, lived-in | | Colors | 60-80+ (standard palette) | 80+ (vintage-inspired) | | Sizes | S – 5XL | S – 4XL | | POD Base Cost | ~$5 – $9 | ~$9 – $15 | | Typical Retail | $18 – $25 | $26 – $35 | | DTG Print | Good | Good | | Screen Print | Excellent | Excellent | | Trend | Steady workhorse | Surging in 2024-2026 |
For deep dives on each blank individually, see our Gildan 5000 complete guide and Comfort Colors 1717 guide.
Fabric & Feel
This is the single biggest difference between these two shirts, and it's obvious the moment you hold them side by side.
Gildan 5000: Open-end cotton, preshrunk. The fabric is functional — it's a t-shirt that does its job. It's not scratchy, but it's not soft either. The open-end yarn gives it a slightly rougher, more textured surface. After several washes it softens up, but out of the package it feels like what it is: a budget blank.
Comfort Colors 1717: Ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed. This is a fundamentally different shirt. Ring-spun cotton creates a smoother, softer yarn. The garment-dying process (where the finished shirt is dyed rather than the fabric) adds a lived-in softness from day one. It feels like a shirt you've owned for years — in a good way.
The weight difference matters too. At 6.1 oz, the 1717 has noticeably more substance than the 5.3 oz G5000. It drapes differently, feels more substantial on the body, and gives the impression of higher quality even before the buyer reads the product description.
Bottom line: If a buyer cares about how a shirt feels, the 1717 wins by a wide margin. If they just need a shirt with a design on it, the G5000 does the job.
Fit & Sizing
Gildan 5000: Classic boxy fit with tubular construction (no side seams). It's the traditional t-shirt silhouette — straight from shoulder to hem, not shaped at the waist. Runs true to size for a standard fit. Size range goes from S to 5XL, which is one of the widest in POD.
Comfort Colors 1717: Relaxed, loose fit. The 1717 is intentionally roomier through the body, which aligns with the vintage/oversized aesthetic its buyers want. It's not sloppy-big — it's "effortlessly loose" in the way that vintage tees are. Size range runs S to 4XL.
The G5000's 5XL availability is a real advantage if you sell to a broad audience. The 1717 topping out at 4XL limits your reach slightly, though it covers the vast majority of buyers.
For detailed measurements on each, see our Gildan 5000 size chart and Comfort Colors 1717 size chart.
Sizing communication matters more with the CC 1717 than the G5000. The relaxed fit confuses buyers who are used to standard sizing. Include a note in your listings: "Relaxed fit — order your usual size for a loose, vintage feel or size down one for a more fitted look." This reduces returns significantly.
Color Options
Gildan 5000: 60-80+ colors spanning the full rainbow. Standard, saturated tones — what you'd expect from a traditional blank. Strong primaries, clean neutrals, and neon options. The palette is designed for maximum versatility: events, uniforms, corporate, casual.
Comfort Colors 1717: 80+ colors, but they look nothing like the G5000's palette. Every color is muted, slightly faded, and vintage-toned. Instead of "Red" you get "Crimson." Instead of "Blue" you get "Blue Jean." The garment-dying process gives each color a unique, slightly weathered character.
The 1717's color palette is a major part of its appeal. Colors like Ivory, Pepper, Blue Jean, Moss, and Yam have become some of the best-selling options on Etsy. These colors photograph beautifully and align with the vintage/boho/cottagecore aesthetics that dominate Etsy's trending categories.
The G5000's palette is broader but more generic. It works for everything, but doesn't have the same trend-driven pull.
For complete color breakdowns with swatches, check our Gildan 5000 color chart and Comfort Colors 1717 color chart.
Print Quality
Both blanks work with the two most common POD print methods. Here's how they compare honestly.
Screen printing: Both are excellent. The G5000's slightly rougher surface holds ink well, and the 1717's ring-spun cotton gives a smooth, premium print surface. For bulk orders with screen printing, the G5000 wins on cost; the 1717 wins on perceived quality.
DTG (direct-to-garment): This is where it gets nuanced. The G5000's open-end cotton creates a slightly rougher print surface, which can make fine details look marginally less sharp compared to ring-spun blanks. It's not bad — it's good — but it's not as crisp as smoother fabrics.
The 1717 has a smoother ring-spun surface that takes DTG ink well, but the garment-dying process can introduce slight color variation. The dyed fabric means the base color isn't perfectly uniform, which can occasionally affect print consistency — especially with lighter ink colors on darker shirts.
The practical difference for POD sellers: For most designs (text, bold graphics, illustrations), both blanks produce good DTG results. For photographic or extremely detailed designs, neither is ideal — a Bella Canvas 3001 with its Airlume combed cotton gives the sharpest DTG results. See our Bella Canvas 3001 vs Gildan 5000 comparison for that matchup.
Pricing & Profit Margins
Here's where many sellers assume the G5000 is the obvious winner. It's not that simple.
Gildan 5000 — Priced at $22.99
| Line Item | Amount | |-----------|--------| | POD base cost (with print) | ~$7.00 | | Etsy fees (~12%) | ~$2.76 | | Profit per sale | ~$13.23 |
Comfort Colors 1717 — Priced at $28.99
| Line Item | Amount | |-----------|--------| | POD base cost (with print) | ~$12.00 | | Etsy fees (~12%) | ~$3.48 | | Profit per sale | ~$13.51 |
The per-unit profit is nearly identical. The 1717 costs more to produce, but it commands a higher retail price — buyers expect to pay more for a garment-dyed premium blank and they do so willingly.
Where the math diverges:
- Volume potential: The G5000's lower price point casts a wider net. More buyers are willing to spend $22.99 on a t-shirt than $28.99. If your niche is price-sensitive (funny tees, event shirts, gifts under $25), the G5000 wins on volume.
- Perceived value: The 1717's premium feel generates better reviews, more repeat buyers, and higher customer satisfaction. A $28.99 CC 1717 feels like a deal. A $22.99 Gildan 5000 feels like... a $22.99 t-shirt.
- Return rates: The 1717's softness and quality mean fewer "this feels cheap" complaints. Returns eat into profit margins, and cheaper blanks generate more of them.
Price your Comfort Colors 1717 listings at $28-35 without hesitation. Buyers searching for Comfort Colors on Etsy already know what they want and expect premium pricing. Underpricing a CC 1717 at $22 doesn't attract more buyers — it signals that something's off about the product.
Who Should Sell Each
Sell the Gildan 5000 if:
- You're optimizing for volume. Low base cost means you can run promotions, offer bundles, and still maintain margins.
- Your niche is price-sensitive. Funny tees, meme designs, event shirts, and novelty gifts — these buyers care about the design, not the blank.
- You sell on Amazon or Walmart Marketplace. These platforms are more price-driven than Etsy. The G5000's cost advantage matters more here.
- You do bulk/custom orders. The G5000 is the default blank for a reason — it's cheap and reliable.
- You need sizes up to 5XL. The broader size range covers more customers.
For mockup guidance specific to this blank, see our Gildan 5000 mockup guide.
Sell the Comfort Colors 1717 if:
- You sell on Etsy with a defined brand aesthetic. Vintage, boho, cottagecore, retro, minimalist — the 1717's look and feel matches these audiences perfectly.
- Your buyers care about shirt quality. If your customers leave reviews mentioning "soft" and "comfortable," they're 1717 buyers.
- You target the gift market. Gift buyers are less price-sensitive and more quality-conscious. A garment-dyed tee feels like a thoughtful gift; a standard blank doesn't.
- You want to build a premium brand. The 1717 signals quality. It's harder to build a premium perception on a budget blank.
- You're riding the trend. Comfort Colors has been the fastest-growing blank on Etsy in 2024-2026. The demand is real and still climbing.
For mockup guidance specific to this blank, see our Comfort Colors 1717 mockup guide.
Can You Sell Both?
Yes — and many successful POD sellers do. The key is positioning them correctly so they don't cannibalize each other.
Strategy 1: Different designs, different blanks. Put bold, graphic, text-heavy designs on the G5000. Put minimalist, vintage-aesthetic, or subtle designs on the 1717. The blank matches the design vibe.
Strategy 2: Same design, different listings. Offer your best-selling designs on both blanks at different price points. Some buyers will choose the $22.99 G5000 version; others will pay $28.99 for the 1717. You capture both segments without losing either.
Strategy 3: Platform split. Use the G5000 for Amazon/Walmart listings where price drives decisions. Use the 1717 for Etsy where aesthetics and perceived quality matter more.
The one thing to avoid: listing a Comfort Colors 1717 at the same price as a Gildan 5000. If a buyer sees two identical designs — one on a CC 1717 and one on a G5000 — both priced at $22.99, it devalues the 1717 and makes the G5000 look overpriced. Keep the price gap proportional to the quality gap.
Seller Mockups offers free downloadable listing images — size charts, product details, and care instructions — for both blanks. These fill your extra image slots and reduce returns by setting accurate expectations. No subscription needed.
FAQ
Which blank is better for DTG printing?
Neither has a decisive advantage. The G5000's open-end cotton gives slightly less sharp detail on fine designs. The 1717's garment-dyed surface can cause minor color variation. For most POD designs, both produce good results. If DTG sharpness is your top priority, consider the Bella Canvas 3001 instead.
Is the Comfort Colors 1717 worth double the base cost?
Depends on your market. If your buyers value softness and vintage aesthetics (Etsy, boutique brands), yes — you'll command $6-10 more per sale and likely see better reviews and repeat purchases. If your buyers are price-driven (Amazon, event orders), the G5000 delivers more profit per dollar invested.
Do Comfort Colors 1717 shrink more than Gildan 5000?
The G5000 is preshrunk. The 1717 is garment-dyed, which includes a wash cycle, but some additional shrinkage (typically 3-5%) can occur. Include a sizing note in your listings recommending buyers size up if they're between sizes or prefer a fitted look. Check our CC 1717 size chart for exact measurements.
Can I use the same mockups for both blanks?
You shouldn't. The G5000 and 1717 look completely different — different fabric texture, different drape, different color tones. Using the same mockup template for both misrepresents the product and leads to inaccurate buyer expectations. Use blank-specific mockups that reflect the actual garment appearance. For a comparison of the two blanks against a third major option, see our CC 1717 vs Bella Canvas 3001 comparison.
Conclusion
There's no universal winner here. The Gildan 5000 and Comfort Colors 1717 serve different markets, different price points, and different brand strategies.
The G5000 is the reliable, affordable blank that works everywhere. It's not exciting, but it's profitable — especially at volume and on price-driven platforms.
The 1717 is the trending, premium blank that buyers actively search for by name. It costs more but commands higher prices, generates better reviews, and builds a stronger brand perception.
The smartest move for most POD sellers: start with whichever matches your current audience, then add the other once you understand your market well enough to position both correctly.