Best Blank T-Shirt for Custom Printing: Gildan vs Next Level vs Comfort Colors

The blank you choose changes the feel, the fit, and the price as much as the print does. Here is an honest comparison of three shirts we print a lot of, from the budget workhorse to the premium heavyweight. We stock all three.

Gildan 5000, the workhorse

A 5.3 ounce, 100% cotton shirt with a classic, slightly boxy fit. It is the most affordable of the three and it prints beautifully, which is why it is the default for events, giveaways, staff shirts, and any large run where budget matters most. Durable, reliable, hard to beat on price.

Next Level 3600, the retail feel

A 4.3 ounce combed ring spun cotton tee with a softer hand and a more fitted, tailored cut. It costs meaningfully more than the Gildan, but it feels like a shirt someone actually wants to wear. This is the pick for clothing brands, streetwear, and merch where the shirt itself is part of the product.

Comfort Colors 1717, the premium heavyweight

A 6.1 ounce garment dyed heavyweight with a relaxed fit and that soft, lived in, pigment dyed color. It is the priciest of the three, roughly double the Gildan before printing, and it feels the part. Reach for it when you want premium merch that reads as a fashion piece, not a giveaway.

Quick pick

• Gildan 5000Most affordable
  5.3 oz, 100% cotton, classic (boxy) fit
  Best for: Events, giveaways, big runs on a budget
• Next Level 3600Mid priced
  4.3 oz, combed ring spun cotton, fitted
  Best for: Brands and streetwear that want a soft retail feel
• Comfort Colors 1717Premium
  6.1 oz, garment dyed heavyweight, relaxed
  Best for: Premium merch with that lived in, vintage feel

All three print and embroider well, so this really comes down to feel and budget. Not sure which way to go? Tell us your use and quantity and we will point you to the right one.