Gildan 2000 vs Comfort Colors 1717
Two of the most popular blank t-shirts in custom apparel — one built for volume and value, the other for a premium, lived-in feel. Here is how to choose between them.
The Gildan 2000 and Comfort Colors 1717 are two of the most commonly ordered blank t-shirts for custom screen printing and embroidery. They serve different needs: the Gildan 2000 is a budget-friendly workhorse ideal for large orders, while the Comfort Colors 1717 is a garment-dyed premium shirt with a softer hand and a relaxed, vintage aesthetic. This comparison breaks down the differences across every attribute that matters for a custom apparel order.
A budget-friendly, midweight cotton t-shirt built for high-volume screen printing.
View Gildan 2000A garment-dyed, heavyweight ring-spun cotton t-shirt with a soft, lived-in feel.
View Comfort Colors 1717Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Gildan 2000 | Comfort Colors 1717 |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Budget | Premium |
| Fabric | 100% cotton (Open-end yarn) | 100% ring-spun cotton (Garment-dyed) |
| Fabric weight | 5.3 oz (midweight) | 6.1 oz (heavyweight) |
| Softness | Medium — improves with washing | Very high — soft out of the bag |
| Fit | Classic (relaxed through chest) | Relaxed (roomier, drapes loosely) |
| Texture | Smooth, even surface | Slightly textured, vintage wash |
| Color options | 100+ solid colors | 60+ garment-dyed, heathered colors |
| Printability (screen print) | Excellent | Good — garment dye can affect ink absorption |
| Printability (DTF) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Embroidery suitability | Good | Excellent (heavier fabric holds stitches well) |
| Durability | High | High |
| Shrinkage | Minimal (preshrunk) | Minimal (preshrunk, garment-dyed) |
| Typical customer | Schools, leagues, businesses, fundraisers | Boutiques, sororities, premium brands, retail resale |
| Typical use | Large team orders, events, giveaways | Retail-quality merch, spirit wear, premium uniforms |
| Recommended order size | 24–1,000+ pieces | 24–500 pieces |
The details
Price & value
The Gildan 2000 is one of the most affordable blank t-shirts on the market, which makes it the default choice for large orders where per-shirt cost is the primary driver. The Comfort Colors 1717 costs roughly 60–90% more per shirt, but that premium buys a noticeably softer fabric, a heavier weight, and a garment-dyed color palette that looks and feels more expensive. For orders of 100+ shirts where budget is tight, the Gildan 2000 is almost always the right call. For smaller orders where the shirt itself is part of the product's perceived value — like retail merchandise or sorority spirit wear — the Comfort Colors 1717 justifies its price.
Fabric & weight
The Gildan 2000 is a 5.3 oz midweight cotton tee made with open-end yarn, which gives it a sturdy, slightly coarser hand. The Comfort Colors 1717 is a 6.1 oz heavyweight tee made with ring-spun cotton that has been garment-dyed, producing a softer, more substantial fabric with a subtle texture. The heavier weight of the 1717 also means it drapes more and holds its shape well over time, while the lighter 2000 breathes a bit easier in hot weather.
Softness & fit
Softness is the most noticeable difference when you hold the two shirts side by side. The Comfort Colors 1717 is soft directly out of the bag thanks to its ring-spun cotton and garment-dye process; the Gildan 2000 softens over the first several washes but starts out with a more standard cotton feel. In fit, the Gildan 2000 runs classic — true to size with a relaxed chest. The Comfort Colors 1717 runs relaxed and slightly roomier; many customers size down for a more fitted look.
Printability
Both shirts take screen printing well, but the Gildan 2000's smooth, even surface and solid color dye make it the more predictable canvas — ink sits cleanly and colors reproduce accurately. The Comfort Colors 1717's garment-dyed finish can cause very slight variations in how ink absorbs across a batch, which is a normal characteristic of garment-dyed apparel and not a defect. For DTF (direct-to-film) printing, both shirts perform excellently because the transfer adheres to the fabric surface regardless of dye method. For embroidery, the heavier 1717 holds stitches with less puckering.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Gildan 2000 when you need a large quantity of durable, printable shirts at the lowest possible per-shirt cost — team uniforms, school events, fundraisers, and promotional giveaways. Choose the Comfort Colors 1717 when the shirt itself is part of the product's appeal — retail merchandise, Greek life apparel, premium staff shirts, or any order where a soft hand and a vintage color palette matter more than rock-bottom pricing.
Gildan 2000 for volume and value. Comfort Colors 1717 for softness and a premium look. Both are excellent shirts — the right choice depends on whether your priority is lowest cost or highest perceived quality.
Frequently asked questions
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