Bella+Canvas vs Gildan vs Next Level: The Ultimate Blank T-Shirt Comparison
The blank garment you choose is just as important as the print itself. A great design on a cheap, boxy tee feels like a missed opportunity. At French Press Custom, we stock over 50 blank brands — but three dominate the conversation: Bella+Canvas, Gildan, and Next Level.
Here is an honest comparison to help you choose.
The Quick Verdict
- Bella+Canvas 3001 — Best overall for premium retail-quality tees
- Gildan 5000 — Best for budget-friendly bulk orders
- Next Level 3600 — Best for fashion-forward fitted tees
- Comfort Colors 1717 — Honorable mention for the vintage garment-dyed look
Bella+Canvas 3001 (The Industry Standard)
The Bella+Canvas 3001 has become the default choice for anyone who wants a quality custom tee. There is a reason every online merch brand uses it.
Fabric and Feel
- 4.2 oz Airlume combed and ringspun cotton
- Incredibly soft hand feel right out of the box
- Side-seamed construction (no twisting after washing)
- Retail fit — not too slim, not too boxy
Pros
- Buttery soft fabric that customers love to wear
- Excellent print surface for both screen printing and DTG
- Huge color range (100+ colors in stock)
- Consistent sizing across production runs
- Tear-away label for easy relabeling
- Sustainable practices (WRAP certified, reduced water usage)
Cons
- Higher wholesale cost than Gildan ($4-6 vs $2-4)
- Lighter weight may not suit everyone
- Runs slightly smaller than traditional cuts
Best For
Merch brands, band tees, retail products, events where the shirt quality reflects your brand, corporate gifts for employees who will actually wear them.
Price Range
Wholesale: $4.00 - $6.50 depending on color and size
Gildan 5000 (The Budget Workhorse)
Gildan is the most printed-on brand in the world, and the 5000 Heavy Cotton is their flagship. When budget matters more than fabric luxury, Gildan delivers.
Fabric and Feel
- 5.3 oz preshrunk cotton
- Thicker, more structured feel
- Traditional fit — wider through the body
- Double-needle stitching throughout
Pros
- Lowest wholesale cost in the industry
- Excellent ink absorption for screen printing
- Huge size range (S through 5XL readily available)
- Massive color selection
- Very durable — holds up to heavy use and industrial washing
- Reliable supply chain — rarely out of stock
Cons
- Boxy, unflattering fit compared to modern cuts
- Rougher hand feel — less comfortable for all-day wear
- Open-end cotton is less smooth than ringspun
- Can shrink more than premium blanks
- Tubular construction can twist after washing
Best For
Promotional giveaways, large corporate events, budget-conscious school orders, construction crews, situations where cost per unit matters most.
Price Range
Wholesale: $2.00 - $4.00 depending on color and size
Next Level 3600 (The Fashion Pick)
Next Level sits between Bella+Canvas and Gildan in price but offers a distinctly fashion-forward fit that appeals to younger demographics.
Fabric and Feel
- 4.3 oz combed ringspun cotton
- Soft, smooth hand feel
- Modern fitted silhouette — slimmer than Bella+Canvas
- Side-seamed construction
Pros
- Fashion-forward fit that looks great in photos
- Soft ringspun cotton at a mid-range price
- Excellent for DTG printing
- Great heather and tri-blend options
- Tear-away label
Cons
- Runs slim — size up if customers prefer relaxed fit
- Smaller color range than Bella+Canvas or Gildan
- Less well-known brand name (does not matter for custom printing)
- Can be harder to source in large quantities
Best For
Streetwear brands, fitness apparel, younger demographics, fashion-conscious clients who want a fitted look, Instagram-friendly merch.
Price Range
Wholesale: $3.50 - $5.50 depending on color and size
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Bella+Canvas 3001 | Gildan 5000 | Next Level 3600 | |---------|-------------------|-------------|-----------------| | Weight | 4.2 oz | 5.3 oz | 4.3 oz | | Cotton type | Ringspun combed | Open-end | Ringspun combed | | Fit | Retail modern | Traditional boxy | Fashion fitted | | Construction | Side-seamed | Tubular | Side-seamed | | Softness | 9/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | | Durability | 8/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | | Price | $$$ | $ | $$ | | Colors available | 100+ | 80+ | 50+ | | Sizes | XS-4XL | S-5XL | XS-3XL | | Best print method | Screen, DTG, DTF | Screen | DTG, Screen |
Other Blanks Worth Knowing
Comfort Colors 1717
The garment-dyed vintage tee. Heavyweight (6.1 oz), relaxed fit, pre-shrunk. Colors are muted and earthy. Hugely popular for sorority, fraternity, and coastal lifestyle brands. Higher cost but the look is unmistakable.
AS Colour 5001
Australian brand making waves in the US market. Premium quality, modern fit, curated color palette. Growing fast among streetwear and direct-to-consumer brands.
Champion Heritage T425
Heritage fit with the iconic "C" logo patch on the sleeve. Perfect when you want built-in brand cachet alongside your custom design.
Our Recommendation
At French Press Custom, we print on all of these blanks (and dozens more). Here is our general guidance:
- Starting a merch line? Go Bella+Canvas 3001
- Printing 500+ event shirts on a budget? Go Gildan 5000
- Fashion brand targeting 18-30 year olds? Go Next Level 3600
- Want that vintage aesthetic? Go Comfort Colors 1717
The best way to decide is to feel the blanks in person. We are happy to send you samples of each option so you can compare before committing to a full run. Call us at (562) 407-3800 or request samples through our quote form.
