The Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 is a 5.3 oz/yd² organic cotton tee with a clean medium fit, and the Comfort Colors 1717 is a 6.1 oz/yd² garment-dyed heavyweight with a relaxed, lived-in look. Pick the Creator 2.0 for certified organic cotton and even color across an order, and the 1717 for a heavy, vintage feel.
We are an official Stanley/Stella dealer in Santa Fe Springs, serving Los Angeles and Orange County, and both shirts run through our presses. Get an exact price for your quantity and print in our quote calculator.
How are the Creator 2.0 and Comfort Colors 1717 different?
They answer different briefs. The Creator 2.0 is a crisp, modern midweight made from certified organic cotton. The 1717 is a thicker shirt that is dyed after it is sewn, which gives it a soft, slightly washed color and the vintage feel people buy it for.
| Spec | Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 (SATU001) | Comfort Colors 1717 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 100% organic cotton, ring spun and combed | 100% ring-spun cotton |
| Weight | 5.3 oz/yd² | 6.1 oz/yd² |
| Yarn | 24 singles | 20 singles |
| Dye and finish | Single jersey, fabric washed | Garment dyed, for a lived-in feel with minimal shrinkage |
| Fit | Medium fit, unisex | Relaxed fit |
| Collar and build | 1x1 rib collar, side-seamed, self-fabric back neck tape, twin-needle hems | Topstitched classic-width rib collar, shoulder-to-shoulder twill tape |
| Sizes | XXS to 5XL | S to 4XL |
| Colors | 52 published colors | 68 colors in our catalog |
| Certifications and sourcing listed | GOTS organic, OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan, Fair Wear member brand | Meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requirements, contains US-grown BCI cotton, maker is Fair Labor Accredited |
Creator 2.0 specs are from the Stanley/Stella product API. Comfort Colors 1717 specs are from the S&S Activewear catalog description.
Which is the heavier shirt?
The 1717, at 6.1 oz/yd² against 5.3 oz/yd², and its 20-singles yarn is thicker than the Creator 2.0's 24 singles. If the brief is "heavy, boxy, vintage," the 1717 fits it. If the brief is "premium but clean," the Creator 2.0 is the better match.
What does garment dyed mean for my print?
A garment-dyed shirt is sewn first and dyed afterwards, which gives the 1717 its soft, washed color. Slight shade variation is part of that look. The Creator 2.0 is not garment dyed; Stanley/Stella lists a fabric-washed finish, which generally gives more even color from shirt to shirt. That matters for brand colors and team orders that need to match.
Which is better for screen printing, DTG and embroidery?
Both are 100% cotton, so both are good for screen printing, DTG and embroidery.
- Screen printing. Both take plastisol and water-based inks. Bold, distressed and vintage artwork looks at home on the 1717's washed colors; sharp logos and clean typography suit the even surface of the Creator 2.0.
- DTG. Cotton is the right fiber for DTG on both. Dark shirts get a white underbase.
- Embroidery. A left chest logo works on both; the heavier 1717 and the midweight Creator 2.0 both carry a standard logo of up to 5,000 stitches.
What are the minimums and turnaround?
Screen printing starts at 36 pieces per design, embroidery at 24, DTF at 12, and DTG has no minimum. Standard turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush is available depending on the schedule, so tell us your date.
Size range is worth checking before you order. The Creator 2.0 runs XXS to 5XL, while the 1717 runs S to 4XL in our catalog, so a group with very small or very large wearers fits more easily in the Creator 2.0.
Which one should you pick?
Choose the Creator 2.0 if you want certified organic cotton, consistent color from shirt to shirt, and a wide size run from XXS to 5XL. It is the shirt we suggest for brands, companies and creators who want a premium blank without the vintage look. See it on our Creator 2.0 style page or on Stanley/Stella's own product page.
Choose the Comfort Colors 1717 if the washed, garment-dyed look is the point, for example vintage-style event shirts, or when a relaxed heavyweight feel matters most.
If you are also weighing a lighter tee, read Creator 2.0 vs Bella+Canvas 3001. For a close match on weight and fit, see Creator 2.0 vs AS Colour Staple. Our earlier comparison of Comfort Colors 1717, Gildan 5000 and Bella 3001 for school events covers the 1717 against other popular tees.
Our take
We like both shirts, and we will happily print either. As an official Stanley/Stella dealer, the Creator 2.0 is the one we reach for when a client wants the blank to carry their values as much as their logo: organic cotton, named certifications, and a size run that covers the whole team. When a client wants the 1717's faded, vintage character, nothing else quite replaces it. Browse every Stanley/Stella style on our hub, and read how Stanley/Stella approaches materials on its sustainability page.
Our shop is at 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670. Price the Creator 2.0 now, or call (562) 407-3800.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comfort Colors 1717 heavier than the Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0?
Yes. The 1717 is 6.1 oz/yd² per the S&S Activewear catalog, and the Creator 2.0 is 5.3 oz/yd² per Stanley/Stella's product data. The Creator 2.0 is a midweight; the 1717 is sold as a heavyweight.
Which shirt is better for vintage-style prints?
The 1717. Its garment-dyed, washed colors suit bold, distressed and vintage artwork. For sharp logos and clean typography, the even, fabric-washed surface of the Creator 2.0 is the better match.
Is the Creator 2.0 garment dyed like the 1717?
No. Stanley/Stella lists a fabric-washed finish on the Creator 2.0, not garment dyeing. Garment-dyed tees like the 1717 have a deliberately washed, slightly varied color, while a non-garment-dyed tee generally gives more even color across an order.
Is the Creator 2.0 organic?
Yes. Stanley/Stella lists it as 100% organic ring-spun combed cotton with GOTS organic labelling, OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan and Fair Wear logos.
What sizes does each shirt come in?
The Creator 2.0 runs XXS to 5XL and the Comfort Colors 1717 runs S to 4XL in our catalog. All sizes of one design count toward the same minimum, which is 36 pieces for screen printing.
Where can I get Stanley/Stella shirts printed near Los Angeles?
French Press Custom in Santa Fe Springs is an official Stanley/Stella dealer serving Los Angeles and Orange County. DTG has no minimum, screen printing starts at 36 pieces, and standard turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after art approval.
