Stanley/Stella blanks screen print well because most of their tees are 100% organic ring spun combed cotton knitted as a fabric-washed single jersey, which gives a smooth, even surface for ink. That all-cotton base also suits water-based and discharge inks, and the Creator 2.0 is the style we recommend first for screen printed merch.
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What makes a blank good for screen printing?
A screen print is ink pushed through a mesh onto the fabric surface. Three things about the shirt decide how clean that print looks:
- The yarn. Combing removes short fibers and ring spinning twists the yarn tightly, so combed, ring spun yarn has fewer loose fibers, so the knit surface is flatter and less fuzzy. Fine lines and halftones sit on it instead of breaking up.
- The knit and finish. A single jersey that has already been washed is a stable base for printing several colors in register.
- The fiber. 100% cotton is what water-based and discharge inks need to work at their best.
Stanley/Stella's own product data lists the Creator 2.0 as 100% organic ring spun combed cotton, 24 singles, single jersey, fabric washed. That is the profile a screen printer looks for.
How does the Creator 2.0 compare with Bella+Canvas 3001 and Comfort Colors 1717?
These are three of the most requested blanks for printed merch. Each one is a good shirt; they suit different looks.
| Spec | Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 | Bella+Canvas 3001 | Comfort Colors 1717 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 100% organic ring spun combed cotton | 100% Airlume combed and ring spun cotton (Ash is 99/1 with polyester) | 100% ring spun cotton |
| Yarn | 24 singles | 32 singles | 20 singles |
| Fabric weight | 5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²) | 4.2 oz/yd² | 6.1 oz/yd² |
| Finish | Fabric washed | Pre-shrunk | Garment dyed |
| Fit | Medium fit, unisex | Retail fit, unisex | Relaxed fit, unisex |
| Sizes | XXS to 5XL | XS to 5XL | S to 4XL |
| Organic and social labels | GOTS organic, OEKO-TEX organic garment, PETA-Approved Vegan, Fair Wear member brand | None listed in the S&S description | Meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requirements, Fair Labor Accredited maker |
Stanley/Stella specs are from the Stanley/Stella product API. Bella+Canvas and Comfort Colors specs are from the S&S Activewear catalog descriptions.
In practice: the 3001 is the lightest and finest yarn of the three, so it gives a soft, drapey retail tee. The 1717 is the heaviest, with a garment-dyed, lived-in look. The Creator 2.0 sits between them on weight, with a structured midweight body and certified organic cotton, which is often the deciding point for brands that need to back up a sustainability claim.
Is Stanley/Stella good for water-based and discharge inks?
Water-based ink soaks into the fibers instead of sitting on top, so the print has almost no feel. Discharge goes further on dark cotton: it removes the garment dye where the print lands and replaces it with your color, so a bright print on a black shirt needs no heavy white underbase.
Both depend on 100% cotton, which is why the all-cotton Stanley/Stella tees are a natural fit. Discharge also depends on how the specific dye releases, and dye lots can vary, so we test a shirt from your run before printing the whole order. More detail is on our water-based and discharge printing page and in discharge screen printing explained.
Which other Stanley/Stella tees screen print well?
The Creator 2.0 is our first pick, but three other styles cover different weights and shapes:
- Crafter: 100% organic ring spun combed cotton, 28 singles, 4.6 oz/yd², a lighter everyday tee.
- Sparker 2.0: 100% organic carded cotton, 16 singles, loose knit, 6.3 oz/yd², relaxed fit, panel washed, sizes XXS to 3XL.
- Freestyler: 100% organic open end cotton, 16 singles, 7 oz/yd², relaxed fit, with a dry hand feel, sizes XXS to 3XL.
The Crafter is the lighter everyday pick. The Sparker 2.0 and Freestyler are heavier, relaxed-fit streetwear shapes for a boxier look.
Our take
As the Stanley/Stella dealer printing in Santa Fe Springs, we steer most screen print jobs to the Creator 2.0. It holds detail, takes water-based and discharge ink, comes in XXS to 5XL, and its certifications are documented by the brand, so a client can point to them. If you want a lighter tee, the Crafter keeps the organic cotton story at 4.6 oz/yd². If the look is heavy and oversized, step up to the Sparker 2.0 or Freestyler.
Planning a small run instead? Read DTG printing on Stanley/Stella shirts and DTF printing on Stanley/Stella. Stanley/Stella's full collection is on their website.
Ordering from Los Angeles or Orange County
- Where we are. 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Los Angeles and Orange County. Pickup is free, or we ship by UPS or FedEx anywhere in the US.
- Minimum. Screen printing starts at 36 pieces per design.
- Timing. About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
- Contact. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm PT, (562) 407-3800, sales@frenchpresscustom.com.
Price your Stanley/Stella screen print.
Frequently asked questions
Are Stanley/Stella shirts good for screen printing?
Yes. Most Stanley/Stella tees are 100% organic ring spun combed cotton in a fabric-washed single jersey, which gives a smooth, stable surface for ink. The Creator 2.0 is the style we recommend first for screen printed merch.
What is the minimum order for screen printing on Stanley/Stella?
Our screen printing minimum is 36 pieces per design, the same for every brand. For fewer shirts, DTG has no minimum and DTF starts at 12 pieces.
Can you discharge print on Stanley/Stella shirts?
Discharge needs 100% cotton with a dye that releases cleanly. The all-cotton Stanley/Stella tees are candidates, and we test a shirt from your run before printing the order, because dye lots can vary.
Is the Creator 2.0 heavier than a Bella+Canvas 3001?
Yes. Stanley/Stella lists the Creator 2.0 at 5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²) with 24 singles yarn, and the 3001 is listed at 4.2 oz/yd² with 32 singles. The Creator 2.0 feels more structured; the 3001 is lighter and drapier.
Which Stanley/Stella tee is best for a heavy, oversized look?
The Sparker 2.0 or the Freestyler. The Sparker 2.0 is 6.3 oz/yd² organic carded cotton in a relaxed fit, and the Freestyler is 7 oz/yd² organic open end cotton with a dry hand feel. Both run XXS to 3XL.
Is Stanley/Stella organic cotton certified?
Stanley/Stella's product data lists the Creator 2.0 with GOTS organic and OEKO-TEX organic garment labels, PETA-Approved Vegan, and Stanley/Stella as a Fair Wear member brand.
