Most Comfortable T-Shirts for Custom Printing: Best Shirts for All-Day Wear
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When you're ordering custom-printed t-shirts for a team, event, school, or ongoing branded apparel program, comfort matters just as much as print quality. A shirt that looks great on delivery but feels stiff, heavy, or scratchy after a few hours of wear isn't doing your brand any favors.
The good news: the blank apparel market has never had more genuinely comfortable options. The challenge is choosing the right one — because "soft" and "comfortable" mean different things depending on fabric weight, fit, intended use, and how the shirt holds up over time.
This guide compares four of the most popular comfortable blanks for custom printing: Comfort Colors 1717, ComfortWash GDH100, Bella+Canvas 3001, and Gildan Softstyle 64000. We'll cover feel, fit, breathability, print performance, durability, and which use cases each shirt is best suited for — so you can make a confident decision before you order.
If you're still deciding between shirt families, our article on Comfort Wash vs Comfort Colors goes deeper on those two specifically, and our Best Shirts for Custom Printing guide covers a broader range of styles and fabrics.
What Makes a T-Shirt Comfortable for All-Day Wear?
Before diving into individual shirts, it helps to know what to evaluate. All-day comfort in a custom t-shirt generally comes down to five factors:
- Fabric softness — how the shirt feels against skin right out of the bag and after repeated washing
- Weight — lighter shirts tend to breathe better; heavier shirts feel more substantial and durable
- Fit — a shirt that fits well feels more comfortable regardless of fabric; cut affects how the shirt drapes and moves
- Breathability — important for outdoor events, physical activity, or warm climates like Southern California
- Print compatibility — a soft shirt that doesn't hold a print well creates a different problem; the best blanks balance both
With those criteria in mind, here's how the four leading comfortable blanks compare.
Quick Comparison
| Shirt | Fabric | Weight (approx.) | Fit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 100% ring-spun cotton (pigment-dyed) | 6.1 oz | Relaxed / boxy | Lifestyle brands, events, retail |
| ComfortWash GDH100 | 100% ring-spun cotton (garment-washed) | 5.5 oz | Relaxed | Everyday wear, employee apparel |
| Bella+Canvas 3001 | 100% Airlume combed/ring-spun cotton* | 4.2 oz | Retail / slim | Fashion-forward brands, premium events |
| Gildan Softstyle 64000 | 100% ring-spun cotton* | 4.5 oz | Classic / semi-fitted | High-volume orders, school events, value programs |
*Some colorways use cotton/polyester blends. Weights are based on published manufacturer specifications and may vary by colorway. Confirm with your decorator or supplier for specific SKUs.
Comfort Colors 1717
Feel and Fabric
The Comfort Colors 1717 is one of the most recognizable comfortable blanks on the market. Made from ring-spun cotton and put through a pigment-dyeing process, it has a soft, lived-in feel right out of the bag — noticeably different from a standard cotton tee. That broken-in character is a large part of its appeal for lifestyle and retail brands.
Weight and Fit
At approximately 6.1 oz, it's on the heavier end of the shirts in this comparison. The fit is relaxed and boxy — not a traditional slim cut. This works well for oversized or vintage-inspired aesthetics, but buyers who expect a more fitted silhouette should be aware of the cut before ordering.
Breathability
Heavier cotton breathes reasonably well but will feel warmer than the lighter options on this list. For outdoor events in warm weather — which is most of the year in the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area — lighter alternatives may be more practical for all-day wear.
Print Performance
The pigment-dyed surface prints well with screen printing and DTG. The textured, slubby feel of the fabric can produce a slightly vintage, distressed look in prints — which many brands intentionally seek out. If you need crisp, high-detail prints with sharp edges, test a sample first.
Best For
- Lifestyle brands and boutique retail
- Events where aesthetic is a priority
- Cooler weather branded apparel
- Customers who want a premium, fashion-forward feel at a mid-range price
ComfortWash by Hanes GDH100
Feel and Fabric
The ComfortWash GDH100 is a garment-washed ring-spun cotton tee with a soft, broken-in feel similar to the Comfort Colors 1717. It's slightly lighter at approximately 5.5 oz, which gives it a softer drape without feeling thin. The wash process delivers comparable lived-in softness at a generally lower price point.
Weight and Fit
The fit is relaxed but slightly less boxy than the 1717, making it a practical choice for employee apparel programs where you're ordering across a wide range of sizes and need consistent comfort across the board.
Breathability
The lighter weight compared to the 1717 gives the GDH100 a slight edge in breathability, making it a better option for warmer conditions or indoor environments where temperature comfort matters.
Print Performance
Prints well with screen printing. The garment-washed surface has a similar slight texture to Comfort Colors, so expect a vintage print character rather than ultra-sharp edges. DTG performance should be confirmed with a sample for your specific artwork.
Best For
- Employee and team apparel programs
- Everyday branded wear where value matters
- Buyers who want the garment-washed aesthetic at a more accessible price
- Mid-size to large orders where per-shirt cost is a consideration
Bella+Canvas 3001
Feel and Fabric
The Bella+Canvas 3001 is a widely used blank for soft, lightweight custom t-shirts. It's made from Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton — a process that removes impurities and short fibers from the yarn — resulting in a smooth, fine fabric that feels noticeably different from standard ring-spun cotton. If softness and fabric quality are your top priorities, this shirt is a strong candidate.
Weight and Fit
At approximately 4.2 oz, it's the lightest shirt in this comparison. The fit is retail/fashion-forward — slightly slimmer through the body with a shorter length than traditional blank tees. This is a strength for brands targeting a fashion-conscious audience, but may not suit customers who prefer a more relaxed or traditional fit.
Breathability
The lightweight fabric is the most breathable of the four options here, making it a practical choice for outdoor events, active environments, or year-round wear in warm climates.
Print Performance
Excellent print surface for both screen printing and DTG. The smooth, tight weave holds detail well and produces vibrant, clean prints — a preferred blank for decorators who want consistent, high-quality print results.
Best For
- Premium branded apparel and retail-quality merch
- Fashion-forward brands and creative agencies
- Outdoor events and warm-weather wear
- Customers prioritizing fabric quality and print vibrancy
- DTG printing programs
Gildan Softstyle 64000
Feel and Fabric
The Gildan Softstyle 64000 delivers genuine softness at a price point that makes large-volume orders practical for organizations with tighter budgets. It's ring-spun cotton with a smooth finish — noticeably softer than standard Gildan blanks — and holds up well through repeated washing.
Weight and Fit
At approximately 4.5 oz, it sits between the Bella+Canvas and the heavier garment-washed options. The fit is classic and semi-fitted — not boxy, not fashion-slim — and works reliably across a wide range of body types and size runs.
Breathability
Lightweight enough to be comfortable in warm conditions. Not as breathable as the Bella+Canvas but more so than the heavier garment-washed options.
Print Performance
Strong screen-printing performance with consistent results. DTG performance is generally good; confirm with your decorator for specific ink systems and pre-treatment requirements.
Best For
- Schools, nonprofits, and community organizations
- High-volume event shirts where per-unit cost matters
- Employee uniforms and workwear programs with large headcounts
- Buyers who need a comfortable, reliable shirt without a premium price tag
Which Shirt Is Right for Your Order?
The right blank depends on what you're using it for — here's a quick decision guide:
- You want a premium soft shirt for a high-quality apparel program: Bella+Canvas 3001
- You want a fashion-forward aesthetic with a lived-in, vintage feel: Comfort Colors 1717
- You want garment-washed softness at a more accessible price for employee or team apparel: ComfortWash GDH100
- You need a comfortable, reliable shirt for a high-volume order on a tight budget: Gildan Softstyle 64000
If you're ordering team shirts and want to understand your options before committing, our guide on How to Order Custom Team Shirts Without Overpaying walks through the full process — including how to balance quality and budget at different quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the softest t-shirt for custom printing?
The Bella+Canvas 3001's Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton construction makes it one of the softest lightweight blanks available for custom printing. If you prefer a heavier shirt with a broken-in feel, the Comfort Colors 1717 and ComfortWash GDH100 are strong alternatives — each with a distinct garment-washed character.
Are softer shirts harder to print on?
Not necessarily — but fabric texture matters. Smooth, tightly woven fabrics like the Bella+Canvas 3001 tend to produce the crispest prints. Garment-washed fabrics like Comfort Colors and ComfortWash produce a slightly more distressed, vintage print character, which many brands specifically want. Always request a sample print if you're unsure.
Which shirt is best for outdoor events in hot weather?
Lightweight options like the Bella+Canvas 3001 (4.2 oz) and Gildan Softstyle 64000 (4.5 oz) are the most breathable choices for warm-weather events. For Southern California summers — whether you're in Torrance, Long Beach, or anywhere across the greater LA area — lighter fabrics make a noticeable difference in all-day comfort.
Is there a minimum order for custom printed t-shirts?
No — South Bay Printworks has no minimum order requirement for custom apparel. Whether you need a single custom shirt or a large run for your team, event, or business, we can accommodate your order. This makes us a practical option for one-off samples, small team orders, and large ongoing programs alike. Learn more about our custom printing services or request a quote to get started.
Can I order a mix of shirt styles in the same order?
Yes — most custom printing orders can accommodate multiple shirt styles. Keep in mind that mixing blanks may affect pricing and production logistics. Contact us directly to discuss your specific order requirements.
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. South Bay Printworks is based in Torrance and serves businesses throughout the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area, and we ship custom-printed apparel nationwide.
Ready to Order Comfortable Custom T-Shirts?
Whether you're outfitting a team, planning an event, or building an ongoing branded apparel program, choosing the right blank is the first step to an order everyone will actually want to wear.
South Bay Printworks can help you compare options like the shirts covered in this guide and recommend the right blank for your use case, quantity, and budget — with no minimum order required. View our custom printing services and get in touch to start your order.