Comfort Colors vs. Bella+Canvas vs. Gildan: Which Blank Is Best for Greek Apparel?
The design gets all the attention, but the blank shirt decides whether members actually wear it after the event. Here's how the three brands we print on most often compare, and when each one makes sense.
Comfort Colors: the Greek life default
Comfort Colors is garment-dyed, which gives it that soft, slightly faded, lived-in look and a heavier feel. It comes in a huge range of muted colors (think ivory, bay, chambray and pepper) that make designs look vintage in a good way.
- Best for: rush shirts, philanthropy events, anything you want people to keep wearing
- Fit: relaxed and boxy, so many people size down
- Trade-off: it costs more per shirt than basic tees
Bella+Canvas: soft and fitted
Bella+Canvas (the 3001 is the classic) is lighter and softer, with a more modern, retail fit. Prints look crisp, and it's a favorite for sorority events where a fitted shirt is the goal.
- Best for: fitted event tees, formals, date parties
- Fit: closer to your usual retail size
- Trade-off: thinner, so it's less of a "heavyweight" feel
Gildan: the budget workhorse
Gildan is durable and affordable, which makes it the right call when you need a lot of shirts and the price per piece matters most.
- Best for: giveaways, intramurals, large campus events, staff shirts
- Fit: standard and roomy
- Trade-off: not as soft as the other two
What about hoodies and crewnecks?
For cold-weather apparel, Comfort Colors and Independent Trading Co. are popular for that same washed, cozy look. Crewnecks are having a moment for parents weekend and big/little reveals.
How to choose in 30 seconds
- Will people wear it again after the event? Go Comfort Colors.
- Does it need to look fitted? Go Bella+Canvas.
- Are you ordering hundreds on a tight budget? Go Gildan.
Still stuck? Tell us your budget and event when you submit a free design request, and we'll suggest a blank that fits. We'd rather you love the shirt than pay for one that ends up in a drawer.