Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Gildan Softstyle 64000
Updated 2026-06-01 · 5 min read
Bella+Canvas and Gildan are the two t-shirt blanks every custom-apparel order chooses between. The same DTG or screen-print art lands very differently depending on which blank wears it. Bella+Canvas is the retail-fashion-quality default — softer, more fitted, more colors, more expensive. Gildan is the budget workhorse — heavier, boxier, ubiquitous, half the cost. The blank choice drives perceived quality more than the print choice does.
Spec by spec
| Spec | Bella+Canvas 3001 | Gildan Softstyle 64000 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight | 4.2 oz combed ringspun cotton | 4.5 oz preshrunk cotton |
| Fit | Modern, slightly fitted, retail-cut | Classic boxy, generous through chest |
| Hand feel | Soft, fashion-grade | Standard cotton; heavier |
| Color range | 70+ stock colors including heathers | 40+ colors; fewer heathers |
| Shrinkage after wash | 1–2% | 3–5% |
| Per-shirt cost (blank) | Baseline (premium tier) | ~50% of Bella+Canvas |
| Print quality | Smoother print surface, sharper DTG | Print holds well; slightly more texture |
| Best for | Retail merch, music + brand apparel, premium giveaways | Uniforms, high-volume runs, budget giveaways |
Verdict
Pick Bella+Canvas 3001 when the shirt is a brand product, a retail item, or a giveaway whose wearer will judge the brand on hand-feel. Music merch, premium event tees, brand-built apparel lines all live here.
Pick Gildan Softstyle when the shirt is a uniform, a trade-show giveaway, or a high-volume run where unit cost dominates. The shirt does its job and looks identical to passers-by; only the wearer notices the heavier weight.
Featured products
Bella+Canvas 3001
Gildan Softstyle 64000