One of the first decisions when setting up a POD shop is which t-shirt your designs will be printed on. It affects not only cost but how the product feels in the customer's hands, your reviews, your return rate and your price positioning. Two models you see everywhere in POD are the Gildan 64000 Softstyle and the Bella+Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey.
In this article we compare the two models based on technical information published by their manufacturers and POD companies (as of September 2026), and explain when each one makes more sense.
Technical comparison
| Feature | Gildan 64000 Softstyle | Bella+Canvas 3001 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric (solid colors) | 100% ring-spun cotton | 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton |
| Heather colors | Heather and Dark Heather: 65% polyester, 35% cotton; Sport Grey: 90% cotton, 10% polyester | Ash: 99% cotton, 1% polyester; other heathers are blends |
| Weight | 4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²) | 4.2 oz, 32 singles |
| Fit | Regular fit, unisex | Unisex, more fitted cut |
| Side seams | No (tubular body) | Yes |
| Shoulder taping | Not specified | Yes |
| Pre-shrunk | Not specified | Yes |
| Custombull starting price, print included | $6.50 | $10.50 |
Note: blend ratios for heather colors vary from color to color. Write the correct fabric information in the listing description for every color you sell; buyers looking for 100% cotton in particular will ask.
Gildan 64000: price advantage and wide use
The Gildan 64000 is part of the Softstyle line. Solid colors are made from 100% ring-spun cotton; ring-spun yarn gives a softer surface than standard open-end yarn. At 4.5 oz/yd², it is classed as a lightweight t-shirt. Printful's product page describes it as having no side seams, with a single-piece tubular body, and a comfortable, standard fit.
Its biggest advantage is price. On Custombull it starts at $6.50, print included, which means $4 more profit per item than the Bella+Canvas 3001 at the same sale price. For price-sensitive, high-quantity orders such as gift shirts, funny slogans and family event shirts, that difference is decisive.
- Best for: niches with heavy price competition, family and group orders (family reunions, birthdays, team events), seasonal campaigns.
- Watch out for: because of the tubular body, the fit can feel loose or boxy to some buyers; always add a size chart to the listing and note that buyers who want a fitted look may want to size down.
- Note on white: Printful notes that because of the fabric, white can look off-white rather than bright white.
Bella+Canvas 3001: feel and fit
The Bella+Canvas 3001 is made from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton. Combed cotton is cleaned of short fibers and impurities, which gives a smoother surface; Bella+Canvas markets this as “Airlume”. With 32 singles yarn and a 4.2 oz weight, it is a thinner, softer t-shirt.
Its side-seamed construction helps the body fit better, and shoulder taping adds durability. The manufacturer also states that the shirt is pre-shrunk, so size changes after the first wash are more predictable.
- Best for: premium-positioned brands, minimalist and artistic designs, buyers who expect a “soft tee”, everyday-wear collections.
- Watch out for: product cost is higher; your sale price needs to carry the difference.
- Photo advantage: the more fitted cut looks sharper in mockups with models.
Profit math: same price, different model
Say you sell the same design for $24.99. Since marketplace fees and shipping are the same for both models, the profit difference is simply the difference in product cost:
| Gildan 64000 | Bella+Canvas 3001 | |
|---|---|---|
| Custombull cost, print included | $6.50 | $10.50 |
| Cost difference at the same sale price | Baseline | $4.00 higher |
| Cost difference over 100 sales | Baseline | $400 higher |
| Price difference needed to keep the same profit | Baseline | About $4 plus marketplace percentage fees |
If you choose the Bella+Canvas 3001, you need to position your sale price accordingly and explain the difference clearly in the listing: features like “ultra soft”, “side-seamed retail fit” and “pre-shrunk” tell buyers why they're paying more.
Other options: Comfort Colors and more
Beyond these two, the Comfort Colors 1717 is another t-shirt option in the catalog for buyers looking for a different feel and look. For women's products the Next Level 1533 tank, and for colder months the Gildan 18000 sweatshirt and Gildan 18500 hoodie, raise your shop's average order value.
| Model | Custombull starting price, print included |
|---|---|
| Gildan 64000 Softstyle t-shirt | $6.50 |
| Next Level 1533 women's tank | $9.50 |
| Bella+Canvas 3001 t-shirt | $10.50 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 t-shirt | $11.00 |
| Gildan 5400 long sleeve | $11.00 |
| Gildan 18000 sweatshirt | $12.00 |
| Gildan 18500 hoodie | $15.00 |
Sample orders and listing descriptions
Spec tables give you an idea, but the best way to decide is to hold both models and compare them. Order one of each with the same design, in the most popular color you plan to sell. Note the hand feel of the fabric, the sharpness of the print edges, how the collar sits and how it looks after the first wash.
Those notes also become ready-made content for your listing description. Buyers look for this information most:
- Fabric content (color by color, if it differs)
- Fit: unisex, loose or fitted; practical advice like “women may want to size down”
- Size chart (chest width and length)
- Care instructions
- Production details: the production partner disclosure on Etsy and where the item ships from
Accurate, complete product information is the cheapest way to cut “not what I expected” complaints and return requests.
4 questions to help you decide
- Is your niche price-sensitive or quality-sensitive? Price matters most for gifts and group orders; feel matters most for brand and collection sales.
- What is your sale price? Below $20, the Bella+Canvas 3001's cost difference noticeably squeezes your margin.
- What is your mockup and photo style? Lifestyle photos with models benefit from a fitted cut.
- What do your reviews say? Feedback on fit and fabric is the clearest signal to revisit your model choice.
In Custombull, you can save color and size options per model once as a template and apply them to many products. That makes moving a collection from the Gildan 64000 to the Bella+Canvas 3001, or offering both side by side, much faster than editing each listing by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gildan 64000 low quality?
No. It is a widely used t-shirt made from 100% ring-spun cotton in solid colors, with a double-needle hem. It differs from the Bella+Canvas 3001 mainly in fit, feel and side-seam construction.
Which model shrinks more?
Bella+Canvas states that the 3001 is pre-shrunk. For both models, washing cold and tumble drying low extends the life of the print and the fabric; add these care instructions to your listing description.
Can I sell the same design on two models at different prices?
Yes. You can add the model choice as a variation and set a separate price for each. Make sure each variation maps to the correct SKU so the order is printed on the right model.
What should I use for kids and youth sizes?
The Custombull catalog includes kids and youth sizes alongside adult models. If you sell family shirts, offering the same design in adult, kids and baby options (Rabbit Skins 4400 bodysuit, $11.00) raises the average order value on family and group orders. You can save size and color combinations as a template and apply them to the whole family collection at once, instead of re-entering the same settings for every new design.
Which model sells better on Etsy?
There is no general answer; it depends on your niche, price and photo style. The most reliable approach is to offer the same design with both model options and look at your own shop's sales data.
Does print quality depend on the model?
The fabric surface affects how a print looks; fine details usually come out sharper on smoother surfaces. Custombull checks and guarantees the quality of every product; for defective items you get a refund, no questions asked, or a free reprint.
