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  • Comfort Colors

    Comfort Colors 1717 Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt

    (2)
    Regular priceFrom $8.18
    +61
    In stock (894862 units)
  • Comfort Colors

    Comfort Colors 1717 Ring Spun Tee for Screen Printing

    Regular priceFrom $8.61
    +60
    In stock (854797 units)

Best Shirts for Screen Printing (Comfort Colors 1717) – Decorators & Bulk Orders

The #1 Screen Printing Shirt for Decorators & Print Shops

Comfort Colors 1717 garment-dyed heavyweight tees trusted by screen printers nationwide.

✓ Ships from 10 US warehouses
✓ 6.1 oz ring-spun cotton construction
✓ Bulk orders welcome
✓ Genuine Comfort Colors products

Comfort Colors 1717 Screen Printing Shirts

Why Screen Printers Choose Comfort Colors 1717

Built for decoration with superior ink adhesion and color retention

  • Ring-spun cotton construction provides smooth printing surface with minimal pilling
  • Garment-dyed process creates vintage look that enhances printed designs
  • Heavyweight 6.1 oz fabric prevents show-through on dark prints
  • Preshrunk and soft-washed for dimensional stability after decoration

Shop Wholesale Comfort Colors 1717 Shirts

Browse our complete selection of Comfort Colors 1717 garment-dyed tees below. All products are available for bulk ordering with competitive wholesale pricing.

How to Choose the Best Screen Printing Shirts

Materials & Construction

Comfort Colors 1717 uses 100% ring-spun cotton for superior softness and printability compared to open-end cotton. Ring-spun fibers are tightly twisted, creating a smoother surface that holds ink better and resists cracking. The 6.1 oz weight strikes the perfect balance between durability and comfort. Lighter tees (4-5 oz) may show print-through on dark designs, while heavier options (7+ oz) can feel stiff. The garment-dyed process means each shirt is dyed after construction, creating unique color variations and a lived-in feel that customers love.

Fit & Sizing for Decoration

The 1717 features a relaxed, boxy fit that accommodates larger print areas without distortion. This is critical for screen printers working with oversized graphics or full-chest designs. The shoulder-to-shoulder taping and double-needle stitching provide structural integrity during the printing process. Sizes run true with slight shrinkage already accounted for in the garment-dye process. Youth sizes (XS-L) work for kids' programs, while adult sizes (S-3XL) cover most retail and promotional needs. Always order samples before committing to large runs to verify fit and color accuracy.

Print Performance & Durability

Comfort Colors 1717 excels with plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks. The garment-dyed surface accepts ink evenly without bleed-through, and the ring-spun construction prevents pilling that can ruin print detail over time. Preshrinking means your prints won't distort after the first wash. The soft-washed finish also reduces the need for post-print softening treatments. For high-volume orders, the consistent color matching across dye lots makes reorders predictable. These shirts hold up through 50+ wash cycles without significant fading or cracking when printed correctly.

Price vs Quality

Good: Economy tees (Gildan 5000, Hanes Beefy-T) - basic cotton, lower price point, suitable for single-color prints and short-term promotional use
Better: Mid-tier options (Bella+Canvas 3001, Next Level 3600) - improved softness, modern fit, ideal for retail brands and multi-color designs
Best: Premium garment-dyed (Comfort Colors 1717) - superior hand feel, vintage aesthetic, perfect for high-end retail, sorority/fraternity orders, and brands prioritizing quality over cost

Who This Shirt Is For

Perfect For:

  • Screen printing shops and commercial decorators
  • Sorority and fraternity apparel programs
  • Boutique clothing brands and streetwear lines
  • College bookstores and campus retail
  • Event merchandise and concert tees
  • Promotional product distributors

Why Decorators Buy From Joe's USA

  • No retail markups
  • Bulk-friendly ordering
  • Reliable restocking
  • Fast nationwide shipping

Comfort Colors 1717 vs Economy Tees

Feature Economy Tees Comfort Colors 1717
Cotton Type ❌ Open-end cotton (rougher texture) ✅ Ring-spun cotton (smoother, softer)
Dyeing Process ❌ Piece-dyed (flat, uniform color) ✅ Garment-dyed (vintage, unique variations)
Print Surface ❌ Prone to pilling and cracking ✅ Smooth surface, excellent ink adhesion
Retail Appeal ❌ Basic look, lower perceived value ✅ Premium feel, higher retail price point

Buy More & Save

Typical decorator usage:

  • 12-24 shirts → Small event or sample run
  • 48-72 shirts → Medium sorority/fraternity order
  • 144+ shirts → Large retail restock or festival merchandise

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes Comfort Colors 1717 better for screen printing than standard tees?

A: The ring-spun cotton construction and garment-dyed finish create a superior printing surface with better ink adhesion, less pilling, and a vintage aesthetic that enhances printed designs. The 6.1 oz weight prevents show-through while remaining comfortable.

Q: How many shirts come in a case?

A: Comfort Colors 1717 typically ships in cases of 12 shirts per size/color combination. We can accommodate mixed cases for smaller orders or sample packs.

Q: Do you offer bulk pricing?

A: Yes. Bulk pricing is built into our wholesale model. Larger orders receive better per-shirt pricing.

Q: How fast is shipping?

A: We ship from 10 U.S. warehouses for fast delivery. Most in-stock orders ship within 1-2 business days.

Q: Are these shirts preshrunk?

A: Yes. Comfort Colors 1717 shirts are garment-dyed and preshrunk, which means they've already gone through the shrinking process. Expect minimal additional shrinkage (1-2%) after washing.

Q: What makes Comfort Colors different from Gildan or Hanes?

A: Comfort Colors 1717 features ring-spun cotton (vs open-end), garment-dyeing (vs piece-dyeing), and a heavier 6.1 oz weight compared to economy brands. This results in superior softness, better print performance, and a premium retail feel.

Related Screen Printing Apparel


Stock Your Shop With Reliable Screen Printing Shirts

Joe's USA has been a trusted supplier of blank apparel for screen printing shops and decorators across the country. With large inventory, competitive pricing, and fast shipping from multiple distribution centers, we make bulk ordering simple and reliable.

Whether you are a small print shop or a large promotional distributor, we help you get the blank shirts you need at prices that keep your margins strong.