Comfort Colors has become one of the most sought-after t-shirt brands for custom printing, especially among college students, sororities, fraternities, and anyone who loves that lived-in, vintage feel. Their garment-dyed shirts come in a wide range of rich, unique colors and have an incredibly soft hand feel right out of the box. However, there is one important thing you need to know before ordering: Comfort Colors shirts run slightly small. This guide will help you find the right size.
The Comfort Colors 1717 is the flagship product and by far the most popular model for custom printing. It is a 6.1 oz. heavyweight, garment-dyed, 100% ringspun cotton tee with a relaxed fit. Despite the "relaxed" designation, the garment-dyeing process causes these shirts to fit slightly smaller than comparable shirts from Gildan or Hanes.
| Size | Chest Width (inches) | Body Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 18 | 27 |
| M | 20 | 28 |
| L | 22 | 29 |
| XL | 24 | 30 |
| 2XL | 26 | 31 |
| 3XL | 28 | 32 |
Measurements are taken flat across the chest from armpit to armpit (chest width) and from the highest point of the shoulder to the bottom hem (body length).
The garment-dyeing process is what gives Comfort Colors their distinctive soft, broken-in feel and their rich, saturated colors. But this process involves washing and dyeing the shirts after they have been sewn, which causes the fabric to shrink slightly. Even though the shirts are labeled as "preshrunk," the garment-dyeing process makes them fit about half a size to one full size smaller than a comparable Gildan or Hanes shirt.
For example, if you normally wear a Large in Gildan 5000, you might find that a Comfort Colors 1717 in Large feels more like a Gildan Medium-Large. The body length tends to run about an inch shorter, and the overall fit feels a bit snugger through the torso.
Our recommendation: Size up one size if you want a relaxed, comfortable fit. If you wear a Medium in most brands, order a Large in Comfort Colors. If you like your shirts fitted, your normal size should work, but be prepared for a slightly shorter body length.
You may see both "1717" and "C1717" used to refer to Comfort Colors heavyweight tees. These are essentially the same shirt. The "C" prefix was added in some catalogs to distinguish Comfort Colors products, but the sizing, fabric, and construction are identical. Whether your order says 1717 or C1717, you are getting the same garment-dyed heavyweight tee.
The Comfort Colors 6030 is the pocket tee version of the 1717. It features the same heavyweight garment-dyed cotton with the addition of a chest pocket. The sizing runs the same as the 1717:
| Size | Chest Width (inches) | Body Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 18 | 27 |
| M | 20 | 28 |
| L | 22 | 29 |
| XL | 24 | 30 |
| 2XL | 26 | 31 |
| 3XL | 28 | 32 |
Keep in mind that the pocket location may affect print placement. If you plan to print on the front of a pocket tee, our design team will make sure the artwork is positioned correctly relative to the pocket.
To find the best Comfort Colors size for you:
One of the benefits of Comfort Colors garment-dyed shirts is that additional shrinkage after washing is minimal. Because the shirts have already been washed and dyed during manufacturing, most of the shrinkage has already occurred. You can expect about 2-3% additional shrinkage if you machine wash in warm water and tumble dry on high.
To maintain the best fit and color vibrancy over time:
The garment-dyed colors will develop a natural, slightly faded vintage look over time with repeated washing. Many people consider this a feature, not a bug, as it adds to the broken-in aesthetic that makes Comfort Colors so popular.
Comfort Colors shirts are a favorite for Greek life, campus organizations, and events where a premium feel matters. When ordering for a group:
ooShirts carries a full selection of Comfort Colors styles ready for custom printing. Browse our shirt catalog to see available colors and styles, or start designing your custom Comfort Colors tee in our online design tool.