The blank you choose for DTF transfers affects edge sharpness, wash durability, and how much margin you keep per piece. Five blanks cover most print shop needs: the Gildan G500, Bella+Canvas 3001C, Comfort Colors 1717, Next Level 3600, and Gildan 64000. Each behaves differently under a heat press because each has a different fabric composition, weight, and surface texture.
What Makes a Blank Good for DTF
DTF adhesive bonds to the fabric surface through heat and pressure. Tighter-weave fabrics give the adhesive more contact points, producing sharper edges and stronger initial adhesion. Heavier fabrics require slightly longer dwell time or higher pressure to push the adhesive through the surface texture. Fabric composition changes the press temperature ceiling — polyester burns above 300°F, so blends and performance fabrics need lower temperatures than 100% cotton.
Three variables matter most: press temperature, dwell time, and peel method (hot vs cold). Getting these wrong on a specific blank is the most common reason transfers peel early or show dull color.
Gildan G500 (Style 5000)
Weight: 5.3 oz/yd². Fabric: 100% preshrunk cotton on most solid colors. Exceptions — Ash is 99/1 cotton/poly, Sport Grey and select Antique colors are 90/10, heathers are 50/50.
Press at 320–325°F for 12–15 seconds with medium-firm pressure. Hot peel. On heather colorways (50/50 blend), drop to 300–310°F and use a Teflon sheet to prevent scorching. The flat, tight-weave cotton surface gives DTF adhesive consistent contact across the full print area. Quarter-turned construction eliminates the center crease, which matters for full-front transfer placement.
Wash durability on properly pressed G500 cotton: 50+ cold-wash cycles before visible degradation. The 5.3 oz weight provides enough fabric structure to hold the adhesive firmly through repeated washing. Retail price point keeps margins strong on volume orders.
Best for: high-volume DTF runs, team uniforms, event merch, price-sensitive orders.
Bella+Canvas 3001C
Weight: 4.2 oz/yd². Fabric: 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton (most colors). Heathers are 52/48 cotton/poly. Athletic Heather is 90/10 cotton/poly.
Press at 315–325°F for 10–12 seconds. The combed ring-spun cotton surface is smoother than standard carded cotton, which produces tighter edge definition on fine-detail transfers. Cold peel gives slightly sharper results on the 3001C than hot peel — the lower weight fabric benefits from a few seconds of cooling before the film releases.
The semi-fitted cut and retail weight make the 3001C a strong seller in boutique and direct-to-consumer contexts. Per-unit cost is higher than the G500. For DTF decorators selling finished garments at retail price points ($25–$45), the 3001C margin math still works. For bulk uniform programs prioritizing volume, the G500 is the better choice.
Best for: retail-quality finished garments, boutique orders, full-color photographic transfers on light fabrics.
Comfort Colors 1717
Weight: 6.1 oz/yd². Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton, garment-dyed. The garment-dyeing process creates slight surface variation — color is in the fabric, not a surface coating.
Press at 320–330°F for 12–15 seconds. The heavier weight needs firm pressure and full dwell time for complete adhesion. Hot peel. The surface texture is slightly rougher than the 3001C due to the garment-dye process, which can soften fine-line edge definition on very small transfers. On larger prints (4 inches and above), this is not noticeable.
The 1717 sells at a higher price point than the G500 or 3001C. DTF works well on it, but the vintage-washed aesthetic and pigment-dye colorways are the main selling point. Customers paying for Comfort Colors are paying for the look and feel, not just the print surface.
Best for: vintage and lifestyle brands, oversized prints, boutique and streetwear contexts.
Next Level 3600
Weight: 4.3 oz/yd². Fabric: 100% combed ring-spun cotton (most colors). Some colors are 60/40 cotton/poly or tri-blend.
Press at 315–325°F for 10–12 seconds. Cold peel. The 3600 has a very soft hand and a smooth surface that accepts DTF transfers cleanly. Similar in behavior to the 3001C. The slightly longer body and modern fit make it a strong retail option. At wholesale, it sits between the G500 and 3001C in price.
Best for: retail-quality finished garments, fashion-forward fits, fine-detail transfers.
Gildan Softstyle 64000
Weight: 4.5 oz/yd². Fabric: 100% ring-spun cotton (most colors). Some colors are 65/35 cotton/poly.
Press at 315–325°F for 10–12 seconds. Hot peel on 100% cotton colors. The ring-spun cotton surface is smoother than the G500's open-end cotton, producing better edge definition at smaller transfer sizes. Cost is between the G500 and 3001C at wholesale.
Best for: decorators who want smoother hand than the G500 without paying 3001C prices. Good middle-ground option for full-color transfers on a budget-conscious retail product.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blank | Weight | Fabric | DTF Temp | Dwell | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan G500 | 5.3 oz/yd² | 100% cotton (most) | 320–325°F | 12–15 sec | Hot |
| B+C 3001C | 4.2 oz/yd² | Combed ring-spun cotton | 315–325°F | 10–12 sec | Cold |
| CC 1717 | 6.1 oz/yd² | Ring-spun cotton, dyed | 320–330°F | 12–15 sec | Hot |
| Next Level 3600 | 4.3 oz/yd² | Combed ring-spun cotton | 315–325°F | 10–12 sec | Cold |
| Gildan 64000 | 4.5 oz/yd² | Ring-spun cotton | 315–325°F | 10–12 sec | Hot |
Which Blank to Stock
For a print shop running mixed DTF orders, two blanks cover most use cases: the G500 for volume and budget-sensitive runs, and the 3001C for retail-quality finished products. Both press cleanly, hold transfers through washing, and are available in enough colorways to handle most customer requests.
Add the 1717 if your customers are ordering vintage or lifestyle aesthetic garments. Add the 3600 or 64000 if you want a mid-tier option between the G500 and 3001C price point.
For polyester and performance fabrics, the press specs change significantly. Coverage of performance shirts, moisture-wicking blanks, and 100% polyester blanks for DTF is in the DTF Temperature and Pressure Guide by Fabric Type.
All five blanks above are available at wholesale pricing through TheClothingSpace blank t-shirts collection. DTF transfers ship next business day with no minimums.
