The battle of the blank apparel brands has many fronts. A lot of brands are competing to be number one, and some are better at certain garments than others. Here we’re looking at who makes the best t-shirts. Most businesses will start by looking at what is within their budget, so we’re comparing two brands in a similar price range, and pitting these two against each other.
Both are wholesale blank apparel suppliers, so they’re great value. There are even cheaper options out there– these two are what we consider the medium range. Which makes better t-shirts though?
An Overview of Their Blank Apparel
Bella+Canvas operate from Los Angeles in the USA, while Build Your Brand are from Germany. Both are owned by the parent company Imbretex. Neither website is great, but we slightly prefer the usability of the Bella+Canvas site. For real usability though, you of course want to use an excellent third-party site like Wordans.
The first thing to note is that Build Your Brand has the widest range of blank apparel. Bella+Canvas is still pretty broad, with both covering most categories, but focusing on t-shirts, jumpers, and other tops. Build Your Brand also has a nice range of jackets, and a few things that their competitor doesn’t sell, such as swimming trunks and underwear.
So if you’re looking to get a lot of different clothing from one provider, Build Your Brand takes an early lead in this contest. Let’s take a look at their t-shirts then.
Who Makes the Best T-Shirts?
The Classic: 3001 vs BY004
A lot of printers and retailers don’t want to buy a range of different t-shirts, they just want one t-shirt that works for everyone, so the staple, signature, 100% cotton t-shirt is the most important for many. For Bella+Canvas that’s the 3001, and for Build Your Brand it’s the BY004. They’re both unisex, and cost about $5 wholesale or $10 retail, although the BY004 is a shade cheaper.
| Bella+Canvas 3001 | Build Your Brand BY004 |
|---|---|
|
Colors: 86 Weight: 145 gsm Sizes: XS - 5XL |
Colors: 40 Weight: 200 gsm Sizes: XS - 5XL |
The 3001 has the most colours available, with 86, although the 40 colours of the BY004 are enough for most people. Bella+Canvas use a dash of Polyester in a couple of colours. Build Your Brand aim for more of an urban look, and their colours are a little earthier. Both come in sizes XS to 5XL. The 3001 has a kids version, and Build Your Brand has the BY116, which is effectively the kids version. They both have fewer colours– the 3001Y has 39, while the BY116 only 7.
The main difference is the weight, with the 3001 a lightweight t-shirt, and the BY004 at the heavier end of medium. Which is better is a subjective issue, but the climate where you operate is relevant. Bella+Canvas use patented Airlume ringspun cotton, which does make their t-shirts a touch smoother. They are both casual t-shirts with a fairly relaxed fit– the BY004 a little more so.
The Verdict:
For a heavier t-shirt, go for the BY004, for a lighter one, go for the 3001. If you’re on the fence, Bella+Canvas‘ has more colours, and is a bit softer, so we recommend that one.
Style Variations
Bella+Canvas have a really nice range of variations, with great options for women, several v-necks and scoop necks of different sizes, ringer tees, two-tone raglan tees, a range of tanks, and a much better crop top selection. The flowy muscle tee was a particular standout. We also liked their long body tee, the 3006.
Build Your Brand go one better though, with a larger selection. As well as those mentioned above, they have some really nice camo, striped, and tie-dye versions. In terms of blank apparel, they’ve jumped on the oversized bandwagon, with loads of different models for men and women, so you can get the collar and the sleeve just right. We love the oversized acid washed tee, the BY189.
The Verdict:
Both have great variations, but Build Your Brand win this round.
Blends
| Blend | Bella+Canvas |
|---|---|
|
CVC Cotton/Polyester |
3001 (52%/48%) Colors: 86 Weight: 4.2 oz. Sizes: XS - 5XL |
|
Tri-Blend Cotton/Polyester/Rayon |
3413 (25%/50%/25%) Colors: 68 Weight: 3.8 oz. Sizes: XS - 4XL |
|
Sueded Cotton/Polyester |
3301 (52%/48%) Colors: 21 Weight: 4.2 oz. Sizes: XS - 2XL |
Build Your Brand have a commitment to cotton, and use it almost exclusively in their t-shirts, barring a couple of designs where they use polyester or mesh. This is great when you’re not printing on them, but some methods of printing need a bit of polyester. DTG works better with blends, and sublimation can’t be done without polyester. Screen printers won’t mind, as they probably use cotton anyway, but for some this will be a problem.
Bella+Canvas make tees in cotton, polyester, and a mix of the two, as well as tri-blends, which are excellent for the summer. They have a sueded tee, which their Airlume cotton has made deliciously soft, and polyester/rayon blends– these are great light t-shirts that work well for low-intensity exercise. These blends also extend to the ladies’ and kids versions, so you have everyone’s needs catered to.
The Verdict:
Bella+Canvas would win by default anyway, but their blends are excellent.
Sustainability
Both of these brands are adamant that their manufacturing is done ethically, both on a human level, and environmentally. The truth is that they all sell low-cost clothing, which isn’t the most sustainable practice in itself, but they do all make an effort to do it in the most environmentally friendly way possible, and employ practices which use less water. Build Your Brand goes one step further, with a specific sustainable range– you pay about double, but get that extra piece of mind.
Conclusion
This is a t-shirt contest, so we’re ignoring the extra apparel they have, but Build Your Brand do have more different t-shirt styles, some of these aren’t technically blank apparel, but they can still be printed on. This is a big advantage for individual customers, but as a retailer you might prefer to keep things simpler anyway. They also have a really cool urban look, and we like their sustainable range.
Bella+Canvas have more options everywhere else though. For printers and designers, the greater range of colours makes it easier to find exactly what you’re after, and different material choices are very important. While the sturdier design makes Build Your Brand’s t-shirts hold up a little better over time, on a personal level I’m a big fan of the Bella+Canvas Airlume cotton, and the extra softness it gives.
Final Verdict
For earthy, casual, cotton t-shirts, get them from Build Your Brand. For the rest, Bella+Canvas just wins, thanks to all their different options, even though they are a shade less cheap. Whichever you do choose, you won’t be disappointed with either of these blank apparel heavyweights.
At Wordans you can get all the clothes from both these brands at incredible prices, and much more besides. Take a look through our website to see what we have to offer. For fashion news and more, head over to our Instagram @wordans_europe.
