Comfort Colors 1717: Garment Dye and DTF Settings
The Comfort Colors 1717 is a 6.1oz 100% ring-spun cotton garment-dyed tee with a soft-washed texture that presses beautifully with DTF when you pre-press correctly and verify your temperature on the slightly denser fabric.
What Makes the 1717 Different
The Comfort Colors 1717 is garment-dyed rather than yarn-dyed or piece-dyed. The garment is sewn first, then dyed as a complete unit, which produces the subtle color variation and soft, worn-in texture that is the signature of the brand. This process also means the color penetrates the full garment evenly at the fiber level rather than sitting on the surface.
At 6.1oz, the 1717 is heavier than standard retail-fit tees. It has a chunky, substantial feel that commands higher retail pricing in the boutique market. The ring-spun cotton construction is 100% cotton with no synthetic content, which eliminates dye migration risk and simplifies your press settings.
DTF Press Settings for the 1717
Press at 315°F for 15 seconds at medium pressure. The 6.1oz weight is slightly denser than a standard 5.3oz tee, but the cotton-only construction means no dye migration concern and no need to reduce temperature. The standard cotton settings work reliably.
Pre-press for 5 seconds before positioning the transfer. The garment-dye washing process can leave slight residual moisture in the fabric and the soft-washed texture benefits from a pre-press step that slightly flattens the surface before adhesive contact.
Color and Shrinkage
The 1717 is pre-shrunk but will experience 3-5% additional shrinkage in the first wash due to the garment-dye process. This is expected and communicated in the brand sizing. Design placement should account for this: a chest print that looks centered on a new 1717 will still look centered after washing because the garment shrinks uniformly.
Color selection matters for DTF. The 1717 comes in 65+ earth-tone and vibrant colorways. On dark colorways (black, navy, espresso), verify your platen temperature is reaching 315°F, as dark dyes absorb heat and slightly slow the surface temperature response.
Why the 1717 Is Worth the Premium
At roughly $3-5 more per unit than a standard cotton tee, the 1717 commands retail prices of $28-45 decorated, compared to $18-25 for a Gildan 5000 print. The margin math justifies the blank cost for boutique, branded apparel, and streetwear applications where perceived quality drives the purchase.
DTF transfers on the 1717 look and feel exceptional because the soft-washed surface texture gives the print a natural, lived-in quality that perfectly matches the garment aesthetic. If you are building a brand line, the 1717 is one of the best canvases available.