Specs at a glance
- Brand
- Next Level
- Style
- 3600
- Fabric
- 100% cotton (combed and ring-spun); Heather Gray 90/10 cotton/polyester, Oatmeal 99/1
- Weight
- 4.3 oz (145 GSM)
- Yarn
- Combed ring-spun cotton, 32 singles (Oatmeal 30 singles)
- Fit
- Regular fit (the maker also describes it as a retail fit)
- Sizes
- XS–6XL (4XL–6XL in select colors)
- Colors
- About 46 colors on the maker's page
- Construction
- Side-seamed body; 3/4 inch neckband in 1x1 rib; 3/8 inch self-fabric binding from shoulder to shoulder; Tear-away label
Specs per Next Level 3600 Cotton T-Shirt product page (nextlevelapparel.com), checked 2026-10-04. Makers change colors and details; check the current spec before ordering.
Decorating it
| Method | What to know |
|---|---|
| DTG Printing | Next Level lists DTG among its intended print methods, and the combed 32-singles face suits it. Heather Gray carries polyester, so it prints a shade softer than the cotton colors. |
| Screen Printing | A 145 GSM shirt shows ink weight. Water-based ink, discharge on colors that pass a test, or a thin plastisol keeps a large print from turning stiff. |
| Embroidery | Fine for a small chest hit with a soft mesh backing and low density. Wide fills on light jersey distort, so save big logos for heavier garments. |
Next Level's 3600 is a lightweight combed cotton crew built for retail and decorated merch. The maker's site and spec sheet call it the 3600 Cotton T-Shirt; distributors and printers often say "3600 cotton crew". It competes head to head with the Bella+Canvas 3001, and either can stand in for the other when one is short on stock.
Who the 3600 suits
It works for merch that needs to feel like store-bought clothing: brand basics, creator stores, gym and studio retail, restaurant and bar staff tees that customers also buy. The size range reaching 6XL in core colors is a real advantage for staff programs and for brands that want to serve bigger customers without switching to a different shirt for extended sizes.
Fabric, weight and feel
Next Level states 145 GSM, or 4.3 oz, in 100% cotton that has been combed and ring-spun into 32-singles yarn. Two colors differ: Heather Gray is 90/10 cotton/polyester and Oatmeal is 99/1, spun at 30 singles. Combing removes short fibers and ring spinning twists the rest tightly, so the jersey is smooth and soft rather than fuzzy; see combed cotton for the detail.
That weight lands in the lightweight band of T-shirt weights explained. It breathes and drapes well, which suits warm climates and layering, but it will not hide a thick print or stand away from the body the way a heavyweight does.
Construction details from the sell sheet: side seams, a 3/4 inch neckband in 1x1 rib, a 3/8 inch strip of self-fabric binding across the back from shoulder to shoulder, and a tear-away label. The side seams keep the body hanging straight after washing, and the tear-away label makes relabeling simple if you add your own neck print or woven label.
Decorating the 3600
DTG
Next Level names screen printing, DTG and DTF as intended methods for this style. For DTG, the cotton colors give a tight, even surface for photographic art and fine lines. Darks need an even coat of pretreatment, pressed flat, to keep the white layer smooth.
Screen printing
Light shirts show ink weight. Water-based ink gives the softest result on light colors. Discharge ink can do the same on dark cotton colors, but each color and dye lot discharges differently, so a test print comes first. Plastisol is reliable on every color; ask for a thin deposit and a soft-hand base on big prints.
Embroidery
Small left-chest marks work with a soft mesh backing and a light stitch count. Dense fills and large designs pull 145 GSM jersey out of shape and can leave hoop marks, so put those on a heavier garment.
Sizing notes
The maker's measurements run from an XS with a 17 1/2 inch flat chest and 27 inch length to a 6XL at 34 by 36 inches. Small is 19 inches across and Medium 20 1/2, a little wider than many unisex tees in those sizes, after which it grows two inches per size. Length rises an inch per size throughout. Next Level calls the fit regular, so most wearers take their usual size; anyone between sizes can compare the flat chest with a shirt they already like. The extended sizes, 4XL to 6XL, exist only in core colors such as Black, White, Heather Gray and Midnight Navy.
Alternatives
- Its direct rival: the Bella+Canvas 3001. Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Next Level 3600 goes through the differences.
- A tubular, lightweight ring-spun tee: the Gildan 64000.
- Midweight with a regular fit: the AS Colour Staple Tee.
- Heavier and garment dyed: the Comfort Colors 1717.
For how to judge any of these against your audience and print method, start with how to choose a blank T-shirt.
Sources
- Next Level 3600 product page, checked 2026-10-04
- Next Level 3600 measurement specification (PDF), checked 2026-10-04
- Next Level 3600 sell sheet (PDF), checked 2026-10-04
Useful for: clothing brands, creators, gyms, restaurants and bars.