Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Next Level 3600

At a glance

On a spec sheet the Bella+Canvas 3001 and the Next Level 3600 look almost like the same shirt. Both are lightweight, side-seamed crews in 100% cotton that has been combed and ring-spun into 32-singles yarn, and both are made for retail-style merch and DTG. The differences are in the details: size range, small-size fit, neckline, heathers and how many colors you can choose from.

What each shirt is

The 3001 is Bella+Canvas's core unisex tee, stated at 4.2 oz. Its solids are cotton except Ash (99/1 cotton/polyester). Bella+Canvas has moved the heather colors into their own style, the 3001CVC, so the 3001 now means solid colors.

The 3600 is Next Level's cotton crew, listed by the maker as the 3600 Cotton T-Shirt at 145 GSM, or 4.3 oz. Its one true heather, Heather Gray, is 90/10 cotton/polyester, and Oatmeal is 99/1 at 30 singles. Next Level names screen printing, DTG and DTF as intended print methods.

Fabric and feel

With the same yarn count, the same fiber and a weight gap of a tenth of an ounce, the two feel very similar. Small differences in knitting and finishing mean some people prefer one over the other in the hand, which is a reason to order both as samples rather than a reason to expect a big gap. Both sit in the lightweight band of T-shirt weights: breathable and drapey, but too thin to hide a heavy print.

Construction and neckline

Both are side-seamed, which keeps the body hanging straight. The visible difference is the neck. Next Level specifies a 3/4 inch neckband in 1x1 rib and a 3/8 inch self-fabric binding across the back from shoulder to shoulder. Bella+Canvas lists a crew neck and shoulder taping. Bella+Canvas does not publish a neckband width, so if your customers care about how a collar sits, compare samples side by side.

Sizing

This is where the shirts really differ. The 3600 is cut slightly wider in the small sizes: 17 1/2, 19 and 20 1/2 inches of flat chest at XS, Small and Medium, against 16 1/2, 18 and 20 on the 3001. From Large up the widths match, and body lengths match through 5XL (27 inches at XS to 35 at 5XL). The 3600 then continues to 6XL, at 34 inches across and 36 inches long, but only in core colors: Black, White, Heather Gray, Light Gray, Heavy Metal, Midnight Navy, Royal and Red reach 6XL, and a few more reach 4XL. The 3001 stops at 5XL.

For a staff program or a brand with a wide size curve, that 6XL can decide the choice. For a fitted look in smaller sizes, the 3001's slightly narrower XS to Medium may suit better. T-shirt size charts explains how to present these numbers to customers.

Colors and heathers

Bella+Canvas lists 86 colors on the 3001 product page (its 2026 catalog says 96), and the 3001CVC adds dozens of heathers. Next Level shows about 46 colors for the 3600. If you need an exact brand color or a specific heather, the 3001 family gives more options. Heathers decorate differently from cotton solids: the polyester in most 3001CVC heathers raises dye migration risk and dulls DTG, while the 3600 Heather Gray carries only 10 parts polyester in 100.

Printing

For DTG, both are dependable cotton bases: a tight combed face, even absorbency and a weight that lets the print move with the fabric. For screen printing, both favor soft inks such as water-based ink; a thick plastisol underbase plus several colors can feel stiff on fabric this light. Discharge on either is possible on cotton colors that test well. Embroidery should stay small and low-density on both.

Which to choose

• Choose the Bella+Canvas 3001 for the widest color and heather selection (through the 3001CVC), a trimmer fit in XS to Medium, and matching youth, toddler and infant versions.
• Choose the Next Level 3600 when you need 4XL to 6XL in core colors, prefer a 3/4 inch rib neckband, or want slightly more room in the smaller sizes.
• For DTG and soft-hand screen printing, either is a strong base; let color availability decide.
• If one is short on stock, the other is the most natural substitute for solid colors, but do not mix the two within one design and color on a retail order, since colors and small-size fit will not match exactly.

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