Buying blank crewneck sweatshirts comes down to the same three things every time: fabric weight, cotton percentage, and how the sleeve is built. This guide compares the Three Layer CR280 midweight crewneck against the blanks most buyers cross-shop, including Gildan, Independent Trading Co., Bella plus Canvas, and Comfort Colors. Every number below comes from a manufacturer page or a major wholesale distributor. Specs verified 2026-07-01 from manufacturer spec sheets: Gildan (gildan.com), Independent Trading Co (independenttradingco.com), Bella plus Canvas (bellacanvas.com). The Comfort Colors 1566 manufacturer page was unreachable at verification time, so that row uses distributor spec sheets.
The short version: the CR280 is an 8.8 oz, 70 percent cotton fleece with a classic set-in sleeve. That makes it heavier and higher in cotton than the mass blanks like Gildan 18000 and Bella 3901, while staying lighter and lower in minimum order than the heavy garment dyed lines. A higher cotton percentage gives you a smoother, flatter face for screen printing and embroidery.
For embroidery specifically, the CR280’s 70/30 cotton-poly fleece gives the needle a smooth, tight face that supports clean stitch definition on both fine detail and dense corporate logos. At 8.8 oz and 298 GSM, the fabric carries enough density to back a high stitch count without sagging, which keeps puckering risk low on 3D puff and left chest embroidery. A lighter or more polyester heavy face fights the needle more and shows puckering sooner at the same stitch count.
Buyers still working out collar terminology across their line can start with our guide to the difference between a crewneck and sweatshirt before comparing specific blanks.
The Three Layer CR280 at a glance
The CR280 midweight crewneck is 8.8 oz per square yard, roughly 298 GSM, built from a 70 percent cotton and 30 percent polyester fleece with an anti-pill face yarn and a set-in sleeve. Three Layer designs in Los Angeles and manufactures in Pakistan. There is no minimum on stock colors, so you can sample a design at a single piece before committing to volume.
Side by side spec comparison
| Crewneck | Weight | GSM | Blend (solids) | Sizes | Sleeve and fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Layer CR280 | 8.8 oz | 298 | 70 / 30 cotton poly | S to 3XL | Set-in, regular |
| Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend | 8.0 oz | 271 | 50 / 50 | XS to 5XL | Set-in, classic |
| ITC SS3000 | 8.5 oz | 288 | 80 / 20 cotton face | XS to 5XL | Set-in, classic |
| Bella plus Canvas 3901 8.0 oz 271 (converted) 52 / 48 XS to 3XL Raglan, retail | |||||
| Comfort Colors 1566 | about 9.5 oz | about 322 | 80 / 20 ring spun, garment dyed | S to 3XL | Set-in, relaxed |
Heather colorways shift to a higher polyester content on almost every brand in this table, including the CR280, so confirm the blend on the exact color you order.
How each competitor compares
Gildan 18000 Heavy Blend
The 18000 is the volume default for crewnecks. At 8.0 oz and a 50 / 50 blend, it is lighter and lower in cotton than the CR280. It is the budget pick that ships from nearly every distributor, but the higher polyester face can show more fiber and reads less premium than a cotton rich fleece. Choose it when cost per piece is the deciding factor.
ITC SS3000
The SS3000 is the closest match to the CR280 on weight and construction, at 8.5 oz with a set-in sleeve. The difference is the blend: the SS3000 solids are an 80 / 20 cotton face, so the CR280 carries a little more cotton on most colors. Both are clean, structured midweight crews that suit everyday merch and brand programs.
Bella plus Canvas 3901
The 3901 is the retail fashion crew, and it is built differently. It uses a raglan sleeve rather than the set-in sleeve on the CR280, which changes the shoulder line and the way a chest print sits. At 8.0 oz and a 52 / 48 blend it is lighter and lower in cotton. Choose it when you want the raglan look and a slim retail cut, not when you need a traditional set-in crew that matches a standard mockup.
Comfort Colors 1566
The 1566 is the heavy, garment dyed option at around 9.5 oz with an 80 / 20 ring spun fleece. It gives you the washed vintage finish the Comfort Colors line is known for. It is heavier and prints with a soft hand, but garment dyeing means more shade variation between dye lots and a higher price. Choose it for a premium heritage look rather than for tight color matching across reorders.
Which blank crewneck should you choose
Pick on the job, not the label. For the lowest cost per piece, the Gildan 18000 leads. For a raglan retail cut, the Bella 3901 fits. For a washed heritage finish, the Comfort Colors 1566 stands alone. For a cotton rich, set-in midweight that prints clean, ships from a Los Angeles design house, and carries no minimum order, the Three Layer CR280 is the balanced choice for most brand and print shop programs.
Want to see the full range? There is no minimum order on standard stock. In-stock paid orders placed by 12pm PT ship the same day. Custom production runs on a 120 day lead time. Every garment is made at our WRAP certified partner factory. Browse the wholesale crewneck collection or request your wholesale pricing and live inventory through the Three Layer portal after you log in.