Comfort Colors 1717 Colors: 23 Shades on Our Embroidered Tees, Light to Dark
Comfort Colors makes its 1717 heavyweight T-shirt in 67 colors: 52 pigment-dyed colors, 13 direct or reactive dyed colors and 2 others, according to Comfort Colors. We stitch our pet designs on 23 of those colors, and this guide shows each one on an embroidered pet T-shirt from our shop, grouped from light to dark. The pictures are our product images; garment-dyed shirts vary a little from one dye lot to the next, and every screen shows color slightly differently.
Table of contents
- What colors does Comfort Colors make for the 1717 T-shirt?
- Which Comfort Colors colors do we embroider on?
- What is the difference between Navy and True Navy?
- Why does the same Comfort Colors color look different from shirt to shirt?
- Which thread colors show best on each Comfort Colors color?
- How do you keep a Comfort Colors color from fading?
- Frequently asked questions
What colors does Comfort Colors make for the 1717 T-shirt?
Comfort Colors makes the 1717 in 67 colors and 7 sizes, from S to 4XL. The color range splits into three dye groups on the Comfort Colors product page:
- Pigment dye colors (52): the largest group, including most of the softer and washed-looking shades.
- Direct and reactive dye colors (13): a smaller group of dyes listed separately by the maker.
- Other (2): two colors outside the two dye groups.
Every 1717 is a 6.1 oz/yd² (about 207 g/m²) T-shirt made of 100% ring spun US cotton and dyed after it is sewn. Sizes and measurements are in our Comfort Colors 1717 size chart.
Which Comfort Colors colors do we embroider on?
We embroider on 23 Comfort Colors 1717 colors. We group them by how light the fabric reads, because lightness decides which thread colors stand out on the shirt.
Light colors (5)
The 5 light colors are White, Ivory, Island Reef, Chambray and Blossom.
- White: a clean, bright white.
- Ivory: a warm, creamy off-white.
- Island Reef: a pale mint green.
- Chambray: a pale, soft blue.
- Blossom: a light pastel pink.
Medium colors (10)
The 10 medium colors are Bay, Terracotta, Seafoam, Yam, Khaki, Violet, Light Green, Flo Blue, Blue Jean and Crunchberry.
- Bay: a muted gray green.
- Terracotta: a warm clay orange.
- Seafoam: a teal blue green.
- Yam: a rusty orange brown.
- Khaki: a soft brown.
- Violet: a bright blue purple.
- Light Green: a muted sage teal, darker than its name suggests.
- Flo Blue: a bright cornflower blue.
- Blue Jean: a faded denim blue.
- Crunchberry: a bright raspberry pink.
Dark colors (8)
The 8 dark colors are Blue Spruce, Berry, Espresso, Pepper, True Navy, Navy, Moss and Black.
- Blue Spruce: a deep green with a gray cast.
- Berry: a deep magenta.
- Espresso: a dark coffee brown.
- Pepper: a washed charcoal gray.
- True Navy: a bright, slightly violet navy.
- Navy: a deeper navy, close to midnight blue.
- Moss: a very dark forest green.
- Black: a soft black.
What is the difference between Navy and True Navy?
Navy and True Navy are two separate Comfort Colors colors. In our product images, Navy is the darker of the two and reads close to midnight blue, while True Navy is brighter and leans slightly toward violet. White and light threads show clearly on both; dark navy or black outlines show better on True Navy than on Navy.
Why does the same Comfort Colors color look different from shirt to shirt?
The same Comfort Colors color can look slightly different from shirt to shirt because each tee is dyed after it is sewn. Comfort Colors garment dyes its styles “for that lived in feel”, so the shade can shift a little between dye lots. Phone and computer screens add their own differences, so treat every picture as a close guide rather than an exact swatch.
Which thread colors show best on each Comfort Colors color?
Thread shows best when it contrasts with the shirt. On light colors, dark outlines and saturated threads stand out; on dark colors, white, cream and bright threads stand out; on medium colors, pick threads that differ from the shirt in both lightness and hue.
The same rule applies to a pet portrait. A black dog reads best on a light or medium shirt, such as Ivory, Chambray or Bay, and a white or cream cat reads best on a dark shirt, such as Pepper, True Navy or Moss. Our guide to pet portrait personalization options explains how to choose the thread color for names and details, and the guide on choosing the best photo for a portrait shows which photos keep markings visible on any shirt color.
How do you keep a Comfort Colors color from fading?
To keep a Comfort Colors color from fading, wash the T-shirt cold and inside out with like colors, and tumble dry low or hang it to dry. Garment-dyed cotton softens and can lighten a little with every wash, which is part of its lived-in look. Our guide on how to wash embroidered clothing lists the full care rule for embroidered tees, and the sweatshirt, hoodie or T-shirt guide compares the tee with our heavier garments.
Frequently asked questions
How many colors does the Comfort Colors 1717 come in?
The Comfort Colors 1717 comes in 67 colors: 52 pigment-dyed, 13 direct or reactive dyed and 2 others. We embroider on 23 of them.
Is Comfort Colors made by Gildan?
Yes. Comfort Colors is one of the brands of Gildan Activewear, listed on the Gildan brands page. Its product pages also link to Gildan’s corporate site.
Which Comfort Colors color hides pet hair best?
A shirt color close to your pet’s coat hides loose hair best. Light fur shows less on Ivory, Khaki or Bay than on Black or Moss, and dark fur shows less on Pepper or Espresso than on White.
Are the colors in the pictures exact?
No picture is exact. Garment-dyed shirts vary a little between dye lots, and screens differ, so use the images to compare colors with each other rather than as a perfect swatch.
