Cotton fabrics

Cotton is a natural fiber celebrated for its softness, breathability, and popularity in apparel. Sourced from the cotton plant, cotton fabric is comfortable and absorbent, making it ideal for casual and summer wear, especially t-shirts.

Available in a variety of textures and weights, cotton is versatile but may wrinkle or shrink if not properly treated. 

Types of cotton:

• Combed cotton. Soft and durable, as shorter fibers are removed.
• Organic cotton. Grown without pesticides, offering an eco-friendly option.
• Pima cotton. Extra-long fibers for enhanced durability and softness.
• Egyptian cotton. Highly luxurious with superior softness and strength.
• Upland cotton. The most commonly grown cotton in the US. A short-staple cotton that’s affordable but less soft.
• Acala cotton. High-quality, long-staple cotton primarily from California. It’s smoother and stronger than Upland cotton.
• Ringspun cotton. Twisted and thinned cotton strands make a finer, smoother, and more durable yarn. 

Printing techniques

Cotton is popular for print-on-demand (POD) products, like t-shirts and hoodies.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) printing techniques work particularly well for vibrant, high-definition designs. DTG prints directly on the fabric for vivid colors and sharp details, while DTF provides durable prints that withstand repeated washing.

All-over printing isn’t ideal for 100% cotton fabric because the dyes penetrate the cotton fibers too deeply, leading to color bleeding and a duller look for the design. 

Best for:

Cotton fabrics are best for casual wear – t-shirts, hoodies, and other everyday apparel. 100% cotton is also widely used in bed linens, tote bags, home textiles, and baby clothing because of its softness and breathability. 

Cotton clothes are excellent for POD if you want to achieve detailed and vibrant prints. And with proper care, they’ll withstand hundreds of wash cycles.

Polyester fabrics

Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from petroleum-based products and is known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying capabilities. 

Unlike 100% cotton, polyester is less prone to stains, shrinking, or stretching and retains its shape and color well.

This makes it a popular choice for sportswear, outdoor gear, and other performance apparel where quick drying and durability are essential.

Printing techniques

Polyester fabrics are perfect for sublimation or all-over printing because they bond with dyes at a molecular level, producing vibrant and long-lasting colors.

DTF printing is also suitable for polyester, offering versatility and strong adhesion to the fabric. However, polyester is not recommended for DTG, as the fabric doesn’t absorb ink as well as cotton, leading to dull prints.

Best for:

Polyester is ideal for sportswear, activewear, outdoor clothing, and uniforms due to its moisture-wicking, quick-drying properties, and overall durability. 

It’s also a great choice for all-over designs, making it a go-to fabric for vibrant, full-coverage prints. Additionally, polyester is commonly used in home textiles like curtains, upholstery, and bedding for its easy maintenance and longevity.

Blended fabrics

Blended fabrics combine natural fibers with synthetic ones, resulting in materials that have the best qualities of each. Cotton offers softness, breathability, and absorbency, while polyester enhances durability.

Cotton-polyester blends are comfortable and functional fabrics, suitable for a wide range of casual wear, sportswear, and work attire.

Blended fabric clothes balance comfort and longevity, minimizing issues like shrinking and wrinkles.

Popular blends:

• 65% cotton, 35% polyester. A popular cotton-poly fabric blend for t-shirts, offering softness and breathability with added durability and wrinkle resistance.
• 50% cotton, 50% polyester. Often used for sweatshirts and casual wear, striking a balance between comfort and functionality.
• 80% cotton, 20% polyester. This blended fabric is used in hoodies and high-end t-shirts, offering a more natural feel while retaining the resilience of polyester.

Printing techniques

Polyester-cotton blends are ideal for printing techniques like DTG and DTF, with certain blends also being suitable for all-over print. AOP calls for a high polyester content – 80% polyester fibers and 20% cotton.

Best for:

Blended fabrics are perfect for sportswear, t-shirts, casual clothing, and uniforms, where durability and comfort are essential. These fabrics are also ideal for creating poly-cotton blends for print-on-demand products, as they’re compatible with multiple printing methods and hold up well through countless wash cycles.

What are most shirts made of?

The most common fabric options are cotton and polyester or a mix of the two. 

Cotton is natural, comfortable, soft, and stays cool in the summer. It’s great for hot weather, but some items made from cotton have little-to-no wrinkle resistance.

Whichever fabric you choose, consider the following:

• Weather. Pick the best material for shirts that ensure breathability in summer or warmth in winter.
• Comfort. Ensure that the garment appeals to your customers in use and maintenance.
• Durability. The garment should fit its intended purpose, whether athletic or casual.
• Cost. Research the financial and environmental costs of the products you sell or wear.

What are shirts made of beyond the fabric type?

Fabric weight:

Lightweight t-shirts. Usually made of a very soft, drapey t-shirt material. They’re thinner, lighter, more flexible, and may also be transparent.

Medium-weight t-shirts. These are not as thin but are also made from a soft shirt material, depending on the fabric. This weight offers better protection and warmth but will take longer to dry.

Heavyweight t-shirts. These can be soft, but some might feel coarse – it depends on the fabric. They’re perfect for durable workwear and are best suited for cooler weather.

Yarn count:

Yarn count defines the fineness of the thread. This information is usually found in the product details, where it may be displayed in several ways – 30/1, 30s, or 30 singles. 

This characteristic can be called thread count or ply (how many yarns are twisted together).

Simply put, the higher the number, the finer the yarn – the fabric is softer, smoother, and lighter. If the yarn count is low, the fabric is generally weightier, thicker, and can feel coarser.

Pros and cons of polyester

There are many advantages. Polyester is a durable fabric that can withstand stretching, creasing, and activity – an affordable material that’s a good choice for custom t-shirts and athletic apparel. Polyester fabric dries quickly, doesn’t need careful washing, and holds printed designs very well.

Polyester also has some downsides. Fabric texture can vary, from feeling like cotton to being quite coarse. Polyesters are typically non-biodegradable and might take 20 to 200 years to break down. Additionally, its manufacture produces chemical waste if not adequately negated.

Here are some of our customizable polyester items:

Crop Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $22.64 From $17.17 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

Unisex Cut & Sew Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $21.78 From $16.02 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

Join Printify and start your own business selling t-shirts with zero upfront costs and no order minimums. Our user-friendly Product Creator lets you easily design and create products. Publish to a store and start selling while we take care of everything else – printing, inventory, and shipping.

Types of cotton

To help you choose the best cotton for t-shirts, let’s look at the different types commonly used. This information is often available on product details pages.

• Ring-spun cotton. While more expensive than regular cotton, it’s a bit softer, smoother, and more durable due to a tightly woven fabric and the spinning process.
• Combed and ring-spun cotton. This cotton is even softer than ring-spun cotton because it’s been combed to remove impurities, giving a smoother surface for print.
• Organic cotton. Grown without synthetic fertilizers makes this a costlier yet more ecological option. Eco-friendly cotton is soft, popular, and just as durable and smooth.
• Slub cotton. A light and airy fabric makes high-quality cotton t-shirts that don’t cling to the body at a slightly higher cost. It has a great feel and doesn’t require much ironing.
• Pima cotton. One of the finest varieties in the world, up there with Egyptian cotton. It’s smooth, soft, and durable. The material is resistant to tearing, wrinkling, and fading.

You may have also heard of pique cotton, sometimes called polo fabric. It’s often used for polo shirts due to its durability and texture, much like an Oxford cloth cotton t-shirt.

Pros and cons of cotton

Cotton shirts, whether twill fabric or basket weave, breathe well, absorb moisture, feel comfortable, and are biodegradable.

However, although it’s a durable t-shirt fabric, the natural fibers tend to wear down faster than synthetic polyester fibers. They may also shrink unless preshrunk.

Here are some of our customizable cotton t-shirts.

Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 5000

From $8.61 From $5.89 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 70 colors 22 print providers

Pros and cons of linen

Linen is the perfect choice for warm weather. It’s breathable, lightweight, and durable. It’s also highly resistant to rotting and bad odors while remaining organic and feeling good on the skin.

While linen has a lot of great properties, it’s not one of the most popular fabrics for t-shirts. Even a slight touch can cause wrinkles and folds, requiring a lot of upkeep. 

Linen is also more expensive than cotton and is prone to shrinkage. Before washing linen clothing, check the recommendations on the fabric’s care label.

Most common blend ratios

Blend ratios vary among producers. Let’s take a look at some of the most common: 

• 80% Polyester / 20% cotton blend. One of the best fabrics for athletic wear – soft, versatile, and easy to care for in long-term use and multiple wash cycles.
• 52% Cotton / 48% polyester blend. Good for casual wear – comfortable, durable, lightweight, dries quickly, and is less likely to shrink than pure cotton.
• 90% Cotton / 10% polyester blend. Commonly used for t-shirts – soft, comfortable, and breathable but can be prone to shrinkage.

Other common blends include 75% polyester / 25% cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 65% cotton / 35% polyester, 50% / 50%, and so on.

Here are some of our customizable t-shirts made from double blends. Keep in mind that fiber content may vary for different colors:

Unisex Classic Tee

By American Apparel · 1301

From $10.73 From $7.90 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 21 colors 5 print providers

Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

By Bella+Canvas · 3001

From $10.87 From $8.69 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 126 colors 21 print providers

Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee

By Bella+Canvas · 3005

From $13.27 From $10.64 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 21 colors 11 print providers

When it comes to tri-blend fabric, manufacturers combine polyester, cotton, and rayon. The final result is one of the softest t-shirt material options available – adding a light and silky drape.

If you want your designs to stand out, tri-blend is one of the best shirt materials. Here are some of our customizable items from tri-blend fabric:

Women's Triblend Tee

By Next Level · 6710

From $14.70 From $11.23 with Printify Premium

5 sizes 6 colors 2 print providers

Unisex Tri-Blend Crew Tee

By Next Level · 6010

From $15.69 From $11.54 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 14 colors 3 print providers

Different fabrics woven together offer the best of both worlds and are popular due to their affordability and the healthy balance they strike between breathability, durability, and comfort.