The fabric you choose for your custom t-shirts affects everything — how the garment feels, how it drapes, how it holds print, and how customers perceive your brand. This guide covers the most common t-shirt fabrics and when to use each one.

100% Cotton

Cotton is the most popular t-shirt fabric and the default choice for most clothing brands. It is natural, breathable, and takes embellishments beautifully.

Characteristics

Feel: Soft, natural hand feel that improves with washing
Breathability: Excellent — absorbs moisture and allows air flow
Print quality: Outstanding for screen printing and DTG. Ink bonds deeply with cotton fibers for vibrant, long-lasting prints
Shrinkage: Will shrink 3–5% on first wash unless pre-shrunk
Weight: Available from lightweight (130 GSM) to heavyweight (250+ GSM)

Best For

Everyday t-shirts, streetwear, premium basics, and any brand where comfort and print quality are priorities.

Cotton Varieties

Type	Quality	Price Range	Best For
Regular cotton	Standard	$5–8/unit	Budget-friendly basics
Ringspun cotton	Higher	$7–10/unit	Softer feel, retail quality
Combed cotton	Premium	$8–12/unit	Luxury basics, premium brands
Organic cotton (GOTS)	Premium + Certified	$10–15/unit	Sustainable brands
Supima/Pima cotton	Ultra-premium	$15–25/unit	Designer and luxury lines

100% Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum-based fibers. It excels in performance and athletic applications.

Characteristics

Feel: Smooth, slightly slick. Modern polyester blends have improved significantly
Moisture management: Wicks sweat away from skin rather than absorbing it
Durability: Extremely durable. Resists stretching, shrinking, and wrinkling
Print quality: Requires sublimation printing for best results. Screen printing can crack on polyester
Eco note: Recycled polyester (rPET) made from plastic bottles offers the same performance with lower environmental impact

Best For

Activewear, performance wear, sublimation-printed all-over designs, and sportswear brands.

Cotton-Polyester Blends

Blends combine the best properties of both fibers. The most common blend is 60% cotton / 40% polyester, though ratios vary.

Characteristics

Feel: Softer than pure polyester, more structured than pure cotton
Shrinkage: Significantly less than 100% cotton (under 2%)
Durability: Better shape retention than cotton — less pilling, less fading
Print quality: Good for screen printing. The polyester content can cause slight dye migration with certain inks
Cost: Generally similar to cotton — $6–10 per unit

Best For

Brands that want a balance of comfort and durability. Great for everyday wear, uniforms, and promotional apparel.

Tri-Blends

Typically 50% polyester / 25% cotton / 25% rayon. Tri-blends produce the softest, most luxurious feel and a distinctive heathered look.

Feel: Ultra-soft, lightweight, drapey
Look: Vintage, heathered aesthetic that is highly popular in fashion
Cost: $9–14 per unit — premium positioning

Best for fashion-forward brands, premium basics, and limited edition drops.

Choosing the Right Fabric Weight

Fabric weight is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) and dramatically affects how a t-shirt feels and looks.

Weight	GSM Range	Feel	Best For
Lightweight	130–150 GSM	Thin, drapey	Summer tees, fashion brands, women's styles
Midweight	160–190 GSM	Balanced, versatile	Everyday wear, most brands start here
Heavyweight	200–250+ GSM	Thick, structured	Streetwear, premium basics, oversized fits

Heavyweight t-shirts (200+ GSM) have surged in popularity with the oversized streetwear trend. They feel more substantial, drape differently, and command higher retail prices.

How to Choose

Match your fabric to your brand positioning:

Budget/promotional brand: Regular cotton or cotton-poly blend, 160 GSM
Mid-range retail brand: Ringspun or combed cotton, 180 GSM
Premium/luxury brand: Combed cotton or tri-blend, 200+ GSM
Sustainable brand: GOTS organic cotton, any weight
Activewear brand: Polyester or performance blend

Not sure which fabric is right? Request sample swatches to feel the difference before committing to a production run. Browse our full range of customizable blank apparel to see available options.