How To Pick The Right Fabric Material Types For Your Custom T-Shirt
Ever bought a custom t-shirt that looked great online but felt like sandpaper the second you put it on?
Yeah...we’ve all had that moment of regret. A bold design doesn’t mean anything if the shirt itself is stiff, itchy, or worse, completely ruins the print after one wash.
The real MVP of any custom tee? The fabric.
Choosing the right fabric material types is everything. It affects the fit, the comfort, how your design prints, and whether or not people ever wear it again.
Whether you’re printing for a brand, event, or selling tees online, picking the right fabric from the start will make all the difference.
Common Fabric Material Types for Custom T-Shirts
Before we dive into how to pick the right one, let’s go over the most popular fabric material types you’ll run into when ordering custom tees.
Each fabric has its feel, durability, and print behavior, so knowing the differences up front can save you time (and money) later.
100% Cotton
This is your go-to basic, and for good reason. It’s soft, breathable, and super easy to print on—especially with DTG. It’s ideal for casual wear and perfect for band merch, event shirts, or everyday brands.
Things to note: Regular cotton can shrink in the wash if it’s not pre-shrunk, and it tends to wrinkle more than blends.
Ring-Spun or Combed Cotton
Think of this as the upgraded version of basic cotton. Ring-spun and combed cotton go through extra processes to make the fibers smoother, softer, and more durable. They feel amazing on the skin and give your shirts a more premium vibe.
Things to note: It’s slightly more expensive, but if you’re aiming for retail quality or comfort-focused branding, it’s worth it.
Cotton-Poly Blends (like 50/50 or 60/40)
Blends give you the best of both worlds—cotton for softness, polyester for durability. These shirts resist wrinkles, shrink less, and still feel great to wear all day.
Things to note: DTG prints may not be as vibrant on blends with more polyester, so keep that in mind if you're doing detailed designs.
Tri-Blends (Cotton, Polyester, Rayon)
Tri-blends are known for their ultra-soft, lived-in feel. They drape nicely and are super lightweight, making them great for fashion-forward looks, streetwear, or fitness brands.
Things to note: They often have a slightly heathered texture, and they’re not ideal for high-detail DTG printing due to the fabric’s lower cotton content.
Polyester
If you're making performance or athletic wear, polyester is a solid choice. It’s moisture-wicking, lightweight, and dries quickly—perfect for workout tees or sports uniforms.
Things to note: DTG printing doesn’t work well on polyester, and cheap versions can feel plasticky. But for sublimation printing, polyester is a must.
Eco-Fabrics (Organic Cotton, Bamboo, Hemp)
Sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a brand value. Eco-fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp offer a soft hand-feel and are better for the planet. They’re perfect for brands that want to stand out with an ethical edge.
Things to note: These fabrics tend to cost more and might have fewer style or color options, but the eco-appeal and unique textures can be a huge selling point.
7 Smart Tips on How To Pick the Right Fabric for Your Custom Shirt
Choosing the right fabric isn’t just about softness; it impacts print quality, durability, and whether people will want to wear your shirt more than once.
Here’s how to make the best call when selecting fabric for your custom tees:
1. Match the Fabric to Your Printing Method
Start by locking in how you’re printing the design. DTG (Direct-to-Garment) works best on 100% cotton, especially ring-spun, because it absorbs ink and delivers vibrant color and fine detail.
Sublimation requires polyester; anything else, and the ink won’t bond. Screen printing is more versatile and works on cotton, blends, and even some poly fabrics.
Using the wrong fabric with the wrong method leads to weak prints that crack, fade, or peel.
2. Know the Shirt’s Purpose
Think about how the shirt will be worn. If it’s for athletic use or outdoor events, go with polyester or moisture-wicking blends.
For lifestyle brands, merch, or giveaways, cotton and tri-blends feel better and look more polished. Matching the fabric to its real-world use means better results and happier customers.
3. Prioritize Comfort and Feel
No one wants to wear a stiff or scratchy tee. Ring-spun cotton is smoother and softer than basic cotton, and tri-blends are incredibly soft and breathable, perfect for comfort-first designs. If the shirt feels good, people are much more likely to keep wearing it.
4. Choose Pre-Shrunk Cotton
Cotton tends to shrink in the wash. To avoid sizing issues or complaints, choose pre-shrunk cotton tees. They stay true to size, which makes your shirts more consistent from order to wear.
5. Pick the Right Weight for the Job
Fabric weight affects feel and function. Lightweight shirts (3.5–4.3 oz) are soft and breezy for summer. Midweight options (4.5–5 oz) strike a nice balance for year-round wear.
Heavyweight shirts (6 oz and up) give a structured, fashion-forward look that’s great for streetwear or boxy fits.
6. Avoid Transparency in Light Shirts
Some lightweight fabrics—especially in white or pastel shades—can be too sheer.
If you want better coverage without sacrificing breathability, stick with midweight cotton or blends that are dense enough to keep things looking clean.
7. Always Test Before You Print in Bulk
When in doubt, get a blank sample. Wear it. Wash it. Print on it. There’s no better way to check comfort, fit, and print quality than by trying it yourself.
A quick test run can save you from wasting money on a bulk order that doesn’t meet expectations.
Does Fabric Affect Print Quality?
Absolutely, no doubt about it.
Choosing the wrong fabric for your printing method is like painting on a greasy surface. It won’t stick, it won’t last, and it definitely won’t look how you hoped.
Each print method needs the right fabric to shine—skip this step, and you risk dull colors, cracked graphics, or washed-out designs.
DTG (Direct-to-Garment):
Works best on 100% cotton—especially ring-spun or combed. Cotton absorbs DTG’s water-based inks beautifully, giving you bold colors and crisp detail. Use polyester, and the ink just sits on the surface or fades fast.
Screen Printing:
Super versatile—great on cotton, blends, and some poly fabrics. It lays thick ink on top, which holds up well over time. That said, some slick or stretchy blends might resist the ink or distort fine details.
Embroidery:
Needs heavier fabrics like cotton or thick blends. Thin or stretchy tees can bunch, warp, or tear. Embroidery adds weight and tension, so it needs a strong base to look clean and professional.
Why Fabric Matters
If you mismatch your fabric and print method, you’ll end up with:
Faded or peeling graphics
Blurry or off-color designs
Shirts that feel stiff or fall apart after washing
At Tee Vision Printing, we’ll help you avoid those headaches. Our team will match your design and style goals with the perfect combo of fabric and print technique, so your custom shirts come out looking as good as they feel.
Get expert help now.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the softest fabric for t-shirts?
A: Tri-blends (cotton, poly, rayon) are super soft, light, and perfect for comfort-focused styles.
Q2: Can I use DTG on polyester shirts?
A: Not recommended. DTG needs 100% cotton to produce vibrant, lasting prints.
Q3: Are eco-fabrics more expensive?
A: Usually, yes—but they provide long-term quality and eco-appeal to customers.
Q4: How do I check if my shirt will shrink?
A: Look for “pre-shrunk” on the tag. Ring-spun and combed cotton also help reduce shrinkage.
Q5: Is a 50/50 blend better than 100% cotton?
A: Depends on your priorities. Blends offer durability and wrinkle resistance; cotton gives superior softness and DTG compatibility.
Final Thoughts: Fabric Isn’t Just Fabric—It’s the Foundation
Your t-shirt design might catch attention, but the fabric material types you choose are what make that design wearable, lovable, and long-lasting.
Whether you’re launching a brand, printing for an event, or just making shirts people want to wear, don’t treat fabric like an afterthought.
Tee Vision Printing is here to help you make the right call—from classic cotton to premium blends.
Start your custom shirt order at teevisionprinting.com