Polyester vs Cotton vs Blends: Which One Is Better?

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Polyester vs. Cotton vs. Blends Which One Is
Better?

• T SHIRT DESIGNS

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• Polyester vs.. cotton vs.. blends? What is the
  scoop about them?
• Have you ever about thought what fabric is used
  for the shirt you wear all the time? Or why do
  some of your t-shirts feel different from the
  others and if your shirts are made from the best
  shirt material? T-shirts are made from hundreds
  of different kinds of fabric and every fabric has
  a different style and feel.
• We have outlined all the types of fabric from 60
  cotton 40 polyester, and 100 polyester to
  cotton-polyester blend alongside a comparison of
  cotton vs. polyester and tri-blend vs. cotton.
  So, if you are interested in knowing your fabrics
  especially when buying or printing, then keep on
  reading.

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The 3 Best T-Shirt Fabrics

• Lets talk about the three main categories of
  fabric that you need to know in order to make an
  informed decision

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100 Cotton

• Cotton is the most commonly used fabric for
  t-shirts. It is a natural vegetable fibre, fluffy
  as well, that is obtained from a cotton plants
  seedpod and spun into yarn or thread.
• Cotton is used to make breathable shirts loved by
  everyone. Most t-shirts are made from cotton or
  partially cotton. Plus, it is hypoallergenic, so
  a personal favourite of people with skin prone to
  itches and rashes.
• Feel and Wear of Cotton
• Cotton can be knitted or woven into an array of
  fabrics, such as jersey, denim, and flannel. Each
  of which, of course, boasts a different wear
  purpose and feel. Plus, cotton feels very
  breathable and soft on the skin and is, thus,
  perfect for hot weather and warm climates,
  particularly, for people with sensitive skin.
• Another plus is that cotton doesnt cling to the
  skins, so if you want to start a business with
  loose-fitting clothes, then choose cotton. But
  also remember that 100 cotton is not the best
  choice for activewear because it dries rather
  slowly.

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• Cottons Printing Suitability
• Cotton is the perfect surface for direct to
  garment printing. Opt for a garment made from
  100 cotton if you want a crisp and opaque
  design. However, DTG prints dont print as solid
  on thicker cotton garments, such as sweatshirts
  and hoodies, as they do on t-shirts.
• Durability and Care
• Cotton that is pure and high in quality is
  extremely durable which renders it immune to
  accidental tears or rips, but it isnt as durable
  as polyester or cotton-polyester blend. It can
  also shrink at high temperature, so use cold
  water to wash a cotton shirt and dont go
  overboard with the detergent.

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100 Polyester

• Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for its
  durability and resiliency. It dries quickly, also
  called moisture-wicking, because of its low
  moisture absorbency and is also known as
  hydrophobic. 100 Polyester always maintains its
  shape, so no matter how you wash it, it doesnt
  stretch or shrink. Moreover, its the go-to
  fabric of
• adventurous and athletic people because of its
  durability in extreme conditions and resistance
  to odour. And it doesnt stain, so thats another
  reason why people prefer it.
• What Does Polyester Feel Like?
• Polyester is lightweight, feels silkier than
  cotton, perfect for sports, and traps sweat
  against the skin, which is why it may feel clammy
  and cooler in warm and cooler weather,
  respectively.
• Polyester is light and thin, so it can cling to
  the skin and cause irritation for people with
  extremely sensitive skin. However, this is not
  common with polyester blends. In addition, it is
  stretchy and doesnt shrink or lose its shape
  even after a lot of wear and tear.

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• Polyesters Printing Suitability
• Printing on polyester can be a challenge but,
  thanks to advanced printing services and special
  dyes, it has now become easy to achieve
  high-quality prints on polyester. Printed colours
  on polyester now turn out very vibrant and are
  very unlikely to fade with time.
• Durability and Care
• Polyester is more durable than cotton and most
  blends, but its also hard to stain it
  permanently because of its lower absorbency.
  Polyester is also famous for its resistance to
  fading, shrinking and wrinkling. We recommend
  washing polyester clothes with all-purpose
  detergent in warm water followed by a
  low-temperature tumble-dry.

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Polyester vs.. Cotton in a Nutshell
Attributes  Cotton  Polyester 
Feel and Wear
Lightweight  ? ? 
Clingy  ? ? 
Silky  ? ? 
Quick-Drying  ? ? 
Soft  ?  ? (less than cotton)
Breathable  ?  ? 
Sensitive Skin-Friendly ?  ?
Printing
All-Over Method ? ? 
Colour Vibrancy ?  ? 
DTG Method  ?  ?
Durability and Resiliency 
Prone to Fading ?  ?
Prone to Shrinking  ?  ?
Prone to Tearing  ? ?
Prone to Wrinkling  ?  ?
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Blends

• When it comes to blends, the majority of people
  find them confused over a myriad of questions,
  such as what is cotton blend, are there 100
  polyester shirts that feel like cotton, is
  polyester cotton, or what is poly cotton and the
  list never seeds to end. So, what is actually is
  a blend?
• A blend is a fabric or yarn made from more than
  one kind of fibre. They are huge in the t-shirt
  printing market because they provide the best of
  both worlds and the best of three worlds in the
  case of tri-blends. Lets look at the major types
  of blends
• Tri-Blend Usually made using rayon, cotton, and
  polyester.
• CVC Also known as Chief Value Cotton is a blend
  with most of it being cotton.
• 50/50 It is a 50/50 blend containing half
  polyester and half cotton, which is why is it
  also called cotton/poly.
• Now, that we know the basics of the basic blends
  available in the market, lets look at some
  blends in detail
• Polyester-Spandex Blends (85/15)
• Spandex is a synthetic fibre famous for its
  elasticity. It is also called lycra or elastane.
  It makes the perfect fabric for soft clothing
  that is also durable when it is combined with
  cotton. Polyester-spandex blend garments are most
  commonly worn in activewear because spandex comes
  through with its stretchy nature and the ability
  to keep its original shape, while polyester
  provides the durability.

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• Cotton-Polyester Blends (65/35 and 50/50)
• Cotton-polyester is perfect for you if you cannot
  choose between polyester and cotton. It is
  versatile and used to make shirts, and bedding,
  and whatnot. These blends are easier to wash and
  dry because the polyester does not shrink or
  change its shape, unlike cotton. 
• And the garments are also breathable, unlike the
  pure polyester clothes, courtesy of the cotton
  component in the blend. Lastly, the
  cotton-polyester blend makes the greatest canvas
  for colourful and bright designs.
• Polyester-Cotton-Rayon Blend (50/25/25)
• These blends have the best proportion of three
  types of fabric because of rayon being a
  semi-synthetic fibre that combines them together.
  Garments made using this fabric are stretchy,
  soft, and durable. So, if you want to make
  loose-fitting clothes that have a snug feel to
  them, go for this tri-blend. Another perk of the
  tri-blend is that it delivers the famous
  so-called vintage feel when printed on using the
  DG method. This is because of the looser weave
  and combination of the three fabrics and the
  fabrics show through the ink slightly. 

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Which T-Shirt Fabric Is the Best for You?

• This answer depends on different requirements,
  and we have broken them down for you
• The person wearing the shirt Fashion style,
  expectation, age range, etc.
• The qualities you want Moisture-wicking,
  durability, structure, softness, breathability,
  etc.
• The print method Sublimation, direct-to-garment,
  screen printing, digital transfer,
  embroidery, vinyl transfer, etc.
• The price range Maximum amount per item for the
  complete order.
• The purpose of the piece of apparel Sports
  event, work uniform, merchandise, family reunion,
  etc.
• Heres a short and straightforward breakdown of
  the pros and cons of three types of fabrics

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Pros and Cons of 100 Cotton, 100 Polyester and
Blends
100 Cotton
Pros  Cons 
Breathable  Generally Heavier 
Popular  Can Be Prone to Shrinkage
Soft  Can Get Stained 
Non -Clingy  Dries Slowly
Comfortable  Prone to Damage
Gentle on the Skin  Prone to Wrinkling 
Easily Customized  DTG Prints Arent Solid on Thicker Cotton
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100 Polyester 
Pros  Cons 
Lightweight  Very Clingy
Doesnt Shrink nor Wrinkle  Can Irritate the Skin
Silky Smooth Drape Less Breathable
Odour Resistant Have Restrictions on Printing 
Super Durable Feels Synthetic 
Super Quick-Drying Some Are Very High Priced
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Blends (Cotton/Polyester)
Pros  Cons 
Soft and Comfy A Bit Clingy 
Better Drape and Lightweight  Irritating to Sensitive Skin
Less Wrinkling and Shrinkage  Can Be Priced Quite High
Quicker Drying and More Durable  Minor Restriction on Printing 
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So, Which One Is Right for You?

• 100 Cotton Choose 100 cotton if you want
  breathable, gentle, comfortable, soft, and
  customizable shirts. However, these shirts can
  shrink, wrinkle, strain, and absorb moisture, but
  they are still a safe bet because they are
  popular with just about every person out there.
• 100 Polyester Go for polyester if you want
  silky smooth, resistant to wrinkles, shrinking,
  or fading, durable, quick-drying, and lightweight
  shirts. But polyester is clingy, irritating,
  print restricted, and less breathable, and its
  price can be quite high based on the brand.
• Blends The best choice if you want to enjoy the
  best of the both worlds. You can get a variety of
  them, including, the poly-cotton 50/50, the
  tri-blend that has rayon for extra softness and
  drape, and CVC with predominant cotton.
  Tri-blends the best, but they can be a bit
  expensive, still affordable nevertheless.

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The Final Takeaway

• There you go. This is all the information you
  need about polyester vs. cotton vs. blends in
  order to make an informed decision whether you
  want to buy a t-shirt for yourself or start your
  own business of custom printed garments. Take
  your time studying the types of fabric until you
  find the one that fits your needs perfectly and,
  then go for it.