Printing on fabric is a cost-effective way to get your message across. Whether making political statements or promoting your brand, custom printing lets you add your personal touch to just about any garment.
However, you can’t just print on any fabric. Finding premium fabric to work with can ensure better quality and better profits for you in the long run. Here are four types of materials that can be used for printable garments:
- 100 Percent Cotton T-Shirts
100 percent cotton t-shirts are the industry standard for printable garments. They provide a smooth, dense surface and work well with all printing techniques. Cotton is breathable, making it optimal for warm weather, and it can be worn as undershirts or as casual wear in the summer.
Cotton is a natural fiber, which means the minimum of processing before it goes into your custom-printed t-shirts. It absorbs dyes quickly and doesn’t require chemicals to set dye as other fabrics do. As a result, cotton garments feel soft against the skin and stay vivid longer.
- Cotton Blends
Cotton blends are crafted from cotton and synthetic fibers, such as polyester. The percentage of cotton in the blend will determine how soft the fabric feels. A higher rate of cotton will result in a softer fabric, while a lower percentage will give the material a crisper, more polished look.
Cotton blends are ideal for printing because they provide the softness and breathability of cotton with the durability of synthetic fibers. They are less expensive than 100 percent cotton shirts, and they hold their color and print longer.
- Polyester T-Shirts
Polyester t-shirts are the choice for people who want bright colors and graphics that won’t fade. Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from oil, and it holds dye very well. It means that your colors will be bright and vibrant, and your graphics will be sharp and clear.
Polyester is also wrinkle-resistant and doesn’t shrink in the wash, making it a good choice for people who want to wear their t-shirts as casualwear.
- Performance Fabric T-Shirts
Performance fabric t-shirts are made of synthetic materials designed to keep you cool and dry. They are perfect for people who participate in sports or activities that cause them to sweat. Performance fabrics are also lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for hot weather.
- Poly-Cotton T-Shirts
Poly cotton t-shirts combine the best qualities from both cotton and polyester. They offer the softness of cotton with the color-retention and quick-dry properties of polyester.
Poly cotton also has more stretch than other fabrics, making it popular among people who do fitness activities or want to relax in their t-shirts without worrying about them being too tight.
- Mesh T-Shirts
Mesh t-shirts are lightweight, breathable premium fabric designed to allow air to circulate through the shirt. It makes them perfect for people who participate in sports or other activities that cause them to sweat.
Mesh also allows your body to cool down more quickly, making it ideal for hot weather use. It is usually used for sports jerseys and running shirts as it offers flexibility and breathability.
- Organic Cotton T-Shirts
Organic cotton t-shirts are made of cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals. It makes them a better choice for people who want to avoid wearing clothing made with synthetic materials.
Organic cotton t-shirts are also soft and comfortable, and they come in a variety of designs and styles.
- Rayon
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from organic plant material. It makes it a good choice for people who want to avoid wearing or buying clothing that has been made with synthetic materials.
Rayon t-shirts are comfortable and lightweight, and they provide a smooth finish that works well for printing ink.
- Viscose
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp. It makes it an eco-friendly choice, as using tree pulp reduces the number of trees cut down to make fabric.
Viscose also provides a smooth finish that works well for printing ink, and it is soft and comfortable to wear.
- Modal
Modal is a semi-synthetic fiber that’s made from beech tree cellulose. It is an eco-friendly choice like viscose, as it uses a renewable resource to create a premium fabric.
Modal is also soft and comfortable, and it has a high absorbency rate that makes it ideal for wearing in hot weather.
When choosing a fabric for your custom-printed t-shirt, it is crucial to consider the climate you will be wearing it and the activities you will be participating in. With so many different types of fabrics to choose from, you are sure to find one that is perfect for you.
