What Fabric Is Best For Graphic Shirts

Some fabrics are better than others when you are creating custom t-shirts

The fabric you choose will make a difference in how your graphic tees turn out.

Pick the wrong fabric and you may end up with blurry or peeling designs.

While a graphic tshirt printing company can give you some recommendations, it helps if you know a little about the various fabrics.

Why You Want to Choose the Right Fabric

The type of fabric used for graphic tshirt printing affects how the design appears on the finished product.

Some fabrics can make colors appear dull and affect the design’s durability.

While cotton tshirt printing is the most common, you can also choose from polyester and tri-blend fabrics.

You also want to think about the type of dye used in the printing process. You can typically choose between water-based or plastisol ink.

Water-based inks are soft and breathable while plastisol ink is long-lasting and great for reproducing vibrant colors.

When to Choose Cotton

Cotton tshirt printing is one of the most popular options. The fabric is comfortable, durable, and readily accepts ink.

Cotton fabrics vary in quality. Seek out t-shirts crafted from pure 100% cotton or those with a substantial cotton blend for superior comfort and durability.

You want the shirt to have a higher percentage of cotton than synthetic fabrics like polyester. This helps ensure the ink doesn’t fade after a few washes.

Were you aware that your choices go beyond just t-shirts? You can adorn tank tops, hoodies, long-sleeve shirts, polo shirts, and even button-up Oxford-style shirts with captivating graphic designs.

What About Polyester

Polyester has moisture-wicking properties which makes it a great fabric to use for athletic and performance apparel.

The fabric also holds color without fading. Your graphic design will still be vivid even after multiple cycles in a washing machine.

Like cotton, some polyester fabrics are better suited for silk screening than others.

Look for polyester shirts with at least a 50-50 blend.

You can also expand from athletic t-shirts and brand hats, jackets, leggings, shorts, and jerseys to name a few options.

Choosing Tr-Blend Fabrics

What are tri-blend fabrics? Tri-blends are typically made from cotton, polyester, and rayon. You get the best characteristics of each fabric with few of the downsides.

Tri-blends fabrics are comfortable, often lightweight, and hold ink from silk screening without any issues.

If you are considering going with tri-blend shirts, look for ones made from 50% cotton. The higher concentration of cotton helps ensure the ink doesn’t fade after a couple of washes.

Where can you find tri-blend clothing? Everything from t-shirts, hoodies, and tank tops to long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts is made from the blended material.

Still Having Difficulty Choosing a Fabric

Sometimes choosing the shirt fabric is harder than deciding on a design.

You want the finished product to look professional, after all, your staff and customers will be wearing the shirts.

If you are having trouble deciding on fabric, talk to your local shirt printing service. Their staff can offer recommendations that will work great for your design.