After weight (GSM), the biggest fabric decision for a tee is the blend. Here’s how the three common options compare — feel, cost, durability, and how they take print.
The three main blends
- 100% cotton — softest, most breathable, most natural feel; premium positioning. Shrinks a little; costs more.
- CVC (Chief Value Cotton, ~60/40 cotton/poly) — mostly-cotton feel with better durability and less shrinkage; a popular middle ground.
- Poly-cotton (e.g. 50/50 or 65/35) — most durable and cheapest, dries fast, holds shape; slightly less breathable, more synthetic feel.
How to choose
- Premium/fashion brand → 100% cotton (often combed/ring-spun for extra softness).
- Value or workwear/uniform → poly-cotton or CVC for durability and cost.
- All-rounder → CVC balances feel, price, and longevity.
- Printing lots of DTG → cotton takes water-based/DTG print best; heavy poly suits screen/plastisol.
Not sure? We’ll send samples in a few blends so you can feel and test-print them. Ask for fabric samples.