Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
When it comes to printing custom t-shirts or other apparel, the fabric you choose plays a pivotal role in the final product's quality.
You might have the most creative design in the world, but if it’s printed on the wrong fabric, the result could fall flat.
The fabric impacts everything — from the clarity and vibrancy of the print to the feel and durability of the garment itself.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a designer, or someone who simply wants to create something unique, understanding how fabric influences the printing process is crucial.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the best fabric for your printed design, ensuring your creations look as good as they feel.
Fabric selection is not just about comfort — it’s about ensuring the durability and clarity of your print.
When it comes to t-shirt printing, different fabrics respond differently to various printing techniques, which can significantly affect how your artwork appears on the final product.
Certain fabrics may absorb ink more effectively, leading to sharper, more vibrant prints. Others may cause the ink to bleed, which can blur fine details in your design.
Additionally, fabric texture, weight, and composition all affect how well the design adheres to the material and how long it will last.
Choosing the right fabric for your specific design and printing method is essential to getting the results you want.
Not all fabrics are created equal when it comes to printing. Different materials offer different benefits, and some are better suited for specific printing techniques.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular fabric types used in custom printing.
Cotton is undoubtedly the most popular fabric for t-shirt printing. It’s soft, breathable, and highly comfortable, making it a top choice for most casual wear.
Cotton’s smooth surface allows for excellent ink absorption, which results in sharp, vibrant prints.
This makes it ideal for most printing techniques, including direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, screen printing, and heat transfer.
One of the reasons cotton is preferred for DTG printing is that it allows the ink to sit on top of the fibers rather than soaking in, which helps preserve the design’s sharpness.
The downside to cotton is that it can shrink after washing, especially if not pre-washed before printing, which may lead to the design becoming slightly distorted over time.
Polyester is another commonly used fabric for custom printing, especially when it comes to sublimation printing.
Polyester is a synthetic fabric that’s particularly well-suited for this type of printing because the ink bonds directly to the fabric fibers, creating a long-lasting, vibrant design.
Unlike cotton, polyester doesn’t absorb ink in the same way, which helps prevent ink bleeding and ensures the design remains sharp and clear.
While polyester is great for producing vivid, full-color prints, it does have some drawbacks. It tends to be less breathable than cotton, making it less comfortable for everyday wear.
Additionally, polyester fabric can sometimes have a plastic-like feel to it, which may not be ideal for everyone.
Cotton-polyester blends combine the best of both worlds, offering the softness and breathability of cotton with the durability and print-friendly qualities of polyester.
These fabrics are commonly used for a wide variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, heat transfer printing, and DTG printing.
Blended fabrics are particularly popular for t-shirts because they offer a balance between comfort and durability.
The polyester component helps reduce shrinkage, while the cotton provides a soft feel.
This blend is also known to hold vibrant colors well, making it an excellent choice for designs with bold colors or intricate details.
Tri-blends, which typically consist of cotton, polyester, and rayon, are becoming increasingly popular in the custom apparel industry.
These fabrics offer a soft, vintage feel and are often used for retro-style t-shirts. Tri-blends provide an excellent canvas for prints, especially when it comes to light, faded designs, or minimalist artwork.
They are breathable and comfortable to wear, making them ideal for casual wear.
However, tri-blends are not always the best choice for highly detailed designs, as the fabric's texture can sometimes obscure fine lines and small text.
For simpler, more minimalist prints, though, tri-blends are a fantastic option.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, there has been an increasing demand for eco-friendly fabrics in the apparel industry.
Organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester are just a few examples of fabrics that align with sustainable fashion trends.
Organic cotton, in particular, is an excellent choice for eco-conscious brands. It has the same qualities as regular cotton but is grown without harmful pesticides or fertilizers, making it a more sustainable choice.
Organic fabrics are soft, breathable, and work well with various printing methods, especially DTG and screen printing.
While the prints may not be as vibrant as those on synthetic fabrics, organic materials offer a unique, earthy appeal that many customers find attractive.
The weight of the fabric you choose also has a significant impact on the final print quality.
The weight refers to the thickness of the fabric and can range from lightweight to heavyweight materials.
Lightweight fabrics, such as 3.5-4 oz cotton, are typically softer and more breathable, making them perfect for warmer climates and casual wear.
However, lightweight fabrics can sometimes result in prints that feel a bit more delicate or thin.
For very intricate designs, lightweight fabrics may not provide the best results, as the ink may not adhere to the fibers as effectively as it would on heavier materials.
Heavyweight fabrics, such as 6 oz cotton, offer greater durability and provide a thicker, more substantial feel.
They’re excellent for designs that need to last through repeated washing and wear. Heavier fabrics also tend to hold ink better, ensuring that intricate designs remain sharp and visible.
However, the increased thickness of the fabric can sometimes affect the comfort, especially in warmer weather. It’s essential to find the right balance between durability and comfort.
Fabric texture plays a crucial role in how well your design is printed. Smooth fabrics tend to produce the clearest prints, as they allow the ink to adhere evenly to the surface.
Textured fabrics, on the other hand, can sometimes cause the ink to bleed or distort, which can result in a less crisp design.
Fabrics with a rougher texture, such as slub or heathered fabrics, may create a unique look but are not always the best choice for highly detailed prints.
The irregularities in the fabric texture can blur fine lines and create uneven prints, so it’s essential to consider the complexity of your design when choosing a fabric.
Your chosen printing method also influences the type of fabric you should select.
Certain fabrics work better with specific printing techniques, and using the right fabric for your method can make a world of difference in the quality of the final print.
For example, DTG printing works best on 100% cotton or cotton-poly blends, as the ink adheres well to these fabrics and maintains color vibrancy.
Sublimation printing requires synthetic fabrics like polyester, as the ink bonds to the fibers during the heating process.
If you're using screen printing, cotton, cotton-blends, and polyester work well, depending on the type of ink used.
The Epson F2270 hybrid printer, for instance, is a versatile printer that can handle both direct-to-garment and hybrid printing, making it ideal for a wide range of fabric types.
When using such a printer, you’ll need to match the fabric to the printer’s capabilities to ensure the highest quality print.
The fabric you choose also determines how long your printed design will last. Some fabrics, like cotton, may fade or shrink over time, especially if not cared for properly.
Polyester, on the other hand, is generally more durable and resistant to fading, which makes it a great option for long-lasting prints.
It’s important to include care instructions for your custom apparel, such as washing the garment inside out and avoiding high-heat drying, to preserve both the fabric and the print.
Choosing the right fabric for your printed designs is essential for creating a high-quality, long-lasting product.
Whether you choose cotton, polyester, blends, or eco-friendly fabrics, each material has its own unique set of benefits.
By understanding how fabric type, weight, texture, and printing method affect the final print, you can ensure that your designs look their best.
Always consider your design’s complexity, the desired feel of the garment, and the printing method to make the best fabric choice for your custom apparel.
With the right fabric and the right approach, your printed designs will come to life in a vibrant, durable fashion.
