Choosing a suitable material for your custom print T-shirt is as important as deciding on the other aspects of the garment like design, color and amount. A good material will ensure that your T-shirt is comfortable and suitable for wear under the local tropical weather. Here are some of the most common T-shirt fabrics you can choose from:
1. 100% Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber that’s really environmentally friendly. There are several benefits to cotton T-shirts in hot weather. For one, this is a very breathable fabric that is also super absorbent, and won’t stick uncomfortably on your body when you sweat.
Another great thing about cotton is that printed designs tend to really pop out. The nature of cotton means that the ink adheres really well and the brightness of contrasting colors turn out the best.
The only concern you may have about cotton is that it isn’t as soft as polyester/cotton blends or tri-blends. However, they’re still really comfortable to wear and are of the finest quality. Due to its nature, 100% cotton t-shirts are often used for outdoor wear or outdoor activities where one has to be under the sun for long periods.
2. Polyester/Cotton blends
Polyester is a synthetic material that’s woven together with cotton to produce a fabric that’s slightly softer than 100% cotton fabric. This blend between two raw materials has many plus points. They’re resistant to damage from heat and water, and they also tend to last longer. You’ll often find that polyester/cotton clothing doesn’t wrinkle, shrink or tear easily and can withstand repeated washing.
They offer a mixture of comfort and durability, and therefore are popular as materials for t-shirts that function as uniforms which have to be worn on a daily basis or very regularly. These types of t-shirts also don’t need much ironing, which makes it really convenient for situations where the wearer doesn’t have much time for chores.
Polyester/cotton t-shirts tend to also be rather budget-friendly and cost less than 100% cotton ones, so they’re a good choice if you need to work within a certain cost frame.
3. Tri-blends
Tri-blend t-shirts are a blend of three different materials, usually cotton, polyester and rayon. Rayon is a rather interesting material made from wood pulp. Don’t let that alarm you though, as rayon gives the material a natural softness, making tri-blend t-shirts the softest of all the materials available.
Tri-blend t-shirts offer the highest level of comfort, as it combines the best of cotton and polyester too. However, tri-blend t-shirts tend to cost more than the other options.
4. Other alternative materials
Apart from the three most common materials mentioned, you’ll be able to find other alternatives like linen/cotton blends and polyester. Environmentally friendly materials like hemp and bamboo are becoming popular too, and some people are picking these to make a statement.
Your choice of material for your print t-shirt in Singapore should be based on important factors like what you need it for, costs, where it will be worn and more. If you need help in making a choice, you can always speak to a t-shirt printing consultant who can offer the best advice.
