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Which T-shirt Fabric is the Best for You?

  • October 14, 2023

Since it is helpful to know the different fabrics used and also the weight of the fabric when choosing a t-shirt, I have listed a few of the most popular materials to help you make an educated decision the next time you’re in the market to purchase t-shirts for your team or event. I’ve also listed iCoStore’s favorite t-shirt for each material listed.

Cotton

is the most popular fabric for t-shirts. It is soft, sturdy, and breathable, but does wrinkle. It is ideal for casual and everyday wear. It is also very affordable. Most promotional, price point T-shirts are 6.1oz or 5.5oz. These are the least expensive price point T-shirts.

Combed Cotton

is a little more expensive than the basic cotton. It is made by specially treating the cotton fibers before spinning them into yarn. The outcome is a stronger, smoother fabric that is very soft to the touch. These are typically lighter weight shirts; 4.3oz.

Organic Cotton

is grown using methods that do not greatly impact the environment. It is very soft to the touch. Since the growing methods are so strict, organic cotton is more expensive than regular cotton.

Pima/Supima Cotton

is considered the highest quality cotton available. Pima cotton is made from extra-long fibers that make it extremely soft and durable. Supima cotton is the same, however, it refers to 100% grown American Pima cotton. These cottons resist pilling, fading, and stretching. Multiple washings just make these shirts softer.

Polyester

is a very popular fabric for performance t-shirts. It is quick drying and does not mold or mildew, making it an excellent material for athletic apparel. Even after repeated washings, it retains its size, shape and color, and resists shrinking or stretching.

Cotton/Polyester Blend

is a blend of combining cotton and polyester material which allows for the best qualities of both result in a great fabric. This blend remains cool and light from the cotton fibers and also has the strength and wrinkle resistance from the polyester.

Tri-blends

are super soft! They are made up of 3 different types of material which is generally polyester, cotton and rayon. Because of this super blend, t-shirts are much softer and also tend to cost more. Typically, you will see tri-blends in a more fashion fitted style as they tend to run smaller and have more stretch to them. These shirts tend to be more light weight.

So, tell us, what’s your favorite t-shirt fabric? Talk to your account manager today to help you select the right item for you and/or your event.

Ready To See A Real On-Demand Store In Action?

If you suspect your current "on-demand" program is still running on inventory and workarounds, we can walk you through how a true one-piece model works and where it would have the most impact in your business.

FAQs About On-Demand Company Stores

Not always. Some programs work well with just-in-time or on-demand production, while others may need a mix of inventory and on-demand items depending on product type, volume, and how the store is used. The best setup usually depends on your audience, order patterns, and whether certain items need to be available immediately versus produced as orders come in.

A successful company swag store starts with a clear purpose. Before launch, you need to know who the store is for, what goals it supports, what products people actually need, and whether purchases will be employee-paid, company-funded, or tied to budgets or points. Stores tend to perform best when they are supported by ongoing communication, fresh product updates, and an assortment that matches the audience using them.

In many cases, company-funded stores drive stronger participation. Employees usually enjoy receiving branded items, but they are often less likely to purchase them with their own money unless the products are highly relevant or desirable. Many organizations improve adoption by giving employees a budget, points, or store credit tied to anniversaries, recognition, safety programs, or other milestones.

About iCoStore

iCoStore builds and runs true on-demand company stores for organizations that are done with wasted inventory, dated systems, and brand chaos. We combine proprietary technology with in-house production to power branded merchandise, uniforms, print, and recognition programs from a single platform.

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