Before you get to logo placement or print technology, the fabric itself already narrows your options. Here’s what actually changes between the three common choices.
100% Cotton
Breathable, soft, and the most common choice for everyday branded tees. Cotton takes screen printing and DTF well and has a matte, natural look. It shrinks slightly on first wash and wrinkles more than synthetic fabric, both normal and expected.
Good for: everyday wear, staff shirts, events where comfort matters more than technical performance.
100% Polyester
Lightweight, quick-drying, and the only fabric that works properly with sublimation printing. Polyester holds its shape better over time than cotton and resists wrinkling, but it’s less breathable and can feel warmer against the skin in hot weather.
Good for: sports jerseys, all-over sublimated prints, activewear.
Cotton/Poly Blend
A middle ground: usually 50/50 or 65/35 cotton to polyester. Blends combine cotton’s softness with polyester’s durability and shrink-resistance, and they’re a common choice when you want a shirt that holds up to frequent washing without feeling synthetic.
Good for: uniforms and workwear that get washed often, giveaway shirts you want to last.
Quick decision guide
- Want the softest, most natural feel → cotton
- Need an all-over sublimated design or a jersey → polyester
- Want something durable that still feels like a normal t-shirt → blend
Each fabric is available on different product lines in the configurator, with the price shown live as you compare them, so you can weigh the trade-off in real numbers rather than guessing.