Cotton vs Polyester T-Shirt
Cotton or polyester for wholesale t-shirt orders? Detailed comparison across 13 criteria.
5
Cotton
VS
8
Polyester
| Feature | 🌿 Cotton | ⚡ Polyester |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort / Feel | Soft, natural feel ✓ | Smooth, cool feel |
| Breathability | Very good ✓ | Good (mesh is better) |
| Moisture Wicking | Absorbs but dries slowly | Quick dry ✓ |
| Durability | Good (at high weight) | Very high ✓ |
| Shrink / Deformation | May shrink (3-5%) | No shrink ✓ |
| Print Compatibility | Screen, DTG, embroidery ✓ | Sublimation, screen |
| All-Over Print | Limited | Excellent (sublimation) ✓ |
| Photo Print | Good with DTG | Excellent with sublimation ✓ |
| Price | Medium-high | Low-medium ✓ |
| Weight (GSM) | Heavier (at same gsm) | Lighter ✓ |
| Eco-Friendly | Natural, biodegradable ✓ | Synthetic, recyclable |
| Static | None ✓ | Possible |
| Wrinkle | Wrinkles | Wrinkle-free ✓ |
🎯 When to Choose Which?
🌿 Choose Cotton
- ✅ Daily use, corporate wear
- ✅ Comfort and softness priority
- ✅ If DTG or screen printing is planned
- ✅ Eco-friendly brand image
- ✅ Products requiring premium, quality look
- ✅ Summer, indoor use
⚡ Choose Polyester
- ✅ Sports, outdoor, active use
- ✅ If you want all-over full print (sublimation)
- ✅ Team jersey, sportswear
- ✅ High durability and easy care
- ✅ Low budget, high quantity
- ✅ When quick-dry, lightweight product needed
🔄 Blend Option: CVC (Cotton-Polyester)
CVC (Chief Value Cotton) blend fabric combining advantages of both: Usually 65% cotton + 35% polyester. Cotton comfort + polyester durability. 180gsm CVC combed is one of the most popular choices for wholesale orders.
Screen print compatibleDTG compatibleLess shrinkageAffordable
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