How to Choose the Right T-shirt Fabric? Cotton, Cotton-Poly, and Polyester Explained | Clothing Wholesale & Customization Guide
When it comes to T-shirt wholesale and brand customization, fabric selection is a key step. Many startup brands and retailers only focus on price when choosing T-shirts, overlooking the fabric’s performance and intended use. This often leads to problems such as shrinkage, poor comfort, or even customer complaints and returns.
Different fabrics not only affect wearing comfort but also influence brand positioning, customer satisfaction, repeat purchase rate, and inventory turnover. Especially when starting with small-batch orders or building your brand, choosing the right fabric helps reduce risks and save costs.
When it comes to T-shirt wholesale and brand customization, fabric selection is a key step. Many startup brands and retailers only focus on price when choosing T-shirts, overlooking the fabric’s performance and intended use. This often leads to problems such as shrinkage, poor comfort, or even customer complaints and returns.
Different fabrics not only affect wearing comfort but also influence brand positioning, customer satisfaction, repeat purchase rate, and inventory turnover. Especially when starting with small-batch orders or building your brand, choosing the right fabric helps reduce risks and save costs.
This article will walk you through the most common T-shirt and sweatshirt fabric types, and recommend the best options based on the product series at basicteeshop.com.
100% Cotton T-shirts: Soft, Breathable, and Perfect for Everyday Wear
We offer a variety of cotton T-shirts with different GSM (grams per square meter):
180GSM: Lightweight and soft – ideal for summer
200GSM: Standard thickness – great for daily wear and custom printing
220GSM: Slightly thicker with a structured feel
260GSM: Heavier – suitable for autumn and winter
300GSM: Premium heavyweight – ideal for high-end and streetwear brands
Advantages:
Natural material, breathable and skin-friendly
Great color display for printing – perfect for custom designs
Comfortable to wear – fits most customers’ preferences
Disadvantages:
Prone to wrinkles
May shrink if not pre-shrunk (we recommend pre-shrinking)
Recommended for:
E-commerce/light brands: 180GSM and 200GSM are the best value basics
Streetwear/high-end custom: 260GSM or 300GSM for a premium look and feel
Tip: If you’re just starting your brand, 200GSM is a great place to start–versatile for all seasons and stable in shape.
2. Cotton-Polyester Blends: Enhanced Durability & Function
We offer two popular blend options:
250GSM (70% cotton + 30% polyester)
210GSM (66% cotton + 34% polyester）
Available in oversized and fitted shoulder styles, these blends combine the comfort of cotton with the durability of polyester – making them both functional and cost-effective.
Advantages:
More structured and less prone to deformation
Good colorfastness – prints last longer
More wrinkle-resistant and shrink-resistant than pure cotton
Recommended for:
Fast-moving brand collections and promotional T-shirts
Company uniforms and event giveaway shirts
School, club, or sports event bulk orders
Tip: These blends are ideal for bulk orders. They offer cost control, fewer after-sale issues, and are perfect for entry-level brands with fast delivery needs.
3. Sweatshirt Fabric Options: Different Materials for Different Needs
Our sweatshirt line includes two main fabric types:
55% cotton + 45% polyester (available in crewneck and hoodie styles)
100% cotton (ideal for premium retail and customization)
Blended Sweatshirts:
Anti-pilling and shrink-resistant
Warmer – perfect for teamwear, school uniforms, and workwear in cooler seasons
More cost-effective – great for wholesale and quick delivery
Pure Cotton Sweatshirts:
More skin-friendly and comfortable
Ideal for brands focusing on soft touch or eco-friendly themes (e.g. organic cotton)
Better for embroidery and premium custom pieces
Recommended for:
E-commerce or bulk clients: Go with 55/45 blends – cost-effective and easy care
Independent brands or premium retail: Choose 100% cotton for a better customer experience
4. Match Fabric Choices with Your Customer Needs
| Product Focus | Recommended Styles | Fabric Type | Suggested GSM |
| Summer e-commerce hits | T-shirts | Cotton | 180–200GSM |
| Premium streetwear/custom brands | T-shirts, sweatshirts | Cotton / 260GSM+ | 260–300GSM |
| Teamwear / Workwear | T-shirts, sweatshirts | Cotton-poly blends (70/30 or 55/45) | 200–250GSM |
| Heavy autumn-winter pieces | Sweatshirts, hoodies | Cotton or fleece blends | Around 300GSM |
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Some customers think heavier = better, but thickness should match the use case. For example, 260GSM in summer may lead to poor customer satisfaction.
Lower fabric cost ≠ higher profit. Long-lasting, well-reviewed products increase repeat orders and referrals.
5. Let Us Help You Choose the Right Fabric
At basicteeshop.com, we don’t just supply clothing–we provide fabric solutions tailored to your business.
Our strengths include:
✅ Full cotton T-shirt range from 180GSM to 300GSM to suit different brand levels
✅ 250GSM cotton-poly blend for softness and structure – great for uniforms and promo shirts
✅ Sweatshirts in both 100% cotton and 55/45 blends, with crewneck and hoodie options
✅ Various decoration methods: screen printing, heat transfer, embroidery, custom dyeing
✅ Free fabric samples and color cards – choose with confidence
✅ Low minimum order – only 100 pieces to test the market easily and affordably
We understand the apparel business is not a one-time deal, but a long-term product operation.
6. Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fabric Makes All the Difference
For brand owners, e-commerce sellers, or wholesale buyers, fabric selection is not just a purchase choice–it’s a core decision affecting customer satisfaction, brand identity, and market positioning.
Whether you’re planning to create a high-quality logo-printed tee or a warm and cozy winter hoodie, basicteeshop.com can recommend the right fabric and decoration method for your needs.
Start customizing your ideal T-shirts and hoodies now: basicteeshop.com
Let’s work together to bring more quality to your brand!