So you have an upcoming event that
you would like to order shirts for, but you’re having some trouble picking out
what type of shirt to get. You see some
cotton shirts and then some 50/50 blends.
What’s the difference between the two? What would be the best one for me
to pick? Luckily, we have some answers
to your questions.
100% Cotton: Pure cotton
shirts are made from the natural fibers of the cotton plant. 100% cotton shirts are a breeze for
screen-printing and great for retaining screen-print inks. Cotton shirts are extremely durable and
breathable, making it a great choice for hot and humid climates. Cotton may require ironing at times and are
pre-shunk, but there is always a possibility of more shrinkage. And no one really likes shrinkage. High quality 100% cotton shirts that we
think rock are: Gildan® Ultra Cotton and Hanes ® Beefy Tees.
50/50 Blend: This blend is
comprised of 50% cotton and 50% polyester.
Combining the natural fibers of cotton with the synthetic polyester
fibers gives garments the best of both worlds.
By blending the fibers, garments feel very soft and light-weight. The
blend also makes these shirts breathable.
Since polyester is cheap to manufacture, these shirts usually cost less
than 100% cotton. 50/50 blends are
durable and do not shrink. 50/50 blends
are more difficult to screen-print because certain inks tend to bleed during
the process. However, experienced
screen-printers have tricks up their sleeves to make it possible. Just make sure your screen-printer has
experience with printing on 50/50 blends, and you should be good to go! Check
out these rockin’ 50/50 blends: Jerzees® Heavyweight Blend and Port &
Company ®
Overall, it’s a matter of personal
preference when choosing between a 50/50 blend or 100% cotton shirt. Ask for samples to touch and feel when making
your decision. Most people will be happy
with either one, and if you’re having trouble deciding, give Shirts For Anything a call, and we can help
you out!
