Selection of Fabric for T-Shirts

One of the most common questions we get is “How do I pick the right t-shirt”? And, with so many options available to you in today’s market, it’s not an easy question to answer.

However, there are some standard specifications that you should always look for before buying a T-shirt.

1. Material or Quality of fabric: Cotton is, by far, the most common material used to make garments, and manufacturers use a variety of terms to let you know what type of cotton they are using. 100% Preshrunk Cotton and 100% Ringspun Cotton are the two most common types used. 

Preshrunk or “Open Cotton” T-shirts are the least expensive option you can choose. These are basic fabrics (basically one step above raw cotton), lightweight and smooth on the outside, but not on the inside. 

Ringspun Cotton T-shirts are lighter weight and have stronger fibers because they are made with a higher grade of cotton. They are softer and smoother both inside and out.

Very High Quality T-shirts are made from 100% COMBED RING-SPUN COTTON. When cotton is spun and then combed, fine brushes are used to pull out any impurities, along with short fibers leaving behind only long fibers which are straight, even and aligned. The texture of combed cotton is very soft and smooth since it lacks short threads, all dirt and impurities have been removed. In addition, combed cotton is stronger since the straightened fibers lie together more tightly, making the thread less likely to fray and unravel

2. GSM : GSM stands for Gram per Square Meter. It is the metric measurement of the weight of the fabric. In simpler terms, it is the weight or density of fabric.Higher GSM does not necessarily mean a better buy. GSM of the fabric should be decided based on the usage. The table below should help you pick a fabric based on its usage.

3. Finish of Fabric : In the textile industry, especially in the apparel sector, cotton is widely used because of its superior properties and it still holds the name as king of fibers. Cotton blended fabrics faces a major problem i.e. pilling. Pilling is defined as the tendency of fibers to loose from a surface and form balled or matted particles that remain attached to the surface of the fabric. Pilling is particularly problematic for knitted fabrics.

Essentially there are a number of methods to reduce pilling in commercial use. Acid cellulose used in bio-polishing or bio-washing, is very popular finishing treatment given to cellulose fabric. Apart from polishing the fabrics, the treatment offers a number of other benefits in physical properties such as improvement in pill resistance, cooler fill, brighter luminosity of colors and softness.