How to Choose the Right Fabric for Screen Printing and Embroidery
Posted by Integrity Branding on Feb 24th 2025
Choosing the right fabric for screen printing and embroidery is crucial to achieving a high-quality, long-lasting design. The fabric type affects print clarity, durability, comfort, and overall appearance, making it essential to select materials that best suit your needs.
Whether you're ordering bulk custom apparel for a business, school, sports team, or organization, this guide will help you understand the best fabric choices for screen printing and embroidery, as well as how to maintain their quality over time.
Why Fabric Choice Matters in Screen Printing & Embroidery
The fabric you choose has a direct impact on:
✔ Print & Stitch Quality – Some fabrics hold ink better, while others allow embroidery stitches to lay flat.
✔ Durability – Certain materials withstand repeated washing better than others.
✔ Comfort – Different fabrics provide varying levels of softness, breathability, and flexibility.
✔ Cost – The type of material affects the price of bulk orders, with some fabrics being more affordable than others.
Understanding how different fabric types interact with printing and embroidery techniques ensures your designs look great and last long.
Best Fabrics for Screen Printing
1. 100% Cotton – The Classic Choice
Best for: T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and promotional apparel
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for screen printing due to its soft texture and excellent ink absorption. It allows for vibrant colors and a crisp, clear print.
✔ Pros:
- Soft, breathable, and comfortable
- Holds ink well, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting designs
- Works well with water-based and plastisol inks
✖ Cons:
- Can shrink when washed, so pre-shrunk options are recommended
- May wrinkle easily compared to synthetic fabrics
✅ Best Uses: Custom t-shirts, hoodies, and eco-friendly promotional items.
2. Cotton-Polyester Blends – The Best of Both Worlds
Best for: Athletic wear, team uniforms, and corporate apparel
Cotton-poly blends combine the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester, making them a great choice for screen printing on activewear and workwear.
✔ Pros:
- Less shrinkage and wrinkles than pure cotton
- More breathable and comfortable than full synthetic fabrics
- Retains print quality over multiple washes
✖ Cons:
- Can be slightly less vibrant compared to 100% cotton
- Some blends may resist water-based inks
✅ Best Uses: Sports team shirts, uniforms, and everyday work apparel.
3. 100% Polyester – Ideal for Performance Wear
Best for: Activewear, sports jerseys, and moisture-wicking apparel
Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for its moisture-wicking properties, making it the top choice for athletic wear. It requires specialized printing techniques, like sublimation printing, which permanently dyes the fabric.
✔ Pros:
- Highly durable and resistant to fading, shrinking, and wrinkling
- Ideal for moisture-wicking and breathable sportswear
- Works well with sublimation printing for full-color designs
✖ Cons:
- Doesn’t absorb ink as well as cotton (may require special inks or printing methods)
- Not as soft or breathable as natural fibers
✅ Best Uses: Sports jerseys, fitness apparel, and high-performance gear.
4. Tri-Blend Fabric – Premium Comfort & Style
Best for: High-end retail merchandise, fashion-forward apparel
Tri-blend fabrics are a mix of cotton, polyester, and rayon, offering exceptional softness and a trendy, vintage feel. These materials are commonly used in boutique-quality t-shirts and casual wear.
✔ Pros:
- Incredibly soft with a lightweight, premium feel
- Drapes well and is resistant to shrinking
- Creates a stylish, slightly faded or distressed print effect
✖ Cons:
- More expensive than cotton or polyester blends
- Prints may appear slightly more muted compared to 100% cotton
✅ Best Uses: Fashion t-shirts, high-end promotional products, and soft, premium apparel.
Best Fabrics for Embroidery
1. Cotton – Great for Detailed Embroidery
Cotton’s smooth texture and durability make it a great choice for intricate embroidery designs, particularly on polos, jackets, and hats.
✔ Holds stitches well without excessive movement
✔ Works well for bold, detailed embroidery
✔ Provides a professional, high-end finish
✅ Best Uses: Corporate polos, embroidered hats, and premium promotional gear.
2. Polyester – Perfect for High-Performance Embroidery
Polyester is commonly used for athletic uniforms, jackets, and moisture-wicking shirts due to its durability and resistance to stretching.
✔ Strong fabric that holds up well to machine embroidery
✔ Won’t shrink or fade, making it ideal for long-term use
✔ Available in moisture-wicking options for activewear
✅ Best Uses: Team uniforms, athletic gear, and embroidered jackets.
3. Fleece & Sweatshirt Material – Warm & Stylish Embroidery
Sweatshirts and fleece jackets are popular for embroidered logos due to their thickness and durability.
✔ Provides a bold, raised embroidery effect
✔ Comfortable and warm, ideal for cool-weather apparel
✔ Works best with simple, bold embroidery designs
✅ Best Uses: Custom hoodies, jackets, and cozy embroidered apparel.
Fabrics to Avoid for Screen Printing & Embroidery
While some fabrics work well for custom apparel, others present challenges that can affect print and embroidery quality.
? Silk & Satin: Too delicate for embroidery and may not hold ink properly.
? Nylon & Waterproof Materials: Ink may not absorb well, requiring special printing techniques.
? Heavy Stretch Fabrics: Can distort both screen printing and embroidery designs.
Caring for Your Custom Printed & Embroidered Apparel
To keep screen-printed and embroidered apparel looking its best, follow these care tips:
✔ Wash in Cold Water – Prevents fading and maintains ink vibrancy.
✔ Turn Inside Out – Protects the printed or embroidered design from friction.
✔ Avoid High Heat Drying – Use low heat or air drying to prevent shrinkage and fabric damage.
✔ Use Gentle Detergents – Harsh chemicals can break down fabric fibers and affect longevity.
Proper care extends the life of your custom apparel, ensuring long-term wearability and brand visibility.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Fabric for Your Needs
Selecting the right fabric for screen printing and embroidery ensures the best results in quality, comfort, and durability. Whether you're ordering bulk t-shirts, uniforms, or promotional merchandise, understanding fabric types will help you make the right decision for your business or organization.
At Integrity Branding, we specialize in bulk custom screen printing and embroidery, offering high-quality materials that match your specific needs.
? Contact us today for a quote and let’s create something great!