Article: How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Custom T-Shirts in India

Jul 25, 2025

How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Custom T-Shirts in India

When it comes to launching a custom T-shirt line in India, whether it's for your brand, a merch drop, or company uniforms, fabric choice is everything. A great design might grab attention, but comfort, durability, and print quality are what turn first-time buyers into loyal fans. The right fabric ensures your tees feel good, last longer, and leave an impression that counts.

But with so many fabric options available - cotton, blends, polyester, and everything in between, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

Why Fabric Selection Matters for Custom Tees

You might think a T-shirt is just a T-shirt, but ask any successful apparel brand and they'll tell you the difference lies in the details. Fabric affects:

Print clarity and colour retention
Shrinkage after washes
Feel against the skin
Breathability and wearability
Overall perceived value of the product

When your customers put on your tee, they're not just wearing your design, they're experiencing your brand. That experience begins with fabric.

Understanding the Most Common T-Shirt Fabrics in India

Let's explore the popular fabric choices and what each one brings to the table.

1. 100% Cotton

Best For: Breathability, softness, screen printing, and general everyday wear.

Cotton is king in India, and for good reason. It's natural, widely available, and works beautifully for screen printing and DTG. Ringspun cotton is even better, it's smoother, stronger, and holds prints well.

If your brand focuses on comfort, eco-consciousness, or everyday basics, cotton is a solid foundation.

Looking for dependable sourcing? You'll want to partner with quality-focused tshirt suppliers in India that offer options in combed and ringspun cotton.

2. Cotton-Polyester Blends (CVC & PC Blends)

Best For: Durability, less shrinkage, moisture-wicking, and long-lasting prints.

Cotton-poly blends are where durability meets comfort. A common ratio like 60% cotton / 40% polyester (CVC) brings the best of both worlds softness from cotton, strength from polyester. These blends resist wrinkles, keep their shape after washes, and offer smoother surfaces for DTG or sublimation printing.

They're ideal for brands selling activewear, corporate T-shirts, or anything that requires a premium yet long-lasting product.

3. 100% Polyester

Best For: Sublimation printing, moisture-wicking performance, and sportswear.

Polyester is a synthetic material that doesn't absorb moisture, it wicks it. This makes it perfect for athletic T-shirts and uniforms. However, it can feel less breathable and softer than cotton. Printing methods like sublimation work best here, embedding the ink into the fabric rather than laying it on top.

This fabric is growing in popularity in India as more businesses lean into branded teamwear and uniforms.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Fabric

Let's say you've shortlisted a few fabrics. How do you choose the right one for your specific use case?

Here's what to think about:

1. Your End Customer

Are you targeting comfort-first buyers? Go with combed cotton. Are your customers creatives who want vibrant prints that last? A CVC blend may perform better. Are you supplying gyms or sports teams? Go with polyester or performance blends.

2. Printing Method

Screen Printing: Works best with cotton and blends.
DTG (Direct to Garment): Requires a smooth surface-ringspun cotton or CVC is ideal.
Sublimation: Needs polyester to bond with the ink.
Heat Transfer: Can work on both cotton and polyester, but results vary.

Your printing method will directly influence which fabric supports your design the best.

3. Climate and Usage

India is hot and humid for most of the year. Breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking poly blends offer better comfort. If you're creating uniforms, go with wrinkle-resistant blends. For casual brands, 100% cotton may be your hero.

Popular Fabric Weights (GSM) and What They Mean

Fabric weight (grams per square metre or GSM) tells you how thick or heavy a T-shirt is.

120-150 GSM: Lightweight, good for summer or layering.
160-180 GSM: Midweight, most common for retail and printing.
200+ GSM: Heavyweight, premium feel, often used in streetwear or luxury basics.

Brands starting out in the blank tshirt business in India often experiment with midweight cotton to test product-market fit.

Sustainable Fabric Options: What's Changing in India?

India's textile industry is rapidly shifting toward sustainability. Brands and consumers alike are asking for organic cotton, recycled poly, and low-impact dyes.

If your brand wants to align with eco-conscious values, look for suppliers offering:

GOTS-certified organic cotton
Recycled polyester blends
OEKO-TEX certified dyes and finishes

These don't just help the planet, they also appeal to the growing number of environmentally aware shoppers in India.

How to Evaluate Fabric Before Placing Bulk Orders

Whether you're buying from domestic suppliers or global brands operating in India, sampling is critical.

Here's a simple checklist:

Order swatches or sample T-shirts in multiple sizes and colours.
Test the fabric feel, stretch, and shrinkage after one wash.
Try out your planned printing method (screen, DTG, etc.).
Compare the colour retention and shape after wash and wear.

This way, you'll get a real-world sense of how the fabric holds up, not just what the label promises.

Where Designers and Small Brands Source Their Blanks in India

When it comes to launching a clothing line or custom merch drop, sourcing the right blank tees is everything. Designers and small brands across India are leaning on suppliers who not only offer great quality but also understand what it takes to support growing businesses. That's where Gildan India comes in offering a wide range of blank T-shirts known for consistent sizing, premium fabrics, and print-friendly surfaces. Whether you need ringspun cotton for that ultra-soft finish or poly blends for more durability, Gildan India makes it easier for creators to start strong and scale with confidence.

Conclusion

The fabric you choose is more than just a material - it's a message. It tells your customers what your brand values. Whether it's soft luxury, rugged durability, or sustainable choices, there's a perfect fabric for every custom T-shirt in India.

Take the time to test, explore suppliers, and get real feedback. With the right fabric in hand, you'll not only boost your product's appeal but also its performance on the rack, in customers' hands, and in your profit margins.

FAQ:

What is the best fabric for printing custom T-shirts in India?

Ringspun cotton is widely considered the best for printing custom T-shirts in India. Its tight weave offers a smooth surface that works beautifully with screen printing, DTG, and heat transfers. It also feels soft against the skin, making it ideal for retail-quality apparel.

Is polyester a good choice for custom tees?

Polyester is a solid pick if you're making activewear or want moisture-wicking properties. It holds sublimation prints well and doesn't shrink after washing. However, it may not offer the same breathable comfort as cotton, especially in hot climates.

What's the difference between regular cotton and ringspun cotton?

Ringspun cotton is finer, smoother, and stronger than regular cotton. It's made by twisting and thinning the cotton strands, giving the fabric a soft feel and higher durability perfect for custom tees with a premium finish.

Can I mix different fabrics in one T-shirt design?

Yes, blends like 60/40 cotton-polyester are quite popular. They combine the softness and breathability of cotton with the strength and shape-retention of polyester. It`s a great way to strike a balance between comfort, durability, and print clarity.

Written by Mirrorsize US