To go from the guide to the catalog, start from the personalized t-shirts page: from there you can choose men's, women's, or children's and configure the quote online.
T-shirts and fabrics: cotton vs. synthetic, which will win?
Low-cost custom T-shirts made of cotton or synthetic fabrics? This has been one of the most heated debates since the first polyester or cotton-polyester blend fabrics appeared. Each material obviously has its advantages and disadvantages, and many of the opinions
depend on the intended use of the T-shirt. The most commonly used synthetic fibers in textiles are polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Let's take a look at all the advantages of 100% polyester, 100% nylon, 100% acrylic, 100% cotton, and blended fabrics.
Polyester: a resistant and pleasant to the touch fibre
Polyester is a
synthetic fiber derived from petroleum and has been used in clothing since the 1970s, first commercially under the English brand Terylene. It is extremely resistant to tearing, abrasion, and cuts, as well as being waterproof, breathable, and an excellent thermal insulator. For this reason, polyester fabrics are often used for padding winter garments or for sports and technical T-shirts. Furthermore, its shiny appearance allows it to lend clothing colors and effects that natural fibers cannot achieve. Polyester is incredibly pleasant to the touch, simulating the softness and lightness of silk. On the other hand, polyester fabrics
retain stains and develop unpleasant odors easily, requiring frequent washing . Polyester also generates electrostatic charges and attracts a lot of dust.
Nylon, the first synthetic fiber
Nylon was the first synthetic fiber invented, used in clothing for its exceptional lightness, wear resistance, and elasticity. Nylon garments are particularly prized for their durability, even after multiple washes, and for their bright, vivid colors, which allow them to last a long time. When washing nylon garments, it's best to separate colored items from white and black ones, while the fiber's resistance to solvents
allows it to be dry cleaned . Nylon's natural shine can be restored at any time with a household bleach, and the fabric's excellent elasticity makes it virtually immune to creasing. The only disadvantage of this material is its poor resistance to snagging, or rubbing that causes the thread's filaments to break. Snagging causes nylon fabrics, especially those made with smooth threads, to form
unsightly balls . Furthermore, the fabric is vulnerable to high-temperature ironing, which could cause the fibers to melt.
Cheap custom t-shirts damaged by fiber fusion break easily, resulting in numerous tears in the fabric.
Acrylic, the fiber of synthetic fur
Polyacrylic fibers are particularly popular for making faux fur, although acrylic fabrics are also used for
T-shirts, curtains, and hosiery. The main characteristic of acrylic fabrics is their soft, voluminous appearance, making them smooth to the touch and particularly warm. The wooliness of polyacrylic fibers mimics the characteristics of wool, making them ideal for soft, lightweight garments with
excellent thermal insulation. Among the disadvantages of acrylic, being a woolly synthetic fiber, is its ability to accumulate static electricity and attract dust, causing the typical popping sound when you take off your shirt and the small but unpleasant shocks.
Cotton: a thousand-year history of quality
Cotton is a natural fiber with a history stretching back thousands of years, and is still the most widely used natural fiber in the world. The
advantages of cotton are at the root of its undisputed popularity over the centuries: it has an extraordinary ability to absorb water (and therefore sweat) and an exceptional ability to disperse body heat. Furthermore, cotton is hypoallergenic, odorless, and highly resistant, especially to occasional sparks. Unlike synthetic fibers,
it absorbs sweat and does not irritate the skin . It does not puncture or tear if accidentally contacted by a spark, and it dissipates body heat. The disadvantages of cotton are its poor thermal insulator and its tendency to shrink after the first wash if not treated properly. Furthermore, compared to synthetic fibers, cotton creases easily and requires ironing after every wash.
Mixed items: pay attention to the percentages
For mixed-fiber garments, it's important to always keep an eye on the percentages of fibers used. This will help you understand not only the fabric's advantages but also, and more importantly, the type of washing they require. Mixed-fiber fabrics require more care when washing and ironing than 100% single-material fabrics. However, if the percentages are carefully calibrated, these are
extremely durable t-shirts , where the natural fibers offset the disadvantages of the synthetic ones and vice versa.
What fabric to choose for making low-cost custom T-shirts?
To choose the fabric for your
affordable custom t-shirts at our store, you need to know what they'll be used for. If they're summer clothes for outings, we recommend a
blend with a high cotton content or
100% cotton. If the shirts are intended for winter wear or sports, synthetic fibers are definitely better. Not only do they insulate better from the cold, but they also withstand the stresses of athletic activity very well, adapting to body movements. Polyester and nylon are particularly suitable for this type of use. Have you decided which fabric to choose between cotton and synthetic? Then buy your custom t-shirts now at
burger-print.nl !
