Know your fabric
Core fabrics
Fibres grown from plants or animals. Breathable, with the familiar hand feel buyers judge other materials against.
Natural fibre
7 properties · 14 woven · 12 knitted
Woven
Natural fibre
8 properties · 12 woven · 5 knitted
Woven
Knitted
Linen is spun from the flax plant, which is why we list it as Linen (Flax).
Natural fibre
7 properties · 9 woven · 6 knitted
Natural fibre
7 properties · 8 woven · 9 knitted
Woven
Natural fibre
5 properties · 6 woven
Knitted
Not normally a core knitted-apparel material.
Jute is a coarse, strong fibre. We use it for trims, panels, bags, packaging and blended pieces rather than as a mainstream apparel fibre.
Fibres reprocessed from used textiles, bottles or production waste, for programmes with recycled-content targets.
Also sourced on request: Recycled Cotton, Recycled Wool.
Recycled fibre
6 properties · 9 woven · 9 knitted
Woven
Recycled content is claimed only when the supplier's fabric specification confirms it.
Recycled fibre
6 properties · 7 woven · 5 knitted
Woven
Knitted
Recycled content is claimed only when the supplier's fabric specification confirms it.
Engineered fibres for durability, stretch, quick drying and shape retention - performance and outerwear directions.
Synthetic fibre
7 properties · 9 woven · 10 knitted
Synthetic fibre
6 properties · 6 woven · 5 knitted
Woven
Knitted
Synthetic fibre
6 properties · 8 knitted
Knitted
Synthetic fibre
4 properties · 6 woven blends · 7 knitted blends
Knitted blends
Plant cellulose, typically wood pulp, regenerated into fibre. Smooth drape and a soft, cool hand feel.
Regenerated fibre
7 properties · 8 woven · 6 knitted
Woven
Knitted
Regenerated fibre
6 properties · 7 woven · 5 knitted
Regenerated fibre
5 properties · 4 woven · 4 knitted
Knitted
TENCEL™ is a trademark of Lenzing AG. We use the name only when the sourced fibre is verified as TENCEL™; otherwise we specify Lyocell.
Regenerated fibre
5 properties · 3 woven · 7 knitted
Woven
Knitted
Garments listed are development and sourcing possibilities for each material, not a stock range. Fibre composition, recycled content and any certification or performance claim are confirmed against the sourced fabric's specification before they appear on your labels or product.
Knit guides
A knitted fabric made entirely from cotton yarn, with no synthetic blend. It is the reference point most buyers judge other knitwear fabrics against, and it remains the standard choice for programmes where natural fibre content is part of the brand story.
Soft, dry and breathable against the skin, with a natural, slightly matte surface rather than a synthetic sheen. The hand feel changes noticeably with yarn quality and finishing, which is why sampling matters on cotton programmes.
Multiple GSM options available, from lightweight jersey for tees through to heavier constructions for premium pieces. We confirm weight against your tech pack at sampling.
Cotton is a well-behaved base for screen printing, DTG and embroidery. DTG in particular performs best on cotton, and print hand feel can be controlled through ink and mesh selection.
Premium basics, T-shirts, polos and buyer-specified knitwear where natural fibre content and hand feel lead the decision.
CVC stands for Chief Value Cotton - a blend in which cotton is the dominant fibre, combined with polyester. It is the practical middle ground between the hand feel of pure cotton and the durability and price stability of a polyester blend.
Close to cotton in hand feel, with slightly more surface smoothness and better recovery. Most end customers will not distinguish it from cotton by touch, which is what makes it useful for value-focused programmes.
Multiple GSM options available across jersey, piqué and terry constructions. Weight is confirmed at sampling.
Takes screen printing well. For DTG, the cotton content in the blend determines results, so higher cotton ratios perform better. Embroidery is stable on CVC.
Value-focused tees, uniform programmes and repeat production where cost stability and durability matter as much as hand feel.
A knitted blend of cotton and polyester in which polyester carries a larger share than in CVC. The exact ratio - 65/35, 50/50 and other combinations - is a specification decision that changes the character of the finished garment.
Smoother and lighter than pure cotton, with more surface sheen and noticeably better recovery. It feels more technical and less natural, which suits performance-led and value-led programmes.
Multiple GSM options available. Weight and blend ratio are confirmed together, as they interact.
Screen printing is the reliable route on higher-polyester blends, with appropriate ink selection to manage dye migration. Embroidery is stable. DTG is best assessed at sampling.
Everyday basics, uniform and workwear programmes, and performance or value-led ranges where durability and price lead the decision.
Single jersey is a knit structure rather than a fibre. It has a smooth face and a looped back, and it is the most widely used construction in T-shirt manufacturing. It can be knitted from cotton, CVC or a cotton-polyester blend.
Light, fluid and comfortable, with natural stretch and good drape. Because it is a single-layer construction, it reads as lighter and cooler than terry or fleece.
Multiple GSM options available. Lighter weights suit summer and layering programmes; heavier single jersey gives a more premium tee.
One of the best surfaces in the range for screen printing and DTG - the smooth face gives clean edges and accurate detail. Embroidery on lighter weights should be backed appropriately.
T-shirts, lightweight layering pieces, summer ranges and lightweight kidswear.
Piqué is a knit structure with a raised, textured surface created by the knitting pattern rather than by finishing. That texture is what gives a polo shirt its recognisable appearance and its body.
Firmer and more structured than single jersey, with a visible textured surface and small air pockets that aid airflow. It holds its shape rather than draping.
Multiple GSM options available across piqué constructions. Weight is confirmed against your reference or tech pack.
Embroidery is the natural decoration method on piqué and performs excellently. Screen printing is possible, though fine detail should be reviewed against the fabric texture during sampling.
Polo shirts, smart-casual ranges, corporate and hospitality uniforms, and institutional programmes.
French terry has a smooth knitted outer face and an unbrushed looped inner face. Those loops trap a layer of air, giving warmth without the weight or the fully insulated feel of brushed fleece.
Soft and substantial on the outside, with a distinctive looped texture inside. Warmer than jersey but noticeably more breathable than fleece, which makes it the more versatile of the two sweat fabrics.
Multiple GSM options available, from lighter transitional terry through to heavier premium weights. Confirm your target weight in your tech pack.
The smooth outer face takes screen printing, embroidery and puff printing well and is a strong surface for large placement prints.
Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and coordinated tracksuits, particularly for premium and transitional-season ranges.
Fleece begins as a terry construction, with the inner loops then brushed to raise a soft, dense pile. That brushing is what separates it from French terry and what gives it its insulating performance.
Soft and plush on the inside, warm against the skin, and heavier overall. It reads immediately as a winter fabric when a customer handles the garment.
Multiple GSM options available in brushed constructions, typically at the heavier end of the range. Weight is confirmed at sampling.
The smooth outer face takes screen printing and embroidery well. Puff printing reads particularly well against a heavyweight fleece base.
Winter hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers and tracksuits for cold-weather and premium heavyweight programmes.
GSM and weight information is published only where confirmed. Where a specification varies by construction, dyeing or order requirements, we will confirm it against your tech pack at sampling.
Comparison
| Attribute | French Terry | Fleece |
|---|---|---|
| Inner face | Unbrushed loops | Brushed, soft pile |
| Warmth | Moderate | High |
| Breathability | Higher | Lower |
| Weight | Lighter to mid | Mid to heavy |
| Season | Transitional and year-round | Autumn and winter |
| Climate | Mild and mixed climates | Genuinely cold markets |
| Branding surface | Smooth outer face | Smooth outer face |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher - additional process |
If your collection sells across more than one season or into a mild climate, French terry usually carries the range further. If you are building a winter-led programme or want visible heavyweight substance, fleece is the stronger choice.
Fabric types
| Fabric type | Examples | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Knitted Cotton & Blends | 100% cotton, CVC, cotton/poly, single jersey | T-shirts, casual tops, kidswear, selected uniforms. |
| Piqué | Cotton or blends to specification | Polo shirts, uniform polos, smart-casual tops. |
| French Terry | Cotton-rich or blended | Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, premium casualwear. |
| Fleece | Brushed knit constructions | Warm hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, fleece jackets. |
| Poplin | Cotton or blends | Casual shirts, uniforms, light woven tops. |
| Oxford Cloth | Cotton or blends | Structured casual shirts and uniforms. |
| Twill | Cotton, stretch or poly-cotton | Chinos, cargo trousers, overshirts, uniforms, workwear. |
| Linen / Linen Blends | Linen, cotton-linen and related blends | Cuban collars, summer shirts, linen trousers. |
| Viscose / Rayon Wovens | Drapey woven fabrics | Printed shirts, resort and warm-weather styles. |
| Suiting / TR-type Blends | Buyer-defined formal woven materials | Dress trousers and corporate uniforms. |
| Polyester Woven Shells | 100% polyester or buyer-defined blends | Jackets, windbreakers, track and uniform outerwear. |
| Canvas / Heavier Wovens | Cotton or blends | Overshirts, utility garments and selected workwear. |
Materials shown are sourcing and development directions, not a promise that every fabric is continuously stocked. Composition, weight, shrinkage, colourfastness and performance are confirmed against the approved specification.
Buyer guide
Construction narrows the field immediately. Tees point to single jersey, polos to piqué, and hoodies, sweats and joggers to French terry or fleece.
Summer and transitional ranges favour lighter jersey and terry. Winter-led programmes justify brushed fleece and heavier weights.
Natural and breathable points to cotton. Smooth, durable and stable points to a cotton-polyester blend. CVC sits between the two.
Fibre content and weight are the two largest levers on cost. Sharing a target price early lets us recommend a realistic construction rather than sampling twice.
DTG performs best on cotton-rich fabrics. Screen printing is broadly reliable. Embroidery suits piqué, terry and fleece particularly well.
Send your tech pack and target price and we will recommend suitable fabric options.
Ask RASIKHSend your tech pack, target weight and target price. We will come back with suitable fabric options and indicative costing against your specification.
