Discuss the wholesale blanks industry: Factory direct, custom labels. You can also use this forum to locate a wide variety of wholesale products including t-shirts, hoodies, mousepads, coffee mugs and other imprintable products.
For some reason, not a lot of t-shirt sites or t-shirt lines use 50/50 shirts. I don't know if there is a customer perception that 50/50 is lower quality, but I do notice that most companies use 100% cotton t-shirts.
Personally, I like some 50/50 t-shirts (like the Fruit of the Loom), but I don't know if I would sell them on my site because most customers seem to want 100% cotton.
Creating a fashion line? Take a look at some of the t-shirts in your closet or t-shirts in the store that you like. I think the majority of them will probably be 100% cotton. Go with what your demographic is buying.
We call 50/50 a promotional weight. For our customers who want a shirt they can give away at an event we recommend the 50/50's because they're less expensive. Otherwise we always go with 100% cotton. Our customers in areas where it's hot and muggy in the summer usually request 50/50's over 100% cotton because they're so much lighter. It really depends on what they're for. The perception is the heavier the t-shirt feels, the more expensive it must be, which is generally true.
I know that JCPenny has been putting out lots of those lightweight, vintage style, trendy fashion tees. They're all on 50/50. They are heathered too.
I personally prefer "Fruit of the Loom 50/50 Best" over your average heavyweight cotton tee. It's more lightweight and fitting.
But I'm not sure which style people prefer. The 100% or 50/50. In my opinion, it's kind of a wash. Because most people buy shirts based on the brand, color, and design. I'll buy a shirt if it's soft and lightweight, just my preference. Can either be 100% or 50/50.
There are a lot people out there who insist on 100% cotton. Polyester has a lot of stigma; a lot of it is based on ignorance rather than experience (not all of it), but sometimes it's easier to just use 100% cotton than to change people's minds. Personally I don't think it even makes as much difference as people think it does (does it make a difference? absolutely, but that much? probably not).
(polyester can be harder to print on though, so it does have genuine drawbacks)
You are absolutely right! People tend to shy away from the word "polyester". The first thing that comes to mind are the 70's, big hair, flowery shirts, cheap looking garment, and "Why the hell would anyone want to wear such cheap fiber"!!!
I tell ya what though, I would NOT wear polyester pants...that's for sure!
In any event, 50/50 would be my personal choice of garment...
By the way, Article 1 has some nice 50/50 long sleeve tees, great quality and super soft...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solmu
I'm another who likes the FotL 50/50 Best shirt.
There are a lot people out there who insist on 100% cotton. Polyester has a lot of stigma; a lot of it is based on ignorance rather than experience (not all of it), but sometimes it's easier to just use 100% cotton than to change people's minds. Personally I don't think it even makes as much difference as people think it does (does it make a difference? absolutely, but that much? probably not).
(polyester can be harder to print on though, so it does have genuine drawbacks)
It's interesting to me that those "in the know" mostly prefer 50/50, but the customers who make the most noise (and I don't believe they're just a vocal minority, but I don't know) prefer 100% cotton.
It's interesting to me that those "in the know" mostly prefer 50/50, but the customers who make the most noise (and I don't believe they're just a vocal minority, but I don't know) prefer 100% cotton.
I was thinking the same thing about half way down.
__________________ You can learn a lot from the TSF.
Cotton is a natural organic fiber with unique qualities that helps absorb moisture from our bodies, thus allowing for superb absorbent, breathability, and soft hand feel. Polyester is a synthetic man made fiber that does not have the same qualities and characteristics as cotton despite its simiar feel and appearence. As a result, 100% cotton shirts/ cotton sheets/ cotton fleece are always more coveted.
On the other hand, 50/50 polyblends are unique and necessary to various embellishing methods such as burnouts and sublimation as the chemical process can only bond properly to the polyester fibers and will not work well with 100% cotton fiber.
__________________ “The bitterness of a poor quality shirt will outlast the sweetness of a bargained price” www.variantart.com
Cotton is a natural organic fiber with unique qualities that helps absorb moisture from our bodies, thus allowing for superb absorbent, breathability, and soft hand feel. Polyester is a synthetic man made fiber that does not have the same qualities and characteristics as cotton despite its simiar feel and appearence. As a result, 100% cotton shirts/ cotton sheets/ cotton fleece are always more coveted.
Cotton retains moisture from our bodies though. Once wet it stays wet.
A good polyester will wick the moisture away from your body.
Ask anyone that runs or bikes or does other high-sweat activities.
That said, I believe the perception is that the 100% cotton is a better quality as it is thicker.
I don't have a reason why, my but my customers prefer 50/50. I use Jerzees, which is 5.6 oz. Most 50/50's are 5.6 oz. Some 100% cottons are 5.6 oz like Jerzees, others are only 5.4 oz, which is a minor difference.
A lot of shirts I make are uniforms for tradesmen, landscapers, plumbers, etc. Perhaps the 50/50 is a bit tougher and these people tend to wear Dickies 50/50 work clothes. They are "used" to 50/50 materials.
Sure, I like 6.1 oz 100% cotton. Feels good. Looks good. It is actually my hardest sell, even if it only adds 50¢ per unit. People tend to be cheap.
50/50 or 100% 
?
Re: 50/50 or 100% 
