Are Poly-Cotton t-shirts generally disliked?

8647 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Unik Ink, Jul 22, 2010

kasabian

Discussion Starter · Jul 18, 2010

Hi everybody,

I'm just doing a bit of research into what blank tee to use.

After ordering a handful of 100% cotton samples from various brands and ending up disappointed, I decided to check out some 50/50 cotton/poly t-shirts.

I have a sample of the ANVIL 450 organic 50/50 t-shirt. I'm really really impressed by it. It's so soft and lightweight and comfy to wear.

That said though, is there still a general consensus amoungst the t-shirt buyers that 50/50 shirts are not good quality? That they're uncomfortable to wear?

I tested my sample out over the weekend. I wore it whilst walking two miles in the scorching hot sun. It held up pretty excellent. Didn't feel sticky or uncomfortable. Washed it, tumble dried it - didn't lose shape, remained as soft if not softer than before.

I'm struggling to find a reason not to use this 50/50 tee. A while back I would not have considered using a poly cotton tee, but why the heck not? Pretty much all of the "fashion/hipster" tees I see in Urban Outfitters are part poly, part cotton and rayon..etc.. And seeing as that's the kind of brand image I'm going for, I think I'm going to go ahead and use these blanks.

So I guess my question is.....is there still a kinda "stigma" regarding the use of poly-cotton tees amoungst the t-shirt aficionados? or are those days over. Maybe I'm imagining it, I dunno....

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Twanabee

· #2 · Jul 18, 2010

I give my customers the choice. It depends a lot on weight. Some of my customers that work outside (landscapers) like the lighter weight 50/50 and others like the heaver 100% cotton. To me they all wash, dry and wear fine. I can't tell you which is better. BTW I use mostly Gilden shirts.

Save

Reactions: 1

bornover

· #3 · Jul 18, 2010

It depends on what type of printing method you use, what you are selling, and/or who your customer is. Those things will determine what garment choice you should offer. There is nothing wrong with fabric blends in the right markets.

Save

Reactions: 1

fdsales

· #4 · Jul 18, 2010

I've been in this biz for 25 years, and noticed that about 15 years ago, the 100% "craze" too off, most likely I feel due to a "style fad". From a screen printing view, 100% cotton dark colors are much easier to print, since they don't "bleed off" the dye when going thru the dryer. However, as far as durability, 50/50 are better, especially the dark colors, as they don't fade, shrink, & pill as much as 100% cotton, but you won't find a 6 ounce 50/50 shirts. But if you print a 50/50 dark shirt, you'll need to use bleed proof inks to keep the prints bright. So it really depends on each application, and customer preference. On a whole, we sell more 100% cotton, about 70/30 to 50/50, as most customers like the heavy weight shirts, and if the customer needs dark colors that require a screen print, I'll try to get the customer to use 100%. Even if they need a lighter weight shirt, the 100% is just much easier to print on dark colors w/ lite ink, and come out with much brighter prints w/ less ink laydown.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

Twanabee

· #5 · Jul 18, 2010

Mark your right. Depends on method. I do no SP and all vinyl or HT or combo of both. Brian said it about SP. With what I do, it does not make a difference between 50/50 or 100%. Whatever the customer likes.

Save

Reactions: 1

kasabian

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 22, 2010

Thanks for the replies everybody

Save

Rodney

· #7 · Jul 22, 2010

So I guess my question is.....is there still a kinda "stigma" regarding the use of poly-cotton tees amoungst the t-shirt aficionados?

I think if you get up higher than a 50% amount of polyester, the t-shirt starts feeling less like cotton and more like the poly/weirdish kind of feel.

I don't think there's any stigma against the 50/50 t-shirts. They are comfortable, soft and as you mentioned they seem to keep their shape.

Save

Unik Ink

· #8 · Jul 22, 2010

The ink being printed makes a difference as well. If you are printing with discharge inks (for darks), you must use 100% cotton for the print to come out right. 50/50 shirts look faded with discharge inks as the dye in the polyester won't discharge.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month