Photo: Alex Nemo Hanse/Unsplash
When it comes to buying a standard t-shirt like choosing the one with the ideal fabric, it always hits that question: viscose, cotton, or polyester? Carded or combed mesh? To indicate the ideal materials for a shirt, you need to know how the piece will be used and what finish you want. After all, the wrong choice can cause inconvenience to the consumer.
If the shirt needs to be washed and dried overnight, we would indicate, for example, Helena (100% polyester). However, as a mesh that does not allow heat exchange, for warmer environments, we would indicate a mesh in cotton or PV (polyester and viscose), which has a lighter trim and fast dry.
Confused? We have already explained! Check out our tips for assessing market options and choosing the best t-shirt mesh!
Evaluating Yarn
Thickness Cotton yarn thickness varies from 24.1 to 30.1, the higher the value, the smaller the yarn thickness and the higher its quality. This aspect directly interferes with the final appearance of the piece. Stay tuned!
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Most Common Types of T-Shirt
Woven entirely with cotton yarn, it offers a nice touch and comfort by allowing heat exchange. The carded yarn has shorter fibers and is, therefore, more prone to pilling and neps. Generally, the wire thickness ranges from 24.1, 26.1 to 28.1. It is commonly used on uniform shirts, events, college courses, and giveaways. Retains more sweat and is cooler on hot days.
Combed mesh
Also woven entirely in cotton yarn, it offers a better appearance over the card, greater softness, and comfort. By going through a combed system, it has short fibers and impurities (such as peels) are removed, making the fabric cleaner and stronger.
Because of the removal of fibers, the loss of cotton is greater, which causes the process to become more expensive. Usually, the wire thickness is 30.1. It is used for apparel and has a higher cost. Made entirely of cotton, it also retains more sweat and is more comfortable on hot days.
Cold mesh
Composed of about 67% polyester and 33% viscose, the cold mesh, or PV, does not fade, has great durability, and shrinks little. Generally, the wire thickness is 30.1. It’s soft and great for uniforms, being nicer in cold weather, retaining little sweat. It has a satin touch, does not knead, and has less tendency to pilling. Not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Cacharel or Helena
At low cost, the helmets are made entirely of polyester. It is commonly used in abbots and similar events and is ideal for sublimation applications.
Photo: Jeff Sheldon/Unsplash Traditional Polo, or PA Piquet
Woven in cotton and polyester in a 50:50 ratio, it is widely used in uniforms and events. It has good durability, looks good, and shrinks little.
Dry Polyester
This fabric is made entirely of polyester and is commonly used in sports. This is because its structure allows comfort even if there is high perspiration. It has good durability and trims.
Made entirely of polyamide, it is a superior alternative to Dry Polyester. It is indicated for use in high-performance sports, as it is light and comfortable. In addition to facilitating perspiration, it assists in the athlete’s movement and performance.
Each type of mesh has ideal characteristics for different types of t-shirts. The choice depends on the target audience, the end-user, and the production process through which the piece will go, involving from the reinforcement of seams to the interference on the surface of the piece, be it embroidery, silkscreen, sublimation, or silk, among many others.
