7+ Best Fabrics to Screen Print T-Shirts

1. Cotton: Cotton is a natural fibre that is the most popular for screen printing due to its excellent ink absorption, soft texture, and ability to produce bold, crisp prints. It’s perfect for everyday apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.
2. Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic fibre known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and moisture-wicking properties. It performs well in screen printing when paired with the right inks, such as plastisol or low-bleed inks, and is ideal for activewear, uniforms, and sports jerseys.
3. Silk: Silk is a luxurious natural fabric with an ultra-smooth surface that allows for fine detail and high-resolution prints. It’s best suited for premium garments, scarves, and high-fashion pieces, often printed using water-based or discharge inks for soft, elegant results.
4. Rayon: Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric made from cellulose that offers a silky texture and a fluid drape. It holds ink well and delivers bright, vivid colours, making it a popular choice for stylish fashion garments and lightweight casual wear.
5. Wool: Wool is a natural, insulating fibre that can be screen printed effectively with the right pretreatment and ink choice. Though less commonly used, it provides a unique, textured surface for winter garments like jumpers, scarves, and beanies.
6. Nylon: Nylon is a strong, lightweight synthetic fibre often used in activewear and outerwear. It responds well to screen printing with the correct ink and curing methods and is ideal for jackets, gym bags, and promotional rainwear.
7. Acrylic: Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that holds ink and colour exceptionally well, offering a consistent print surface. It’s commonly used for promotional apparel, beanies, and outerwear, especially when durability and colour retention are priorities.

1. Cotton

Cotton is the most widely used fabric in screen printing, and for good reason. As a natural fibre, it boasts excellent ink absorption, which means prints come out vibrant, crisp, and long-lasting. Cotton’s smooth texture provides a great surface for screen mesh to deposit ink consistently, allowing even fine design details to be reproduced with clarity.

It’s also breathable, comfortable, and easy to work with, making it the go-to choice for everyday items like custom t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and uniforms.

It works well with both plastisol and water-based inks and doesn’t require complicated pretreatments. For eco-conscious printing, organic cotton is also a viable option, offering sustainability with printability.

 Popular cotton varieties include:

• Ringspun Cotton: Offers a smooth, soft surface ideal for detailed, high-quality prints.
• Combed Cotton: Processed to remove impurities, combed cotton produces clean, sharp images and enhances fabric strength.
• Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful chemicals, organic cotton is an eco-friendly option with excellent printability.

2. Polyester

Polyester is a durable synthetic fibre commonly used in sportswear and performance apparel. Unlike cotton, polyester doesn’t absorb moisture—instead, it repels it, making it perfect for activewear that needs to stay dry. However, this same quality presents a challenge in screen printing, as the ink may sit on the surface rather than soak in. That’s where plastisol inks and low-bleed additives come into play.

These inks adhere well and resist dye migration, ensuring vivid and long-lasting prints. Polyester garments are known for retaining shape and colour over time, making them ideal for athletic kits, promotional uniforms, and branded apparel that undergo frequent wear and washing.

3. Silk

Silk is a luxurious, natural fibre that offers an incredibly smooth and glossy surface, ideal for high-resolution screen prints. It is lightweight, elegant, and takes ink beautifully, especially when working with delicate, intricate designs. Silk allows for exceptional detail reproduction and colour vibrancy, particularly when using water-based or discharge inks that don’t sit heavy on the fabric.

While silk is not commonly used in commercial bulk orders due to its cost and delicacy, it remains a premium option for fashion-forward garments, scarves, limited-edition designs, and luxury branding projects. It does require gentle handling and careful curing to maintain its integrity.

4. Rayon

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fibre made from regenerated cellulose (plant-based material) and is known for its silky feel and excellent drape. It bridges the gap between natural and synthetic fibres, offering a smooth surface for ink application while mimicking the softness of silk.

Rayon prints beautifully with plastisol and water-based inks, delivering deep colour saturation and clean lines. However, it is more delicate than cotton or polyester and may shrink or distort under high heat, so proper curing temperatures are essential. It’s a favourite in fashion printing for flowy tops, dresses, and casual tees where both comfort and style are key.

5. Wool

Wool is a natural fibre prized for its warmth, elasticity, and textured surface. While not traditionally associated with screen printing, it can produce excellent results when properly pretreated. Wool requires careful ink selection, typically plastisol for its surface adhesion, and a gentler curing process to avoid fibre damage or shrinkage.

Despite the extra care needed, wool’s textured weave can create unique, almost vintage-style prints with strong character. It’s best used for specialty garments like winter jumpers, scarves, and beanies, where warmth and tactile aesthetics are equally valued.

6. Nylon

Nylon is a lightweight, durable, and stretchy synthetic fibre often used in sportswear, windbreakers, and outerwear. Its slick surface and water-resistant qualities make it a bit tricky for screen printing, but with the right approach, like using nylon-specific inks and adding bonding agents, nylon delivers bright, clean prints.

It’s fast-drying and resistant to wear, making it suitable for gear that’s exposed to outdoor conditions or regular movement. Nylon also responds well to single-colour and bold logo prints, making it a popular choice for branded merchandise like jackets, gym bags, and promotional items.

7. Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre valued for its durability, colourfastness, and resistance to fading and wear. It’s commonly used in beanies, jumpers, and promotional apparel, particularly for colder climates.

Acrylic fabric provides a consistent and stable surface for screen printing, allowing plastisol inks to sit well and cure without much fuss. It’s less stretchy than other synthetic options, which can improve print alignment and reduce distortion during application. Acrylic garments also retain colour over time, making them a smart choice for corporate wear, giveaways, and outdoor clothing where long-term appearance matters.

7. Cotton-Polyester Blends

Blended fabrics combine the softness and breathability of cotton with polyester’s strength and resilience, offering the best of both worlds. Key advantages include:

• Comfort of Cotton: Soft, breathable feel.
• Strength of Polyester: Added durability and wrinkle resistance.
• Superior Printability: Blends typically handle ink better than pure polyester, ensuring fewer printing challenges.

Common blends, such as 50/50 or 60/40 cotton-polyester, balance softness, durability, and ink absorption, making them ideal for versatile apparel.

8. Tri-Blends

Tri-blends, usually consisting of cotton, polyester, and rayon—are becoming increasingly popular for their unique texture, softness, and lightweight feel. Each material contributes specific benefits:

• Cotton: Comfort and breathability.
• Polyester: Durability and minimal shrinkage.
• Rayon: Added softness, enhanced drape, and subtle sheen.

While tri-blends require careful printing techniques due to their smooth surfaces, they produce comfortable, visually appealing shirts with distinctive, high-quality prints.

9. Specialty Fabrics

Specialty fabrics like bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton offer unique benefits and printing characteristics, ideal for specific markets or eco-conscious customers. Specialty fabrics require precise handling, pretreatments, and suitable inks to deliver premium results.

• Bamboo: Soft, eco-friendly, and naturally antibacterial. Special inks may be required for optimal print quality.
• Hemp: Durable with a distinctive texture, hemp creates rustic-looking apparel but requires careful ink application due to its coarse surface.
• Organic Cotton: Eco-friendly and chemical-free, offering vibrant and sharp prints similar to traditional cotton.

Why Fabric Choice Matters in Screen Printing T-Shirts

Choosing the correct fabric is critical to achieving outstanding results when screen printing custom apparel. Fabric selection influences ink adhesion, design clarity, and the longevity of your prints. Selecting the wrong fabric can cause issues like ink bleeding, fading, or poor-quality finishes. To ensure exceptional screen-printed shirts, carefully consider these key factors.

1. Fabric Texture and Weave

The texture and weave of the fabric significantly impact the quality of screen prints. Smooth fabrics enable ink to spread evenly, resulting in crisp, vibrant designs. In contrast, rough or uneven fabrics can cause ink pooling and blurred details. High-quality fabrics with tight, even weaves, such as those found in premium brands like Carhartt, provide clear, durable prints.

2. Ink Absorption

Different fabrics absorb inks at varying levels, affecting the vibrancy and sharpness of printed designs. Cotton, known for its absorbent properties, produces vivid colours and precise details, making it ideal for most traditional screen prints. Conversely, synthetic fabrics like polyester have lower ink absorption, potentially causing difficulties in achieving vibrant and smooth finishes. Selecting the right fabric ensures your designs look striking and professional.

3. Print Durability

The durability of screen-printed apparel heavily depends on the fabric’s quality. Fabrics susceptible to shrinking or stretching can distort designs, compromising the garment’s overall appearance. Durable, stable fabrics ensure your printed designs withstand multiple washes and extended wear, preserving their original quality.

4. Compatibility with Printing Methods

Different fabrics complement different printing methods. Traditional screen printing pairs excellently with natural fibres like cotton, while heat transfers and sublimation prints work better with synthetic materials. Understanding these compatibility factors allows for accurate fabric selection, helping T-Shirt Plus consistently deliver high-quality results aligned with customer expectations.

5. Fabric Preparation and Handling

Proper fabric preparation is essential to the screen printing process. Pre-washing fabrics can eliminate contaminants that interfere with ink adhesion, ensuring smoother prints. Additionally, careful handling of fabrics during printing prevents contamination and preserves material integrity. Correct preparation also reduces potential shrinkage or stretching, safeguarding the quality and accuracy of the final design.

Tips for Testing and Preparing Fabrics for Screen Printing

Proper preparation and testing of fabrics before screen printing are critical for achieving optimal results. Ensuring your fabric is clean, smooth, and ready to accept ink guarantees vibrant, durable prints on your custom apparel. Proper handling and storage ensure consistent, high-quality results and satisfied customers with every screen print order from T-Shirt Plus.

Here are essential guidelines for successfully testing and preparing fabrics. 

Conducting a Fabric Test Print

Before printing a large batch of custom shirts, conducting a fabric test print is crucial. This preliminary test ensures your fabric, ink, and printing method align correctly, avoiding costly errors and ensuring the best outcomes.

Steps for Conducting a Fabric Test Print:

1. Select a Sample Fabric: Choose fabric from the exact batch you’ll be using for your final products to ensure consistency.
2. Prepare the Screen: Set up your screen with the intended design. Ensure proper alignment and thoroughly clean the screen to avoid debris.
3. Test the Ink: Apply a small amount of your chosen ink to conduct a test print. This allows you to check ink colour accuracy, opacity, and adhesion.
4. Evaluate the Print: Inspect the test print carefully for clarity, ink adhesion, and overall quality. Look for issues like bleeding or uneven coverage.
5. Make Adjustments: Based on your test results, adjust ink formulation, screen setup, or printing technique to perfect your results.

Careful evaluation ensures your designs are clear, durable, and professional-looking, directly impacting customer satisfaction.

Pre-Washing Fabrics

Pre-washing fabrics before screen printing is essential to prevent shrinking, eliminate impurities, and improve ink adhesion. Skipping this step can result in distorted designs and lower print quality.

Tips for Pre-Washing Fabrics:

• Use a Gentle Cycle: Clean fabrics gently to preserve their structure and remove contaminants without damaging fibres.
• Avoid Fabric Softeners: Skip fabric softeners, as they leave residues that hinder ink adhesion.
• Dry Fabrics Thoroughly: Ensure fabrics are fully dried to prevent smearing or poor ink bonding.
• Iron if Needed: Ironing helps eliminate wrinkles, providing a smoother printing surface.
• Proper Storage: After washing, store fabrics in clean, dry conditions to maintain their quality.

Pre-washing ensures your custom apparel retains its shape and print quality, ensuring vibrant, lasting designs.

Handling and Storing Fabrics

Proper handling and storage protect fabric integrity, avoiding contamination and preserving quality for excellent screen printing results.

Best Practices for Handling and Storing Fabrics:

• Keep Fabrics Clean: Always handle fabric with clean hands to avoid contamination with oils or dirt.
• Store in a Dry Environment: Prevent moisture exposure, which can lead to mildew and degrade fabric quality.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Protect fabrics from prolonged sunlight exposure to prevent fading and maintain vibrant colours.
• Use Appropriate Containers: Store fabrics in clean, dust-proof containers to maintain their pristine condition.
• Organise and Label: Clearly label and organise your fabric inventory for efficient workflow and consistency in screen printing projects.

Choosing the ideal fabric, whether cotton, polyester, or blends, is vital to the success of your custom screen-printed shirts. Each fabric type uniquely influences ink absorption, clarity of prints, and garment durability. Additionally, considering reliable fulfilment services helps ensure efficient production and timely delivery, meeting the expectations of your customers and supporting your business goals.

At T-Shirt Plus, we’re dedicated to providing premium-quality custom apparel, expert guidance, and dependable fulfilment solutions. Ready to elevate your next project? Let us help you make it a success.