Best Fabrics for Screen Printing: Cotton, Blends & Performance (Wichita Buyer’s Guide)

The Short Answer

For the widest color range and the softest hand, choose ringspun 100% cotton. For less shrink and great everyday comfort, pick a CVC (60/40) blend.
For ultra-soft “retail” tees, tri-blends look vintage but can mute bold colors. For athletic or work uniforms, polyester performance prints well with the right low-bleed inks and underbases.

100% Cotton (Ringspun vs. Open-End)

Cotton is the screen printer’s best friend. Ringspun cotton utilizes finer, twisted fibers that create a smoother surface, making it ideal for fine details and a soft feel.
Open-end cotton is more budget-friendly, featuring a coarser yarn; it’s durable but exhibits more texture through the ink.

• Pros – Excellent opacity and color pop; compatible with plastisol and water-based inks; ideal for discharge (where applicable).
• Watch for – Shrinkage on lower-end blanks; garment-dyed cotton can vary shade and discharge response by lot.

Learn more about cotton construction and performance at CottonWorks®.

CVC & Cotton-Poly Blends

CVC (chief value cotton, often 60/40) blends strike a balance between softness, stability, and durability. They resist shrinkage better than 100% cotton,
hold detail nicely, and feel great for everyday wear. Colors are vibrant, though extremely light inks on dark blends may need a strong underbase for maximum pop.

• Pros – Smoother surface than open-end cotton; less shrinkage; broad color availability.
• Watch for – Slightly reduced discharge reactivity vs. 100% cotton; ensure proper underbase/mesh for light-on-dark prints.

Tri-Blends (Cotton/Poly/Rayon)

Tri-blends are ultra-soft with a fashion drape. The rayon and poly content create a “heathered” look that’s stylish but can slightly mute ink colors.
Water-based or soft-hand plastisol systems keep the garment feeling lightweight.

• Pros – Premium retail feel; excellent comfort; vintage aesthetic.
• Watch for – Less opacity on dark heathers; choose bolder art or a smart underbase strategy.

Polyester & Performance Fabrics

Polyester wicks moisture and retains its shape, making it perfect for teams and workers. The trade-off is dye migration on certain shades (especially reds/maroons) if prints are overheated.
We use low-bleed inks, controlled cure temps, and, when needed, migration-blocking underbases to keep colors clean.

• Pros – Athletic performance, fast drying, durable, great for corporate uniforms.
• Watch for migration risk; shiny textures can show squeegee marks. Ensure the right mesh, squeegee durometer, and flash settings are used.

For background on colorfastness and dye behavior, see AATCC (Textile Testing Association).

Fleece, Hoodies & Heavier Knits

Mid-weight and heavy fleece print beautifully with plastisol. Raised textures can trap ink; we adjust the pressure and flash to achieve smooth coverage.
For fluffy surfaces, opt for bold art with clean edges and consider using a smoothing screen for a polished finish.

Specialty Finishes & Garment Dyes

• Garment-Dyed & Pigment-Dyed – Gorgeous color but batch variance is normal; discharge behavior may vary. Expect a lived-in look.
• Mineral/Acid Wash – Unique surface; use thicker lines and avoid micro-detail near areas of heavy abrasion.
• Coated/Water-Repellent Finishes – DWR/silicone finishes resist ink; pre-testing is essential.

Art & Ink Pairing Tips

• Cotton – Any ink system; water-based for soft feel, plastisol for bold opacity; discharge possible on reactive-dyed cotton.
• Blends – Plastisol with smart underbase; water-based hybrid for softer hand on heathers.
• Poly – Low-bleed inks; lower cure temps; migration blocker when needed.
• Tri-Blends – Simplify art or embrace vintage; avoid ultra-fine halftones on dark heathers without testing.

For a primer on process and terminology, see Screen printing (Wikipedia).

Care Steps That Help Prints Last

• Wash inside out in cold water with a mild detergent; avoid using bleach and fabric softener.
• Tumble dry on low or hang dry; high heat ages prints and garments more quickly.
• Avoid ironing directly on the print; if necessary, iron inside-out on a low setting.

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FAQ

What’s the best fabric for bright, solid colors?

Ringspun 100% cotton delivers top opacity and bold color with a soft feel. For less shrink and everyday comfort, try a CVC 60/40 blend.

Do performance fabrics cause issues?

They can if overheated. We control cure temps and use low-bleed inks and blockers to minimize dye migration on polyester.

Are tri-blends a good choice?

Yes for comfort and retail aesthetics. Expect slightly softer color on dark heathers; design accordingly.

Can you print fine detail on textured garments?

We can, but smoother fabrics (ringspun/CVC) hold detail better. For heavy textures, consider using bolder lines or applying a smoothing pass.

What about discharge printing?

Works on many reactive-dyed 100% cotton garments for ultra-soft results. It’s less predictable on blends and garment-dyed tees.

External Resources

• CottonWorks® (education by Cotton Incorporated)
• AATCC – Textile Testing & Colorfastness
• Screen Printing Overview (Wikipedia)