Cotton or Polyester for Team Shirts?
Choose a sourced garment by the role, fabric specification and care requirements rather than assuming one fibre works best for every team.
Start with how the shirt will be used, then compare actual garment specifications and samples. Fibre content is one consideration; weight, construction, fit and finishing can also affect the experience of wearing and printing the shirt.
Describe the work and the wearer
An air-conditioned office, a busy counter and an outdoor event create different clothing needs. Explain movement, exposure to heat, how often shirts are worn and how the team will wash them. Ask wearers what makes their current shirts uncomfortable.
Avoid treating “cool”, “premium” or “sports fabric” as a complete specification. Translate those descriptions into requirements such as weight, fit, care label and an actual sample to assess.
Compare specific garments, not fibre names alone
Cotton and polyester differ in their properties, while blends combine fibres in different proportions. The label gives the composition, but it does not tell the whole story about thickness, surface texture or how a finished shirt feels.
Compare garments of a similar purpose and check the supplier’s specification. If possible, assess a sample for movement, fit and the care routine your staff will use. A description from a different brand is not a specification for your chosen shirt.
Check the printing plan before ordering blanks
Send the composition label, colour and intended print area for assessment. Fabric finish, seams and other garment details can affect what is practical. Do not assume a method that works on one shirt works on every material.
MIREN sources ready-made garments from suppliers. Availability of the requested style, colours and sizes is checked for the order; a preferred material is not a promise of continuous stock.
Before you contact a printer
- Staff role and working conditions
- Garment reference and composition label
- Size and colour quantities
- Expected washing routine
Further reading
Send your garment reference, artwork and required date so the team can check stock and confirm the job.
← All guides