Choosing Right Fabric For Printing: Clothes Suitable For Printed Fabrics

When it comes to adding a touch of personalization or uniqueness to your wardrobe, printed fabrics are a fantastic choice. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or someone looking to create custom clothing, knowing what kinds of clothes are suitable for printed fabrics can make a world of difference in achieving the desired look. In this blog, we’ll delve into the types of clothing that work exceptionally well with printed fabrics and guide you on where to find these delightful materials to bring your fashion visions to life. So, if you’re ready to explore the world of printed fabrics and revamp your style, read on to discover some exciting possibilities!

Fabrics are divided into two types:

• Natural: These materials come from nature – cotton comes from cotton plants, wool comes from sheep, and linen is made from a type of flax plant.
• Synthetic: Ice Silk Fabric is created from chemicals that react together to form long chains called polymers. It’s not as good as natural materials like cotton but does a pretty good job of imitating them. In fact, rayon can even mimic the feel of silk!

Choosing The Right Fabric For Printing

Choosing the right fabric for clothing is crucial because it affects how the clothes are made and how they look and feel. When fabric is used correctly, it can make clothes last longer and be more comfortable to wear. By meeting these requirements, you can make your customers happy. Now, let’s figure out which fabric to pick from the popular options.

1. Cotton
2. Polyester / Poly-cotton
3. Silk
4. Wool
5. Linen
6. Rayon
7. Jersey
8. Denim
9. Flannel
10. Hemp
11. Nylon
12. Satin
13. Leather
14. Blended
15. Bamboo
16. Recycled Fabrics
17. Slubs

1. Cotton

Cotton is the most commonly used fabric in the world because it’s great for staying comfortable. It helps keep you cool by moving away sweat and heat. It’s also good for printing custom designs on clothes. If you’re not sure what fabric to pick, cotton is a safe bet. But remember, using 100% cotton or organic cotton can be more expensive for custom printing. The best choice is to use a mix of synthetic materials like polyester or elastane, like 80% cotton and 20% polyester, or 50% cotton and 50% polyester. Overall, cotton is eco-friendly and perfect for making sports and casual T-shirts with cool designs.

You can easily find products made from organic cotton. This cotton comes from plants that haven’t been genetically modified and is grown without artificial chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Breathable, organic options are available.

• Breathability: high
• Comfort: moderate-high
• Absorbency: high
• Resilience: low
• Luster: low
• Care: launder normally
• Heat Resistance: low
• Strength: Moderate (stronger when wet)
• Drape: Moderate
• Sewing Level: beginner
• Will it shrink? yes
• End Uses: Garments, bedding, and furnishings
• Suitable Printing: Screen, DTG, Heat Transfer, Dye Sublimation, Block, Discharge, Water-Based, Plastisol, Pigment

2. Polyester / Poly-cotton

Polyester is a type of man-made fabric that’s not so friendly to the environment because it’s made from non-renewable resources. It’s pretty tough and doesn’t easily shrink or get wrinkled, but it’s not as comfy or breathable as cotton. Sometimes, they mix polyester with cotton to create a blend called “poly-cotton” to combine their good qualities. People often use this blend in all sorts of clothing like T-shirts, shorts, and jackets, as well as accessories like ties and hats. However, some folks with sensitive skin might not like it because it can cause allergies. Manufacturers like using polyester in making skirts and dresses with pleats because it can hold their shape well. They also use different techniques, like sublimation and silkscreen, to put designs on polyester clothing.

Polyester doesn’t respond well to bleaching, which makes it less suitable for discharge printing. So, if your fabric has more polyester in it, bleaching won’t work as effectively. In such cases, it’s better to use opaque inks instead. Polyester content derives from plastic and will not discharge.

• Breathability: low
• Comfort: low-moderate
• Absorbency: high
• Resilience: high
• Luster: moderate-high
• Care: launder normally
• Heat Resistance: high
• Strength: High
• Drape: Moderate
• Sewing Level: intermediate
• Will it shrink? no
• End Uses: pants, shirts, suiting, and bedding
• Suitable Printing: Sublimation, Digital, Screen, Heat Transfer, Rotary, Discharge, Water-Based and Pigment

3. Silk

When you’re picking fabrics for your clothing line, think about using silk. Experts say it’s great for both warm and cold weather because it keeps you feeling comfortable. Silk is also really clean, won’t give you allergies, can absorb bad smells, and looks shiny. Whether you’re selling fancy dresses or home stuff like sheets, silk works well. If you need to put designs on your clothes, using a method called silkscreen is good for making a lot of them. Another popular option is thermal transfer, which feels smooth on your skin and lasts a long time. And if you want to save money on making custom clothes, you can choose polyester silk.

• Breathability: Moderate
• Comfort: high
• Absorbency: low/moderate
• Resilience: low
• Luster: High
• Care: dry-clean only
• Heat Resistance: low
• Strength: high when dry, low when wet
• Drape: fluid
• Sewing level: advanced
• Will it shrink? yes
• End uses: couture garments and formalwear, bedding, and drapery
• Suitable Printing: Screen, Digital, Block, Discharge, Heat Transfer, Rotary

4. Wool

These days, it’s not easy to find clothing made entirely from pure wool without other materials mixed in. But that doesn’t take away from its ability to keep you warm. Wool is a top-notch fabric for clothes because it doesn’t get dirty easily, doesn’t wrinkle, and doesn’t hold onto bad smells. However, when it gets wet, it takes a while to dry because it absorbs steam but not liquid water. Wool is perfect for making winter clothes like sweaters, jackets, pants, dresses, and coats, as well as hats. They use special dyes to color wool fabric, which makes it strong and adds extra brightness.

• Breathability: high
• Comfort: Moderate
• Absorbency: high
• Resilience: Moderate
• Luster: low
• Care: launder with care
• Heat Resistance: low
• Strength: Moderate
• Drape: Moderate
• Sewing level: intermediate
• Will it shrink? yes
• End uses: outerwear, suiting, and upholstery
• Suitable Printing: Digital, Screen, Rotary, Heat Transfer, Discharge, Block

5. Linen

When you want to make comfortable and stylish summer clothes like dresses, skirts, shorts, and shirts, you should consider using this eco-friendly material. It’s great because it keeps its shape, feels nice and breathable on the skin, and won’t cause allergies. Plus, it’s tough and doesn’t easily tear. Usually, they use digital printing on this material, and you don’t need to do much to it before printing. If you heat treat it, the print will stay strong, and the material won’t shrink.

• Breathability: high
• Comfort: high
• Absorbency: Moderate
• Resilience: low
• Luster: low
• Care: launder normally (softer with each wash)
• Heat Resistance: high
• Strength: High
• Drape: Moderate
• Sewing Level: beginner
• Will it shrink? no
• End Uses: Summer tops, suiting, bedding, drapery, and upholstery
• Suitable Printing: Screen, Digital, Block, Heat Transfer, Block, Hand Painting

6. Rayon

Rayon is a man-made fabric that can be mixed with cotton to make it more breathable. It’s a bit like a mix of real silk and synthetic materials, offering strength, stretchiness, lightness, and a soft feel. Rayon is great for creating summer pants, dresses, tops, and lining for clothes. It’s easy to color, and you can print on it nicely using a special kind of ink on a digital printer.

• Breathability: Moderate
• Comfort: high
• Absorbency: Moderate
• Resilience: low
• Luster: Moderate
• Care: launder with care
• Heat Resistance: low
• Strength: Moderate (weaker when wet)
• Drape: Moderate
• Sewing Level: intermediate
• Will it shrink? yes
• End Uses: Summer blouses and dresses, activewear, socks, bedding, curtains, and blankets
• Suitable Printing: Screen, Digital, Heat Transfer, Rotary, Block, Sublimation

7. Jersey

Jersey fabric is a soft, stretchy textile known for its comfortable and breathable qualities. It is commonly used in making T-shirts, athletic wear, and undergarments due to its ability to conform to the body’s shape while providing excellent drape and comfort. Jersey fabric is typically made from cotton or a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, making it a popular choice for casual and sportswear.

• Breathability: moderate-high
• Comfort: high
• Absorbency: low
• Resilience: high
• Luster: Moderate
• Care: launder with care
• Heat Resistance: low
• Strength: High
• Drape: moderate-high
• Sewing Level: intermediate
• Will it shrink? no
• End uses: undergarments, t-shirts, and winter apparel like sweaters and cardigans
• Suitable Printing: Screen, Heat Transfer, DTG, Dye Sublimation, Vinyl, Sublimation

8. Denim

Denim is a fabric used to make everyday clothes like pants, jackets, dresses, and shirts. It’s a bit rough and was used to make the first jeans. Real denim is made from cotton, which makes it soft, and strong, and lets it “breathe” a bit. When printing on denim with a special printer called a DTG printer, there are three steps: getting the fabric ready, putting it in the printer, and making sure the settings are just right, like adding more white ink and making the print super high quality.

Screen printing is the best way to print on denim because it makes the designs last longer and look better. There are other methods like heat transfer and DTG, but they might not work as well with denim’s tough texture. So, screen printing is often the top choice when it comes to printing on denim.

9. Flannel

Flannel is a cozy fabric that can be made from cotton, wool, or a mix of both. It’s thick and soft with a fuzzy texture on both sides, making it comfy, warm, and durable. Flannel can be a bit heavy, up to 400 grams per meter, and it’s great for people with sensitive skin since it doesn’t cause allergies. It’s perfect for things like bedsheets, and baby clothes, and it’s also excellent for vibrant and colorful prints. When it comes to printing on flannel, you have a few options like screen printing, digital printing, heat transfer, DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, rotary printing, and block printing. Just choose the one that works best for your design, your fabric, and your budget.

10. Hemp

The trend of eco-friendly and natural fashion has made hemp a popular choice in the print-on-demand industry. Hemp fibers are a bit rougher than materials like wool or cotton, but they’re tough and practical. Hemp fabric can absorb moisture, is gentle on the skin, and lasts a long time. When it comes to printing, it’s even better than cotton or other fabrics. They use strong inks that don’t fade easily. You can print on hemp fabric using different methods, but the best one depends on the design you want, the fabric itself, and how eco-friendly you want to be.

When deciding how to print on fabric, you should think about what the fabric is made of, the design you want, how much you need to make, and how good it is for the environment. If you’re using hemp fabric, which is known for being eco-friendly, you should also think about the ink and method you use. You can print on hemp fabric using methods like Screen, Digital, Block, Dye Sublimation, Heat Transfer, and Natural Dye, but the best choice depends on what your design is, what the fabric is like, and how eco-friendly you want to be.

11. Nylon

This is a man-made fabric designed to mimic real silk. It looks shiny like silk, comes in various colors, and doesn’t lose its color easily. It’s tough and can withstand wear and tear. People use it for things like jackets, everyday clothes, socks, sportswear, and labels. You can print on it using different methods like thermal transfer, sublimation (if it has more than 50% nylon), or silkscreen.

You can put designs on Nylon fabric in different ways, like using screens, heat, special ink, or machines. The way you pick depends on how tricky the design is, the colors you want, and what you’ll use the Nylon for. It’s smart to get help from pros who know how to print on Nylon, so your project turns out just right.

12. Satin

Satin is a type of fabric made from cotton, but it’s woven in a special way to make it soft and shiny. Sometimes, it’s mixed with other materials like synthetic fibers, viscose, silk, or a blend of artificial and real silk. Satin has some great qualities: it can soak up moisture quickly, keep you comfortable, and it’s resistant to wear, even after many washes. It’s also hypoallergenic and lightweight. People like using satin to make clothes for kids and bed sheets. You can have it in plain colors, with patterns, or even with a 3D effect.

When you want to print on satin fabric, think about what the fabric is made of (like cotton or polyester), how complicated your design is, the colors you want, and how you’ll use the fabric. You can use different printing methods like Screen, Digital, Heat Transfer, Rotary, and Sublimation printing, depending on what you want and the type of fabric you have.

13. Leather

Clothing and fabric makers love using real leather because it has some special qualities. It’s really good at staying strong, stretching a bit, keeping its shape, and letting air pass through, which means you won’t get too sweaty. It also doesn’t hold onto bad smells and can look good for a long time. But you need to make sure it’s real leather and not a fake. People use leather to make jackets, skirts, dresses, and coats, and sometimes as decorations on clothes. They often use a method called UV printing to put designs on leather, which makes the pictures last a long time and look really nice.

The way you print on leather depends on what kind of leather it is, what design you want, how much you can spend, and how you’re going to use the leather. You should also think about how the leather feels and looks when you pick a printing method. There are different ways to print on leather, like using screens, computers, heat, special ink, foil, embossing, engraving, lasers, dye, and airbrushes. Each way has its good points and things to think about. Your choice depends on how you want the printed leather to look and feel and what you’ll use it for.

14. Blended

Mixing different fabrics can make clothes special and change their cost. For instance, when you mix cotton with viscose, it becomes fancier, but adding cotton to cashmere makes it less expensive. These blended fabrics are used to make sportswear, jackets, uniforms, military suits, everyday tops, skirts, pants, fancy dresses, and more. People often use thermal transfer techniques to print photos, colorful designs, and words on these fabrics.

15. Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is made from bamboo plants, which grow fast without needing harmful chemicals. It’s light and good for printing with gentle inks like discharge inks. This makes it eco-friendly and easy to work with for printing.

• Characteristics: Organic, lightweight.

16. Recycled Fabrics

This is usually a blend of cotton and polyester. The cotton used is from leftovers before it’s sold to consumers, and the polyester comes from recycled things like cuttings and bottles.

• Characteristics: Eco-friendly, tends to be a poly-cotton mix.

17. Slubs

Slubs are created in fabric by mixing different colors or types of fibers, resulting in a cool multi-color look. You might have seen this in heather fabrics from various brands. Usually, slub fabrics are a mix of polyester and cotton, which makes them not great for discharge printing, although there can be some special cases.

The way slubs look can be hard to show accurately on the internet. So, we suggest you try out a sample of these t-shirts to see for yourself.

Suitability to Specific Garment

• T-shirts: single jersey (100% cotton), stretch jersey (95% cotton + 5% lycra), viscose, linen, polyester.
• Dresses: cotton, linen, crepe-satin, silk, polyester and its blends, satin, staple, velvet, leather, chiffon.
• Pants: woolen crepe, linen, denim, viscose, tweed, gabardine.
• Skirts: linen, denim, velvet, leather, poplin, gabardine.

Where To Find Printed Fabrics?

Printed fabrics can be found in various places, both online and in physical stores. Here are some common places to find printed fabrics:

1. Fabric Stores: Visit your local fabric stores or sewing supply shops. They often carry a wide range of printed fabrics, including cotton, silk, polyester, and more.
2. Online Fabric Retailers: Numerous online fabric retailers offer a vast selection of printed fabrics. Some popular websites include Fabric.com, Mood Fabrics, and Spoonflower.
3. Craft Stores: Craft stores, like Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michael’s, often have a selection of printed fabrics suitable for various DIY projects.
4. Fashion Districts: If you live in or near a major city, consider exploring the fashion district, as it’s likely to have a wide array of printed fabrics from different suppliers.
5. Textile Markets: Look for textile markets or fabric fairs in your area, as they can be an excellent source of unique and printed fabrics.
6. Etsy: Etsy is a popular platform for buying handmade and unique fabrics, including custom-printed designs.
7. Online Marketplaces: Websites like Amazon and eBay also offer a range of printed fabrics. Be sure to check reviews and the reputation of the sellers when buying from these platforms.
8. Wholesale Suppliers: If you’re buying in bulk or for a business, consider contacting wholesale fabric suppliers for printed fabrics at a discounted rate.
9. Designer Boutiques: Some high-end designer boutiques offer exclusive printed fabrics that may not be available elsewhere.
10. Local Artisan and Craft Fairs: Visit local artisan markets or craft fairs where you may find independent designers selling their own printed fabrics.

When searching for printed fabrics, consider the type of fabric you need, the design you’re looking for, and the quantity required. It’s important to also pay attention to the quality of the fabric and the reputation of the seller, especially when shopping online.

FAQs:

1. Are printed fabrics appropriate for formal wear?
Yes, printed fabrics can be used for formal clothing such as evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and dress shirts, depending on the design and fabric type. However, more subtle and elegant prints are typically chosen for formal attire.

2. Where can I find printed fabrics for DIY sewing projects?
You can find printed fabrics at fabric stores, both in physical locations and online. Online fabric retailers like Fabric.com and Spoonflower offer a vast selection. Craft stores and Etsy are also good sources.

3. Can I find custom or unique prints for clothing?
Yes, you can find custom and unique printed fabrics on platforms like Spoonflower and Etsy, where independent designers create and sell their own designs. This allows for one-of-a-kind clothing pieces.

4. Do printed fabrics work well for children’s clothing?
Printed fabrics are excellent for children’s clothing, as they offer a wide variety of fun and playful designs. Cotton prints are often preferred for comfort and breathability.

5. What types of printed fabrics are suitable for activewear?
For activewear, consider moisture-wicking and stretchy fabrics with printed designs. Fabrics like polyester blends are common choices for workout clothing.

6. What are some tips for selecting the right printed fabric for my project?
Consider the fabric type, design, color, and purpose of your project. Think about the comfort and drape of the fabric and whether it suits the style and occasion you have in mind.