Your two main choices of textile in screen printing are 50/50
cotton/polyester blend and 100% cotton. Which type you would
choose depends on the particular needs for the job and your own
aesthetic preference.
100% cotton t-shirts, such as Hanes Beefy T and Fruit of the
Loom Lofteez, are a denser fabric and have a heavier feel.
Ringspun 100% cotton t-shirts have a soft, almost fuzzy, feel.
However that same texture can show through on an image, giving
it a worn look. After washing, the fibers can break through the
ink film, causing the image to look dull.
An area where 100% cotton shirts, non-ringspun, work well is
4-color process printing. A higher weight shirt (6 oz. or
higher) provides a denser, tighter surface to hold the small,
fine dots and continuous ink layer of a detailed 4-color
process image.
50/50 cotton/poly blend shirts, such as Fruit of the Loom Best
and Jerzees Heavyweight 50/50, have the advantage in pricing
and durability. They also have less shrinkage than 100% cotton,
although new processes have made shrinkage much less of a
problem for 100% cotton than it used to be. Shirts that are
going to worn and washed often will last longer when printed on
50/50 textiles. 50/50 shirts also have a lighter feel that some
people prefer.
In the final analysis, the main consideration in choosing
between 50/50 and 100% cotton, other than some technical
considerations regarding printing, will be your own personal
preference in the weight and feel of the material. For a
heavier, more luxurious feel go with 100% cotton. For a lighter
feel and a more durable shirt, choose 50/50 blend.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Mandar
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