Super soft. Vintage look and feel. Worn-in and well-loved. Triblend fabrics are a popular choice for t-shirts that look and feel great. Their soft, lived-in look makes triblend the go-to fabric for many apparel brands, especially since they’re a wonderful canvas for retro-looking prints. Learn everything you need to know about this lightweight, comfortable fabric.

A triblend tee is one of the most comfortable types of t-shirts. That’s why it’s a great option for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create their own apparel line. A triblend t-shirt is just one of the many types of t-shirts you can find at an online retailer like Threadsy.

Triblends are a soft, long-lasting fabric generally made from 50% polyester, 25% cotton, and 25% rayon. Different apparel brands will vary the fabric types and percentages. Tees made from triblends are considered a premium product so they’ll cost more than basic carded open-end cotton t-shirts. These t-shirts have a much longer life than cheaper t-shirts, and hold their shape through many wears and washes.

If you’re starting your own t-shirt business, it makes sense to choose quality tees to start. When customers or influencers try on your decorated triblend t-shirt or tank top, they’ll instantly love the soft vintage look and feel of the tees. This helps you build a loyal customer base faster than if you used lower-quality t-shirts that don’t look and feel as great. Let’s dive in so you can learn everything you need to know about triblend t-shirts and what makes them unique.

Triblend fabric is typically a specific mix of 50% polyester, 25% cotton, and 25% rayon. This results in a blend that’s softer and stretchier than using cotton alone. That’s why people often call triblend tees the favorite t-shirts they own.

Let’s break down the three fabrics in a triblend fabrication:

• Polyester: This synthetic fabric gives triblend its durability and long-lasting qualities. Polyester is also moisture-wicking, keeping you cool and dry. Since a triblend is made of 50% polyester, the fabric can be both lightweight and durable.
• Cotton: The cotton in a triblend adds to the fabric’s comfort and durability. Softer, higher-quality ring-spun cotton lends a higher-end feel to the shirt. Plus, it provides for a smooth print surface, resulting in a more consistent design.
• Rayon: Here’s where the real magic happens in a triblend t-shirt. Rayon first came on the scene as a silk substitute, which is why it has a sumptuously soft, light feel from its cellulose fibers base. Rayon is moisture-absorbent, so it’s often included in athletic wear. If you made a t-shirt from rayon alone, it would be too light and thin. However, when you pair it with polyester and cotton, you get the nearly perfect triblend fabrication. Adding rayon into the triblend mix gives this tee a flattering drape so it looks like the shirt was made just for your body.

People often ask the difference between a triblend and a cotton t-shirt. You now know that a triblend incorporates 25% cotton into its fabrication, so how different is it from a 100% cotton t-shirt? Both have their advantages. Don’t forget—triblends come with all the pros of cotton!

A triblend t-shirt, made from polyester, cotton, and rayon, is soft and comfortable, with a vintage look and feel. Due to its fabric blend, a triblend is durable, lightweight, moisture wicking, wrinkle resistant and quick drying. The rayon lends a wonderful draping effect to the t-shirt. When you print on a triblend shirt, you’ll get a naturally heathered retro graphic.

A 100% cotton t-shirt is soft, durable, moisture absorbent, and comfortable. A triblend t-shirt shares all of those qualities. However, a 100% cotton t-shirt isn’t as soft and stretchy as a triblend t-shirt. If you’re looking for a heavier-weight t-shirt feel, a cotton t-shirt will win out over a triblend. When you print on a cotton t-shirt, you get more vivid artwork.

Here’s an at-a-glance view of the pros and cons of triblend and cotton t-shirts:

We’ve all had the experience of 100% cotton t-shirts shrinking in a hot water wash or hot dryer. It’s not the most pleasant experience, especially if you’ve just washed (and shrunk) a tee from the latest concert you attended. The good news is that triblend t-shirts typically don’t shrink as much as a 100% cotton tee. While you might experience a tiny bit of shrinkage, it won’t affect the fit much, especially when compared to a 100% cotton t-shirt.

Here are a few t-shirts we love for amazing comfort and wonderful screen-printed designs: