What Are the Common T-Shirt Fabrics?

Ever bought a T-shirt only to find it uncomfortable or easily deformed after a few wears? Choosing the wrong fabric structure can lead to disappointment in comfort, style, and durability. Understanding the differences between single jersey¹, double jersey², piqué, and spandex jersey³ can help you select the perfect T-shirt fabric.

The most common T-shirt fabrics are single jersey (thin, soft, breathable), double jersey/interlock (thicker, stable, non-curling), piqué (grainy texture, great for polo shirts), and spandex jersey (high elasticity, strong fit). The weaving method significantly influences comfort, elasticity, appearance, and garment quality.

I used to believe cotton was just cotton, but years in garment production taught me otherwise. Let’s dive into fabric structures to help you make smarter T-shirt choices.

Why Does Fabric "Tissue Structure" Determine the Feel, Elasticity, and Style of a T-Shirt?

Fabric "tissue structure," or weaving pattern, dictates more than just appearance. It controls fabric thickness, elasticity, softness, and overall feel, dramatically influencing T-shirt quality. Choosing the right weave ensures comfort and style align perfectly with your intended use.

The weave pattern directly determines the texture, elasticity, and drape. Different weaving methods alter fabric density, influencing breathability, softness, stiffness, and stretchability—key factors defining the T-shirt’s overall look, feel, and comfort.

The Same Cotton Has a Huge Difference in Feel Due to Different Weaving Methods?

Absolutely. Using identical cotton fibers but varying weaving methods yields dramatically different outcomes. Single jersey feels lighter and softer, while double jersey is thicker and stiffer. The difference comes entirely from how the threads interlace, changing fabric density, elasticity, and texture significantly.

How Does Tissue Structure Affect the Drape, Stiffness, Breathability, and Fit of the T-Shirt?

Weaving methods alter drape and stiffness by controlling how tightly yarns interlock. Single jersey drapes fluidly due to its loose structure, offering softness and breathability but less stability. Double jersey and interlock, being denser, maintain shape and stiffness better, providing structured fits ideal for formal styles. Fabric weave directly affects how comfortably a T-shirt fits your body.

Single Jersey｜The Most Common T-Shirt Fabric, Thin, Soft, and Breathable?

Single jersey fabric dominates basic T-shirts due to its lightweight, soft touch, and excellent breathability. It’s comfortable for casual wear and perfect for summer clothing. However, its thinness makes it less suitable for structured designs.

Single jersey fabric offers lightweight comfort, softness, and superior breathability. Ideal for casual, printed, and base-layer T-shirts, it’s comfortable against the skin and allows airflow, making it excellent for everyday wear and summer garments.

Suitable for Basic T-Shirts, Printed T-Shirts, and Base Shirts, What Are the Advantages?

Single jersey fabric excels in softness and breathability. Its smooth surface is ideal for printing, absorbing ink evenly. The light texture makes it extremely comfortable, and the affordability makes it the go-to fabric for casual basics and promotional apparel.

What Are the Disadvantages? Is It Easy to Curl or Pill? Is It Suitable for Loose or Slim Fit?

However, single jersey fabric tends to curl at edges and may pill with frequent washing, especially if lower quality cotton is used. Due to its inherent softness and thinness, it’s more suited for loose or regular fits rather than slim, structured designs that require stability.

Double Jersey / Interlock｜More Stiff, No Curling, Suitable for Simple and Advanced Styles?

Double jersey, also known as interlock, provides increased thickness and stability compared to single jersey. It’s ideal for premium T-shirts with structured designs, clean edges, and advanced styles that need a sense of luxury and durability.

Double jersey or interlock fabric is thicker, stable, and curl-resistant. Ideal for high-quality T-shirts requiring a structured look, it’s perfect for tailored, unisex, long-sleeve, or high-end basic shirts offering more elegance and durability compared to single jersey.

Compared with Single-Sided Fabric, Double-Sided Fabric is Thicker and More Stable? Is It Suitable for T-Shirts with a Stronger Sense of Customization?

Double jersey’s dense weave makes it significantly thicker, ensuring shape retention and resistance to curling. It’s the perfect fabric for custom T-shirts requiring clear-cut lines, enhanced embroidery or intricate details, and provides a premium, stable canvas for higher customization standards.

What Are the Advantages of Making Unisex, Long-Sleeved or High-End Basic T-Shirts?

Double jersey offers a structured fit suitable for unisex and high-end basics. Its thickness prevents unwanted transparency, provides excellent shape retention after washing, and ensures superior durability. Ideal for long-sleeved styles, it maintains its elegance and quality longer than thinner fabrics.

Piqué | A Grainy Texture, Commonly Used for Polo Shirts and Business Casual Styles?

Piqué fabric, known for its unique textured weave, strikes a balance between casual comfort and formal elegance. Widely chosen for polo shirts, it offers breathability, sweat absorption, and a sophisticated appearance suited to business casual and summer styles.

Piqué fabric features a grainy, textured surface providing breathability and moisture absorption. Its balanced stiffness and softness offer structure without sacrificing comfort, making it ideal for stylish yet practical business casual attire like polo shirts.

What Are the Visual and Structural Characteristics of Piqué? Why Does It Feel "Straight and Soft"?

Piqué fabric features a honeycomb-like texture with raised patterns, offering visual depth. Its weave structure enhances breathability and stiffness, feeling soft yet structured. The unique texture provides "straightness," maintaining shape better than jersey fabrics, while still feeling soft against the skin.

Sweat-Absorbent and Breathable + Textured, It Is the First Choice for POLO and Business T-Shirts in Summer?

Absolutely. The textured weave boosts airflow and absorbs moisture effectively, ideal for hot weather. Its formal yet relaxed look makes piqué the standard choice for summer polo shirts and smart-casual T-shirts, providing comfort and professionalism.

Spandex Jersey | Knitted Fabric With Elastic Yarn, Strong Fit and Not Easy to Deform?

Spandex jersey incorporates elastic fibers, enhancing flexibility and shape retention. It’s commonly chosen for fitted T-shirts and activewear, providing body-contouring comfort and allowing freedom of movement without losing its original shape.

Spandex jersey fabric contains elastic yarn, typically blended at 5%-8%, significantly enhancing stretch, fit, and shape recovery. Ideal for fitted, athletic, or base-layer T-shirts, it maintains elasticity, supporting comfortable and durable wear during vigorous activity.

What is "Spandex"? How Is It Different from Ordinary Jersey? What Is the Common Ratio?

Spandex is a highly elastic synthetic fiber often blended into fabrics like jersey to add stretchability. Unlike ordinary jersey, it enhances elasticity significantly. Common blends are 92% cotton and 8% spandex, offering comfort without sacrificing breathability.

Suitable for Slim-Fit T-Shirts and Sports Base Shirts? Will Too High Elasticity Make It Too Close to the Skin?

Spandex jersey is perfect for slim-fit T-shirts, providing a close, supportive fit ideal for sports or fashion styles. However, excessive elasticity can make fabric cling excessively, compromising comfort. Choosing the appropriate spandex ratio ensures ideal comfort and fit.

A Comparison of Different T-Shirt Fabric Structures: Style, Purpose, Elasticity, Drape, and Cost Comprehensive Evaluation?

A careful evaluation of fabric structures can clarify their suitability for various styles and purposes. Understanding their differences in elasticity, drape, durability, and cost is essential to making informed decisions.

Which Fabrics Are Suitable for Printing? Which Are Suitable for Jacquard or Sequin Embroidery?

Technique	Suitable Fabric
Printing	Single Jersey, Spandex Jersey
Jacquard	Double Jersey, Interlock
Sequin Embroidery	Double Jersey, Interlock, Piqué

When Developing a Product Line, How Do You Recommend Fabric Weaves by Category/Style/Population?

Style	Fabric Recommendation
Basic Casual	Single Jersey
Business Casual	Piqué
Premium Basics	Double Jersey
Athletic/Active	Spandex Jersey

Conclusion

Choosing the right fabric weave—single jersey, double jersey, piqué, or spandex jersey—defines your T-shirt’s comfort, style, and function. Understanding fabric structures enables informed decisions, creating garments that perfectly meet your customers’ expectations in comfort, aesthetics, and practicality.

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