Fabric · How to
Cotton vs. CVC vs. poly-cotton: which blend for your t-shirt?
The fabric blend changes your tee’s feel, price, durability, and print results. Here’s a plain guide to 100% cotton, CVC, and poly-cotton for brand owners.
SR Santosh Rijal
Founder, Trishakti Apparel 2 min read
Founder, Trishakti Apparel 2 min read
After weight (GSM), the biggest fabric decision for a tee is the blend. Here’s how the three common options compare — feel, cost, durability, and how they take print.
The three main blends
- 100% cotton — softest, most breathable, most natural feel; premium positioning. Shrinks a little; costs more.
- CVC (Chief Value Cotton, ~60/40 cotton/poly) — mostly-cotton feel with better durability and less shrinkage; a popular middle ground.
- Poly-cotton (e.g. 50/50 or 65/35) — most durable and cheapest, dries fast, holds shape; slightly less breathable, more synthetic feel.
How to choose
- Premium/fashion brand → 100% cotton (often combed/ring-spun for extra softness).
- Value or workwear/uniform → poly-cotton or CVC for durability and cost.
- All-rounder → CVC balances feel, price, and longevity.
- Printing lots of DTG → cotton takes water-based/DTG print best; heavy poly suits screen/plastisol.
Not sure? We’ll send samples in a few blends so you can feel and test-print them. Ask for fabric samples.
Frequently asked
What is CVC fabric?
CVC (Chief Value Cotton) is a cotton-polyester blend in which cotton is the majority fibre — typically 55–80% cotton. It keeps most of cotton’s soft hand while the polyester adds durability, shrink resistance, and a lower price.
What is the difference between PC and CVC fabric?
The majority fibre. CVC is majority cotton (e.g. 60/40 cotton-poly); PC (poly-cotton) is majority polyester (e.g. 65/35 poly-cotton). CVC feels softer and more like cotton; PC is cheaper, dries faster, and survives industrial washing better.
Is CVC better than 100% cotton?
Neither is better — they trade off. 100% cotton wins on hand-feel, breathability, and print quality; CVC wins on price, shrink resistance, and durability through repeated washing. Retail basics often use cotton; uniforms and workwear lean CVC or PC.
Is CVC good for kids’ clothing?
Yes — CVC is a common kidswear choice because it survives frequent hot washes with less shrinkage and fading than pure cotton, while staying soft enough for children’s skin. Chemical safety depends on dyes and finishes, not the blend — ask for OEKO-TEX-class fabric.
What is the difference between CVC and tri-blend?
CVC has two fibres (majority cotton + polyester). Tri-blend adds a third — typically 50% polyester, 25% cotton, 25% rayon — giving a very soft, drapey, slightly heathered fabric popular for fashion tees. CVC is more durable and cheaper; tri-blend is softer and lighter.
SR
About the author
Santosh Rijal runs Trishakti Apparel, the export knitwear factory his family built on three decades in Nepal’s fashion trade. He writes about sourcing, duty and production from the factory floor in Gaindakot.