Free Shipping*/Pick Up
Get Extra 10% OFF Coupon Code: Cart10! COPIED
(877) 807-4909
We're offlineonline now
Our work schedule
Mon - Fri / 8am - 6pm
Saturday / 8am - 3pm
(You can call anytime during work time)
Average response time: 5-7 mins
Home > Catalogue
By Aisha - 6 min read
A simple guide to the best fabrics for screen printing, with pros and cons for each type and tips to choose the right one.
Custom screen printing is a way of adding designs to fabric by pressing ink through a mesh screen. A stencil blocks off parts of the screen, letting the ink pass through only where the design is meant to appear. If the design has multiple colors, each color is added one at a time using a separate screen. This step-by-step process helps create bold and long-lasting prints.
This printing method is popular because it creates bold, vibrant designs that last a long time, even after many washes.
But here’s the important part: the type of fabric you choose matters a lot. Some fabrics hold the ink well and give a clean, bright print. Others might not absorb the ink properly, leading to dull or messy designs. The fabric's texture, thickness, and stretchiness all affect how good the final print looks.
That's why it's important to understand which fabrics are best for screen printing—so you can get the best results every time.
The fabric you choose plays a big role in how good your final print will look. Every fabric is different in terms of texture, stretch, and how it absorbs ink. These differences can affect how well the design turns out.
Texture: Smooth fabrics like cotton allow the ink to sit evenly on the surface, resulting in sharp and clear prints. But rough or textured fabrics, like wool, can make the design look uneven or blurry because the ink doesn’t spread smoothly.
Tip: For fine or detailed designs, smooth fabrics like cotton are best. For bold, simple prints, rougher fabrics like wool can still work well.
Stretch: Some fabrics, like spandex or rayon, are very stretchy. If the fabric stretches too much after printing, the design might crack or distort. It’s important to choose inks and printing methods that work well with stretchy materials.
Tip: For stretchy fabrics like spandex, use flexible inks or choose designs that won’t be stretched too much when worn.
Ink Absorption: Fabrics like cotton absorb ink easily, which helps the colors look bright and bold. But synthetic fabrics, like polyester, don’t absorb ink as well. If the wrong ink or method is used, the print can look dull or fade quickly.
Tip: Natural fabrics like cotton absorb ink easily. Synthetic fabrics like polyester may need special inks for better results.
Fabric Strength: Some fabrics hold up better to washing and wear. Durable fabrics keep prints looking fresh longer, while delicate fabrics might fade or stretch over time.
Tip: If the item will be washed often (like t-shirts or sportswear), choose strong fabrics like polyester or cotton-poly blends.
Choosing the right fabric means fewer mistakes and better-looking prints. It’s all about knowing how the fabric behaves and picking the right approach for each material.
Every fabric reacts differently to screen printing. Some absorb ink well, while others need special care. Here's a quick look at the pros and cons of common fabrics to help you pick the best one for your project.
Cotton is one of the most common fabrics used for screen printing. It’s known for being soft, comfortable, and easy to work with. Many people choose cotton for products like custom t-shirts, custom hoodies, and custom tote bags because it prints well and feels good to wear. However, like any fabric, cotton has its pros and cons when it comes to screen printing.
Good Ink Absorption: Cotton holds ink well, which helps the printed design look clear and sharp. The colors appear strong and last through multiple washes.
Soft and Comfortable: Cotton is soft, breathable, and feels good against the skin, making it ideal for everyday clothing.
Easy to Work With: The smooth surface of cotton makes it simple to apply ink. This means fewer printing errors and a more consistent result.
Can Shrink After Washing: Cotton may shrink if it isn’t pre-shrunk or properly treated, which can cause the design to look smaller or misshaped after washing.
Wrinkles Easily: Cotton is prone to wrinkling, which can affect how the printed design looks over time.
Less Durable Than Some Synthetics: Over time, cotton fabric can wear down, become thin, or fade, especially if washed and worn frequently.
To avoid shrinking, use pre-shrunk cotton and test the fabric before printing. Washing the fabric before printing can also help reduce shrinkage.
Cotton is a great option if you're looking for a natural, comfortable fabric that's easy to print on. With proper care and the right printing process, cotton prints can last a long time and maintain their quality.
Silk is a natural fabric known for its smooth texture and shiny appearance. It's often used for high-end clothing and accessories because of its elegant and soft feel. When it comes to screen printing, silk can produce detailed and beautiful designs, but it also requires extra care during the printing process.
Smooth Surface for Detailed Designs: Silk’s smooth texture allows for fine, sharp, and detailed prints. It’s an excellent choice for designs that require precision.
Shiny, Luxurious Finish: Silk naturally has a glossy finish that adds a premium look to printed designs, making it ideal for high-end products.
Lightweight and Soft: Silk is light, breathable, and soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear, especially in warmer weather.
Expensive: Silk is one of the more expensive fabrics, which can increase production costs.
Low Ink Absorption: Silk doesn’t absorb ink as well as other fabrics like cotton, which can make the print look lighter or less vibrant. Special inks and techniques are often needed.
Needs Gentle Handling: Silk is delicate and can easily be damaged by rough handling, high heat, or harsh chemicals during the printing process.
Use water-based inks for a softer feel and better absorption. Avoid using too much heat during curing, and always handle the fabric gently to avoid damage. Testing the fabric before a full print run can help prevent mistakes.
Silk can produce beautiful and elegant prints, but it requires patience, the right materials, and careful handling to get the best results.
Wool is a natural fabric known for its warmth and durability. It’s often used for winter clothing, blankets, and accessories. While wool can absorb ink well, its rough texture and tendency to shrink make screen printing on wool more challenging compared to smoother fabrics like cotton or silk.
Warm and Thick: Wool is an excellent fabric for winter clothing because it holds heat well and feels cozy.
Absorbs Ink Well: Despite its texture, wool can absorb ink effectively, helping prints stay in place.
Strong and Durable: Wool is tough and lasts a long time if properly cared for, making it suitable for long-lasting products.
Can Shrink if Washed Incorrectly: Wool is sensitive to heat and moisture, and it can shrink if washed or dried at high temperatures.
Rough Surface Makes Printing Harder: Wool’s uneven texture can make it difficult to achieve sharp, detailed designs, and the ink may not settle evenly.
Can Feel Heavy for Clothing: Because wool is thick, it can feel heavier compared to lighter fabrics like cotton or silk, which may not be ideal for all clothing types.
Use thicker inks to help the design stick to the rough texture of wool. Avoid using high heat during curing, and always pre-test a small section of the fabric. Pre-washing wool can also help reduce shrinkage.
Printing on wool is possible, but it requires careful handling and the right techniques. With patience and proper preparation, wool can produce strong, long-lasting prints suitable for warm and durable products.
Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for its strength, durability, and resistance to shrinking and wrinkles. It’s a popular choice for sportswear, uniforms, and outdoor clothing because it holds up well against wear and tear. However, screen printing on polyester can be challenging due to issues like dye migration and heat sensitivity.
Strong and Long-Lasting: Polyester is tough and resistant to stretching, shrinking, and tearing. Prints on polyester can last a long time if done correctly.
Doesn’t Shrink or Wrinkle Easily: Unlike natural fabrics like cotton, polyester keeps its shape and stays smooth, even after multiple washes.
Great for Sportswear: Polyester is lightweight and moisture-wicking, making it perfect for sports clothing and activewear.
Ink Can Bleed (Dye Migration): Polyester dyes can bleed into the ink during the curing process, causing the colors to change or look uneven.
Needs Special Inks and Printing Techniques: Standard inks don’t always work well with polyester. Specialized inks like polyester-specific or low-bleed inks are often needed for better results.
Can Be Heat-Sensitive: Polyester can melt or get damaged under high heat, so the curing process must be carefully controlled.
Use low-temperature curing techniques and specialized inks to prevent dye migration. Always test a small section of the fabric before starting the full print to make sure the ink holds and the colors stay true.
While polyester requires extra care during printing, the results can be long-lasting and vibrant when done correctly. It's an excellent choice for durable and functional products, especially for activewear and outdoor gear.
Nylon is a strong, lightweight synthetic fabric often used for outdoor gear, bags, and jackets. It's known for being tough and resistant to water and wear, which makes it perfect for products that need to withstand rough conditions. However, nylon can be difficult to print on because of its smooth surface and sensitivity to heat.
Lightweight and Tough: Nylon is strong but light, making it ideal for items like jackets, backpacks, and sports accessories.
Resists Water and Wear: Nylon naturally repels water and is highly durable, which makes it perfect for outdoor and all-weather products.
Great for Bags and Jackets: Its strength and smooth surface make it a popular choice for printing promotional items like tote bags and outerwear.
Ink Can Crack if Not Cured Properly: Nylon is sensitive to heat, and if it's not cured at the right temperature, the ink can crack or peel over time.
Needs the Right Kind of Ink: Regular inks may not stick well to nylon. Special nylon-friendly inks, like low-cure or multi-purpose inks, are needed for better results.
Can Be Hard to Handle While Printing: Nylon's slippery surface can cause the fabric to shift during printing, which may lead to smudged or uneven designs.
Use low-temperature curing methods to avoid damaging the fabric. Nylon-specific inks work best, as they are designed to stick to smooth, synthetic surfaces. Also, consider pre-treating the fabric to help the ink bond better.
Printing on nylon can be challenging, but with the right techniques and materials, it’s possible to achieve clean, durable prints that stand up to everyday use.
Cotton-polyester blends combine the best qualities of both fabrics. You get the softness and comfort of cotton, along with the strength and durability of polyester. These blends are common in everyday clothing like t-shirts, hoodies, and uniforms. While they are easier to work with than pure synthetics, they still require some care during the screen printing process.
Mixes the Softness of Cotton and Strength of Polyester: The fabric feels soft and comfortable but is also durable, making it suitable for long-term use.
Doesn’t Shrink as Much as Pure Cotton: Polyester in the blend helps reduce shrinking after washing, keeping the printed design intact.
Easy to Print with Bright Colors: With the right technique, cotton-poly blends can hold ink well, making it easier to achieve colorful and long-lasting prints.
Ink May Absorb Unevenly: Since the fabric is a mix, ink can absorb differently across the surface, leading to slight variations in color or print consistency.
Needs Careful Printing for Clean Results: Special low-bleed inks and proper curing techniques are necessary to avoid issues like dye migration or faded prints.
Colors Might Not Look as Bright as on Pure Cotton: Polyester can reduce the vibrancy of the ink, so prints may appear slightly duller compared to 100% cotton.
Use low-bleed inks to prevent color distortion, and test your curing temperature to avoid damaging the fabric. Testing a sample print first can help ensure the colors come out as expected.
Cotton-poly blends offer a balance of comfort, durability, and printability. With the right approach, they can provide consistent and lasting print results, making them a versatile choice for screen printing projects.
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric known for its soft texture, smooth feel, and lightweight nature. It’s often used for stylish, comfortable clothing like dresses, blouses, and scarves. While rayon can give a nice, clean print, it is delicate and requires careful handling during the printing process.
Very Soft and Smooth: Rayon feels silky and smooth against the skin, making it ideal for high-end or fashionable clothing.
Feels Light and Breathable: The fabric is lightweight and comfortable, perfect for warm-weather clothing.
Perfect for Stylish and Comfy Clothes: Rayon drapes well and gives a soft, flowy look, which makes it popular for stylish garments.
Shrinks Easily: Rayon is prone to shrinking if exposed to high heat during washing or curing.
Can Tear or Stretch if Not Handled Gently: The fabric is delicate and can stretch or tear easily during printing if not handled carefully.
Sensitive to Heat: High heat during curing can damage the fabric or distort the printed design.
Use water-based inks and low-heat curing techniques to avoid damaging the fabric. Always pre-wash the fabric to reduce shrinkage, and test a small section before starting a full print run.
Printing on rayon can be tricky, but with gentle handling and the right approach, it’s possible to achieve soft, stylish prints that look and feel great.
Screen printing can produce excellent results, but small mistakes can lead to poor-quality prints or wasted materials. Knowing the common errors and how to avoid them will save time, money, and effort. Here are the most frequent mistakes people make when printing on fabric and how to fix them.
Why it’s a Problem: Different fabrics need different types of ink. For example, water-based inks work well on cotton, but they may not stick properly to synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon.
How to Avoid: Always check the fabric type and choose the ink that’s designed for it. For synthetics, consider using plastisol or low-bleed inks to prevent issues like dye migration.
Why it’s a Problem: Every fabric reacts differently to ink, heat, and pressure. Skipping a test print can lead to unwanted surprises like faded designs, cracks, or poor adhesion.
How to Avoid: Always test on a small piece of fabric first. This helps you check ink absorption, curing temperature, and overall print quality before starting the full run.
Why it’s a Problem: If the ink is not cured at the right temperature, the print can crack, peel, or wash off. On the other hand, too much heat can shrink or damage delicate fabrics like rayon or nylon.
How to Avoid: Follow the ink manufacturer’s curing instructions. For heat-sensitive fabrics, use low-temperature curing techniques.
Why it’s a Problem: Some fabrics, especially synthetic ones, have coatings or residues that prevent ink from sticking properly.
How to Avoid: Pre-wash the fabric or use fabric pre-treatment solutions to remove any residue and improve ink adhesion.
Why it’s a Problem: Wrinkles can cause uneven ink distribution, resulting in gaps or smudges in the design.
How to Avoid: Iron the fabric or lay it flat before printing to ensure a smooth surface.
Why it’s a Problem: The mesh size of the screen affects how much ink is applied. Using the wrong mesh can lead to prints that are too thick or too faint.
How to Avoid: Use a fine mesh for detailed designs and a lower mesh count for bold, simple prints.
Why it’s a Problem: If mistakes like missed spots or uneven curing are not noticed early, the print may fail later after washing or wearing.
How to Avoid: Always check each print for quality before moving on. Look for cracks, uneven colors, or missed areas.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll ensure cleaner, stronger, and longer-lasting prints, no matter which fabric you’re working with.
Screen printing can be tricky—choosing the right fabric, selecting the perfect ink, pre-treating materials, and ensuring proper curing. One small mistake can ruin the entire print. But with Yes We Print, you don’t have to worry about any of that.
We handle every step of the process with precision and care. From fabric testing to using the right inks and curing techniques, we ensure your prints come out clean, sharp, and long-lasting. Whether it’s cotton, polyester, blends, or delicate fabrics like silk and rayon, we know exactly how to get it right.
Don’t stress about the details. Let the experts at Yes We Print deliver high-quality, professional prints—every single time.
Follow us
Join us
Get blog articles and offers via email
