Shirts
Terms You’ll Find on the Site Regarding T-Shirts, Sweaters, Polos, and More!
20/1, 20s, 20s Single: You’ll see a few ways of saying this, but what really matters is the number. The higher the number, the finer the thread. A higher thread count = softer cotton. T-shirts made with 30s or 40s are softer, usually cost a bit more, and drape better than those made with 20s.
Combed Cotton: This process removes shorter fibers and aligns the longer ones to create a smoother, softer yarn. The result? A softer, smoother shirt!
Double-Needle Stitching: This is a parallel row of stitching typically found on sleeves and bottom hems. It adds durability and gives the shirt a more polished look.
European Cut: A bit more fitted than your average t-shirt, with a narrower chest (about an inch smaller). This style is more fashion-forward and usually fits slimmer. Check out the Gildan 64000 for an example!
Missy Fit: Designed with a more mature customer in mind, this fit flatters your shape. It’s slightly tapered at the waist with a gentle flare at the hips. It’s a bit looser and more forgiving. Curvy girls, rejoice! (The Gildan 5000L is a great example.)
Junior Fit: Usually designed for younger customers, but not limited to them! This fit is closer to the body and more form-fitting. Most Bella t-shirts and tanks have Junior fits.
Crew Neck: A round, close-fitting neckline. It’s the most common type of neckline you’ll find on t-shirts and sweatshirts. (Pretty sure you already know this one!)
Jersey Knit: Most t-shirts are made from jersey knit material—100% cotton or a poly-cotton blend. It’s soft, flexible, lightweight, and comfortable. Fine Cotton Jersey refers to jersey knit made with 30s and 40s threads, making it even softer.
Pique Knit: A textured, woven fabric often found in polos. Pique knit has raised parallel cords or ribs and comes in different patterns, like waffle or honeycomb. It has a rougher feel compared to jersey knit.
Rib Knit: That thicker, stretchier fabric found on collars, cuffs, and waistbands? That’s rib knit. The two common types are 1x1 (baby rib, with ribs and spaces the same size) and 2x1 (with wider ribs and a more textured look). Rib knit is great for tank tops but can cause designs to crack and stretch, so choose carefully if you're printing on it!
Tri-Blend: A high-quality fabric made from polyester, cotton, and rayon. Polyester gives shape and elasticity, cotton adds comfort and durability, and rayon brings a soft texture and superior drape. Bella + Canvas offers some incredibly soft and stylish tri-blends!
Poly Viscose: Found in some Bella shirts, this fabric combines polyester and rayon to create a soft, drapey fabric with a great feel.
Interlock: A smooth, high-quality knit commonly used in Oakley polos. It has a soft, natural stretch and is identical on both sides of the fabric.
Pre-shrunk: This refers to fabric that has been washed and dried before it’s sewn into a garment. However, with 100% cotton, you can still expect a little shrinkage (about 4-5%). Pro tip: If you’re not sure how to wash it, ask Mom—she always knows!
Ring-Spun: This yarn is made by twisting and thinning a rope of cotton fibers, making it stronger and softer. Basically, ring-spun = super soft fabric!
Tape: No, not actual tape! Shoulder and neck tape refers to a small strip of fabric sewn over the seams for a cleaner, more polished look.
Side Seam: It’s exactly what it sounds like—the seam running down either side of the shirt from the armpit to the bottom hem. Shirts with side seams tend to cost more to produce!
Quarter-Turned: Found in most Gildan products, this means the fabric tube shaping the shirt is turned one-quarter of the way around before being cut. This helps eliminate a crease down the front and helps the shirt drape better.
Mitered: This describes the sharp, 45-degree angles at the corners of v-neck seams. Think of it like the corner of a picture frame.
Tubular: Shirts made without side seams. This construction is perfect for wrap-around screen printing or sublimation. Or, if you’re a Stranger Things fan, it’s a great fit for that, too!
Seamless Collar: A collar that’s knit in a circle with no seams at the joining point.
Heather: A fabric made from different colored yarns or fibers woven together to create a speckled, muted look. For example, purple yarn mixed with white or grey creates a soft purple with flecks of lighter colors. Heather fabrics are popular, and tri-blends often resemble heather fabrics too.