When you're ordering custom t-shirts, one of the first decisions is fabric. 100% cotton and 50/50 blends are the two most common options — and they're not the same shirt. Here's what actually differs between them and how to pick the right one for your order.
What is a 50/50 blend?
A 50/50 blend is 50% cotton and 50% polyester. The most common example is the Gildan DryBlend — a workhorse shirt used for everything from work crews to event shirts to school fundraisers. The polyester adds moisture-wicking properties and helps the shirt hold its shape over time.
Key differences at a glance
- Feel: 100% cotton is softer, especially ring-spun cotton. 50/50 feels slightly more synthetic but has improved a lot in recent years.
- Moisture-wicking: 50/50 wicks moisture better. Better for active use, outdoor events, and work in the heat.
- Shrinkage: 100% cotton shrinks more. Pre-shrunk cotton minimizes this, but a 50/50 is more dimensionally stable.
- Print performance: Both print well. 100% cotton has a slightly softer hand feel after printing. 50/50 can have a minor "dye migration" issue with light-colored designs on dark shirts — ask your printer if this applies to your order.
- Weight: Available in similar weights. A 5.5 oz 50/50 and a 5.3 oz 100% cotton feel comparable in hand.
- Price: Usually comparable. The 50/50 may be slightly less expensive per piece at the same weight.
When to choose 100% cotton
- You want the softest possible hand feel
- The shirt is primarily for casual wear or gifts
- You're printing a retail-quality item where softness matters to the end user
- Your artwork includes fine details that benefit from a smooth print surface
For the softest option, look at ring-spun cotton like the Gildan Softstyle — read about it in our guide on preparing artwork where we discuss how fabric affects print results.
When to choose a 50/50 blend
- Work crews, outdoor events, or active use where moisture-wicking matters
- Event shirts where durability and shape retention are priorities
- School spirit wear where shirts will be worn frequently and washed often
- Budget-conscious orders where you want a quality shirt at a lower cost per piece
What about heavier cotton?
If you want substantial feel and opacity — especially for screen printing — a heavier 100% cotton like a 6 oz Ultra Cotton is worth considering. Heavier shirts don't shrink as much proportionally and have a premium feel. They cost slightly more but the quality is noticeable. See our comparison in screen print vs embroidery for work uniforms for how fabric weight affects decoration choices.
💡 If you're ordering for a mixed group — office staff and field crew together — a 50/50 blend is the safe middle ground. It's comfortable enough for the office and practical enough for the job site.
What about 100% polyester performance shirts?
For sports teams and athletic events, a 100% polyester moisture-wicking shirt is a third option. These are purpose-built for performance and print well with DTF. Read our guide on DTF vs screen print to understand which decoration method works best on performance fabric.
Not sure which fabric is right for your order? Call 855-TSHIRT-5 and a shirt specialist will help you choose.