What Are the Best Fabrics to Use for Screen Printing?

Vicuna, of course! Just kidding…

There are many different fabric options out there for screen printing, so how do you know which is best to use? 

When it comes to clothing, there are no major compatibility issues with other fabrics. However, cotton is the best natural fabric especially when it comes with Custom Screen Printing. Cotton is an ideal material for someone with sensitive skin. It has great drape and absorbs moisture easily. It allows the ink to stick well to it. Also, cotton fabric is a heavy weight, soft and durable fabric.

For these and many other reasons, cotton is the most widely used fabric in screen printing projects. With other fabrics, you will often see the image bleed a little bit, which may be something you want in terms of design style. Most people want a sharper image though and do not want that to happen (something no client has ever asked for in the history of Dad’s Printing). As a general rule, bleeding is bad unless you’re ordering a rare grilled steak.

Remember that cotton shirts can shrink if dried in a machine. Shirt sizing is a good way to ensure your shirt fits once it dries. 

If you or one of your clients has ever asked for their design to bleed on a custom screen print shirt, click here to let us know! Attaching an image would be awesome!