What is a Tri-Blend Shirt? Complete Guide to Fabric, Care & Customization

Tri-blends—the third fabric category of t-shirts that are slept on. When it comes to buying t-shirts in bulk, comfort is among the first factors we look at. The comfort of a t-shirt comes from its fabric composition and construction. We have heard of the superior breathability of 100% cotton t-shirts. We know t-shirts made of cotton-polyester blends are more durable and might often have additional features like moisture management. 

So, what do tri-blend t-shirts bring to the table?

For years, cotton remained at the top among fabrics, offering breathability and that classic feel. Then, synthetic fabrics started gaining momentum, bringing durability and moisture-wicking capabilities. Tri-blend is the result when you combine the best of both and then throw another fabric into the blend.

We would say it’s a fabric phenomenon that's changing the game for print shops, fashion boutiques, and anyone serious about premium apparel. These t-shirts deliver notably distinct results when printed. But that’s not all. 

Tri-blend fabrics combine three distinct materials, each playing a vital role, akin to a balanced recipe. The combination results in a shirt that feels incredible against the skin while offering excellent durability and typically a great fit. The cotton content provides comfort and breathability. Polyester adds strength and can give the t-shirt additional properties like moisture management and quick drying. The third fabric in the blend is typically rayon, but there are also variants with spandex instead of rayon. This last ingredient can either give the t-shirt a soft, luxurious feel or enhance the garment’s flexibility. Rayon can give tri-blend t-shirts that slightly vintage, lived-in look. 

The appeal of tri-blend shirts lies in the way these materials are blended to create a fabric that’s soft, stretchy, and perfect for everyday wear or custom printing. And, with a smooth surface that works well with various printing techniques, tri-blend shirts can also add more value to your custom merchandise.

A cloud of comfort would be a good analogy for how tri-blend t-shirts feel. Tri-blends are designed to be exceptionally soft, with the rayon contributing a slinky, flowing quality. The cotton keeps it cozy, and the polyester provides resilience and stability. Despite being made of three fabrics, tri-blends are surprisingly lightweight, making them a great option for any climate.

Tri-blend t-shirts are for those who feel 100% cotton shirts can get a bit too heavy or shirts made of synthetic materials feel less natural. Tri-blends, despite being lightweight and soft, are durable and can keep wearers cool and dry longer. But there’s a catch. Don’t expect every tri-blend tee to have good moisture-wicking. The cotton component in the fabric gives the tee natural moisture absorption and is not technically moisture-wicking. Tri-blend tees can get damp if they absorb too much moisture. However, some brands do bring moisture-wicking (drawing sweat away from the skin) into tri-blends with high-grade polyester. 

Due to the different materials in their fabric, tri-blend shirts have a heathered look. This heating effect occurs as the fabric materials are blended when their fibers are interwoven. The garment gets a textured, lived-in look.

Tri-blends are quite versatile for various customization methods, though a little know-how goes a long way.

Tri-blend fabrics do have cotton in them. And cotton as a material is prone to shrinkage. So is rayon when exposed to heat. The construction of the tri-blend fabric significantly minimizes the likelihood of shrinkage, as cotton is blended with two other materials. Rayon can also shrink, but it is balanced out by the stability of polyester in the blend. Tri-blends can easily retain shape and size better than 100% cotton t-shirts. 

Still, it isn’t completely immune. To minimize shrinkage, the t-shirt has to be properly cared for as instructed in the care label. Generally, it’s best to wash tri-blend tees in cold water and air dry them to extend their life. This helps the garment retain its true fit and feel longer. We also advise our customers not to use bleach on tri-blends, as it can harm the fibers in the fabric and affect the colors to an extent.

Some of our customers ask us how tri-blend t-shirts stack up against CVC t-shirts, which is another popular fabric blend. There are some key differences between the two.

Tri-blend tees combine cotton, polyester, and rayon/spandex. It’s a blend of three materials any way you look at it. CVC shirts are typically cotton-polyester blends, but with a focus on cotton as the “chief value.” This means there is no third material, and the blend will have more cotton than polyester. These shirts are slightly heavier and more durable fabric compared to tri-blends. But not as soft and smooth as the latter. CVC tees make great basic shirts and are a bit more cost-effective than tri-blends.

While both options offer comfort and quality, tri-blends stand out for their premium feel, softness, and versatility, especially when it comes to custom printing.

If you are ready to give your customers the ultimate T-shirt experience, let us give you the finest deals on print-friendly blank t-shirts, including blank tri-blend tees, blank CVC t-shirts, heavyweight cotton t-shirts, and more.

At ShirtsBargain, we stock an expansive selection of top-quality triblend shirts from America's leading apparel brands. Discover the right t-shirts to outfit teams, design new fashion lines, or create stunning merchandise. Check out our recommendations below. 

A solid choice for the perfect easygoing look, the DM130 from District combines 50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon. The soft tee is also among the most durable tri-blends in our inventory and comes in 36 colors. It also has a DTG-ready variant. 

If you prefer ultra-soft, sustainable t-shirts, the AL2004 from Allmade should be at the top of your buy list. Instead of rayon, the third fabric in the AL2004 is modal. The fabric combines 50% recycled polyester, 25% organic ring-spun cotton, and 25% modal, the last of which contributes to its distinctive softness. Comes in 22 colors.

Remember when we told you that only a few tri-blends can wick moisture instead of absorbing it? The ST400 is that and more. Featuring the PosiCharge fabric technology for color-locking, the ST400 combines polyester, cotton, and rayon jersey with 75% polyester. Surprisingly, the t-shirt still has an amazing cotton-like feel despite having more polyester in the fabric. The raglan-style tee also comes with long sleeves. Comes in 16 colors.

For those who love v-neck t-shirts with a retail fit. The BC3415 is 50% polyester, 25% airlume combed ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon. It looks and feels premium without a big price tag. Comes in 9 colors. The t-shirt also has a classic fit, crewneck variant with five times more color options.

Among the most budget-friendly and value-packed tri-blend t-shirts we have, the NL6010 is a favorite among print shops and decorators. The t-shirt’s fabric blends 50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, and 25% rayon, like many other styles. But even with its superb quality, the NL6010 only costs almost half the price of its peers. The masterpiece from Next Level Apparel comes in 24 colors.

Tri-blend t-shirts are gaining more momentum than ever, becoming more common in the world of both fashion and print-on-demand apparel. These are garments centered on comfort, softness, and style. Investing in blank tri-blend t-shirts wholesale for your next custom project will earn you a lot of praise from customers who love wearing soft-as-cloud t-shirts. 

Explore ShirtsBargain’s collection of tri-blend tees from popular brands like Bella Canvas, New Era, American Apparel, Sport-Tek, and more at really competitive per-unit prices and even better bulk discount prices.