Which cotton blend is best for fashion manufacturing?

Subtitle: A Factory-Level Analysis of CVC, TC, and Spandex Blends for Brands Scaling Production.

Introduction: The “100% Cotton” Trap

For many emerging fashion brands, “100% Cotton” is often the default request on tech packs. It implies purity and luxury. However, experienced product developers and supply chain managers know the truth: pure cotton is not always the best solution for modern ready-to-wear collections.

From a manufacturing perspective, relying solely on pure cotton introduces risks regarding dimensional stability (shrinkage), color fastness, and cost efficiency.

As a B2B knitwear manufacturer, we see a clear trend in 2024/2025: The most successful streetwear and athleisure brands are shifting toward sophisticated Cotton Blends. This guide dissects the three most commercially viable blends to help you make the right choice for your next production run.

1. The Streetwear King: CVC (Chief Value Cotton)

Typical Ratio: 60% Cotton / 40% Polyester OR 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester

If your brand focuses on Heavyweight Hoodies, Oversized T-shirts, or Joggers, CVC is the current industry standard. As the name suggests, Cotton is the majority ingredient, retaining the premium “hand feel” customers love.

The B2B Advantage:

Structure & “Stand”: Pure cotton hoodies often drape too heavily and look “limp” after a few washes. The polyester core in CVC provides the structural integrity needed for hood rigidity (a key selling point for streetwear).
Shrinkage Control: While 100% cotton can shrink 5-8% without expensive pre-shrinking treatments, CVC stabilizes the fabric, keeping shrinkage often below 3%.
Printing: Because the surface is majority cotton, it is still compatible with DTG (Direct to Garment) and high-quality Screen Printing, unlike high-poly blends.

Best For: Premium Streetwear, Heavyweight Collections (300gsm+).

2. The Budget & Durability Workhorse: TC (Tetron Cotton)

Typical Ratio: 65% Polyester / 35% Cotton

TC fabric flips the ratio—Polyester is the dominant fiber. In the high-fashion world, this is often misunderstood as “cheap,” but in the Uniform and Corporate Wear sectors, it is unbeatable.

The B2B Advantage:

Wrinkle Resistance: TC fabric is virtually non-iron. For brands selling travel wear or uniforms, this is a marketable feature.
Color Fastness: Polyester holds dye much better than cotton. If your collection features neon colors or deep blacks that must not fade after 50 washes, TC is the superior technical choice.
Cost Efficiency: TC is significantly cheaper to manufacture than CVC or 100% Cotton, allowing for higher profit margins on volume items.

Best For: Corporate Uniforms, Promo Merchandise, Fast Fashion Basics.

3. The Fit Specialist: Cotton + Spandex (Elastane)

Typical Ratio: 95% Cotton / 5% Spandex

In the data we see from Google Trends and sourcing requests, “Stretch Cotton” is the fastest-growing requirement for Women’s wear and Fitted Men’s wear.

The B2B Advantage:

Recovery: The “pain point” of 100% cotton ribs or fitted tees is that they “bag out” (lose shape) at the elbows and knees. The 5% Spandex ensures the garment snaps back to its original shape.
Perceived Value: The addition of elastane gives the fabric a denser, smoother, and “cool-to-touch” feel that consumers associate with high-end boutiques.

Best For: Ribbed tops, Leggings, Fitted T-shirts, Underwear.

Comparison Table: Quick Sourcing Reference

Feature	100% Cotton	CVC (Chief Value Cotton)	TC (Tetron Cotton)	Cotton/Spandex
Primary Benefit	Softness / Natural	Structure / Premium Feel	Durability / Cost	Stretch / Recovery
Pilling Risk	Low	Low-Medium	Medium-High	Low
Shrinkage	High (unless treated)	Low	Very Low	Low
Price Point	High	Mid-High	Low	High
Best Application	Luxury Basics	Streetwear / Hoodies	Workwear / Uniforms	Activewear / Fitted

Factory Insider: How to Solve the “Pilling” Problem in Blends

The #1 fear sourcing managers have with blends is Pilling (the formation of small fuzzballs). This is a valid concern, as polyester fibers are strong and hold onto fuzz.

However, a professional OEM factory solves this during the Finishing Stage. When you order blends, ensure your tech pack requests the following:

Compact Spinning: A spinning technique that reduces hairiness on the yarn surface.
Enzyme Wash (Bio-Polishing): An industrial wash that “eats” the loose fibers from the surface before the garment is even sewn.
Singeing: Burning off protruding fibers to ensure a smooth face.

Pro Tip: Never reject a blend solely because of pilling fears. Ask your manufacturer if they perform “Enzyme Washing.” If they say yes, you get the durability of poly with the smoothness of cotton.

Conclusion: Matching Fabric to Business Model

There is no single “best” fabric. The best fabric is the one that aligns with your Price Point and Customer Expectation.

Building a Luxury Streetwear Brand? Go with Heavyweight CVC.
Creating Office Basics or Uniforms? Choose TC.
Designing Women’s Essentials? You need Cotton/Spandex.

Are you unsure which GSM or blend ratio fits your upcoming collection?

At AZKNIT, we specialize in customizing knit fabrics for global brands. Contact our team today to request a Fabric Swatch Kit, so you can feel the difference between CVC and TC before you commit to production.