Performance starts with the fabric
The fabric decides how a garment feels, how it moves, how long it lasts and how well your colors and logos print on it. A soccer jersey needs airflow, leggings need stretch, a hoodie needs softness and warmth — so we never use one fabric for everything.
Below you'll find the six main fabric families we work with, what each one does best, and which products and sports they suit. Not sure what to choose? Tell us your product, sport and budget, and our team will recommend the right fabric and weight — and send swatches before production.
Polyester
The workhorse of modern sportswear. Polyester is light, tough and holds color brilliantly, which makes it the first choice for sublimated team kits.
- Lightweight and durable
- Quick-drying for moisture control
- Wrinkle-resistant and easy to maintain
- Retains shape after multiple washes
- Resistant to shrinking and stretching
- Excellent color retention and printing compatibility
- Breathable with modern mesh variants
- Ideal for high-performance team sports
Nylon
Smooth, strong and naturally elastic. Nylon stands up to friction and repeated washing, so it's used where garments take the most wear.
- Strong and long-lasting
- Highly elastic for better fit
- Abrasion-resistant for rough use
- Smooth texture for comfort
- Lightweight for fast movement
- Dries quickly after washing or sweat
- Resistant to mildew and mold
- Great for swim, running and cycling gear
Spandex / Lycra / Elastane
Three names for the same super-stretch fiber. It is blended with nylon or polyester to give garments four-way stretch, support and a close, second-skin fit.
- Extremely stretchable and flexible
- Returns to original shape after stretching
- Provides support in compression garments
- Enhances athlete mobility
- Lightweight and soft to touch
- Blends well with other fabrics
- Resistant to wear and tear
- Suited to gym wear, leggings and cycling shorts
Cotton
The natural classic. Cotton is soft, breathable and kind to skin — the go-to for casual sportswear, fleece hoodies and everyday training tees.
- Soft and breathable
- Comfortable for prolonged wear
- Natural fiber, hypoallergenic
- Absorbs sweat effectively
- Lightweight and flexible
- Easy to sew and customize
- Biodegradable and eco-friendly
- Common in casual sportswear and training kits
Cotton-Polyester Blends
The best of both worlds. Blends such as 60/40 or 80/20 give the soft hand-feel of cotton with the strength, color hold and easy care of polyester.
- Cotton softness with polyester durability
- Moisture-wicking and breathable
- Resists shrinking and stretching
- Retains shape and color
- Comfortable for daily use
- Easy to wash and maintain
- Suitable for team uniforms and training wear
- Balanced for indoor and outdoor sports
Mesh Fabrics (Polyester Mesh)
Open-knit polyester built for airflow. Mesh keeps players cool in fast, high-sweat sports and takes sublimated designs with sharp, bright color.
- Highly breathable for ventilation
- Lightweight for fast movement
- Quick-drying material
- Resistant to wear and tear
- Lets sweat evaporate efficiently
- Sporty, professional look
- Compatible with sublimation printing
- Ideal for soccer, basketball and practice jerseys
Fabric comparison
A quick guide to how each fabric performs. Final results also depend on weight, knit and finish.
| Fabric | Breathability | Stretch | Durability | Softness | Sublimation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | Medium | Low | High | Medium | Excellent | Team jerseys |
| Nylon | Medium | Medium | High | High | Not suitable | Swim, running, cycling |
| Spandex blends | Medium | High | Medium | High | Poly/spandex only | Leggings, compression |
| Cotton | High | Low | Medium | High | Not suitable | Casual wear, hoodies |
| Cotton-poly blends | High | Low | High | High | Limited | Polos, tracksuits |
| Polyester mesh | High | Low | Medium | Medium | Excellent | Soccer, basketball |
Sublimation works only on polyester-rich fabrics. For cotton and nylon we use screen printing, DTF, heat transfer or embroidery.
Which fabric for which product?
Our usual recommendations — we can always adjust to your budget, climate and design.
Soccer
Polyester mesh / interlockLight, breathable and perfect for full sublimation.
Basketball
Polyester meshMaximum airflow for fast, high-sweat games.
Cricket
Polyester / cotton-polyCool for long days, with comfortable whites options.
Rugby
Heavy polyester / blendsThicker knits that survive grabs and tackles.
Gym & Fitness
Poly or nylon spandexFour-way stretch for squats, lifts and cardio.
Running & Cycling
Nylon / poly spandexLight, quick-drying and close-fitting.
Hoodies & Sweats
Cotton / cotton-poly fleeceSoft, warm and great for embroidery.
Polos & Tracksuits
Cotton-poly / polyesterSmart look with easy care for daily wear.
Add more to your fabric
Common treatments that can be added to the fabric — ask our team which are available for your order.
Moisture-Wicking
Pulls sweat away from skin so it evaporates faster.
Anti-Bacterial
Helps reduce odor in garments worn for training.
UV Protection
Extra sun protection for outdoor sports.
Anti-Pilling
Keeps the surface smooth after repeated washes.
Water-Repellent
Beads off light rain on jackets and outerwear.
Brushed / Peached
Softer, warmer hand-feel on the inside.
Make it last longer
- Wash inside out in cold or warm water (max 30–40°C).
- Skip fabric softener on performance fabrics — it blocks wicking.
- Wash dark and light colors separately.
- Air dry or tumble dry on low heat.
- Never iron directly on prints, numbers or sublimation.
Fabric questions
What does GSM mean?
GSM is grams per square meter — the weight of the fabric. Lower GSM is lighter and cooler (jerseys, mesh); higher GSM is thicker and warmer (fleece hoodies, jackets).
Which fabrics work with sublimation printing?
Sublimation needs polyester. Polyester, polyester mesh and poly/spandex give the brightest results. Cotton and nylon are decorated with screen print, DTF, heat transfer or embroidery instead.
Can I get fabric swatches before ordering?
Yes — ask our team and we'll share fabric options and swatches so you can feel the weight and texture before approving your sample.
Can I supply my own fabric or specify one?
For OEM orders you can share your exact fabric specs (composition, GSM, color) and we'll source and produce to match.
Will cotton garments shrink?
Pure cotton can shrink slightly on the first hot wash. Cotton-polyester blends and pre-shrunk fabrics keep their size much better.
Not sure which fabric to choose?
Tell us your product and sport — we'll recommend the right fabric and send swatches with your quote.