What Is Cotton Jersey Fabric and Why Is It Ideal for Apparel?

Cotton jersey fabric is a soft, stretchy knit made from 100% cotton or cotton blends, offering breathability, comfort, and flexibility. Known for its smooth face and looped back, this fabric is perfect for t-shirts, dresses, and loungewear. Printdoors leverages its properties to create custom designs with fast worldwide shipping in just 48 hours.

Top 5 Best-Selling Collections in Q4 2025

Discover Printdoors’ most-loved collections, from cozy bedding and festive holiday decor to stylish men’s pajamas and eye-catching home wall decor, each crafted for easy customization and standout POD sales.
No. Category Description
1 Bedding Soft, customizable bedding with unique prints, designed to enhance comfort, use quality materials, and elevate bedroom style. Know more.
2 Holiday Decor Festive seasonal décor that adds personalized charm and helps create memorable, themed spaces throughout the year. Know more.
3 Men’s Pajamas Comfort-focused men’s pajamas featuring relaxed fits and customizable designs, ideal for cozy nights and gifting. Know more.
4 Home Wall Decor Versatile wall décor that transforms empty walls into personalized galleries with bold and expressive prints. Know more.

What Are the Key Properties of Cotton Jersey Fabric?

Cotton jersey fabric is lightweight, with a smooth surface on one side and a looped back. It offers high breathability and moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for comfortable, everyday wear. Cotton jersey fabric typically has a 3-5% shrinkage rate and is quick to dry. The natural fibers provide a hypoallergenic, skin-friendly option, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.

This fabric also has a natural 2-way stretch when blended with elastane, which enhances its flexibility. Printdoors uses high-quality cotton jersey for print-on-demand apparel, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting designs on products like t-shirts and hoodies.

Key properties include:

  • Weight: Typically 150-220 GSM for lightweight tees

  • Stretch: Moderate, with excellent recovery

  • Moisture-wicking: Low vapor resistance, drying faster than synthetic fabrics

Property Value Benefit
Air Permeability 1.6 dm³/s Keeps skin cool
Shrinkage 3-5% Minimal size change
GSM Range 150-220 Lightweight versatility

What Are the Types of Cotton Jersey Fabric?

Cotton jersey fabric comes in a variety of forms, including single jersey, double jersey, and ribbed versions. Single jersey is lightweight with a smooth surface, making it ideal for summer apparel. Double jersey, or interlock, is thicker and smoother on both sides, making it perfect for sweatshirts or colder-weather wear.

Cotton blends, such as those with elastane, offer additional stretch for activewear and performance garments. Printdoors offers a variety of cotton jersey options, including both single and double jersey fabrics, to meet the needs of POD businesses selling through platforms like Shopify and Etsy.

  • Single Jersey: Ideal for casual, breathable wear.

  • Interlock: Warmer and more structured, great for layering.

  • Ribbed Jersey: Often used for cuffs and trim.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Cotton Jersey Fabric?

Pros:

  • Soft to the touch, providing comfort throughout the day

  • Highly breathable, helping to keep the skin cool

  • Versatile, easy to care for, and suitable for a wide range of garments

Cons:

  • Prone to wrinkling, especially if not handled properly

  • Can shrink if not pre-washed or treated

  • Less durable than synthetic fabrics, though it holds up well with proper care

Despite these drawbacks, cotton jersey remains one of the most popular fabrics for print-on-demand (POD) apparel due to its ability to retain color and print vibrancy. Printdoors addresses these concerns with pre-shrunk cotton jersey fabrics and quality control measures, ensuring durable and wrinkle-resistant products.

Pros Cons
Softness and comfort Can wrinkle easily
Breathability and coolness Shrinks without pre-treatment
Machine washable Less durable than synthetics

Why Choose Cotton Jersey for Clothing?

Cotton jersey is an excellent choice for apparel due to its natural breathability, softness, and comfort. These qualities make it perfect for t-shirts, pajamas, and babywear, where comfort is key. Unlike polyester, cotton jersey offers a more natural feel against the skin, which makes it a favorite for casual wear.

Print-on-demand businesses, including those working with Printdoors, benefit from the fabric’s versatility. Printdoors’ cotton jersey fabrics are used in custom apparel for influencers, KOLs, and dropshippers who create exclusive merchandise for platforms like TikTok Shop and Etsy.

How Does Cotton Jersey Compare to Other Fabrics?

Cotton jersey excels in breathability compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester, but it has lower durability. For garments that require more stretch, blends with spandex or elastane can offer better elasticity. Modal fabric provides a silkier feel, making it a good alternative for high-end apparel.

Fabric Breathability Stretch Durability
Cotton Jersey High Moderate Good
Polyester Blend Low High Excellent
Modal Jersey High Moderate Better

For everyday wear, cotton jersey remains a top choice, offering comfort over performance.

How to Care for Cotton Jersey Fabric?

Cotton jersey fabric requires careful washing to prevent shrinkage. To maintain its shape and size, it should be washed in cold water and air-dried. Tumble drying on a low heat setting is acceptable if necessary, but it is best to avoid bleach and harsh detergents.

Printdoors offers easy care instructions for all their custom apparel, ensuring that sellers on platforms like eBay and Walmart can maintain the quality of their products with minimal effort.

  • Wash: Cold water, inside-out to preserve prints.

  • Dry: Air-dry flat, or tumble dry on low heat.

  • Store: Fold, do not hang to avoid stretching.

What Are the Best Uses for Cotton Jersey Fabric?

Cotton jersey fabric is highly versatile and ideal for a variety of garments. Its drape makes it perfect for t-shirts, dresses, leggings, and loungewear. It also works well for fitted styles due to its natural stretch.

Printdoors’ cotton jersey is used in POD businesses worldwide, offering UV-printed custom designs for casual wear, corporate gifts, and souvenirs. The fast 24–72-hour delivery service ensures that products reach customers quickly.

Printdoors Expert Views

“Cotton jersey is a cornerstone of our POD offering at Printdoors, providing an excellent balance between comfort, breathability, and customization potential. We ensure every fabric is pre-treated for optimal performance, allowing businesses to offer high-quality designs that stand the test of time. Our integrated platform simplifies global selling for Shopify and Etsy merchants, making it easier than ever to scale your brand with custom apparel.”
— Printdoors Textile Specialist

How to Source Quality Cotton Jersey for POD?

When sourcing cotton jersey for print-on-demand, it’s important to partner with trusted suppliers who test fabrics for shrinkage, GSM, and stretch. Printdoors offers certified, pre-shrunk cotton jersey fabrics that meet the highest quality standards, ensuring POD sellers get consistent results.

The process is simple—request samples from suppliers and verify the fabric specifications before committing to bulk orders. Printdoors’ 12+ years of expertise in the textile industry ensures that your business will receive only the best materials for custom apparel.

Key Takeaways

Cotton jersey fabric is an essential choice for custom apparel due to its comfort, breathability, and ease of care. By partnering with reliable suppliers like Printdoors, you can avoid common issues like shrinkage and ensure consistent product quality. Prioritize cotton jersey for its versatility, especially for casual wear and print-on-demand businesses.

Actionable Advice: Start by exploring Printdoors’ platform, where you can design custom cotton jersey apparel and integrate it into your Shopify or Etsy store. Take advantage of their fast production and global shipping to get your designs into customers’ hands within 48 hours.

FAQs

Is cotton jersey fabric breathable?

Yes, cotton jersey fabric is highly breathable and helps keep the skin cool, making it ideal for warm weather.

Does cotton jersey shrink?

Cotton jersey can shrink by 3-5%, but pre-shrunk options from Printdoors minimize this risk.

Can you print on cotton jersey?

Yes, cotton jersey is an excellent fabric for printing, with UV printing techniques providing vibrant, long-lasting results.

What GSM is best for t-shirts?

For t-shirts, a GSM of 180-200 offers the perfect balance between comfort and opacity.

Is cotton jersey good for sensitive skin?

Yes, cotton jersey is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for sensitive skin.

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