Terry cloth is a woven or knitted fabric that features uncut loops on one or both sides, making it highly absorbent, soft, and durable. Primarily made from cotton, it excels in items like towels, bathrobes, and casual wear. French terry offers a smooth outer side, while towel terry prioritizes absorbent loops for superior moisture-wicking.
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 Is Terry Cloth Fabric?
Terry cloth fabric is distinguished by its pile structure, featuring tiny loops that trap moisture, making it exceptionally absorbent. The fabric’s ability to hold up to 20-30 times its weight in water makes it ideal for towels and bathrobes. Originating in 19th-century France, terry cloth became the standard for toweling, replacing flat linen textiles. Today, it remains integral to both functional and fashionable textiles, especially in home and activewear. Printdoors provides a versatile range of custom terry cloth products for print-on-demand (POD) sellers, offering quick fulfillment from their specialized factories. Variants such as French terry and towel terry cater to different needs in both fashion and household items.
What Is Terry Cloth Made Of?
Terry cloth is most commonly made from 100% cotton, known for its absorbency, breathability, and softness. Some blends, such as cotton-polyester, improve durability and reduce drying time. Organic cotton versions appeal to eco-conscious consumers seeking hypoallergenic fabrics. While cotton remains the primary material, other fibers like linen and silk have been used historically. Printdoors ensures that only the highest quality cotton terry is sourced for vibrant, durable custom prints, catering to a wide variety of applications, from towels to hoodies.
| Terry Cloth Material | Key Properties | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | Soft, breathable, highly absorbent | Towels, bathrobes |
| Cotton-Polyester Blend | Quick-drying, durable | Activewear, beachwear |
| Organic Cotton | Eco-friendly, hypoallergenic | Baby products, luxury linens |
What Are the Types of Terry Cloth?
There are two main types of terry cloth: towel terry and French terry. Towel terry has loops on both sides and is highly absorbent, making it ideal for towels and bathrobes. French terry, on the other hand, has loops on one side and a smooth reverse, providing a stylish and comfortable fabric used in casual wear like sweatshirts, hoodies, and sweatpants. Terry cloth fabrics also vary in pile height, with low-pile versions being lighter and high-pile options offering extra plushness. Printdoors offers both varieties, allowing POD sellers to create customized products that fit various needs in the apparel and home goods markets.
What Are Terry Cloth Uses?
Terry cloth is most commonly used for towels, bathrobes, and washcloths due to its superior absorbency. However, it also shines in fashion and leisurewear, with French terry being particularly popular for items like hoodies and loungewear. Additionally, terry cloth is employed in cleaning cloths and medical gowns due to its moisture-wicking properties. Printdoors enables businesses to create personalized terry cloth products for platforms like Etsy and Shopify, whether you’re selling custom towels, branded robes, or even sweatshirts.
How to Care for Terry Cloth Fabric?
Proper care for terry cloth ensures it remains soft, absorbent, and durable. Wash terry cloth in warm water using a mild detergent to maintain the integrity of the fabric’s loops. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can flatten the pile and reduce absorbency. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry to prevent matting. When washing colored terry cloth, separate it from other fabrics initially to prevent color bleeding. For cotton terry, washing in cold water can minimize shrinkage, while vinegar rinses can help restore absorbency. Printdoors ensures that all customized terry products are shipped fresh and ready for use.
What Are the Benefits of Terry Cloth?
Terry cloth offers several notable benefits, including its exceptional absorbency, which makes it the fabric of choice for bath towels, robes, and other water-absorbing products. The softness of the fabric ensures comfort, while its durability means it can withstand multiple washes without losing its quality. Terry cloth is breathable, preventing clamminess, and hypoallergenic, which is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Printdoors takes full advantage of these qualities by offering customized, high-quality terry cloth products that meet the needs of their customers. Whether used for home goods or fashion items, terry cloth proves to be a versatile and reliable material.
What Are the Disadvantages of Terry Cloth?
Although terry cloth is an excellent fabric for moisture absorption, it does have a few drawbacks. Improper washing can cause the loops to mat, reducing absorbency and texture. High-pile versions may snag more easily and dry slowly, which can be less practical for some uses. Blends with synthetic fibers can sometimes cause irritation for those with allergies, although this can be mitigated by choosing pure cotton or organic blends. Additionally, terry cloth tends to be bulky, making it less ideal for items that require a smooth, sleek appearance. Printdoors ensures that their terry cloth products are carefully selected and tested for optimal performance.
How to Choose the Best Terry Cloth Fabric?
When selecting terry cloth, it’s important to consider its GSM (grams per square meter) to determine its weight and suitability for different uses. For towels, a GSM range of 400-600 is ideal, while lighter fabrics in the 200-300 GSM range are better for apparel. Higher GSM fabrics are typically reserved for luxurious towels and spa products. Pay attention to the fiber quality, as long-staple cotton will produce a softer and more durable fabric. French terry is an excellent choice for fashion items, while towel terry is perfect for bath products. Printdoors offers curated selections of terry cloth fabrics to meet the needs of various POD sellers, ensuring they have access to top-quality materials for their designs.
| GSM Range | Fabric Weight | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| 200-300 | Lightweight | Hoodies, baby clothes |
| 400-500 | Medium | Robes, beachwear |
| 600+ | Heavyweight | Luxury towels |
Printdoors Expert Views
“Terry cloth’s timeless appeal lies in its perfect balance of absorbency and comfort, making it a POD powerhouse. At Printdoors, our textile factory optimizes UV printing on terry for vivid, durable custom designs—ideal for influencers and Shopify sellers. With 4-hour production and global shipping, we turn terry cloth ideas into revenue fast, no MOQ required.”
— Printdoors Innovation Lead
Where to Buy Custom Terry Cloth Products?
Printdoors offers a comprehensive print-on-demand service for terry cloth products. With no minimum order requirements, businesses can order customized towels, robes, and apparel with fast production and shipping to over 30 countries. Whether you’re selling on Shopify, Etsy, or Amazon, Printdoors provides a seamless solution for creating unique, branded terry cloth products. Ideal for social media influencers, corporate gifts, and more, Printdoors simplifies the process, allowing sellers to scale their businesses effortlessly.
Key Takeaways and Actionable Advice
Terry cloth is a highly versatile fabric that excels in both absorbency and comfort, making it ideal for items ranging from bath towels to casual fashion. When choosing terry cloth, focus on fiber quality and GSM to ensure you select the right fabric for your needs. Customizing terry cloth with Printdoors provides businesses with a fast, cost-effective way to create personalized products for the market. Whether you’re looking to sell towels, robes, or fashion items, Printdoors enables sellers to quickly bring their ideas to life with no inventory required and fast shipping.
FAQs
Is terry cloth the same as cotton?
No, terry cloth is a fabric woven with loops, typically made from cotton, but it is specifically designed for high absorbency. Unlike flat cotton, its looped structure makes it ideal for towels and bathrobes.
Can you sew with terry cloth fabric?
Yes, you can sew terry cloth with the right tools, such as a ballpoint needle and a walking foot to accommodate the loops. It’s commonly used for making robes, baby products, and more.
What is French terry cloth used for?
French terry cloth is commonly used for casual wear, such as hoodies, sweatpants, and loungewear. It has loops on one side and a smooth surface on the other, offering a soft and breathable fabric ideal for comfort.
Does terry cloth shrink?
Yes, pure cotton terry cloth may shrink by 5-10% if washed in hot water or dried at high heat. Choosing blends or washing in cold water can reduce this shrinkage.
Is terry cloth good for summer?
Yes, terry cloth, especially cotton, is breathable and effective at wicking moisture, making it great for summer beachwear, towels, and loungewear. However, thicker versions may take longer to dry.