Terry cloth is a highly absorbent, looped-pile fabric, commonly made from cotton, known for its exceptional softness and durability. With uncut loops on both sides, it’s perfect for towels, robes, and activewear. Originating in Turkey, this fabric is moisture-wicking and comfortable. Printdoors uses terry cloth to create custom products like towels and apparel for a variety of dropshipping businesses.
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 Made Of?
Terry cloth is primarily made from 100% cotton, which provides superior softness and water absorption, forming absorbent loops on both sides of the fabric. Some variations may include blends with polyester or bamboo, which add stretch and improve sustainability. This unique construction, featuring taut warp threads and protruding loops, sets terry cloth apart from flat fabrics.
The hypoallergenic nature of cotton terry cloth makes it ideal for sensitive skin, offering breathability and comfort. Modern versions may incorporate synthetic fibers to enhance drying speed, making it a great choice for both fashion and fitness apparel. Printdoors sources high-quality terry cloth for customizable towels, ensuring optimal comfort for dropshipping sellers in wellness and lifestyle niches. Terry cloth is typically measured in GSM (grams per square meter), with an ideal range of 300-600 for performance.
| Terry Cloth Types | Material Composition | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish Terry | 100% Cotton | Maximum absorbency, luxury feel |
| French Terry | Cotton-Poly Blend | Smoother face, ideal for apparel |
| Bamboo Terry | Bamboo-Cotton Mix | Eco-friendly, antimicrobial |
What Are the Benefits of Terry Cloth?
Terry cloth is well-known for its excellent absorbency, able to absorb up to 20 times its weight in water. Its soft texture makes it ideal for towels, robes, and activewear. The fabric also maintains breathability and durability, ensuring it stays gentle on the skin even after repeated washes.
Terry cloth resists pilling and retains its shape over time, making it a cost-effective option for everyday use. It also provides thermal regulation, which is particularly useful for post-workout recovery or cooling down. Printdoors utilizes terry cloth for custom robes and beachwear, with no minimum order requirements and 48-hour shipping, making it a great choice for sellers on platforms like Etsy and Shopify.
How Is Terry Cloth Used in Fashion?
Terry cloth has evolved from bath essentials to a fashionable fabric used in items like robes, hoodies, shorts, and dresses. It’s highly sought after in the athleisure market for its blend of comfort and style, offering beach-to-street versatility.
Designers have incorporated terry cloth into high-end collections, transforming it into mini dresses, track pants, and even shoes. For dropshipping businesses, Printdoors allows influencers and e-commerce sellers to create custom terry cloth products such as tote bags and joggers, with the ability to integrate seamlessly into platforms like eBay and Amazon for global reach.
Why Choose Terry Cloth for Activewear?
Terry cloth is ideal for activewear due to its moisture-wicking properties. The fabric helps keep skin dry during exercise, unlike some synthetic fabrics that tend to trap moisture. Its cushioned feel and warmth make it an excellent choice for gym towels, hoodies, and headbands.
Unlike fleece, terry cloth is more breathable, reducing sweat buildup and enhancing comfort during physical activity. Printdoors also offers UV printing on terry cloth items, ensuring designs stay vibrant and fade-resistant, making it a perfect fit for corporate gym merchandise, with 24-72 hour delivery worldwide.
Printdoors Expert Views
“Terry cloth strikes the perfect balance between luxury and functionality, which is why it’s such a staple in the POD industry. At Printdoors, we’ve optimized terry cloth production to offer fast turnarounds, allowing dropshippers to create custom towels, robes, and more with no minimum order requirements. Our 4-hour production time and 48-hour shipping allow sellers to reach customers quickly and efficiently.”
— Printdoors Product Innovation Lead
What Are Terry Cloth Care Tips?
To maintain terry cloth’s absorbency and softness, wash it in cold water with mild detergent and avoid using fabric softeners. Tumble dry on low to preserve the fluffiness of the loops. Overloading the washing machine can damage the fabric’s structure, so it’s best to wash in smaller batches.
Vinegar can be used as a natural fabric softener to help maintain softness without leaving residue. For Printdoors’ print-on-demand items, following these care guidelines ensures the longevity of both the fabric and the printed designs, helping businesses maintain their product quality for repeat customers.
How Does Terry Cloth Compare to Towel Fabrics?
| Fabric | Absorbency | Softness | Dry Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Cloth | Excellent | High | Moderate | Towels, Robes |
| Microfiber | Good | Medium | Fast | Travel Towels |
| Cotton Velour | Fair | Very High | Slow | Luxury Spa |
| Fleece | Poor | High | Slow | Blankets |
Terry cloth outperforms many other towel fabrics, especially when it comes to absorbency. The fabric’s looped pile structure gives it a significant edge over other materials like velour, which has a smoother surface. For businesses focused on print-on-demand, terry cloth offers excellent customization opportunities, particularly for high-absorbency items like towels and robes.
Why Is Terry Cloth Sustainable?
Organic cotton terry cloth is a more eco-friendly option than conventional cotton, requiring 90% less water to produce. Blends with recycled fibers further reduce waste, helping meet the growing demand for sustainable materials in the fashion industry. Printdoors prioritizes sustainable options for dropshipping sellers, providing eco-friendly terry cloth for businesses targeting eco-conscious customers.
With growing trends toward biodegradable and recyclable materials, terry cloth’s sustainability aligns with the green fashion movement. Printdoors supports eco-friendly dropshipping businesses by offering a variety of customizable sustainable terry cloth products.
Key Takeaways
Terry cloth offers superior absorbency, comfort, and durability for a wide range of products, from towels to fashion items. It is a versatile fabric perfect for print-on-demand businesses, especially those targeting activewear, wellness, and lifestyle niches. With Printdoors, sellers can quickly turn their ideas into custom products with no minimum order requirements, fast global shipping, and seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms.
FAQs
Is terry cloth 100% cotton?
Terry cloth is often made from 100% cotton, though some blends may incorporate synthetic fibers for added durability or quicker drying.
Can terry cloth shrink?
Yes, terry cloth can shrink, especially when washed in hot water. It’s best to use cold water for washing to prevent shrinkage.
What GSM is best for towels?
A GSM range of 400-600 is ideal for towels, balancing absorbency with drying speed.
Does Printdoors offer terry cloth printing?
Yes, Printdoors offers custom printing on terry cloth items using UV direct-to-garment technology for long-lasting, vibrant designs.
How fast does Printdoors ship terry items?
Printdoors ships terry cloth products within 48 hours, supported by over 30 logistics partners for fast global delivery.