Cotton t-shirts surely take up a lot of space in your closet, since cotton is the most widely used textile fiber in the world, being the natural resource that provides 60% of the material used in the textile industry.
The use of cotton as an essential material for men is indisputable, but have you ever stopped to think about what cotton is and why it is such a valuable material in the manufacture of clothing, and especially in advertising t-shirts ?
If so, here are some interesting facts about him.
What is cotton
Cotton is the most important natural plant fiber in the world. Its importance began in the 19th century with the industrialization process and today it represents half of the world's consumption of textile fibers.
Originating in tropical and subtropical regions, it is a crop that requires warm climates and plenty of water. It is a plant composed of 95% pure cellulose, which gives the fabric of personalized t-shirts softness, fluffiness, and permeability . And 5% impurities, fats, and minerals of all kinds. But this percentage in textile pieces can vary, that is why you can read on the label 50% cotton and 50% of another material, such as polyester.
Types of cotton
In the case of customised t-shirts used for ecological promotional gifts , labels identify the differences in cotton according to its biological origin.
Synthetic cotton . Genetic engineering is used to alter its properties and obtain new variants of the species.
Organic cotton. It comes from traditional cultivation, and no genetically modified seeds are used.
Organic cotton . No genetically modified seeds, pesticides or supplements, preserving the environment and sustainable agriculture. This makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.
Why is cotton so widely used in eco-merchandising?
Cotton is a very economical fabric and its fibers are very soft to the touch, a very affordable option.
The advertising for which companies resort to the personalized ecological gift of cotton t-shirts can aim to be long-lasting, as part of a company's work clothes , or to be a cheap but effective merchandising item, commemorative at specific events such as bachelorette parties, or sports races without influencing the quality of the garment and that is why I explain to you that the properties of cotton do not vary according to the textile weight of the t-shirts, but did you know why? Here we indicate the properties of cotton and clarify what the textile weight is to help you choose the one that best corresponds to the use you want to give it.
What is the weight of custom t-shirts?
In any fabric, the textile grammage does not refer to the weight of the fabric but to the thickness of the fabric. The textile is weighed in grams per square meter, that is, a 150gr/m2 T-shirt indicates the weight of one square meter of that fabric, that is, 150 gr.
Why should we take into account textile weight?
The weight does not affect the quality of the fabric, only the weight per m2, but it is advisable to take it into account depending on the use that will be given to the garment.
A very common example is T-shirts, which usually have a weight between 110 and 220 gr/m2, but to make a better choice, take into account the following table of uses that interest you most.
1.- Low weight for T-shirts between 110 and 140 gr/m2
If we want a sustainable t-shirt for events to be used in hot climates, sports races and advertising use, we would only need 130gr/m2 t-shirts in which the fabrics are light and of low density to better withstand the heat, little resistant to continued washing and the star sustainable merchandising in cheap promotional gifts.
2.- The average weight for T-shirts is between 145 and 165 gr/m2
The weight most used in everyday life, such as work or for day to day use, is the fabric used, for example, in promotional t-shirts for children of 150g/m2. It is a weight that offers good quality and resistance and also allows for frequent washing. A fabric that can be a sustainable corporate gift for training centres as part of daily uniforms that can be used for a long time.
3.- High grammage for T-shirts between 185 and 220 gr/m2
If the t-shirt is intended for heavy work, providing and maintaining heat without losing resistance to washing, you should consider a fabric with more thickness and weight, a very good option to personalize your brand in the ecological gifts for companies that prepare us to withstand the winter.
Properties of cotton
Durability. Cotton garments are very resistant and long-lasting, despite continuous use and washing, so cotton is included to add resistance, which allows you to have an intact garment for a long time (work clothes), but this resistance makes cotton a fabric without elasticity, for this reason some pieces shrink when washing and need heat to undo the wrinkles, although some manufacturers avoid this effect through a pre-wash.
Absorbent. Capable of absorbing moisture from the body and regulating its temperature.
Breathable. Coming from nature, it has the quality of promoting proper ventilation at the time of use.
Soft and versatile. Depending on how it is grown and the length of its fibres, it is a raw material that can adapt and function in different ways. For the manufacture of clothing, cotton fibres with a length of more than 20 mm are used.
Hypoallergenic. The 100% cotton fabric has the ability to prevent allergies, irritations and itching.
If you add to this the correct way of washing it, separating colours, pre-washing stains, using mild detergents with cold water programmes and drying them in the shade, you will be able to extend the life of your cotton t-shirt.
