Why You Should Be Printing on Sueded T-Shirts

In 2021, the custom-printed t-shirt market did $3.96 billion worth of sales. By 2028, that number is expected to double.

So how much does an individual t-shirt printing company make? The answer to that question varies widely, but the possibilities are nearly limitless if you're willing to put in the work.

One of the most important aspects of a successful t-shirt company is its ability to keep up with the latest trends. If you're interested in starting an at-home t-shirt print and design business, then you have to know about sueded t-shirts.

While they've been around for a while, sueded cotton t-shirts are growing in popularity. So what is sueded cotton? And how do you get started with the sueded cotton printing process? 

If you want to get your hands on everything you need to know, you've come to the right place. This article will provide you with all that and then some.

From t-shirt printing to t-shirt quality, we've got your back when it comes to the sueded trend. Read on to learn more!

What Is a Sueded T-Shirt?

By its simplest definition, a sueded cotton t-shirt is a cotton t-shirt that undergoes a special process to get the look and feel of suede fabric.

There are several techniques used to give the fabric its distinctive qualities. T-shirt makers may brush, sand, or chemically treat fabric to change regular cotton into suede cotton.

You can think of these processes like the process of sanding a table. Just as a carpenter would use the grit of sandpaper to smooth out a table's surface, t-shirt makers use grit to smooth out regular cotton in the same way.

The Sueded Cotton Feel

In comparison to other t-shirt fabrics, suede cotton is super soft! It has been compared to the feeling of velvet. But the super-soft feel isn't the only benefit of this fabric.

Suede cotton is resistant to stains and wears out more slowly than regular cotton. It is also great for those who want the suede look without buying a real animal product.

Plus, sueded fabric is a superior choice for printing because it works well with a variety of printing techniques.

Tri-Blend Vs. Sueded T-Shirts

You may have heard about another super comfy t-shirt type: the tri-blend tee. While it is true that both sueded cotton and tri-blend t-shirts are made of multiple fabrics and butterfly soft, there are some major differences between the two.

Material

Tri-blend t-shirts are (unsurprisingly) made up of three types of fabric. Typically, they are a blend of polyester, cotton, and rayon. The addition of rayon gives the shirt its soft, almost glass-like feel.

Sueded tees are typically made up of polyester and cotton only. They don't need the addition of rayon to feel soft because of the special de-gritting processes they undergo.

In comparison to the feel of tri-blend, sueded t's are a little more "fuzzy." This makes for a feel perfect for customers who want to try something unique.

Decoration

Printing on t-shirts is an important consideration when selecting fabric since different blends carry slightly different ramifications for printing and design.

Tri-blend fabrics tend to come in a wider range of colors. However, the rayon used to give the shirts a silky feel means that high heat transfer is a no-no. Tri-blend requires screen printing or low heat transfer only.

Sueded fabrics are the superior pick for heat transfer. They also work great for screen printing, which means there are no restrictions when it comes to the most popular printing methods.

Hanger Appeal

Hanger appeal is important to think about if you are just getting started with selling your printed t-shirts. If your shirts don't look good on display, you could lose valuable sales.

Because tri-blend t-shirts are so silky smooth, they tend to have a draped look on the hanger. This gives the shirt the look of a fashionable but comfy tee.

Sueded cotton t-shirts have great hanger appeal too, but it's different. These shirts tend to have more body and less drape. This look is great for customers who want a unique t-shirt look that will stand out from regular tees.

Our Favorite Sueded T-Shirts

Not all sueded t-shirts are the same! To save you the time of researching which products are best, we've compiled a list of our favorite sueded t-shirts.

1. Next Level 6410 Unisex CVC Sueded Tee

This shirt is known for its superior combination of quality and comfort.

Fabric laundering embedded in this shirt means that it won't shrink as much as other tees do. The specific blend of ring-spun cotton and polyester in this shirt also makes it extra vibrant and durable. It won't wear out as quickly as other tees!

2. Bella+Canvas 3301 Unisex Sueded Tee

Next up is the Bella+Canvas 3301 Unisex Sueded Tee.

The Airlume cotton blend of this tee makes it extra velvety. It is pre-shrunk so your customers won't have to worry about sizing up. Plus, this shirt comes in over 20 different colors.

3. Next Level Unisex Sueded Snow T-Shirt

Available in five beautiful pastel shades, the Next Level Unisex Sueded Snow T-Shirt is a t-shirt lover's must-have.

Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, the shirt has an easy-to-remove tear-away tag. Its long fit provides an extra relaxed look, and its ribbed collar is the perfect finishing touch.

4. Next Level 6411 Unisex Sueded Long-Sleeve Crew

This long-sleeve crew neckis;a tried and true crowd favorite.

Available in more than ten colors, this shirt has a ribbed collar and ribbed cuffs, too. Its ring-spun cotton and polyester blend make for a lightweight long-sleeve that's perfect for cooler days and warmer nights.

Ready to Print Sueded?

Now that you have all the information you need on sueded t-shirts, it's time to get printing!

Head to our wholesale t-shirts page to find more money-saving products exclusively for our customers. And if you're not quite ready or you have more questions regarding printing, read our article on the different t-shirt printing methods!