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Polyester has become the default material for many brands entering digital textile printing. It is widely available, cost-efficient, and compatible with fast, large-scale production. For these reasons, polyester is often the first recommendation when brands want to print custom fabric quickly and at a predictable cost.
However, what many designers do not realize is that polyester’s advantages often come with trade-offs. While it delivers strong color saturation, polyester typically produces a flatter hand feel and limited breathability. In fashion-focused applications, this can negatively impact how the final product is perceived by end customers.
When comparing polyester with blended fabrics such as cotton polyester spandex fabric or cotton spandex jersey fabric, the difference becomes clear. Blended fabrics allow better ink absorption into natural fibers while still maintaining elasticity. This results in a softer surface, improved comfort, and better stretch recovery—especially important for garments worn close to the body.
Another key issue is garment performance over time. Polyester-based custom printed fabric may look vibrant initially, but frequent washing and daily wear can reveal weaknesses in texture and comfort. In contrast, fabrics like cotton lycra fabric or jersey cotton lycra tend to age more gracefully, maintaining both appearance and feel.
Design intent also matters. Brands creating modern fabric prints with layered graphics, fine lines, or muted color palettes often find that polyester exaggerates contrast, sometimes at the expense of subtlety. When designers print design on fabric meant to feel premium rather than synthetic, fiber composition becomes a critical decision point.
From a commercial perspective, choosing the wrong base fabric can lead to increased returns, customer complaints, and even brand damage. Polyester may be suitable for sportswear and performance applications, but it is not a universal solution.
At Facto Textile, we work closely with brands to evaluate fabric choices before production. Instead of defaulting to polyester, we help clients align material selection with design goals, end use, and customer expectations—ensuring better long-term results and fewer costly revisions.
