Combed Cotton Material: Definition, Type, Advantages & Suitable for Sportswear?

What is Combed Cotton Material?

Combed cotton is a type of fabric made from 100% natural cotton fibers that have undergone a combing process. This process removes short fibers and any dirt to make a fabric that is smoother, softer, and more comfortable against the skin.

Unlike the regular or carded cotton, combed cotton has a higher quality because:

1. The fabric surface is smoother and more even
2. It is pill-free
3. It feels cooler when worn

Why is Combed Cotton Popular in the Apparel Industry?

In the apparel industry, especially in Indonesia, combed cotton is one of the most widely used materials for:

1. Clothing brand t-shirt
2. Community merchandise
3. Event shirt
4. Casual fashion

The reason is simple: comfort is the top priority for customers.

Factors That Make Combed Cotton Superior:

1. Cool in tropical climates
2. Highly absorbent
3. Comfortable for daily wear
4. Compatible with various printing techniques

Type of Combed Cotton (20s, 24s, 30s)

The main difference of combed cotton lies in the thickness of the yarn (grammage), commonly referred to by the “s” code

Brief explanations:

1. 20s → Thicker & strong
2. 24s → The most flexible
3. 30s → The most comfortable & popular in clothing brand

Industry insight:

Most of the Indonesian local brands use 30s combed cotton because it offers a balance between comfort and price.

Is Combed Cotton Suitable for Sports?

The answer: it depends on the type of activity.

Suitable for:

1. Light exercise (leisure gym, walking)
2. Daily activity
3. Sporty lifestyle

Not suitable for:

1. Intense running
2. futsal/football
3. Outdoor heavy activity

Why?

Because combed cotton:

1. Absorb sweat (gets wet quickly)
2. Doesn’t quick-dry

Brief conclusion:

Combed cotton is comfortable, but not the best choice for high-performance sports.

Comparisons: Combed Cotton vs Polyester vs Dry Fit

To avoid choosing the wrong material, here’s a complete comparison:

Important insight:

1. Cotton = maximum comfort
2. Dry-fit = sport performance

So, if your goal is to create:

1. Branded T-shirt → choose combed cotton
2. Sport jersey → choose dry-fit

The Difference Between Combed Cotton and Carded Cotton

The main difference between combed cotton and cotton carded lies in the process of the cotton fibers, which directly affects the quality of the fabric.

1. Production Process

1. Combed Cotton: undergoes a combing process to remove short fibers and impurities.
2. Carded Cotton: only goes through the carding process without further combing.

2. Texture & Quality

1. Combed Cotton: Smoother, softer, and has a more even surface.
2. Carded Cotton: tends to be rougher and slightly linty

3. Comfort

1. Combed Cotton: cooler and more comfortable on the skin, ideal for a premium t-shirt.
2. Carded Cotton: less comfortable than combed cotton, usually used for more economical production.

4. Price

1. Combed Cotton: more expensive due to the complexity of its manufacturing process.
2. Carded Cotton: more affordable, ideal for mass production with a limited budget.

Combed cotton is the top choice for quality and comfort, while carded cotton is more suitable for economical needs at a more affordable price.

When You Should Use Comfortable Combed Cotton?

Use combed cotton if you want to make:

Suitable for:

1. Community t-shirt
2. Clothing brand t-shirt
3. Event merchandise
4. Promotional t-shirt

Avoid:

1. Futsal Jersey
2. Running shirt
3. Intense workout uniform

Advantages of Combed Cotton for Apparel Brands

1. More Premium Appearance

The fine fibers make the t-shirt look neater and have high quality

2. Comfortable for Wear

Not stuffy and suitable for daily wear.

3. Ideals for Screen Printing

Can be used for:

1. Plastisol screen printing
2. Rubber
3. DTG

4. Improve Brand Image

The material quality significantly impacts customers' perspectives.

Brands that use combed cotton tend to have higher repeat orders due to the comfort of their products.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Apparel Vendor

Besides materials, another important factor is the production vendor.

Why?

1. The stitch quality determines durability
2. The finishing affects the appearance
3. Production consistency is important for brands

Characteristics of a trusted vendor:

1. Use original materials
2. Neat stitching
3. Custom designs available
4. Transparent production information

Why Choose DRX Wear for Custom Apparel?

If you want to make t-shirts from high-quality combed cotton, DRX Wear is the right choice.

Advantages of DRX Wear:

1. Utilized premium combed cotton (24s & 30s)
2. Factory standard stitching (neat & strong)
3. Offers full custom design
4. Suitable for brands, community, and events
5. Small & large production runs are supported

Experiences:

DRX Wear has helped various:

1. Local brand
2. Community
3. Event organizer

FAQ About Combed Cotton Material

1. What is combed cotton?

Combed cotton material is a fabric made from combed cotton to make it smoother, softer, and more comfortable.

2. Is 30s combed cotton good or not?

Very good. This is the most popular type of cotton since it is lightweight, cool, and comfortable.

3. Which one is better, combed cotton or polyester?

It depends on your needs. Combed cotton is good for its comfort, while polyester is good for sports activities.

4. Is combed cotton suitable for sports?

It is suitable for light exercise, but not ideal for intense activities.

5. Is combed cotton hot or not?

No. In fact, it is known for its cool characteristics since it’s made from natural cotton.

6. How much does a combed cotton t-shirt cost in Indonesia?

Generally, they range from Rp50.000 to Rp120.000, depending on the quality ordered.

7. Does combed cotton shrink?

It can shrink slightly if not washed properly, but it’s usually pre-shrunk.

8. What is the best material for a jersey?

Dry-fit or polyester, as they dry faster and are lightweight.

A Brief Summary of Combed Cotton

1. Combed Cotton = soft & cool
2. Suitable for t-shirt & casual apparel
3. unsuitable for heavy exercise
4. Best type: 30s for comfort
5. Sport alternative: dry fit

Are you ready to create a quality custom t-shirt?

Looking to create a t-shirt from premium combed cotton?

DRX Wear is ready to help you from design to production:

1. Free consultation
2. Can be customized to your needs
3. Guaranteed quality

Contact us today to consult on your hoodie’s design and place your order!