Blended fabrics outsell 100% cotton in many wholesale categories for a simple reason: they're better at more things simultaneously. A 50/50 cotton-poly tee resists shrinking better than all-cotton, holds its shape through repeated washing, and takes screen print ink cleanly. A triblend adds rayon to the mix for a drape and softness that neither cotton nor polyester alone can achieve. And a CVC blend tilts the balance toward cotton for color and hand feel while keeping the polyester content that produces heather tones. Bulkthreads' blends collection covers all three categories across every major price point — here's how to navigate them.
50/50 cotton-poly blends are the staples of the collection, the most widely ordered blend format for spirit wear, event tees, and any high-volume program where consistent sizing and shrink resistance across washes matter more than ultra-soft hand feel. Gildan leads the budget tier with the G800 50/50 Tee, available in basic, traditional, and extended color assortments covering the full spectrum from neutrals to brights. Hanes offers the 5170 Ecosmart 50/50 Tee, made with recycled polyester that adds a genuine eco-friendly angle at one of the lower price points in the collection. The Hanes 5370 Youth EcoSmart 50/50 Tee extends the same fabric into youth sizing. For 50/50 fleece, the Gildan G185 Heavy Blend Hoodie is one of the more widely decorated hoodie blanks in the wholesale market, and the G120 DryBlend Crewneck and Jerzees 993 NuBlend Full-Zip Hoodie round out the 50/50 fleece options for programs that need pullover, crewneck, and zip styles from a single fabric family.
Triblend fabrics — typically a cotton, polyester, and rayon mix — produce some of the lightest, softest, most retail-quality feels available in wholesale apparel. The rayon content is what sets triblend apart: it adds a fluid drape and a fine texture that tends to read as premium to end customers. Bella+Canvas and Next Level are two of the more widely carried brands in this tier. The Bella+Canvas 8430 Ladies' Triblend Racerback Tank is popular for women's lifestyle merch, and the 3413Y Youth Triblend Tee and 3413T Toddler Triblend Tee extend the fabric all the way down to the smallest sizes — useful for family merch programs where matching quality across ages matters. Next Level brings its own triblend lineup with the 6733 Ladies' Triblend Racerback Tank, the 6051 Unisex Triblend 3/4-Sleeve Raglan — a colorblock baseball-style cut that's become a staple for lifestyle brands and fan apparel — and the 6071 Men's Triblend Long-Sleeve Crew for fall and winter programs that want the same premium hand feel in a longer sleeve.
Performance blends sit between the two: the Sport-Tek ST400LS PosiCharge Long Sleeve Tri-Blend Wicking Raglan Tee combines triblend softness with PosiCharge moisture-wicking performance and a raglan colorblock cut — covering team athletic programs that want a fashion-forward blank without sacrificing performance features. The Gildan G840 DryBlend Long Sleeve Tee brings moisture management to the 50/50 long-sleeve category at a budget price point — a practical option for fall athletic events and outdoor programs that need a layer without the cost of a full performance fabric.
All styles ship with automatic volume discounts applied at checkout, typically arrive in 1–3 business days, and come with free returns on every order. Browse related collections: 100% Cotton Tees, Fleece and Hoodies, and T-Shirts.
A 50/50 cotton-poly blend balances cost, durability, and shrink resistance — the most practical choice for high-volume programs where consistent results across washes matter most. A CVC (chief value cotton) blend tilts toward a higher cotton content, typically around 60/40, which produces a softer hand feel and a subtle heathered appearance while retaining better shape than 100% cotton. A triblend adds rayon to the mix — usually a cotton/poly/rayon combination — for a lighter, more drapey fabric with a fluid texture that tends to feel noticeably more premium. The right choice depends on end-customer expectations, decoration method, and budget.
The Gildan G800 is one of the more widely used 50/50 blanks for screen printing — its balanced cotton-poly construction takes ink consistently and holds up well through repeated washing. The Hanes 5170 Ecosmart is a comparable option with the added advantage of recycled polyester content, making it a practical choice for programs with an eco-friendly angle. Both are available at budget pricing that works for high-volume runs.
The Bella+Canvas 3413 and Next Level triblend styles are both strong options for retail-style and lifestyle merch programs. The 3413 is a common choice when a fashion-forward, heathered aesthetic is the goal — its cotton/poly/rayon blend produces a soft, lived-in feel that appeals to end customers who expect a premium product. The Next Level 6051 Triblend Raglan is particularly popular for fan apparel and baseball-style merch where the colorblock contrast sleeve is part of the design.
Both brands produce well-regarded triblend blanks with a soft, retail-quality feel. Bella+Canvas tends to have a wider color range and broader size coverage — including toddler sizing in the 3413T. Next Level's triblend lineup includes more specialty silhouettes, like the 6051 Raglan and 6071 Long-Sleeve Crew, which gives it an edge for programs that need a variety of cuts from a single fabric family. The hand feel and weight are comparable across both brands at a similar price point.
The Gildan G185 Heavy Blend Hoodie is one of the more widely ordered 50/50 fleece blanks for decoration runs. Its cotton-poly construction takes screen printing and embroidery consistently, and it's available across a broad color range at a price point that works for high-volume programs. The Jerzees 993 NuBlend Full-Zip is a practical alternative for programs that need a zip-front style in a comparable fabric and price tier.
Yes. Automatic volume discounts are applied at checkout across the blends collection — no codes required. The per-unit price decreases as order size grows, all styles typically arrive in 1–3 business days, and returns are free on every order.