What is Ringspun Cotton?

Cotton truly is the "fabric of our lives" for good reason. It's breathable, comfortable, and has been the go-to material for t-shirts since forever. But, as you might expect, not all cotton is created equal.

Different manufacturing processes, fiber treatments, and knitting techniques can dramatically affect how a shirt feels, prints, and holds up over time. If you've come across the term "ringspun cotton" while shopping for blank apparel or custom tees, you're probably wondering what it actually means and whether it's worth choosing over standard cotton.

This guide breaks down exactly what ringspun cotton is, how it compares to other types, why it matters for custom printing, and which top brands use it in their premium blanks. By the end, you'll know whether ringspun cotton is the right choice for your next order. Let’s jump in.

What is ringspun cotton?

Ringspun cotton is a premium type of cotton yarn created by continuously twisting and thinning cotton fibers, producing a finer, stronger, and smoother thread than standard cotton. Unlike regular open-end cotton, where fibers are quickly spun into yarn with a coarser texture, the ringspun process uses ring frames that carefully draw out and twist the fibers in multiple stages. This results in a durable and exceptionally soft fabric that feels smoother to the touch and resists wear over time, making it ideal for premium t-shirts that hold prints well and feel great against the skin.

Combed ringspun cotton takes this refinement one step further. In this process, the cotton is first combed to remove short, uneven fibers and impurities before spinning. Only the longest, most uniform fibers are retained, creating an extremely smooth and resilient yarn. The result is a fabric that's softer, stronger, and less prone to pilling or fraying, which helps screen prints appear cleaner and last longer. This extra step makes combed ringspun cotton a top choice for high-end blanks where comfort and durability both matter.

In contrast, carded open-end cotton uses shorter fibers and a faster, more economical spinning process. While it's less costly to produce, the yarn is thicker and rougher, creating a coarser texture and heavier hand feel. These differences directly affect how a shirt feels from the first wear and how well it performs after dozens of washes. Ringspun cotton maintains its shape and softness through repeated laundering, while open-end cotton tends to get stiffer and show more wear. It’s a difference anyone can feel the moment they put the shirt on.

Is ringspun cotton more expensive?

Yes, but not dramatically. Ringspun cotton costs slightly more to produce than standard carded open-end cotton because the spinning process uses slower, more precise machinery that continuously twists and refines the fibers. This requires more energy and labor compared to the faster, more automated open-end method, which translates to modestly higher prices (typically 10–30% more depending on fiber quality and yarn count).

In the blank apparel market, this difference is reflected in product positioning: budget t-shirts typically use open-end cotton blends, while premium and mid-range brands like Bella+Canvas and Next Level favor ringspun or combed ringspun cotton.

The cost difference is small compared to what you get in return. Ringspun cotton garments feel softer, last longer, and provide a better surface for custom printing. For decorators and brands, that translates to higher-quality finished products that customers notice and appreciate, which makes the modest upcharge more than worthwhile.

Why ringspun cotton is superior for custom printing

• Softness and comfort: Ringspun cotton fibers are tightly twisted during production, creating a smoother and finer surface that feels noticeably softer on the skin. This softness enhances comfort for end users and elevates the perceived quality of custom apparel, making it ideal for branded t-shirts, retail merchandise, and promotional gear that people actually want to wear.
• Superior print quality: The even texture of ringspun cotton provides a clean, consistent canvas for decoration. Because the surface is smoother and more uniform than carded cotton, inks adhere better and produce sharper, more vibrant graphics without the blotchiness or inconsistencies common with coarser fabrics. Fine details and halftones reproduce more accurately, which matters for complex logos and artwork.
• Durability and longevity: The continuous twisting process strengthens the yarn structure, giving ringspun cotton garments greater resistance to wear, stretching, and repeated washing. This durability means prints stay intact longer and the fabric maintains its shape, softness, and color through dozens of wash cycles; important for merchandise that needs to last.
• Reduced pilling: The refined spinning process minimizes short fibers and impurities that cause surface fuzz and pilling. This keeps ringspun cotton garments looking polished and professional even after heavy use, which is especially important for retail-quality custom pieces and branded apparel that represents a business or organization.
• High-end aesthetic: Ringspun cotton's fine weave and smooth finish create a premium look and feel that supports stylish, detailed artwork. The tight fabric structure contributes to precise ink definition, making prints look crisp and high-resolution, which is exactly what you want for professional brand apparel and retail-ready designs.
• Versatile printing compatibility: Ringspun fabrics work well with water-based, plastisol, and discharge inks due to their balanced absorbency and consistent surface texture. Direct-to-film (DTF) transfers on ringspun cotton result in exceptionally smooth prints with excellent color vibrancy and stretch. Printers can expect predictable, reliable results across multiple decoration methods, which improves workflow consistency and reduces misprints or do-overs.

Top blank apparel brands featuring ringspun cotton

The brands below have made ringspun cotton a cornerstone of their product lines, delivering consistently soft, printable blanks that decorators and customers trust. The featured products represent top sellers and staff favorites at RushOrderTees, chosen for their reliability, comfort, and print performance. Many of these brands offer additional ringspun cotton styles beyond what's highlighted here.

Bella+Canvas

Bella+Canvas practically wrote the playbook on modern premium blanks. They've built their reputation on consistently soft fabrics and ethical manufacturing. Their facilities are WRAP-certified, and they take sustainability seriously. What sets them apart is their Airlume combed and ringspun cotton, which goes through extra processing to remove impurities and create an unusually smooth printing surface. If you've printed on Bella+Canvas, you know the difference immediately.

Featured product: The Bella+Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey Tee is their flagship for good reason. It's 4.2 oz. 100% Airlume combed and ringspun cotton with a retail fit that looks great on people. Pre-shrunk, incredibly soft, and available in over 80 colors, it handles screen printing, DTG and DTF transfers beautifully. It's the go-to choice when you need dependable quality and a premium feel without overthinking it.

Next Level Apparel

Next Level sits in that sweet spot between fashion-forward and functional. They focus on modern cuts and soft fabric blends that work equally well for retail brands and custom orders. Their quality control is solid, and they've managed to keep production ethical while maintaining consistency across their line—not always easy at scale.

Featured product: The Next Level 3600 Cotton T-Shirt is 4.3 oz. 100% combed ringspun cotton (heathers have a bit of polyester blended in) with a lightweight, breathable feel. The 32-singles fabric is noticeably smooth and soft, and it prints beautifully across various print methods. The retail fit is modern without being too slim, and the self-binding at the shoulders keeps everything structured. It comes in a huge color range, which is helpful when you're matching brand colors or offering variety. It's one of those blanks that just works: consistent quality, great hand feel, and reliable results every time. 42 colors available.

American Apparel

American Apparel has always been about elevated basics with a fashion edge. Their cuts are more fitted and contemporary than traditional blank tees, and the fabric quality backs it up. They built their reputation on socially conscious manufacturing and premium materials, and that legacy continues in their current lineup. Although they started off positioned as a premium brand, an acquisition by Gildan brought their prices to a more competitive level.

Featured product: The American Apparel 2001W Fine Jersey T-Shirt uses 4.3 oz. 100% combed ringspun cotton with a texture so smooth it almost feels delicate—but it's not. The fine jersey fabric captures ink details exceptionally well, whether you're screen printing or using DTG. Reinforced seams keep it structured, and the crew neck holds its shape. It's what you reach for when the design needs to look as good as possible. Choose from 12 standard colors.

Comfort Colors

Comfort Colors owns the vintage, lived-in aesthetic. Their pigment-dyed garments have that instant broken-in feel, and the color depth you get from their garment-dye process is hard to replicate. They've carved out a loyal following in surf shops, college towns, and anywhere people appreciate a relaxed, timeless look. Their garments tend to be a bit heavier (thicker) and the fit more roomy.

Featured product: The Comfort Colors C1717 Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt is 6.1 oz. 100% ringspun cotton with a substantial hand feel. The garment-dye process gives each shirt unique character and prevents shrinkage, while the soft-washed fabric gets even better with age. The colors are rich and slightly faded in all the right ways. It's perfect for casual retail brands and designs that benefit from a vintage vibe. 64 unique colors available.

Hanes

Hanes has been around forever, and they've earned their place as a reliable, accessible option. As one of the largest apparel manufacturers globally, they've invested heavily in sustainable sourcing and ethical production. Their ringspun cotton styles represent a significant step up from their basic line, offering better softness and print performance without a huge price jump.

Featured product: The Hanes 4980 Perfect-T lives up to its name for the price point. It's 4.5 oz. 100% ringspun cotton with Clean Canvas Technology, which basically means it prints cleaner and more consistently than standard Hanes tees. Pre-shrunk, made with sustainably grown U.S. cotton, and cut with a more modern fit than older Hanes styles. It's practical for large orders when you need quality and value in the same package. 44 colors to choose from.

District

District targets a younger, more style-conscious audience without sacrificing comfort. Their blanks emphasize modern fits, soft fabrics, and vibrant color options that appeal to entrepreneurs and small brands looking for something a little more current than traditional wholesale tees.

Featured product: The District DT6000 Very Important Tee is 4.3 oz. 100% combed ringspun cotton with a slimmer, more tailored fit and a budget price point. Shoulder-to-shoulder taping and a tear-away label make it easy to rebrand, and the fine cotton texture delivers crisp print detail. It's lightweight but doesn't feel thin, and it works well for both screen printing and digital methods. 36 colors available.

Gildan

Gildan is synonymous with volume and value, but their Softstyle line proves they can do more than basic budget tees. As a global leader in sustainable manufacturing, they've made real progress on water use and ethical production. The Softstyle collection bridges the gap between their standard offerings and true premium blanks.

Featured product: The Gildan G640 Softstyle T-Shirt is 4.5 oz. 100% ringspun cotton with noticeably better hand feel than regular Gildan shirts. Higher stitch density creates a smoother print surface, and rolled-forward shoulders give it a more refined look. The tear-away label makes rebranding easy. It's one of the best value plays in the market—upgrade quality paired with budget pricing. 64 colors.

Tultex

Tultex flies under the radar compared to bigger names, but they've built a solid reputation for dependable, affordable blanks that compete with pricier brands. They source ringspun cotton from the USA and focus on consistency and fit, which has made them a reliable option for small to midsize print shops.

Featured product: The Tultex 202 Unisex Fine Jersey T-Shirt is pre-shrunk 4.5 oz. 100% ringspun cotton with a soft, smooth texture. The fine jersey fabric holds print detail well, aided by double-needle stitching and reinforced shoulder seams. It's reactive-dyed for long-lasting color and offers an excellent balance of print quality and affordability. If you haven't tried Tultex yet, this is the one to start with. 51 colors.

Caring for ringspun cotton

Ringspun cotton garments can maintain their softness and structure for years when properly cared for. The key is treating them gently—these aren't rough-and-tumble work shirts. A few simple habits make all the difference in preserving both the fabric quality and any printed designs.

• Washing: Wash ringspun cotton in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Turn shirts inside out before washing to protect printed designs from abrasion and fading. Skip the harsh detergents and bleach—they break down fibers and dull colors. Ringspun cotton doesn't need to be washed after every single wear, and actually benefits from fewer, gentler laundering cycles that preserve texture and fit. Overwashing is one of the fastest ways to wear out even the nicest fabric.
• Drying: Air drying or using a low-heat tumble setting keeps fibers intact and prevents shrinkage. High heat breaks down the delicate ringspun threads and makes the fabric feel rougher over time. Pull garments from the dryer while they're still slightly damp and reshape them by hand to maintain their silhouette. Hanging or laying them flat allows even drying without the harsh impact of extended machine heat. It takes a little more time, but the fabric stays soft and the shirt keeps its shape.
• Storing: Store shirts clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading. Avoid wire hangers that stretch out shoulder seams—folding is better for maintaining shape. For printed shirts, don't iron directly over graphics. If you need to press wrinkles, flip the shirt inside out and use low heat on the reverse side. These aren't complicated steps, but they're the difference between a shirt that lasts two years and one that's still going strong after five.

Choosing ringspun cotton for your custom apparel

Ringspun cotton delivers tangible benefits that matter for custom printing: softer hand feel, smoother print surfaces, better durability, and a more premium aesthetic. The spinning process strengthens fibers and creates a refined texture that holds up through repeated washing while maintaining comfort. Combed ringspun cotton takes it further by removing impurities for even greater softness and consistency. While it costs slightly more than standard open-end cotton, the difference in quality justifies the investment—especially when you're creating merchandise, branded apparel, or retail products where first impressions count.

Ringspun cotton isn't limited to t-shirts. You'll find it across product categories including hoodies, polos, tank tops, and other activewear. The same principles apply: tighter twist, smoother surface, better performance. When evaluating blanks, always look for "ringspun cotton" explicitly stated in the product description. If it doesn't say ringspun, it's likely standard carded or open-end cotton—the manufacturers who use ringspun fabric make a point of calling it out because it's a selling feature.

With decades of experience in the custom apparel industry, RushOrderTees can help you navigate these choices and find the right products for your specific project. Whether you're printing a dozen shirts for a small event or outfitting an entire organization, our team understands how fabric quality affects both the printing process and the final result. Browse our extensive catalog for ringspun cotton blanks from top brands, or reach out if you need guidance on which styles will work best for your design and budget.