Sportswear Fabric Guide: Polyester Blends Explained
Fabric choice affects everything from how a garment prints to how it performs on the field. Most custom sportswear is built around polyester or a polyester blend, but not all polyester fabric is the same. Here is what actually matters when choosing fabric for a custom order.
Why Polyester Dominates Sportswear
Polyester dries quickly, resists shrinking, holds color well, and takes sublimation printing better than almost any other fiber, which is why it is the base fabric for most jerseys, uniforms, and performance wear.
Common Sportswear Fabric Types
- Interlock polyester – a smooth, medium weight knit commonly used for soccer and basketball jerseys, offering a clean surface for sublimation printing
- Pique polyester – a textured, breathable knit often used for polos and training shirts
- Polyester-spandex blend – adds stretch for compression wear, leggings, and fitted fitness apparel
- Polyester mesh – lightweight and highly breathable, used for underarm panels or ventilated sections in jerseys
- Fleece and polyester-cotton blends – heavier fabrics used for tracksuits, hoodies, and casual wear rather than performance jerseys
GSM: What the Fabric Weight Number Means
Fabric weight is measured in GSM, or grams per square meter. Lighter fabrics around 140 to 160 GSM suit warm weather jerseys and training wear, while heavier fabrics above 220 GSM are more common in tracksuits, hoodies, and cold weather gear. Higher GSM is not automatically better – it depends entirely on the intended use.
Matching Fabric to Product Type
| Product | Typical Fabric |
|---|---|
| Soccer and basketball jerseys | Lightweight interlock polyester, 140 to 160 GSM |
| Compression tops and leggings | Polyester-spandex blend |
| Polos and training shirts | Pique polyester |
| Tracksuits and hoodies | Fleece or heavier polyester blend, 220+ GSM |
Questions to Ask Your Manufacturer About Fabric
- What is the exact GSM of the fabric being used, not just the fabric name?
- Is the fabric suitable for sublimation printing, or does it require embroidery or screen printing instead?
- Can I get a fabric swatch before committing to a bulk order?
Fabric Sourcing at Maswiz Industries
As a custom sportswear manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan, Maswiz Industries sources fabric locally, which keeps sampling turnaround fast and lets us offer fabric swatches before you commit to a bulk order. See our sublimation vs embroidery guide to understand how fabric choice connects to decoration method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a fabric swatch before ordering?
Yes, requesting a physical fabric swatch is a normal part of the sampling process before committing to a bulk order.
Is heavier fabric always more durable?
Not necessarily. Heavier fabric is generally more suited to cold weather or casual wear, while lighter fabric is intentional for jerseys and training wear so the garment breathes properly during activity.
Does all polyester work with sublimation printing?
Most polyester and high polyester blend fabrics work well with sublimation, but the finish and color vibrancy can vary by fabric type, which is why a sample is worth checking before bulk production.
Contact Maswiz Industries to request a fabric swatch for your custom order.
