Quick answer: Performance sportswear uses polyester, nylon and spandex knits (about 120–300 GSM) for wicking, stretch and sublimation; lifestyle clothing uses cotton jersey, French terry and fleece (about 140–450 GSM). Use this library to choose the fabric and weight for each product, then confirm with a sample.
This is the fabric library we use with buyers at Ravix Pro Industry in Sialkot. Fabric is sourced per order to your composition, GSM and colour, so every option below can be matched to your tech pack.
How to read GSM
GSM means grams per square metre: the higher the number, the heavier the fabric. 1 oz/yd² is about 34 GSM. Read more in what is GSM in fabric.
| Weight class | GSM | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Under 160 | Jerseys, running tops, summer tees |
| Mid | 160–240 | Everyday tees, polos, rash guards, compression |
| Heavy | 240–350 | Heavyweight tees, French terry hoodies, leggings, tracksuits |
| Extra heavy | 350+ | Winter fleece hoodies, denim, outerwear |
Cotton and cotton-blend knits
| Fabric | Composition | GSM | Stretch | Best for | Decoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton single jersey | 100% cotton or cotton-rich | 140–220 | Low (stretch with spandex) | T-shirts, tanks, lightweight merch | Screen, DTF, embroidery |
| Heavyweight cotton jersey | 100% cotton, often combed ring-spun | 220–300+ | Low | Heavyweight and oversized streetwear tees | Screen, puff, DTF, embroidery |
| Cotton or poly piqué | Cotton, poly-cotton or polyester | 180–240 | Low | Polo shirts, golf and corporate wear | Embroidery, DTF, sublimation (poly) |
| Rib knit (1×1, 2×2) | Cotton-spandex or poly-spandex | 180–280 | High | Collars, cuffs, waistbands, fitted tanks | Usually plain or jacquard |
| French terry | Cotton or cotton-poly, looped back | 240–400 | Medium | Hoodies, sweatshirts, joggers, shorts | Screen, puff, DTF, embroidery |
| Brushed fleece | Cotton-poly or polyester, brushed back | 280–450 | Medium | Winter hoodies, sweatpants, tracksuits | Screen, puff, DTF, embroidery |
| Waffle / thermal knit | Cotton or cotton-poly | 180–260 | Medium | Long sleeves, base layers, lounge | Embroidery, DTF |
Performance knits for sportswear
| Fabric | Composition | GSM | Stretch | Best for | Decoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester interlock | 100% polyester | 130–180 | Medium | Team jerseys, training tops | Sublimation, DTF |
| Bird-eye mesh | 100% polyester | 120–160 | Medium | Football and training jerseys | Sublimation, DTF |
| Dimple / air mesh | 100% polyester | 150–220 | Medium | Basketball, hockey and lacrosse jerseys | Sublimation, twill |
| Micro-mesh / tricot | Polyester or nylon | 120–160 | Medium | Shorts, linings, cheer and dance wear | Sublimation |
| Polyester-spandex | About 85–90% polyester, 10–15% spandex | 180–240 | High (4-way) | Rash guards, compression, cycling jerseys | Sublimation, silicone print |
| Nylon-spandex | About 75–80% nylon, 20–25% spandex | 220–300 | High (4-way) | Leggings, sports bras, riding tights, bib shorts | Heat transfer, silicone, DTF |
| Brushed tricot / poly fleece | 100% polyester, brushed inside | 220–320 | Medium | Tracksuits, warm-up jackets | Sublimation, embroidery, DTF |
Woven fabrics
| Fabric | Composition | GSM | Stretch | Best for | Decoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microfibre / peach skin | 100% polyester woven | 90–140 | Low (stretch option) | Shorts, tracksuit bottoms, MMA shorts | Sublimation, DTF |
| Taslan / nylon | Nylon or polyester | 70–120 | None | Windbreakers, shell tracksuits | Screen, DTF, embroidery |
| Satin | Polyester | 100–180 | None | Boxing shorts, varsity jackets, linings | Embroidery, sublimation |
| Softshell | Polyester shell bonded to micro-fleece | 280–350 | Medium | Club jackets, outdoor and staff jackets | Embroidery, DTF, reflective |
| Waterproof laminated shell | Polyester or nylon + membrane, 2L or 3L | 120–250 | Low | Ski wear, rain jackets | Embroidery, reflective, silicone |
| Cotton twill / canvas | Cotton or poly-cotton | 200–340 | None | Workwear, jackets, caps, cargo pants | Embroidery, screen |
| Denim | Cotton or cotton-spandex | 340–540 (10–16 oz) | Low to medium | Jeans, denim jackets and shorts | Embroidery, patches, laser |
Sustainable options
| Fabric | Composition | GSM | Stretch | Best for | Decoration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic cotton | Certified organic cotton | 140–400 | As per knit | Eco tees, hoodies, merch | All cotton methods |
| Recycled polyester (rPET) | Polyester from recycled bottles | 120–300 | As per knit | Eco jerseys, activewear | Sublimation, DTF |
Fabric by product: quick picks
| Product | Recommended fabric | GSM |
|---|---|---|
| Football / soccer jersey | Polyester interlock or bird-eye mesh | 130–160 |
| Basketball / hockey jersey | Dimple or air mesh | 150–220 |
| Streetwear tee | Heavyweight cotton jersey | 220–300 |
| Hoodie | French terry or brushed fleece | 300–450 |
| Leggings | Nylon-spandex | 240–300 |
| Rash guard / compression | Polyester-spandex | 180–240 |
| Tracksuit | Brushed tricot or microfibre | 220–320 |
| Windbreaker | Taslan | 70–120 |
| Ski jacket | Waterproof laminated shell + insulation | 120–250 shell |
Testing and compliance
- OEKO-TEX certified factory; REACH-compliant inks and dyes for EU buyers
- Shrinkage, colourfastness and pilling checked on samples
- Squat-proof checks on leggings
- GSM tolerance usually about ±5%
See certifications and quality assurance.
Fabric guides
- Sportswear fabric guide
- French terry vs fleece
- Jersey mesh fabric types
- Best fabric for T-shirts
- Moisture-wicking fabric guide
- Heavyweight T-shirts guide
- Sustainable clothing
Not sure which fabric to choose? Send us your product idea or message us on WhatsApp and we will recommend fabric and GSM, then confirm with a sample. MOQ from 30 pieces per design.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fabric for sportswear?
Polyester and polyester-spandex knits for jerseys and training wear, and nylon-spandex for leggings and compression, because they wick sweat, stretch and dry fast.
What GSM is best for a hoodie?
About 300–350 GSM for an all-season hoodie and 380–450 GSM for a heavy winter or premium streetwear hoodie.
Can I choose my own fabric?
Yes. We source fabric per order to your composition, GSM and colour, or match a sample you send.
Do you offer recycled and organic fabrics?
Yes, recycled polyester (rPET) and organic cotton are available on request.
What is the GSM tolerance?
Usually about ±5% of the specified GSM.