Choosing between 100% cotton t-shirts and 100% polyester t-shirts might sound simple, but when you’re dealing with custom t shirt orders, large batch production, or staff uniforms for a vending coffee machine business—it’s a decision that can affect comfort, durability, and even brand image.

As someone who works closely with garment buyers and vending industry clients, I’ve seen how often this question comes up. Both materials offer unique benefits. Let’s break them down so you can choose the best option for your brand, team, or customers.

Why Fabric Choice Isn’t Just a Fashion Decision

Whether you’re producing t shirts for men in bulk or designing a promotional uniform for your automatic coffee vending machine service, the fabric matters. It affects how the t-shirt feels, lasts, prints, and even smells after a long shift.

Many businesses today focus more on sustainability, washability, and how the shirt behaves in real-world use—not just how it looks on a product page.

Comparing Cotton and Polyester in Real-Life Use

Let’s compare them on the features that matter most.

● 100% Cotton T-Shirts

• Comfort: Soft, breathable, and ideal for sensitive skin. Great for staff who work long hours or shift outdoors.
• Printing quality: Holds up well with most t-shirt design methods, especially screen printing.
• Absorbency: Cotton absorbs sweat, which can be a benefit or a drawback depending on the setting.
• Shrinkage: Natural fiber means potential shrinkage after wash unless it’s pre-shrunk.

● 100% Polyester T-Shirts

• Durability: Resistant to wrinkles, shrinking, and fading. Polyester is excellent for heavyweight t shirts needed in more rugged environments.
• Moisture-wicking: Ideal for activewear or uniforms in hot environments, like coffee bar operators working next to machines.
• Printing method: Performs best with sublimation printing but may not look as vibrant with traditional methods.
• Eco-friendly options: Some newer polyesters are made from recycled plastic bottles.

When Each Fabric Makes Business Sense

Still not sure? Let’s look at real-world scenarios:

• Vending Machines Coffee Staffwear
  You’re supplying t-shirts for your café or vending coffee machine service staff. Here, polyester is often better—it’s lightweight, doesn’t wrinkle, and keeps staff dry during busy shifts.
• Custom Merchandise for Retail
  For custom t shirt sales, especially those meant for daily wear, cotton is often the winner. Customers love the softness, and it offers excellent printing versatility for your t-shirt design needs.
• Heavy-Duty Use
  If your t-shirts are used by warehouse or delivery staff, or near commercial coffee machines, you might want heavyweight t shirts made of a cotton/poly blend for the best of both worlds.

Ultimately, it’s about knowing your use case. Ask yourself: “Will this shirt be worn for style, sweat, or service?”

FAQ Section

1. What are the pros and cons of 100% cotton t shirts for business use?

100% cotton is breathable and comfortable, making it perfect for casual or retail settings. However, it may shrink slightly and absorb sweat more than polyester.

2. How do I choose the right fabric for custom t shirt printing?

If you’re using screen or DTG printing, cotton works best. For sublimation or all-over prints, polyester gives sharper results.

3. What’s the best fabric for t-shirts used in vending machine coffee businesses?

Polyester or poly-blends are preferred for their moisture-wicking and durable nature, especially in heat-intensive environments.

4. How do heavyweight t shirts perform for warehouse or delivery staff?

Heavyweight shirts, especially those with a cotton-poly blend, offer better durability and structure without compromising comfort.

5. What’s the best option for t shirts for men in hot weather?

Polyester is great for moisture management, but lightweight 100% cotton t-shirts are also ideal if breathability is a priority.

Make the Right Choice with Sheen

At Sheen, we specialize in helping B2B customers source the perfect t-shirts—whether you’re a vending machine business looking for durable uniforms, or a retail brand in need of breathable 100 cotton t shirts that customers love to wear again and again.

We offer a full range of custom t shirt solutions with flexible MOQ, fast sampling, and options for sustainable materials. Want help deciding what fits best for your brand? Get in touch—we’ll make fabric selection easy, efficient, and tailored to your needs.