Which Is Better: Cotton Or Polyester For Promotional Clothing?

When selecting apparel as a promotional product, our clients and we have a difficult time deciding between cotton and polyester. We are talking about two of the best clothing materials here, so the dilemma is understandable. Since it is pointless to compare the two, the purpose of this article is to explore the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Promotional Cotton Clothing: Pros & Cons

Cotton, a type of natural fibre, is harvested from the cotton plant's seed pod, which thrives in subtropical regions, and has been around for more than a millennia. It continues to dominate the market for clothing materials because it is simpler, more efficient, and more affordable to produce than any other material.

Comfortable to Wear

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "cotton"? Comfortable? Soft? Breathable? Well, all are correct because these are the adjectives often associated with clothing made of cotton. The hollow fibres that makeup cotton's naturally supple texture and little resistance to airflow make cotton a popular fabric.

Hypoallergenic

Cotton is 100% hypoallergenic because it is derived from natural vegetable fibres. As a result, it's a perfect material for people with sensitive skin, especially babies or kids. Also, because of its hypoallergenic properties, cotton is often used to make underwear, socks, undershirts, and other undergarments.

Eco-friendly

The fact that cotton is good for the environment can be the deciding factor for some of our clients. The moment they ask us: Which is eco-friendly? Then we know where the conversation is going. Cotton is a natural, biodegradable, and sustainable fabric.

Locks in Sweat

Wearing cotton in the summer because it breathes well is tempting, but wait until you start sweating like crazy. Cotton tends to absorb sweat or moisture and hold it. What's more, is that it dries slowly. So it isn't ideal to giveaway promotional cotton jerseys to your local sports team as branded sponsor gifts.

Not Travel-friendly

Do you want to travel light? Avoid packing a lot of cotton clothes. Cotton is the material that weighs more and takes up more space compared to the other option. But if you want stylish travel apparel or will attend a formal event for a business trip, then you would be okay with packing three or more of these. But remember to bring a steam iron because cotton is easy to wrinkle.

Promotional Polyester Clothing: Pros & Cons

Meanwhile, polyester is a modern synthetic material invented in the 20th century and derived from petroleum. It shares several qualities with cotton, namely its resistance to heat, bleaching, and detergents. As a result, it has a wide range of uses as cotton. But polyester also has benefits and drawbacks that should be considered before choosing it as a material for promotional clothing gifts.

Costs Less

Are you on a budget? Compared to cotton production, polyester manufacturing is less expensive. Additionally, polyester doesn't require costly lamination processes because it is essentially plastic.

Strong and Resilient

Polyester clothing is durable and stretchable. Because of its unique chemical composition, polyester is a more durable material than cotton and has a larger capacity to stretch. It enables you to move freely without restricting you as you do not need to worry about the cloth wearing out.

Lightweight and Moisture-Wicking

Compared to cotton, the fabric used to make sportswear and other active clothing are frequently constructed from polyester since it is more lightweight and more efficient at drying out. In addition, polyester is resistant to water and ultraviolet light, which makes it an excellent choice for clothing material when exercising or hiking.

Lack of Airflow

Polyester is moisture-wicking, but it lacks breathability, unlike cotton. That also contributes to the fact that it has a plastic-like feel to it and has the potential to cling to the skin when worn for an extended time.

Environmental Impact

Since it is made from plastic, polyester is not that good for the environment. The manufacturing of polyester requires a significant amount of energy and contributes to the emission of greenhouse gasses. It is also not biodegradable, and the degradation process can take hundreds of years.

What If Poly Cotton Branded Apparel?

Why choose when you may have both in a single promotional item of clothing? A cotton and polyester blend showcases the advantages of both materials. In the 1960s, the two textiles were combined to create workwear that could endure industrial washing. Nowadays, it's one of the most popular fabrics for everything from regular garments for work to athletic wear.

Whether you want promotional apparel made from cotton, polyester, or both, Fast Promotional Products NZ has you covered ! Get in touch with our friendly sales team and get expert advice for your next giveaway. Call us at (+64) 09 8012899 or email [email protected].

References:
https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/9157/cotton-vs-polyester-similarities-and-differences
https://silverbobbin.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-polyester/