5 Best Fabrics for Screen Printing

Screen printing can also be known as silk screening. The technique is essentially done using ink. Screen printing can be a great way to customize many different types of clothing. Both natural and synthetic fibers can work for screen printing, depending on the type of ink that is being used. One of the best choices for screen printing is cotton. It is a great beginner fabric and of course, can be used by intermediate or advanced screen printers as well. Cotton is widely available, is often budget friendly, and can be used to make many different apparel items.
Fabric for Screen PrintingDescription
Telio Organic Cotton Jersey KnitMade from 100% cotton, soft and drapes well, 30% stretch, suitable for making various apparel items
Sweatshirt Fleece FabricMade from 100% organic cotton, medium weight, manufactured and dyed in the US, durable and versatile, suitable for sweatshirts and hoodies
Interlock Knit SolidLightweight fabric, 100% cotton, comes in a variety of colors, suitable for making different types of apparel items
Premium MuslinLightweight fabric, 100% cotton, versatile use for apparel, utility, crafting, quilting, comes in 44” width
European LinenMedium weight fabric, 100% linen, available in over fifty different colors, suitable for making apparel items, household decor, bedding, accessories
Screen Printing Non-Cotton FabricsFabrics like polyester, wool, linen, satin can be used for screen printing with specific inks
Caring for Screen Printed Clothing and ItemsHand wash or gentle machine wash with cool water and mild detergent, avoid dry cleaning and putting in the dryer, hang dry whenever possible
Recommended ReadingThe 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners, The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines, The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room, Everything You Need To Know About Sewing, Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

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Best Fabric for Screen Printing

Here are our fabric for screen printing reviews

1. Telio Organic Cotton Jersey Knit

Telio Organic Cotton Jersey Knit Black

This organic cotton jersey knit is made from 100% cotton. Cotton works great for screen printing because it is a natural fabric and organic cotton is also great for the environment. While cotton is known to be soft, this organic cotton is even softer and drapes well.

  • Has 30% stretch across the grain, which makes it great for making a variety of apparel items including t-shirts, loungewear, tops, and more
  • This cotton is totally toxin free
  • Machine wash cold and tumble dry on low heat

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2. Sweatshirt Fleece Fabric

Organic Cotton Sweatshirt Fleece Black

Screen printing isn’t just for t-shirts or thinner shirts. Some sweatshirts and hoodies can also be screen printed. This medium weight knit fabric is made from 100% organic cotton. Organic cotton is often super soft. Of course, organic cotton is also great for the environment.

  • The fabric is manufactured and dyed right in the US
  • Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat
  • Fleece fabric is generally durable and is also quite versatile- fleece can be used to make many different apparel items

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3. Interlock Knit Solid

Cotton Interlock Knit Black Cotton Interlock Knit Black

Cotton is a great fabric for screen printing. Natural fibers like cotton soak up the ink well and are great for beginner to advanced screen printers. This fabric is lightweight and is 100% cotton. It comes in a variety of different colors and is a versatile fabric which can be used for making many different types of apparel items

  • Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat
  • Fabric features 30% stretch across the grain
  • Comes in 58” widths
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4. Premium Muslin

Premium Muslin Bleached Wht

Muslin can be a great fabric to use for screen printing. Natural fibers like cotton work well. Muslin can be used for many different purposes. For apparel items, for utility purposes, for crafting, doll making, tote bags, quilting, linings, costumes, wall coverings, and more.

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5. European Linen

100 European Linen Oatmeal

Linen can be screen printed, but it is more of a process for advanced screen printers. Linen is a natural fabric, but it is not as easy to screen print on as cotton. This particular line of linen can be machine washed on gentle. Screen printed items should not be dry cleaned, so be sure wash on gentle and hang to dry to care for may screen printed linen items.

  • This medium weight fabric is made from 100% linen
  • Linen can be used to make many different apparel items, household décor, bedding, accessories, and more
  • This line of fabric is available in over fifty different colors
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Fabric for Screen Printing Buying Guide

Screen printing can be a lot of fun. It can be a great way to personalize items or even make extra money by creating personalized or customized items for other people. Screen printing can have a bit of a learning curve, but cheaper or budget friendly cottons could be purchased to practice on. Cotton is readily available and often quite inexpensive. There are many different weaves of cotton that you could practice screen printing as well, before you move on to other fabrics.

Screen Printing Non-Cotton Fabrics

Many other fabrics besides cotton can be used for screen printing as well. Fabrics that are made from 100% polyester can be screen printed as well, but usually special or different inks have to be used. Wool can be used for screen printing, but since wool is often dry clean only (screen printing should not be dry cleaned), take care. Linen can also be used for screen printing, but it is not recommended as a beginner’s fabric. Many other fabrics including ones like satin, can be printed on with different kinds of pigment or textile inks.

Caring for Screen Printed Clothing and Items

Screen printing can be a fun way to personalize items, but you’ll want to keep those items looking great for as long as possible. Screen printed items should be hand washed whenever possible, or wash the item on gentle. Also, if possible, wash items with cool water and a mild detergent. Never dry clean a screen printed item as heat can cause the screen printing to crack or peel. If possible, also avoid putting screen printed items in the dryer. Hang dry items whenever possible.

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