Knits are typically polos or sport shirts. You’ve seen them on the golf course (or pictures of a golf course). You’ve seen them with little gators on them. They’re collared shirts with button up plackets. They come in long sleeves, short sleeves and a wide variety of colors. Knits also include apparel items like cardigans, turtlenecks, and mock turtlenecks. They’re what casual Friday is made of - dressier than t-shirts and more casual than dress shirts.
The vast majority of this apparel category comes in solid colors, but there are a lot of varied styles as well. Everything from piping accents and stripes to unique panels and specialty fabric. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:
100% Cotton - Natural. Breaths well but does not dry quickly. Resists pilling. Tends to wrinkle and/or shrink.
Ring Spun and Combed Cotton - Natural cotton fiber that has been processed or spun creating a much softer feel and extended durability.
Polyester - Synthetic. Wrinkle and stain resistant. Holds shape and color. Durable. Garment feel is less popular than cotton.
Spun Polyester - Synthetic fiber with a much softer feel.
Jersey - Knitted instead of woven. Soft and breathable. Slight stretch. Softens with washing.
Pique - Knit fabric characterized by raised cords or ribs in an all over waffle, honeycomb, or diamond patter. Popular for polo or golf shirts.
Spandex - Super stretchy. Retains shape. Resistant to washing and perspiration. Spandex is usually blended with another fabric for polos.
Moisture Wicking - Draws moisture away from the skin to be quickly evaporated.
Anti-Microbial - Treated or natural benefit of the material (such as bamboo) to reduce odor causing bacteria.
Performance - Many of today’s performance fabrics combine moisture wicking and anti-microbial features.
Polos and knits are most often embroidered. Embroidery has a higher perceived value and is generally the choice for higher end garments. Polos can be screen printed as well, in most cases. Certain knit fabrics can be printed digitally.
Custom company apparel can benefit your business in a variety of ways. Branding your uniforms, t-shirts, or promotional apparel with personality can help develop a strong company image that people will remember.
This guide is a primer for the main points to consider when ordering custom company clothing and how to start the process.