The importance of sustainability in custom apparel has skyrocketed in recent years. Progressing from an added bonus to a decision-making necessity, clothes made from recycled materials or produced using eco-friendly methods have become essential for designers and brand managers.
At AWDis, we’ve been keeping pace with the sustainability movement every step of the way, ensuring our products remain a responsible, planet-friendly option for creatives around the world. In this guide, we’ll explore why eco-friendly clothing materials have become a priority for both us and the blank apparel industry and how you can select the best materials for your personalization project.
Understanding the Importance of Sustainable Materials for Clothing
It’s no secret that environmentally friendly clothing materials have become a main focus for blank apparel designers and printers throughout the creative industries. From breathable adult blanks to Youth garments that keep up with the fun, garments need to put the planet first.
Climate change and the need to look after nature are at the forefront of this trend, but what else is driving the rise of sustainability in the clothing industry? If you’ve got a branding or creative vision, here’s why sustainable clothing needs to be on your radar.
Longevity
Blank apparel needs to be built to last if it’s going to provide a canvas for your brand or campaign. Clothing that loses its shape or quality over time will do nothing but harm your image, but environmentally friendly clothing materials are more likely to hold their shape and fit thanks to their natural fibres.
Organic cotton, for example, is a sustainably sourced fabric that offers superior strength when compared with its synthetic counterparts. Requiring no fertilizer and minimal water to grow, organic cotton garments like the AWDis T will serve employees, brand ambassadors and satisfied customers for longer and keep your designs looking great wash after wash.
Comfort
Whether it channels school spirit or showcases brand vision, custom apparel must first and foremost be comfortable to wear. As integral to our Performance range as any other, wearer experience is everything, and sustainable materials often prove to be those most conducive to long-term comfort.
Eco-friendly clothing materials are often manufactured without harmful chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic dyes, greatly reducing the risk of wearers experiencing allergic reactions or skin irritation from their garments. Associating your brand with a t-shirt or hoodie that causes these problems can be detrimental, so sustainable materials are a safe bet.
Brand Ethos
In creating personalized apparel, brands and organizations are striving to increase their visibility and put their products, ethos or team members out there for the world to appreciate. In addition to the sharp colors and catchy slogans, what tells prospective customers and partners what they need to know is the sustainability of the garment itself.
If you want to make clear that you are a conscientious and responsible organization, using clothes made from recycled materials or using eco-friendly production processes for your branded apparel does a lot of the hard work for you.
Making the Right Choice: What Clothing Materials are Sustainable
It’s clear that sustainable materials matter for blank apparel, so what materials should you be on the lookout for? Here are some of our top picks:
- Organic Cotton: As already mentioned, organic cotton is produced with zero pesticides and minimal water use, making it a fabric that minimises environmental impact. Used across our ranges, organic cotton is strong, comfortable and ideal for a variety of decoration methods.
- Recycled Polyester: Made from repurposed waste, this material is lightweight and comfortable. These attributes make it a key component of athletic garments like our Cool T.
- Hemp: A fast-growing crop that requires very little water, hemp’s fibers are strong and moisture-wicking, making them an excellent choice for T-shirts, hoodies and socks!
- Linen: Biodegradable and airy, linen is a fabric that makes for lightweight, moisture-wicking and eco-friendly clothing.
What is the Best Material for Clothes?: Our Quick Guide
Selecting the best material for your custom apparel is vital, and there are multiple factors to consider when choosing not only the most sustainable clothing materials for your project, but also those most suitable for your creative vision.
To help you make the best decision, here’s our guide to the most popular materials.
|
Material |
Benefits |
Perfect for… |
|
Organic Cotton |
Comfortable, breathable, and durable. See our classic AWDis T. |
A variety of decoration methods (both print and embroidery) and garment types. |
|
Ringspun Cotton |
Enhanced softness, smoothness, and longevity. See our iconic College Hoodie. |
High-quality garments and designs, especially intricate embroidery. |
|
Polyester |
Lightweight, breathable, and flexible. See our performance-ready Long-sleeve Cool T. |
Purpose-driven activewear and sports branding garments. |
|
Hemp |
Moisture-wicking, durable, and comfortable. |
Combined with cotton to enhance durability and softness. |
|
Linen |
Breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking. |
Durable, everyday T-shirts, or combine with cotton to enhance breathability and reduce wrinkling. |
|
Fabric Blends |
Combines the best attributes (like durability and softness) of different fibers. |
Producing all-around garments with optimal softness, durability, and comfort. |
|
Denim |
Durable, stylish, and long-lasting. |
Textural and stylish garments with high-end, eye-catching appeal. |
Craft Sustainable Apparel With AWDis
Sustainability has become a top priority in the world of custom apparel, quickly progressing from a preference to a necessity for brands and designs everywhere. At AWDis, we’ve always understood the importance of sustainable materials for clothing, and that’s why our ranges strive to serve the planet and personalization in equal measure.
No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got the customizable apparel you need at AWDis. Got questions? Contact us – our team is always here to help!
