SINGLE-KNIT

Single Jersey Knit Fabric

The world's most popular knit — lightweight, breathable, naturally stretchy, and the most cost-effective fabric to produce. The standard for t-shirts, activewear, and casual basics sold in every market on earth.

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Min GSM
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Max GSM
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Min. Order
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Countries
OEKO-TEX 100Certified Safe
ISO 9001:2015Quality System
4-Way StretchNatural
40+ CountriesGlobal Shipping
DHL / FedExExpress Delivery
OVERVIEW

What Is Single Jersey Fabric?

Single jersey is the most widely produced knit fabric in the world — made on a single set of needles on circular knitting machines. It has a distinct V-shaped knit pattern on the face side (technical face) and horizontal purl loops on the back (technical back). This asymmetric structure gives jersey its signature characteristics: lightness, drape, and natural stretch.

"If you pick up any t-shirt anywhere in the world right now, there's a 90%+ chance it's made from single jersey. It's not just a fabric — it's the default textile for casual and athletic wear globally."

We manufacture jersey in 100% cotton, 100% polyester, 65/35 poly-cotton, 60/40 CVC, cotton-spandex (95/5), and poly-spandex (92/8) — across 120 to 240 GSM. Every batch is tested for GSM accuracy, shrinkage (≤3% for cotton, ≤1.5% for blends), colorfastness (4+ grade), pilling (3–4 grade minimum), and width consistency (±1 cm).

90%
Of All Tees
Rolled single jersey fabric on production line at Dhalay International Sialkot facility
Jersey Production — Sialkot
FABRIC STRUCTURE

How Jersey Is Built

A single set of needles creates two distinctly different sides — each with unique properties that define how the fabric behaves.

Cross-Section View
Face Side — V-Shaped Knit Loops
Single-Layer — No Air Gap
Back Side — Horizontal Purl Loops

Two Distinct Sides

V-knit face is smoother and takes print better. Purl back is more textured and absorbs moisture — garments are worn face-out by convention.

Edge Curling

Unbalanced tension between face and back causes curling toward the face on top/bottom edges and toward the back on sides. Managed by hemming and binding.

Natural 4-Way Stretch

The loop structure allows 25–35% stretch in width and 15–20% in length without any spandex — the most stretchy single-knit construction.

Single-Layer Lightweight

Only one layer of yarn — uses less material than interlock or rib, making it the lightest and most breathable knit structure available.

COMPOSITIONS

Available Fiber Compositions

Jersey works with any fiber — the most versatile knit structure for composition flexibility.

100%
Cotton Jersey
100%
Polyester Jersey
65/35
Poly / Cotton (TC)
60/40
Cotton / Poly (CVC)
95/5
Cotton / Spandex
92/8
Poly / Spandex
AVAILABLE GSM

GSM Range & Use Cases

Jersey covers the lightest weight range of any knit — from sheer summer basics to substantial heavy tees.

Summer Tees
Layering
Basic Tees
Promotional
Standard Tees
Activewear
Premium Tees
Fashion
Heavy Tees
Training
Ultra-Heavy
Streetwear
Max Weight
Structured
Jersey achieves its GSM with the least yarn of any knit structure. A 160 GSM jersey feels lighter and drapes more than a 160 GSM interlock because there's no double-layer. For the same perceived weight, jersey is typically 15–20 GSM lower than interlock.
AVAILABLE COLORS

Stock & Custom Colors

Jersey accepts dye exceptionally well — the smooth V-knit face produces deep, even solid colors.

Black
White
Navy Blue
Royal Blue
Red
Green
Orange
Grey
Yellow
Purple
Pink
Beige
Teal
Slate
100% polyester jersey accepts sublimation for unlimited color capability — any design, any gradient, photographically. Cotton and blend jerseys are piece-dyed with ΔE < 1.0 Pantone matching accuracy across 14 stock colors and unlimited custom lots.
WHY JERSEY WINS

Engineered Advantages

Jersey isn't just the cheapest option — its single-layer structure delivers genuine performance benefits that double-knits can't match.

Lightest Weight

Single-layer construction uses the least yarn — no other knit structure achieves the same lightness at the same GSM.

Maximum Breathability

No trapped air layer — moisture and heat pass through directly. The most breathable knit for hot-weather performance.

Natural 4-Way Stretch

25–35% width stretch and 15–20% length stretch without any spandex — moves with the body in every direction.

Lowest Cost

Single set of needles, single layer, fastest machines — jersey is 15–25% cheaper than interlock at the same GSM.

Superior Drape

Single-layer flexibility gives jersey a flowing drape that structured double-knits can't replicate — ideal for fashion-forward cuts.

Fastest Production

Single-jersey machines run at the highest RPM of any circular knit — shortest lead times and highest output per hour.

Best for Sublimation

100% polyester jersey is the gold standard for all-over sublimation — thin, even surface absorbs dye uniformly.

Easy to Recycle

Single-fiber jersey (100% cotton or 100% polyester) is the easiest knit to recycle — no fiber separation needed.

APPLICATIONS

What Jersey Is Used For

Jersey dominates the largest segments of the apparel market — it's the backbone of casual and athletic wear.

T-Shirts
Running Tees
Team Kits
Gym Wear
Promotional
Long Sleeves
Tank Tops
Loungewear
Baseball Tees
Prayer Garments
Baby Onesies
Dresses
Medical Scrubs
V-Neck Tees
Basketball
Under-Layer
Swim Cover-Ups
Retail Basics
COMPARISON

Jersey vs Interlock vs Rib Knit

The three most common knit structures compared head-to-head — pick the right construction for your product.

Property Single Jersey Interlock Rib Knit
Structure Single-knit, 2 sides Simplest Double-knit, 2 faces Single-knit, alternating
Weight Lightest Jersey 15–20% heavier Heavier — dense stitches
Breathability Best — single layer Jersey Moderate — trapped air Good — between ribs
Stretch 4-way, natural Jersey 2-way only 1-way (width), extreme
Edge Curling Significant Issue None Interlock None — self-balancing
Hand Feel Soft, drapey Smooth, dense Interlock Textured, elastic
Run Resistance Poor — runs spread Issue Excellent Interlock Good
Sublimation Excellent on poly Jersey Good on poly Poor — uneven surface
Production Speed Fastest Jersey Moderate Slowest
Cost Per Meter Lowest Jersey 15–25% higher 20–30% higher
Best For Tees, activewear, basics Polos, hoodies, premium Cuffs, collars, form-fitting
Quick rule: Need the lightest, most breathable, cheapest, and most stretchy fabric? Go jersey. Need a premium, structured fabric with no curling? Go interlock. Need extreme width stretch for cuffs, neckbands, or form-fitting garments? Go rib knit. Most garments combine all three — jersey body, rib cuffs, interlock collar.
PROS & CONS

Honest Assessment

Advantages
  • Lightest knit structure — ideal for hot-weather and layering garments
  • Most breathable — single layer allows maximum air and moisture passage
  • Natural 4-way stretch (25–35% width, 15–20% length) without spandex
  • Lowest cost — 15–25% cheaper than interlock, 20–30% cheaper than rib
  • Fastest production speed — highest RPM machines, shortest lead times
  • Best sublimation surface — thin, even, absorbs dye uniformly on polyester
  • Excellent drape — flows with the body for flattering silhouettes
  • Easiest to recycle when produced in single-fiber compositions
Disadvantages
  • Significant edge curling — requires hemming, binding, or bands to control
  • Prone to runs and snags — a broken loop can unravel vertically
  • Less dimensional stability — can stretch and distort during cutting and sewing
  • Thinner, less substantial hand feel compared to interlock or double-knits
  • Not ideal for structured garments — lacks body for polo shirts or hoodies
  • Embroidery can show through the back — needs backing stabilizer
Our mitigation: We compact all jersey fabric after dyeing to reduce residual shrinkage to ≤2%. For curling control, we recommend 1×1 rib bindings on neck and sleeve openings. For run prevention, we use high-tenacity yarns and anti-snag finishes. For embroidery, we supply matching cut-away backing at no extra cost on garment orders.
PRINTING OPTIONS

Printing & Decoration Methods

Jersey is compatible with every major decoration method — but some work significantly better than others.

All-over sublimation printing on 100% polyester jersey fabric
100% Poly Jersey

Sublimation

The gold standard. 100% polyester jersey produces the most vibrant, permanent, all-over prints in the industry. Thin, even surface absorbs dye uniformly with zero hand feel change. Not compatible with cotton jersey.

Full-ColorAll-OverZero HandPermanent
Screen printing on cotton jersey t-shirt fabric
All Compositions

Screen Printing

The universal workhorse for jersey. Plastisol inks sit cleanly on the V-knit face with good opacity. Water-based inks sink slightly for a softer hand. Works on any composition — cotton, poly, or blends.

1–8 ColorsAny BlendOpaqueBulk Pricing
DTG printing on 100% cotton jersey fabric
Cotton-Rich

Direct-to-Garment

Best results on 100% cotton and CVC jersey where the cotton face fibers absorb water-based DTG inks for photographic quality. On polyester jersey, colors appear washed out — use sublimation instead.

Full-ColorSoft HandNo SetupCotton Best
CUSTOMIZATION

Engineer Your Jersey

Every variable is adjustable — from yarn spinning method to special performance finishes.

01

Fiber Composition

100% cotton, 100% polyester, poly-cotton, CVC, or spandex blends — match your performance need.

02

Yarn Type

Ring-spun (softer), open-end (cheaper), combed (smoothest), or melange (heathered) yarn options.

03

GSM & Yarn Count

120–240 GSM controlled through 20s to 40s yarn count and stitch length adjustments.

04

Width

Standard 58–60" tubular or 58–62" open-width. Custom widths available for specific cutting layouts.

05

Finish Treatment

Pre-shrink (compaction), bio-polish, anti-pilling, softener, enzyme wash, or moisture-wicking finish.

06

Performance Add-Ons

Anti-microbial, UV protection (UPF 30–50+), moisture management, or quick-dry treatments.

HOW IT WORKS

Ordering Process

From first contact to delivery — a streamlined 5-step process.

Inquiry

Day 0

Samples

3–5 Days

Approval

1–2 Days

Production

12–18 Days

Delivery

4–7 Days
Total turnaround: 20–32 days from inquiry to doorstep. Jersey has the fastest production of any knit — rush orders available in 12–16 days.
ORDER DETAILS

MOQ, Capacity & Lead Time

500 pcs
Minimum Order Quantity
Fabric-only: 200 meters
75K pcs/mo
Manufacturing Capacity
Scalable to 120K+ on demand
12–18 days
Production Lead Time
Rush orders: 8–10 days
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Single jersey is the most common knit fabric in the world, made on a single set of needles on circular knitting machines. It has a distinct V-shaped knit pattern on the face side and horizontal purl loops on the back. It's lightweight, breathable, naturally stretchy in 4 directions, and the standard fabric for t-shirts worldwide. The name comes from the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel where it was first produced.
Jersey curls because the face (V-knits) and back (purl loops) are structurally different — they exert unbalanced tension on each other. The fabric curls toward the face side on the top and bottom edges, and toward the back on the side edges. This is inherent to the single-knit structure and can't be eliminated, only managed through proper hemming, binding with rib knit, or using wider seam allowances. Pre-washing can also reduce the severity of curling.
100% polyester jersey is the absolute best fabric for sublimation — its thin, even, single-layer surface absorbs dye uniformly with zero texture interference, producing the most vibrant all-over prints possible. 65/35 poly-cotton jersey works acceptably with slightly muted colors. 100% cotton jersey and CVC jersey cannot be sublimated at all — the cotton fibers don't accept sublimation dye. For cotton-rich jersey, use screen printing or DTG instead.
Jersey is a single-knit with one face (V-knits) and one back (purl loops) — it's lighter, more breathable, cheaper, has better 4-way stretch, but curls at edges and is prone to runs. Interlock is a double-knit that's identical on both sides — heavier, more stable, no curling, run-resistant, premium hand feel, but more expensive and less breathable. Jersey is the default for t-shirts and activewear; interlock is the choice for polos, hoodies, and premium structured garments.
For standard t-shirts, 150–180 GSM is the sweet spot. 150–160 GSM is common for promotional and budget tees — lighter, more affordable. 170–180 GSM is the premium standard — substantial enough to feel quality without being heavy. 200+ GSM creates "heavyweight" or "premium weight" tees popular in streetwear and fashion. Below 140 GSM, the fabric feels too thin and translucent for most markets unless it's specifically designed as a summer base layer.
Combed jersey uses combed yarn where short fibers have been removed before knitting, leaving only the longest, strongest fibers. The result is a smoother, softer, more pill-resistant fabric with a cleaner surface. Regular (carded) jersey uses yarn with both long and short fibers — it's perfectly functional but slightly rougher and more prone to pilling. Combed jersey costs 8–12% more but is the standard for premium and fashion-grade t-shirts.
Yes, but it requires a backing stabilizer. Jersey's single-layer structure is too thin to support embroidery stitches on its own — without backing, the stitches cause puckering and show through on the back. We use cut-away or tear-away backing behind the embroidery area, which is removed or trimmed after stitching. For heavy embroidery (large logos, dense fills), interlock is a better base fabric because its double-layer structure supports stitches without additional backing.
Absolutely. We provide free A4-size fabric swatches (up to 3 options) shipped via DHL/FedEx at no charge. We recommend comparing jersey against interlock side-by-side to feel the weight, drape, and structure difference — the contrast is dramatic and helps you make the right choice for your product line.
RELATED FABRICS

Explore Related Knit Structures

Compare jersey against other knit types and compositions to find your perfect fabric.

Interlock Knit

Double-knit, no curling, premium hand — the upgrade from jersey for polos and hoodies.

View

Piqué Knit

Classic textured waffle pattern — the traditional choice for golf and heritage polo shirts.

View

Rib Knit

Extreme width stretch — used for cuffs, neckbands, and form-fitting garments.

View

Blended Fabrics

Custom fiber ratios — poly-cotton, tri-blend, cotton-spandex for tuned performance.

View

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