TC Fabric
Terylene-Cotton woven blends — the traditional choice for cricket, football, and school sportswear across South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. Natural cotton comfort with polyester durability. Not sublimation-compatible.
What Is TC Fabric?
TC (Terylene-Cotton) is a blended woven fabric made from polyester and cotton yarns. The standard blend ratio is 65% polyester / 35% cotton, though 67/33 is also produced. "Terylene" is a trade name for polyester fiber that remains widely used across South Asia — the fabric is identical to what would be called "poly-cotton" or "PC" in Western markets. TC is a woven fabric (not knitted), which means it has a structured, crisp hand with minimal stretch, fundamentally different from the soft, draping hand of knitted sportswear fabrics like mesh, interlock, or tricot.
The polyester component provides durability, wrinkle resistance, shape retention, and color fastness. The cotton component provides breathability, moisture absorption, a soft natural hand feel, and comfort against the skin. This combination makes TC the dominant fabric for cricket whites and colored kits in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Gulf states, and it is widely used for football kits, school sportswear, and corporate uniforms across these markets.
Every TC batch is tested for GSM consistency (±5%), thread count per inch, tear strength, color fastness to washing and light (minimum Grade 4), shrinkage after three washes (must remain under 2% on our pre-shrunk fabric), and yarn quality (even blend distribution, no slubs or weak spots). We offer plain, twill, herringbone, gabardine, drill, and poplin weaves, each creating a distinct visual texture suitable for different garment types.
Six TC Constructions
Each weave creates a distinct surface texture, drape, and durability profile — all using the same 65/35 blend.
Weight Spectrum & Garment Type
TC GSM determines the garment's structure — from lightweight shirts to heavy trousers that withstand sliding.
Shirt / Polo
Shirt
Training Top
Standard
Blazer Fabric
Solid Colors & Yarn-Dyed Patterns
TC fabric cannot be sublimated — color is applied through dyeing and printing methods that work with cotton blends.
What TC Fabric Delivers
TC's performance profile is fundamentally different from knitted polyester — it prioritizes comfort and tradition over technical features.
Hot-Climate Comfort
The 35% cotton content absorbs moisture and creates a cooler, drier-to-the-touch sensation in hot, humid conditions. In 35°C+ temperatures, TC feels noticeably more comfortable than 100% polyester against sweat-dampened skin during extended wear.
Natural Hand Feel
TC feels like a traditional cotton shirt rather than a technical sportswear garment. The cotton fibers give the fabric a softness and natural texture that many athletes and consumers in traditional markets prefer over the synthetic feel of 100% polyester.
Polyester Durability
The 65% polyester provides tear strength, abrasion resistance, and wrinkle recovery that pure cotton cannot match. TC cricket trousers withstand sliding, batting pad friction, and repeated washing far better than cotton trousers would at the same weight.
Structured Silhouette
Woven fabric holds its shape — TC shirts maintain a crisp, professional appearance with square shoulders and clean lines. No cling, no body-conforming stretch, no wrinkling into a shapeless mass. This is why TC looks more "uniform-like" than knitted fabrics.
Moisture Absorption
Unlike polyester that only wicks moisture to the surface, cotton absorbs moisture into the fiber itself. This creates a different (not better or worse, just different) moisture management profile: slower to feel wet, slower to dry, but cooler-to-the-touch while damp.
Color Fastness
The polyester component locks in dye color far better than cotton alone. TC fabric maintains color vibrancy through 100+ washes — significantly better than pure cotton, though not quite matching 100% polyester's near-permanent color retention.
Embroidery-Friendly
TC's stable woven surface is ideal for embroidery — the fabric does not stretch or distort under the needle, producing clean, precise stitched logos. This is a significant advantage over knitted fabrics where embroidery can cause puckering.
Market Preference
In South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, TC is the expected fabric for cricket and football kits. Specifying TC signals to buyers that you understand their market — specifying 100% polyester in these markets can be a negative if TC is what the end customer expects.
Where TC Fabric Is Used
TC dominates in traditional cricket markets and is a strong choice for any garment where comfort in heat matters more than technical performance.
TC vs. 100% Polyester Knit vs. Pure Cotton
Understanding where TC fits — and when 100% polyester or pure cotton is the better choice.
| Property | TC (65/35 Woven) | 100% Polyester Knit | 100% Cotton Woven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-Climate Comfort | Very Good Best Balance | Poor — hot and clingy when damp Sticky | Good (but gets heavy when wet) Cool but Heavy |
| Sublimation | Not possible No | Full sublimation Unlimited | Not possible No |
| Durability | Very Good Strong | Excellent Longest Life | Moderate — cotton degrades Weakest |
| Wrinkle Resistance | Good Minimal | Excellent Wrinkle Free | Poor — wrinkles easily Iron Needed |
| Shrinkage | Low (pre-shrunk: ±2%) Controlled | Essentially zero None | High (3–5%) Significant |
| Embroidery Quality | Excellent Stable Base | Good (may pucker on light knits) Varies | Excellent Stable Base |
| Moisture Mgmt | Absorbs + wicks (hybrid) Balanced | Wicks only (fast dry) Fastest Dry | Absorbs only (slow dry) Stays Wet |
| Stretch | None (woven) Rigid | 1–2 way (knit structure) Flexible | None (woven) Rigid |
| Best For | Cricket, football, school uniforms in hot-climate markets | Full-sublimation sportswear, performance kits, team jerseys | Ultra-traditional markets, non-sport shirts, home textiles |
Honest Assessment
- Superior hot-climate comfort — the cotton component creates a cooler, less clingy feel than 100% polyester in temperatures above 30°C, particularly during extended wear
- Natural hand feel — soft, cotton-like texture that many athletes and consumers prefer over the synthetic feel of polyester, especially in traditional markets
- Excellent embroidery base — the stable woven surface holds stitched logos precisely without puckering or distortion, better than most knitted fabrics
- Yarn-dyed patterns are permanent — stripes and checks woven into the fabric will never crack, peel, or fade, unlike printed patterns on any fabric
- Better than pure cotton — the 65% polyester addresses cotton's main weaknesses (shrinkage, wrinkling, durability, color fastness) while keeping the comfort advantages
- Market expectation — in South Asian and Middle Eastern cricket markets, TC is what buyers expect. Specifying TC signals market understanding
- Cannot be sublimated — this is the single biggest limitation. No full-edge designs, no gradients, no photographic prints, no unlimited-color patterns. Ever.
- No stretch — TC is a woven fabric with zero elasticity. Garments cannot conform to the body, and fit must be achieved through cutting and sizing alone
- Heavier than knits — TC feels heavier and stiffer than knitted polyester at the same GSM because the woven structure has no air pockets
- Some shrinkage — even pre-shrunk TC can shrink up to 2%, which requires pattern allowance during cutting that 100% polyester does not need
- Cotton degrades — the 35% cotton component has a shorter lifespan than polyester. After 100–150 washes, cotton fibers break down, reducing overall fabric strength
- Slower drying — cotton absorbs and holds moisture, so TC garments take longer to air-dry than 100% polyester, which can be an issue in humid climates
Branding TC Garments
Without sublimation, TC relies on screen printing, embroidery, and yarn-dyed patterns — each with distinct strengths.
Screen Printing
The primary method for adding logos, numbers, names, and graphic designs to TC fabric. TC's stable, non-stretching woven surface is actually better for screen printing than knitted fabrics — the screen makes perfect contact with the flat surface, producing sharper edges and more consistent ink deposit. Plastisol inks provide the most vibrant colors and best durability on TC; water-based inks give a softer hand but slightly less opacity on dark fabrics. Multi-color designs are fully achievable through standard screen printing — the limitation is not the number of colors but the design complexity (no gradients, no photographic elements). Screen print on TC outlasts the fabric itself in most cases.
Embroidery
TC fabric is arguably the best possible base for embroidery in all of sportswear. The woven structure does not stretch or distort under the needle, the fabric has enough body to support dense stitch patterns without puckering, and the cotton content gives the thread a soft, natural background that complements the embroidered texture. Used for club crests, school logos, brand badges, and player names. For cricket, embroidered crests on TC shirts are the traditional and expected decoration method — they look more premium and permanent than screen-printed alternatives. Recommended for designs under 12×12 cm; larger embroidery areas add excessive weight and stiffness to the woven fabric.
Yarn-Dyed Patterns
Unlike printing (which applies color on top of the fabric), yarn dyeing colors the individual yarns before they are woven. The resulting pattern — typically stripes for cricket shirts — is structurally part of the fabric. It will never crack, peel, fade, or wear off because the color is inside the yarn itself, not on the surface. This is the traditional method for creating cricket shirt stripes and is still the gold standard for durability and appearance. The limitation is design flexibility: you can only create patterns achievable by arranging colored yarns in the weave (vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, checks, plaids). Complex logos and graphic elements still require screen printing or embroidery on top of the yarn-dyed base fabric.
Specify Your TC Fabric
Every TC variable affects the garment's appearance, comfort, and suitability for its intended use.
Blend Ratio
65/35 is the standard — optimal balance of cotton comfort and polyester durability. 67/33 available for slightly more cotton feel. 80/20 for polyester-dominant where some cotton softness is wanted.
Weave Structure
Plain for shirts (smooth, light), twill for trousers (diagonal texture, abrasion resistant), herringbone for blazers (premium V-pattern), gabardine for structured garments (steep diagonal, very durable).
Target GSM
160–190 for lightweight shirts and polos, 190–220 for standard cricket shirts, 220–250 for football kits and training tops, 230–280 for cricket trousers and structured garments.
Color Method
Piece dye for solid colors (fastest, lowest cost), yarn dye for woven stripes and checks (permanent, traditional), or supply greige (undyed) for piece dyeing at destination.
Finish Treatment
Pre-shrunk (standard — compacted for ±2% shrinkage guarantee), soft wash (extra-softened hand for premium feel), or anti-wrinkle finish (reduces ironing needs for corporate uniforms).
Hybrid Construction
TC body with 100% polyester woven piping, collar, or cuff panels for sublimated brand elements — combines TC comfort with sublimation visibility.
Ordering Process
TC production involves weaving and dyeing, which adds steps compared to ready-stock knitted fabrics.
Inquiry
Day 0Samples
3–5 DaysApproval
2–3 DaysProduction
14–20 DaysDelivery
4–7 DaysMOQ, Capacity & Lead Time
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fabric Decision Matrix
TC handles traditional comfort — these fabrics cover the sublimation, performance, and heavy-weight alternatives.
Ready to Start Your TC Fabric Order?
Get a detailed quote with weave recommendations, GSM guidance, color method options (yarn dye vs. piece dye vs. screen print), and free swatches — typically within 3 business hours.