What is combed cotton?
Combed cotton has been passed through fine combs before spinning to remove short fibres and any remaining debris, leaving only the long, straight fibres. The resulting yarn is smoother, stronger and softer than carded cotton, which skips the combing.
Why it matters
Combed ring-spun is the top of the standard cotton hierarchy — the yarn in premium tees. It pills less and feels finer against the skin.
On our floor
Available on request for premium blanks and private-label runs; standard ring-spun is our default and combed adds a small premium at the fabric stage.
Common questions
- Combed or carded — which is better?
- Combed, for softness and durability. Carded is acceptable for promotional garments.
- Is combed cotton always ring-spun?
- Usually — combing is a step in producing a fine ring-spun yarn.
- How much more does it cost?
- A modest premium at the fabric stage, a small share of the price of a tee.
- Can I specify combed cotton?
- Yes — state it in the tech pack or ask on the quote.
Related terms
ring-spun cotton
Ring-spun cotton is yarn made by continuously twisting and thinning the cotton fibres into a fine, strong, smooth thread. Compared with…
GSM
GSM is grams per square metre — how much a square metre of the fabric weighs. It is the single number that predicts most about how a…
jersey
Jersey is the single-knit fabric of the t-shirt: a smooth face, a slightly looped back, stretch across the width and a tendency to curl at…
pre-shrunk
Pre-shrunk — or compacted — fabric has been mechanically shrunk before the garment is cut, so the finished piece shrinks far less in the…
Where this applies
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