Triblend

Triblend refers to a blended fabric or knit made from three fibre types, classically 50 % polyester, 25 % cotton and 25 % rayon (viscose). Each fibre contributes a property: polyester provides dimensional stability, fast drying and durable colour appearance; cotton gives hand, absorbency and pleasant skin feel; rayon makes the fabric drape and flow softly and creates the typical fall.

The result is a T-shirt fabric with an especially soft, silky hand and a subtly heathered look (from cross-dye effects of the three differently affine fibres). Triblend shirts appear more premium than pure cotton, drape close to the body and are popular for premium basics, fashion vintage tees and music and sport merchandising. Well-known suppliers are Bella + Canvas, American Apparel and Next Level.

Processing: the three fibre types are blended at sliver or fibre-flock stage before spinning and then spun into a uniform yarn. In dyeing reactive and disperse dyes are used simultaneously (cross-dye), producing the characteristic heather look. Care: wash at 30 degrees, do not tumble dry hot (rayon distorts), do not bleach; then triblend keeps its premium hand for many washes.