Blog
Home / Blog / Bella+Canvas Triblend vs CVC
Custom Team Apparel with No Minimums. Free Shipping. Launch Your Shop Free.

Bella+Canvas Triblend and CVC Tees: What Is the Actual Difference

March 14, 2026 6 min read By Cameron Wells
Quick Answer
Table of Contents
  1. What triblend is
  2. What CVC is
  3. Side by side
  4. Where to find each in the catalog
  5. Choosing between them
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

Triblend and CVC are two fabric blends that show up constantly in Bella+Canvas searches, and the two terms get confused often. Here is what each one actually is, and where to find each fabric feel in the Bear Grips catalog.

What Triblend Actually Is

Triblend fabric combines cotton, polyester, and rayon. The result is a lighter weight, softer hand feel, and a subtle heathered, marled color effect that solid cotton cannot replicate. It also tends to drape more than 100% cotton, which is why it shows up so often on relaxed, athleisure-leaning tees.

What CVC Actually Is

CVC stands for Chief Value Cotton, a blend that is majority cotton with a smaller percentage of polyester, usually in a 60/40 or similar ratio. The polyester component reduces shrinkage and helps the garment hold its shape wash after wash, while still feeling close to 100% cotton.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Triblend vs CVC Side by Side

TriblendCVC
CompositionCotton, polyester, rayonCotton-majority, polyester
FeelVery soft, lightweight, drapeyClose to 100% cotton, more shape-stable
LookHeathered, marledCloser to a solid cotton look
Best forRelaxed lifestyle teesEveryday tees that need to hold shape over time

Where to Find Each Fabric Feel in the Bear Grips Catalog

The Bella+Canvas Women's Favorite Tee is a ringspun cotton piece, not a triblend or CVC blend. For a true triblend feel, the catalog's Next Level lineup carries the Men's Premium Triblend Crew Tee and Women's Premium Triblend Racerback Tank, both $23.88-$25.88 VIP base. For a CVC-style blend, the Next Level Premium CVC Jersey Tee runs $24.88 VIP base.

Choosing Between Cotton, Triblend, and CVC

Pick 100% cotton (the Bella+Canvas Women's Favorite Tee) for the softest print surface and cleanest solid colors. Pick triblend for the lightest, most drapey feel and a heathered look. Pick CVC when the priority is a garment that holds its shape and resists shrinking over repeated washes while still feeling mostly like cotton.

Pick the Right Blend

Cotton, triblend, or CVC, all available across the Bear Grips catalog.

Start Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Is triblend softer than 100% cotton?

Generally yes, triblend tends to feel lighter and softer due to the rayon content, though it also drapes and stretches differently.

Does CVC shrink less than 100% cotton?

Yes, that is the main advantage of a CVC blend. The polyester content helps the garment resist shrinking and hold its shape.

Is the Bella+Canvas Women's Favorite Tee a triblend?

No. It is a ringspun cotton tee. For triblend, the catalog's Next Level pieces are the closest match.

Does a triblend or CVC print differently than cotton?

Both take a print slightly differently than 100% cotton, generally with a softer, more worn-in look on the finished graphic. The shop builder mockup shows how a design will look on the specific fabric before printing.

Cameron Wells
Cameron WellsCustom Apparel and POD Industry Writer

Cameron has been writing about the custom apparel and print on demand industry for seven years, with a background in e-commerce operations. He covers platform comparisons, no-minimum vendors, and what is changing for small custom merch businesses.

More articles by Cameron →
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Free storefronts for gyms, clubs, and teams. No inventory. No risk.