Next Level CVC vs Triblend vs Cotton: A Fabric Comparison

June 24, 2026 6 min read By Cameron Wells

Quick Answer

Cotton is 100% cotton, CVC is roughly 60% cotton and 40% polyester, triblend adds rayon to a cotton/polyester base.
Triblend has the softest feel and a marbled heather look; it does not come in true solid colors.
CVC drapes lighter than cotton and resists shrinkage better, while staying available in more solid colors than triblend.
Cotton is the most familiar, most solid-color-friendly, and slightly heavier of the three.

Table of Contents

The three blends
Is triblend better than cotton?
Print results
Where to find each one
Frequently Asked Questions

The question "what is the difference" comes up constantly for anyone comparing Next Level fabric options for the first time, and the short answer is that it comes down to what percentage of the shirt is cotton versus synthetic fiber, and whether rayon is in the mix. Here is the direct comparison, fabric by fabric.

The Three Next Level Blends, Side by Side

Fabric	Blend	Colors available	Feel	Shrinkage
100% cotton	All cotton	Solids and heathers	Soft, substantial weight	More shrink-prone, wash cold
CVC	~60% cotton / 40% polyester	Solids and heathers	Lighter drape than cotton	Resists shrinkage well
Triblend	Cotton / polyester / rayon	Heathers only	Softest of the three, marbled look	Resists shrinkage well

Is Next Level Triblend Better Than Cotton?

Neither is strictly better. Triblend is softer and drapes closer to the body, which is why it shows up so often in gym and fitness merch. But triblend only comes in heathered colorways because of the rayon, so if your design needs a true solid black or white background, 100% cotton or CVC is the better print surface.

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How Each Fabric Takes a Print

Cotton holds crisp, bold edges well and is the most forgiving for detailed logos.
CVC prints similarly to cotton with a slightly smoother surface due to the poly content.
Triblend can show a subtle heather texture through lighter ink colors, which some brands use intentionally for a worn-in, vintage look.

Where to Find Each Fabric in the Catalog

Bear Grips Pro Shops carries all three: the Premium Cotton Crew Tee and Women's Premium Cotton Tee for 100% cotton, the Premium CVC Jersey Tee for CVC, and the Men's Premium Triblend Crew Tee, Women's Premium Triblend Tee, and Women's Premium Triblend Racerback Tank for triblend. Church and ministry groups printing on Next Level triblend for a softer, more premium feel is one common pattern worth a look if you want another example of the fabric in use.

Pick a Fabric and Print

Cotton, CVC, or triblend Next Level tees, no minimum order, free shipping to your buyer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does triblend shrink less than cotton?

Yes, generally. The polyester and rayon content in triblend resists shrinkage better than 100% cotton, which is more prone to shrinking in the wash.

Can I get a solid white triblend shirt?

No. Triblend fabric is heathered by nature because of the rayon fiber content, so true flat solids are not available in triblend.

Is CVC softer than cotton?

CVC typically has a lighter, slightly smoother drape than 100% cotton, though the difference is subtler than cotton versus triblend.

Which fabric is best for a vintage, faded-look design?

Triblend. The heathered texture pairs naturally with distressed or vintage-style print art.

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.