Triblend vs Jersey T-Shirts: What Is the Difference and Which Fits Your Brand

May 28, 2026 5 min read By Cameron Wells

Quick Answer

Jersey usually refers to a CVC (cotton/polyester) knit, while triblend adds a third fiber, rayon, for a softer hand.
Jersey tees run closer to a classic cotton feel; triblend runs lighter and drapier.
Bear Grips Pro Shops carries a Next Level CVC Jersey Tee and a separate Next Level Triblend Crew Tee, priced within a dollar of each other.
Neither fabric is rare. The decision comes down to how soft and how heathered you want the finished shirt to look.

Table of Contents

Fiber content compared
How the finished shirt differs
Which brands to look for
Which to choose
Frequently Asked Questions

"Jersey" and "triblend" both describe a soft, casual knit t-shirt, which is exactly why sellers confuse the two. The difference is fiber count. Jersey in the wholesale blank world usually means a CVC knit, cotton and polyester, two fibers. Triblend adds rayon as a third fiber. Here is the practical difference and which of the two matching Next Level styles in the Bear Grips catalog fits your design.

Fiber Content: Jersey vs Triblend

Fabric	Fibers	Feel	Bear Grips catalog example
CVC Jersey	Cotton + polyester (2 fibers)	Soft, close to cotton, slightly less heathered	Next Level Premium CVC Jersey Tee, $24.88 VIP
Triblend	Cotton + polyester + rayon (3 fibers)	Softer, lighter, more heathered and drapey	Next Level Men's Premium Triblend Crew Tee, $23.88 VIP

The rayon in triblend is the whole difference. It pulls the weight down and adds the drape and heather look that triblend is known for.

How the Finished Shirt Actually Differs

Weight. Jersey knits run a touch heavier than triblend, closer to a standard cotton tee weight.
Color. Jersey holds a more uniform, solid color. Triblend shows a stronger heathered, mottled effect.
Drape. Triblend hangs looser and moves more. Jersey holds a slightly more structured shape.
Price in this catalog. The two Next Level styles sit within a dollar of each other, so cost is not the deciding factor.

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Which Brands Make Which Fabric

Fabric type and brand are separate things. Bella+Canvas, Next Level, Comfort Colors, and other manufacturers each make their own version of jersey and triblend knits, and specs vary slightly by brand. The Bear Grips catalog carries Next Level for both the CVC jersey tee and the triblend crew tee, so the two are directly comparable on the same brand's cut and fit. See the Next Level triblend crew tee guide for sizing detail on that specific style.

Which to Choose for Your Design

Pick jersey when you want a soft shirt that still reads close to a classic cotton tee, with less of a mottled color effect. Pick triblend when the heathered, vintage look and lighter weight are part of the brand aesthetic itself, not just a side effect. Neither is objectively better. They solve slightly different design goals.

Compare Fabrics in Your Own Shop

List both the CVC jersey tee and the triblend crew tee under your logo and let your buyers tell you which one moves.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is jersey the same fabric as triblend?

No. Jersey in the wholesale blank world usually refers to a CVC (cotton plus polyester) knit. Triblend adds a third fiber, rayon, which is what gives it the extra softness and heathered look.

Does Bear Grips Pro Shops carry both?

Yes. The Next Level Premium CVC Jersey Tee ($24.88 VIP) and the Next Level Men's Premium Triblend Crew Tee ($23.88 VIP) are both in the catalog.

Which fabric shows a stronger heather effect?

Triblend. The rayon content causes dye to take unevenly across the three fibers, producing a more pronounced heathered color than a two-fiber jersey blend.

Which one is lighter in weight?

Triblend typically runs lighter than CVC jersey, which is part of why it drapes more loosely on the body.

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.