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What Is Cotton Fabric and the Most Common Types of Cotton

30 Nov 2025 | News Category: -

Imagine you’re choosing fabric for a custom T-shirt or your textile collection. Naturally, you’d want a material that feels comfortable on the skin, absorbs moisture well, and lasts a long time. One of the most popular materials in the textile industry is cotton fabric.

But did you know that the word “cotton” alone doesn’t explain the many variations behind it? Let’s explore what cotton fabric is and the most common types of cotton used in the textile world.

What Is Cotton Fabric?

Definition and General Characteristics

Cotton fabric, according to Sewport, comes from the natural fibers of the cotton plant, which consist of pure cellulose. These fibers are spun into yarn, then woven or knitted into fabric.
Key advantages of cotton fabric include breathability, high absorbency, and softness. Because it is natural and comfortable to wear, cotton is widely used for T-shirts, everyday clothing, bedding, and many other textiles.

The Most Common Types of Cotton

Cotton Species

Cotton fibers come from several species of cotton plants. Some of the most widely cultivated and commonly used species in the textile industry are:

Gossypium hirsutum (Upland Cotton)

The most widely used cotton species in the world.
Its fibers range from short to medium staple, making it relatively affordable and ideal for mass production.

Gossypium barbadense (Long Staple / Extra-Long Staple Cotton)

This includes high-quality cotton varieties such as Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton.
The fibers are exceptionally long, resulting in smoother, stronger, and more luxurious fabric.

Gossypium herbaceum & Gossypium arboreum

Known as “Old World” cotton species grown in Asia and Africa.
They have shorter fibers but are still used for specific types of textiles.

Types of Cotton Yarn Processing

Aside from the cotton species, yarn processing methods significantly influence the final fabric quality. Below are three common types of processing:

Carded Cotton

Process: Cotton is passed through a carding machine, but many short fibers and impurities remain.
Characteristics: Rougher, fuzzier surface, less smooth compared to more refined processes.
Uses: Suitable for casual T-shirts and budget-friendly materials.

Combed Cotton

Process: The fibers go through a combing machine that removes short fibers, resulting in smoother, stronger yarn.
Characteristics: Very soft, less fuzzy, breathable, and durable.
Thickness Variations: Generally known as combed cotton 20s, 24s, 30s, and 40s.

20s: Thicker and stronger
24s: Balanced between thick and lightweight
30s: Thin, breathable, ideal for hot climates
40s: The thinnest and lightest, suitable for premium products

Compact Cotton

Process: A refined version of combed cotton, where fibers are compacted during spinning, reducing flyaway fibers.
Characteristics: Extremely smooth, strong, and more uniform than regular combed cotton.
Uses: Ideal for premium T-shirts, printing, and high-quality apparel.

Premium Cotton Varieties

Egyptian Cotton

An extra-long staple cotton highly valued for its softness and sheen.
Commonly used in luxury bedding, premium T-shirts, and high-end textiles.

Pima Cotton & Supima

Pima is also a long-staple cotton known for its durability and softness.
Supima is the trademarked version of American-grown Pima cotton, known for consistent high quality and excellent color retention.

Cotton USA: A Premium Quality Standard

What Is Cotton USA?

Cotton USA is a quality standard for cotton grown in the United States — not a cotton variety. It focuses on clean, consistent, and traceable fibers that produce softer, stronger, and more stable fabrics for production.

USCTP (U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol)

The USCTP certification ensures cotton is grown using responsible practices such as:

Water efficiency
Emission reduction
Supply chain transparency
This protocol enables full traceability from farm to production.

BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)

Cotton USA also aligns with BCI standards, ensuring cotton is produced with improved environmental and social practices, including reduced chemical usage and sustainable farming methods.

So, What Are the Benefits of Cotton Fabric?

Comfort & Breathability: Natural fibers make cotton exceptionally comfortable and suitable for all climates.
Highly Customizable: With various species and processing methods (carded, combed, compact), you can choose materials based on budget, feel, and durability.
Long-Lasting: Long-staple varieties like Pima and Egyptian cotton significantly increase fabric strength and longevity.
Skin-Friendly: Cotton is gentle and ideal for sensitive skin.

Cotton fabric is far from “just ordinary cotton.” Its species and processing methods play a major role in the final quality of the material. By understanding these differences, you can choose the most suitable cotton for your textile needs—whether it’s daily T-shirts, premium collections, or exclusive garment products.

For premium textile products made with high-quality cotton, feel free to contact us.

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