Printed Cotton – An Ultimate Guide
Cotton is one of the most beloved fabric materials. Its versatile nature gives fabric manufacturers plenty to work with regarding weaving techniques and colours. One of the most versatile forms of cotton is printed cotton. The beautiful fabric provides designers with many different finishes and patterns. Here’s all you need to know about printed cotton and our collection of printed cotton fabrics!
What is printed cotton?
Printed cotton is as straightforward as the name suggests. It is a cotton fabric that has been printed on. Now, cotton is one of the world’s most used types of material. The textile is organic, so it has no synthetic compounds. Other raw fabrics include silk.
Cotton fabric is derived from the fibres surrounding the seeds of cotton plants. It has been used as a textile for thousands of years, with the earliest evidence of the use of cotton fibres dating back to approximately 5000 BC in India.
Textile printing allows you to apply colour to fabric in definite patterns or designs. It’s not the same as dyeing, although the methods are similar. Dyed cotton means the whole material is uniformly coloured. Printed cotton lets you get specific patterns and designs only in selected areas. There are different ways to print on cotton cloth. Traditional textile printing is often divided into four styles:
• Direct printing
• Resist dyeing
• Discharge printing
• Mordant printing
Most printed cotton is machine-printed, but luxurious hand-printed designs are also available.
What can printed cotton be used for?
You can do a lot of things with printed cotton. Cotton is a comfortable and versatile fabric that can last a long time. Because the material is so durable, it can be the perfect choice for clothing items. Printed cotton designs add flavour to your clothing, giving you plenty of fresh and fantastic design ideas.
Dresses, shirts and skirts are some of the best uses of printed cotton. Depending on the patterns in the material, you can create elegant evening dresses or opt for whimsical skirts and shirts for both men and women. Printed cotton is exceptionally versatile, and because it’s a natural raw material, the fabric is gentle on the skin.
Printed cotton and fashion
Printed cotton has been part of the fashion world for a long time. As printing techniques used to be quite cumbersome, printed fabrics were considered luxurious and used in high-end. fashion. The methods have since become less demanding and more affordable. However, printed cotton is still a common feature on the runways.
Cotton fibre’s versatility means it can be woven or knitted into other fabrics. Different weaving techniques can add to the printed cotton look. For example, Jacquard is a trendy style often used by famous fashion houses.
What pattern designs can you find at the shop?
The versatility of printed cotton doesn’t end there. You can also find a range of designs and patterns from our online collection. Some of the most popular printed cottons are floral patterns in different styles. You can find small flowers printed on the cloth or opt for large, bold designs.
Our selection also includes more classic stripes and dots, which are great for shirts and skirts and can create elegant ties and bows. If you want something more adventurous, you could opt for animal prints or combinations of these patterns.
Is printed cotton expensive?
Printed cotton is an affordable fabric to add to your design collection. As a natural material, it can seem costlier than synthetic fibres. However, cotton is extremely durable, which adds to the material’s lifespan. Your printed cotton clothing won’t wear and tear in a few uses!
Our selection of printed cotton features a variety of price points. The Joel & Son prints start from £49.90 to £64.90 per metre, with other brands in our selection offering similar prices. If you’re looking for a high quality fabric with a beautiful and vibrant design, our printed cotton is fantastic!
What type of printed fabric is available in the store?
Fabric is so much more than its print designs and raw materials used. The different weaves used to craft the yarn into cloth can give unique looks and feels to the material. Our selection of printed cotton comes in many different fabric styles.
Our collection includes:
• Satinised cotton - Cotton satin is a beautiful fabric weaved by an atlas weave. The weaving technique creates a shiny side to the fabric, creating a unique look. The material is 100% cotton, which is comfortable on the skin.
• Tana lawn - The cotton fabric behaves similarly to silk. The finished product is ultra-fine and has a very intense colour profile. The material is soft and smooth like silk and durable like cotton.
• Cotton voile - The sheer and lightweight cotton fabric is comfortable on the skin. Cotton voile fabrics are standard in summer clothing, luxurious dresses and even lingerie.
• Cotton jacquard - Jacquard is a decorative design woven into the cotton on a jacquard loom. The method allows a range of beautiful designs, from florals to intricate patterns. The weaves leave a slightly raised print on the material.
• Cotton fil coupé - Fil coupé means “cut threads” in English, and this type of cotton refers to a kind of jacquard weaving technique. Patterned weaving is achieved with the extra step of cutting the weft thread on the back of the fabric. The finished design is very lightweight and often has a slight sheer.
What types of printed cotton styles are available?
You can find the following printed cotton styles from our store:
• Blended cotton - Blended cotton material combines two or more fabrics. You can find a beautiful mix of viscose and cotton or silk and cotton. Blended cotton combines the benefits of these materials, giving you a best-of both-worlds fabric to work with.
• Cotton jacquard - Cotton jacquard uses the jacquard weaving method with a printed finish. The weaving technique gives the cotton a unique feel and a sophisticated look.
• Patterned cotton - Our patterned cotton has elegant, checkered designs, beautiful stripes and pretty polka dots.
• Printed cotton - The printed cotton styles have plenty of bold and soft colour combinations. You can choose retro floral prints or more whimsical polka dots and animal print designs.
• Stretch - Stretch cotton combines the airiness of cotton with elasticity. Stretch cotton makes the fabric more expandable. Our selection offers choices for a classic denim-style look or figure-fitting designs.
Luxury printed cotton fabrics by famous designer brands
Our collection includes printed cotton fabrics by some of the leading fabric brands in the world. Each brand has its unique style and looks, providing many intricate and elegant design choices.
Here are some of our favourite designer brands:
• Abraham - The Zurich-based company has designed fabrics for decades for designers like Balenciaga, Chanel and Ungaro. Abraham is known for its jacquard prints and brocades that are guaranteed to turn heads at a fashion show.
• Chiara Santoni - When you want bold and colourful printed cotton, check out Chiara Santoni’s collection. The timeless, multi-coloured fabric is an exquisite choice for many designs, from blouses to clothing accessories.
• Claudio Fioretti - Claudio Fioretti has produced the finest fabrics since the 1980s. Their selection of printed cotton features jacquards and animal prints for exotic and bold looks. You can find a vibrant striped cotton fabric or a whimsical dotted animal print!
• D’Esté - For bold colour combinations and imaginative printed cotton, you can turn to D’Esté. The brand is known for its style and for providing designers with whimsical fabrics to work with.
• Emanuel Ungaro - Emanuel Ungaro launched his brand after working with famous fashion houses like Balenciaga. The brand’s collection of printed cotton is luxurious and beautiful. The floral designs are perfect for spring and summer, with the darker hues also adding colour to winter outfits.
• Enzo Galli - Enzo Galli’s printed cotton features beautiful floral patterns and spotted dots. The colour schemes are vibrant, but there are also a few more mellow designs.
• Pierre Cardin - The brand’s beautiful, printed cotton designs are timeless and slightly retro. The colour schemes range from pretty pastels to vibrant designs. The collection is perfect for summer dresses or elegant blouses.
• Ratti - The Ratti Group is known for its high-quality fabrics. The brand pours plenty into researching the best print designs and colour combinations. You are guaranteed excellent quality printed cotton with unique designs.
• Joel & Son - Our selection of exclusive prints work for various design needs. The floral designs come in many colours, from toned-down to more vibrant looks. Our collection of fabrics has a beautiful dreaminess to inspire your design.
Discover beautiful, printed cotton
Our selection of printed cotton will inspire your creativity and give you plenty to work with. Whether looking for something bold and bright or toned-down and subtle, you can find a printed cotton fabric for your design needs. So, take a look at our collection and contact us via a telephone call, send us a WhatsApp message or drop us an email, in case you need help selecting suitable materials!