Comparison guide
Ring-Spun vs Open-End Cotton
Which cotton, and when
Last updated June 17, 2026
Ring-spun cotton is combed and twisted into a smoother, stronger yarn, so it feels softer and prints finer detail than open-end (carded) cotton, which is rougher and cheaper. Choose ring-spun for retail and DTG; choose open-end when price per piece is the deciding factor.
What the spinning does
Ring-spinning combs the fibers and twists them tight, which removes stray ends and leaves a smooth, durable surface. Open-end spinning is faster and cheaper but leaves a coarser yarn. The difference you feel is real, and it shows up at the press.
How each prints
The smoother ring-spun surface holds fine detail and small text, so DTG and high-detail screen prints look sharper. Open-end cotton prints fine for bold, simple designs where a slightly rougher hand is acceptable.
Which to buy
Buy ring-spun for retail merch and detailed prints; buy open-end when the budget is fixed and the design is simple. The cotton catalog below lets you compare both by brand and weight.
Browse Ring-Spun vs Open-End Cotton by category
T-Shirt 179
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17 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6405
Women’s Relaxed Jersey V-Neck Tee
$8.18
Retail $10.90
Save up to 25%
31 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 3301T
Toddler Cotton Jersey Tee
$4.56
Retail $6.08
Save up to 25%
34 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3001YCVC
Youth CVC Jersey Tee
$6.63
Retail $8.84
Save up to 25%
Sweatshirt 73
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41 colors
Gildan style number 18000
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt
$14.40
Retail $19.20
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Gildan style number 18000B
Youth Heavy Blend™ Crewneck Sweatshirt
$12.60
Retail $16.81
Save up to 25%
29 colors
Gildan style number SF000
Unisex Softstyle® Midweight Crewneck Sweatshirt
$14.37
Retail $20.04
Save up to 28%
15 colors
Gildan style number SF500B
Youth Softstyle® Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt
$16.71
Retail $22.29
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT31HW
Women's Zone Sonic Heather Performance Quarter-Zip Pullover
$20.09
Retail $26.78
Save up to 25%
47 colors
Gildan style number 18500
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Hooded Sweatshirt
$19.71
Retail $26.28
Save up to 25%
23 colors
Gildan style number 18500B
Youth Heavy Blend™ Hooded Sweatshirt
$19.02
Retail $25.36
Save up to 25%
39 colors
Gildan style number SF500
Unisex Softstyle® Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt
$18.60
Retail $24.80
Save up to 25%
Everyday
20 colors
Independent Trading style number SS4001Y
Youth Midweight Hooded Sweatshirt
$19.05
Retail $25.40
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1467Y
Youth Garment-Dyed Lightweight Hooded Sweatshirt
$27.32
Retail $36.42
Save up to 25%
20 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1566
Unisex Garment-Dyed Crewneck Sweatshirt
$32.27
Retail $43.03
Save up to 25%
20 colors
Hanes style number F170
Unisex Ultimate Cotton® Hooded Sweatshirt
$28.46
Retail $37.94
Save up to 25%
29 colors
Hanes style number P160
Unisex EcoSmart® Crewneck Sweatshirt
$14.40
Retail $19.20
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Hanes style number P360
Youth EcoSmart® Crewneck Sweatshirt
$11.58
Retail $15.45
Save up to 25%
Hat 48
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4 colors
Richardson style number 112Y
Youth Trucker Snapback Cap
$10.43
Retail $13.90
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Team 365 style number TT802Y
Youth Zone Peformance Trucker Cap by Yupoong
$10.43
Retail $13.90
Save up to 25%
20 colors
Richardson style number 111
Garment-Washed Trucker Cap
$10.82
Retail $14.42
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Richardson style number 111P
Garment Washed Printed Trucker Cap
$11.97
Retail $15.96
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Flexfit style number 110P
110® Cool & Dry Mini-Piqué Cap
$12.83
Retail $17.10
Save up to 25%
Bag 26
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6 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8871
Windward Large Cotton Canvas Classic Resort Tote
$24.50
Retail $32.67
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8872
Carmel Classic XL Cotton Canvas Resort Tote
$27.71
Retail $36.93
Save up to 25%
10 colors
Independent Trading style number INDDUFBAG
29L Day Tripper Duffel Bag
$25.56
Retail $34.09
Save up to 25%
Value
1 color
Liberty Bags style number 5778
Clear Stadium 2-Pocket Fanny Pack/Crossbody Bag
$15.80
Retail $21.05
Save up to 25%
1 color
Liberty Bags style number 5785
Classic Clear Stadium Purse/Handbag
$9.29
Retail $12.38
Save up to 25%
Value
2 colors
Liberty Bags style number 7013
Large 17" Heavy Duty Clear Backpack
$12.29
Retail $16.38
Save up to 25%
2 colors
Liberty Bags style number 7761A
Cotton Denim Gusseted Tote Bag
$9.44
Retail $12.59
Save up to 25%
2 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8503R
Isabella Midweight Recycled Canvas Tote
$6.29
Retail $8.38
Save up to 25%
14 colors
Liberty Bags style number 8806
Recycled 23 1/2" Large Duffel Bag
$24.44
Retail $32.59
Save up to 25%
Tank Top 18
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13 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6003
Women's Jersey Muscle Tank
$6.78
Retail $8.84
Save up to 23%
14 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6008
Women's Jersey Racerback Tank
$6.63
Retail $8.84
Save up to 25%
34 colors
Comfort Colors style number 9360
Unisex Garment-Dyed Heavyweight Tank Top
$10.02
Retail $13.37
Save up to 25%
18 colors
Next Level style number 6733
Women’s Triblend Racerback Tank Top
$7.17
Retail $9.56
Save up to 25%
24 colors
Next Level style number 1533
Women's Ideal Racerback Tank Top
$4.47
Retail $5.95
Save up to 25%
Pants 12
3 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 3738Y
Youth Sponge Fleece Sweatpants
$21.77
Retail $29.02
Save up to 25%
7 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1469
Unisex Garment-Dyed Lightweight Sweatpants
$28.95
Retail $38.60
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Gildan style number 18200
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Sweatpants
$16.74
Retail $22.33
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Independent Trading style number PRM16PNT
Youth Lightweight Special Blend Sweatpants
$18.17
Retail $24.22
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Gildan style number 18100
Unisex Heavy Blend™ Pocket Sweatpants
$15.44
Retail $20.58
Save up to 25%
8 colors
Gildan style number SF100
Unisex Softstyle® Midweight Pocket Sweatpants
$23.16
Retail $30.88
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP10PANT
Men's Perform Fleece Pants
$30.89
Retail $41.18
Save up to 25%
14 colors
Independent Trading style number IND20PNT
Men's Midweight Fleece Sweatpants
$26.03
Retail $34.71
Save up to 25%
3 colors
Team 365 style number TT805
Unisex Squad Tech Fleece Pants
$27.42
Retail $36.56
Save up to 25%
Polo Shirt 9
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT51HY
Youth Zone Sonic Heather Performance Polo
$15.45
Retail $20.60
Save up to 25%
13 colors
Gildan style number 64800
Unisex Softstyle® Pique Polo
$10.02
Retail $13.37
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Gildan style number 64800L
Women's Softstyle® Pique Polo
$10.23
Retail $13.64
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT21C
Men's Command Snag-Protection Colorblock Polo
$19.31
Retail $25.75
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT21CW
Women's Command Snag-Protection Colorblock Polo
$19.31
Retail $25.75
Save up to 25%
5 colors
Team 365 style number TT51H
Men's Zone Sonic Heather Performance Polo
$15.45
Retail $20.60
Save up to 25%
Jacket 6
20 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP54LWZ
Men's Lightweight Windbreaker Full-Zip Jacket
$27.11
Retail $36.15
Save up to 25%
17 colors
Team 365 style number TT80W
Women's Leader Soft Shell Jacket
$35.15
Retail $46.86
Save up to 25%
9 colors
Team 365 style number TT80Y
Youth Leader Soft Shell Jacket
$35.15
Retail $46.86
Save up to 25%
2 colors
Independent Trading style number EXP560V
Men's Insulated Canvas Workwear Vest
$54.59
Retail $72.77
Save up to 25%
4 colors
Shaka Wear style number SHVBJ
Unisex Varsity Bomber Jacket
$36.60
Retail $48.80
Save up to 25%
16 colors
Team 365 style number TT80
Men's Leader Soft Shell Jacket
$35.15
Retail $46.86
Save up to 25%
Accessories 2
Value
5 colors
Rabbit Skins style number 1110
Premium Jersey Infant Blanket
$10.55
Retail $14.07
Save up to 25%
Shorts 2
2 colors
Bella + Canvas style number 6824GD
Women's Garment-Dyed Shorts
$18.68
Retail $24.90
Save up to 25%
6 colors
Comfort Colors style number 1468
Unisex Garment-Dyed Lightweight Sweat Shorts
$22.25
Retail $29.66
Save up to 25%
Other 1
