If you've ever picked up a basic cotton T-shirt and felt that smooth, slightly stretchy surface on the outside with a faint ribbed texture underneath, you've already handled cotton single jersey. It's one of the most widely used knitted fabrics in the garment industry — and for good reason. It's simple to work with, comfortable to wear, and flexible enough to suit everything from everyday T-shirts to oversized streetwear.

At Om Textiles, cotton single jersey is one of our most requested fabrics, so we get a lot of the same questions from manufacturers and brands — what GSM should I choose, how does it behave after washing, and what's it actually good for. This guide answers those questions directly.

What Is Cotton Single Jersey Fabric?

Single jersey is a basic weft-knit construction, made using a single set of needles in a circular knitting machine. That's what gives it its two distinct faces — a smooth, flat right side, and a slightly textured, looped wrong side. It's the same construction used in most round-neck and V-neck T-shirts you'd find on a store shelf.

When it's made from 100% cotton, you get a fabric that's breathable, soft against the skin, and easy to dye — which is why it's become the default choice for basic apparel across the industry.

GSM Options and What They Mean for Your Garment

GSM — grams per square meter — tells you how much a piece of fabric weighs, and by extension, how thick or heavy it'll feel once it's stitched into a garment. Cotton single jersey is available across a fairly wide GSM range, and the right one depends entirely on what you're making.

Lightweight (140–160 GSM)

This range gives you a thinner, more breathable fabric — good for summer T-shirts or regions with hot climates. It drapes softly but can feel a little sheer if the knit is loose.

Mid-weight (180–200 GSM)

This is the range most manufacturers land on for standard, everyday T-shirts. It has enough body to hold its shape without feeling heavy, and it's forgiving to print or embroider on.

Heavyweight (220 GSM and Above)

Heavier single jersey is increasingly popular for oversized and streetwear-style T-shirts, where a bit of structure and weight is actually part of the look. At Om Textiles, our 220 GSM cotton single jersey is specifically positioned for oversized tee production, where the fabric needs to hold its drape without collapsing.

There's no universally "correct" GSM — it comes down to the finished garment you're aiming for, your target market, and sometimes your price point, since heavier fabric naturally costs more per kilogram.

Key Characteristics to Check Before You Order

A few things separate a good batch of single jersey from a mediocre one, and these are worth checking with your supplier before placing a bulk order:

• Consistent GSM across the roll. Variation within a single batch causes visible differences in garment weight and drape, especially problematic if you're cutting multiple sizes from the same lay.
• Colorfastness. Cotton takes dye well, but poor processing can lead to bleeding or fading after a few washes — something you'll only catch with a proper wash test.
• Shrinkage control. Cotton naturally shrinks somewhat after washing; a well-processed fabric should shrink predictably, usually pre-accounted for in pattern cutting, rather than unpredictably.
• Weave tightness. A tighter knit resists pilling and holds shape better over repeated wears, particularly important for garments meant for everyday, long-term use.

Common Uses for Cotton Single Jersey

Because of how versatile the fabric is, it shows up across a wide range of garment categories:

• Basic and premium round-neck T-shirts
• Oversized and streetwear tees, typically 220 GSM and above
• Kids wear, thanks to its softness and breathability
• Casual dresses and loungewear
• Innerwear and vests, particularly in lighter GSM ranges

How to Choose the Right Specification

If you're sourcing cotton single jersey for the first time, here's a simple way to think about it:

1. Start with the end use. A basic tee, an oversized fit, and kidswear all call for different GSM ranges.
2. Factor in your climate and season. Lighter GSM for summer collections and heavier options for cooler seasons or year-round wear.
3. Ask for a sample before bulk ordering. A swatch tells you more about handfeel, stretch, and finish than any spec sheet can.
4. Confirm width and roll format. This affects your cutting efficiency and fabric wastage, which matters more at scale than it seems on paper.

Sourcing Cotton Single Jersey from Om Textiles

We manufacture and supply cotton single jersey across multiple GSM options, with consistent quality checks on every batch before it leaves our facility in Tughlakabad, New Delhi. Whether you're producing basic tees or an oversized fit, we can help match the right GSM and finish to your production requirements — in bulk quantities, with reliable turnaround.

If you're not sure which specification fits your project, get in touch with our team and share your requirement — we'll help you find the right fabric.