What is Slub Cotton and When to Use It?

What is Slub Cotton and When to Use It?

Not all cotton fabrics are smooth and uniform — and that’s exactly the appeal of Slub Cotton. With its natural texture and irregular appearance, slub brings a unique look and feel to your garments, perfect for brands that want something a little more raw, organic, or vintage.


🧶 What is Slub Cotton?

Slub cotton is made with yarn that has varying thickness along its length, creating a fabric surface that has subtle bumps and ridges.

These “slubs” aren’t defects — they’re intentionally created to give the fabric more character and texture.


🌿 Characteristics of Slub Cotton:

Pros:

  • Unique, textured appearance

  • Lightweight and breathable

  • Soft, broken-in feel

  • Natural, organic aesthetic

🚫 Cons:

  • Texture may not be ideal for all printing methods

  • Some customers may perceive slubs as “irregular” if not explained

  • Slightly less structured than uniform cotton


👕 When Should You Use Slub Cotton?

Slub cotton is great for:

  • Vintage-inspired T-shirts

  • Casualwear with personality

  • Brands going for a raw or handcrafted look

  • Summerwear: the lightness and breathability are ideal for hot weather

It’s not the best fit for corporate uniforms or clean-cut fashion — but if you want your tee to feel lived-in and effortless, slub is a great choice.

At HEM APPAREL, we’ve developed slub cotton tees for indie brands wanting that “washed-out beach tee” or a subtle wabi-sabi texture.


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