Piqué Fabric for Polo Shirts, Pit Shirts & Work Polos
- Est. 2005 · Sialkot, Pakistan
- MOQ 20–25 pcs per design · no limit for brands
- Free 24h digital mockup
- Sample 5–7 days, credited on bulk
- Bulk 15–25 business days · express 7–12
- DHL/FedEx/UPS 5–10 days
- 🛡️ Free remake within 3 days
What piqué fabric is
Piqué is a knitted fabric with a raised, textured surface, usually a small honeycomb or waffle pattern, produced by tuck stitches that pull some loops out of the flat plane of the cloth. The texture is the reason polo shirts are made from it: the knit is firmer and more stable than a plain jersey of the same weight, so a collar, placket and hem keep their shape through wear and washing.
Two families of piqué are used in sportswear and uniforms. Polyester piqué is a 100% polyester knit with a moisture-wicking finish, typically 160–200 GSM, and it accepts full sublimation printing. Poly-cotton piqué blends polyester with cotton, typically 200–240 GSM, and gives the softer, matte hand-feel associated with traditional polos. Both are knitted, not woven, so they stretch slightly across the width and recover.
ZipaSports manufactures both families in Sialkot, Pakistan for golf and cricket polos, pit crew shirts, hospitality and work polos, and coach or staff wear. The choice between them is decided by three things: how the shirt is decorated, how much it needs to breathe, and whether the buyer wants a synthetic or cotton-blend feel.
Polyester piqué vs poly-cotton piqué
Polyester piqué is the choice when the design is sublimated or the shirt is worn for sport; poly-cotton piqué is the choice when the shirt is embroidered and worn for hours as a uniform. The table sets out the differences a buyer needs in order to decide between them.
| Property | Polyester piqué | Poly-cotton piqué |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% polyester, moisture-wicking finish | Polyester-cotton blend |
| Weight range | 160–200 GSM | 200–240 GSM |
| Hand-feel | Smooth, slightly crisp, lighter | Softer, matte, heavier |
| Sweat handling | Wicks and dries quickly | Cotton content holds more moisture |
| Sublimation | Yes, full garment | No, cotton fibre does not take sublimation dye |
| Embroidery | Yes | Yes, the heavier base carries dense stitching well |
| Shape after washing | Holds size, minimal shrinkage | Good; cotton content can shrink slightly if not pre-shrunk |
| Typical garments | Golf polos, cricket polos, pit crew shirts, sublimated staff polos | Hospitality polos, work polos, coach and club polos |
Colour is handled differently as well. Polyester piqué can be sublimated in any colourway, including club stripes and sponsor panels. Poly-cotton piqué is supplied in solid dyed colours matched to a Pantone reference, with logos added by embroidery, screen print or DTF.
Which GSM for which polo shirt
Choose the GSM by climate and use, not on the assumption that heavier means higher quality. A 160 GSM polyester piqué is right for a golf polo worn in summer; a 240 GSM poly-cotton piqué is right for a work polo worn every shift and washed twice a week.
| Garment | Recommended piqué | GSM | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf polo | Polyester piqué | 160–180 | Light and wicking, moves freely in the swing; sublimated or embroidered |
| Cricket polo | Polyester piqué | 160–200 | Long hours in the field; wicking finish; sublimated club colours |
| Pit crew shirt | Polyester piqué | 180–200 | Sponsor logos sublimated all over; holds shape in pit-lane heat |
| Hospitality polo | Poly-cotton piqué | 200–220 | Soft feel for long shifts; embroidered crest; repeated washing |
| Work and trade polo | Poly-cotton piqué | 220–240 | Heavier base for daily wear; embroidered or screen-printed logo |
| Coach and staff polo | Either | 180–220 | Polyester to match sublimated team kit; poly-cotton for a plain club polo |
These are the ranges the factory holds as standard options. Within each row the buyer chooses the exact weight, and a physical sample in that weight takes 5–7 days. Discipline pages for golf, cricket, pit crew and work polos and tees show the garment styles built on each fabric.
Collar, placket and construction options
A polo shirt is defined as much by its collar and placket as by its fabric, and piqué supports both because the knit has enough body to hold a collar stand upright. The standard options offered are listed here so a tech pack can specify them.
- Collar: flat-knit rib collar (the classic knitted polo collar, plain or with contrast tipping stripes) or a self-fabric piqué collar so an all-over sublimated design continues onto the collar.
- Placket: two- or three-button placket with a reinforced box at the base; buttons in matching or contrast colour; hidden zip placket for pit crew and motorsport shirts.
- Sleeves: plain hem, or flat-knit rib cuffs to match the collar.
- Body: side vents at the hem, a slightly longer back hem, and a taped back neck for comfort and a clean label position.
- Trims: woven neck label, printed size tag, hang tag and branded polybag under your own brand name.
Seams on piqué polos are sewn on overlock and coverstitch lines; the coverstitch hem is the visible twin-needle finish on the sleeves and bottom edge. The tech pack guide explains how to write these choices up for production.
Decoration on piqué: embroidery, sublimation, DTF and screen print
Embroidery is the most common decoration on piqué polos because the textured knit hides needle penetrations and the stitched logo sits cleanly on the firm surface. The other methods each have a place, and the table shows where.
| Method | Polyester piqué | Poly-cotton piqué | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | Yes | Yes | Left-chest crest, sleeve logo, back-neck wordmark | Backing stabiliser under the stitch area; very small lettering fills in on a textured knit, so keep text bold |
| Sublimation | Yes, full garment | No | All-over stripes, sponsor panels, gradients | Dye goes into the polyester fibre before sewing; nothing sits on the surface; unlimited colours |
| DTF transfer | Yes | Yes | Full-colour logos, small runs, photographic artwork | Film sits on top of the texture; keep to bold shapes, as the honeycomb surface can break hairline detail |
| Screen printing | Yes | Yes | One- to four-colour logos, large chest prints, event polos | Flatbed print on the flat panel before sewing; ink bridges the texture, so avoid very fine lines |
Combination work is normal: a sublimated polyester pit shirt with an embroidered main sponsor, or a poly-cotton work polo with an embroidered crest on the chest and a screen-printed company name across the back. See embroidery, dye sublimation and the decoration methods overview for how each is set up and sampled.
Sizes, fit and wash performance
Piqué polos are cut in men's, women's and youth blocks. Adult sizes run XS–5XL, women's XS–4XL, and youth sizes are available; fully custom size charts are graded on computerised pattern software, so a club or company that already has a house fit can send its measurements.
Wash performance differs between the two fabrics. Sublimated polyester piqué keeps its colour because the dye is inside the fibre; it does not crack, peel or fade the way a surface print can. Poly-cotton piqué is dyed as fabric, and the cotton content means a small amount of shrinkage in the first wash is normal unless the fabric was pre-shrunk. Finished measurements are checked against the approved size specification before packing and colour-fastness checks are run on sublimated fabric.
For uniform programmes that reorder every season, keep a record of the exact composition, GSM and Pantone reference from the first order. Minor shade tolerance between dye lots is normal for solid-dyed poly-cotton, and supplying the original reference keeps repeat orders close to the first batch.
Ordering custom piqué polos from ZipaSports
ZipaSports manufactures custom piqué polos and pit shirts in Sialkot, Pakistan with a minimum order of 20–25 pieces per design, lower quantities on request, and no MOQ limit for sportswear brands and companies. Send a logo, a sketch or a reference photo and the in-house studio returns a free digital mockup within 24 hours, with unlimited free revisions before approval.
A physical sample takes 5–7 days; it is charged at sample cost and that cost is credited against the bulk order. Bulk production runs 15–25 business days after design approval, with an express option of 7–12 days at additional cost. Express courier by DHL, FedEx or UPS takes 5–10 days worldwide; sea freight for large uniform programmes takes 3–6 weeks.
Quality Guarantee: if any garment arrives with a manufacturing defect, we remake it free of charge — the remake goes into production within 3 days of your report. Full terms are on the quality guarantee page. To start, contact us on WhatsApp at +92 300 7019281 or email zipasports@gmail.com with the garment, quantity and decoration required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is piqué a good fabric for polo shirts?
Yes. Piqué is the standard polo shirt fabric because its textured tuck-stitch knit is firm enough to hold a collar and placket in shape, breathes through the open texture, and takes embroidery cleanly. Polyester piqué suits sports polos; poly-cotton piqué suits work and hospitality polos.
What GSM should a polo shirt be?
A polo shirt is typically 160–200 GSM in polyester piqué or 200–240 GSM in poly-cotton piqué. Golf and cricket polos sit at the lighter end for wicking and movement; work and hospitality polos sit at the heavier end for daily wear and repeated washing.
Which is better for golf polos, polyester or cotton piqué?
Polyester piqué at 160–180 GSM is the usual choice for golf polos because it wicks sweat, dries quickly and can be sublimated in club colours. Poly-cotton piqué gives a softer, traditional feel but holds more moisture, so it suits clubhouse and staff polos more than on-course play.
Can piqué polo shirts be sublimated?
Only polyester piqué can be sublimated. Sublimation dye bonds to polyester fibre, so a 100% polyester piqué takes a full-garment print with unlimited colours that does not crack, peel or fade. Poly-cotton piqué is decorated by embroidery, screen printing or DTF transfer instead.
Can you embroider a logo on a piqué polo?
Yes. Embroidery is the most common decoration on piqué polos. Crests, sponsor logos and names are embroidered on multi-head machines with a backing stabiliser under the stitch area. Very fine lettering fills in on a textured knit, so keep small text bold and simple.
Does poly-cotton piqué shrink?
Poly-cotton piqué can shrink slightly in the first wash because of its cotton content, unless the fabric is pre-shrunk. Polyester piqué holds its size. Finished pieces are checked against the approved size specification before dispatch, with a measurement tolerance of ±1–1.5 cm.
What is the minimum order for custom polo shirts?
The minimum order is 20–25 pieces per design, with lower quantities possible on request for small teams and sample runs. Sportswear brands and companies have no MOQ limit. A free digital mockup is produced within 24 hours before any order is confirmed.
How long do custom pit crew shirts take to make?
Custom pit crew shirts take 15–25 business days in bulk production after design approval, plus 5–10 days by express courier. Express production of 7–12 days is available at additional cost. Digital mockups are returned within 24 hours and a physical sample takes 5–7 days.
Can pit crew shirts carry sponsor logos all over?
Yes. On polyester piqué the sponsor logos, stripes and team colours are sublimated across the whole shirt, front, back and sleeves, with no limit on colours. Main sponsors can be embroidered on top for a raised finish, and a hidden zip placket is available for motorsport shirts.