Single Jersey vs. Interlock — What Suits Your Production?

Jersey fabric comes in many variants, but single jersey and interlock are the two you most often encounter in the production of T-shirts, bodysuits, and children’s clothing. Simply put: single jersey is lighter, more elastic, and better for close-fitting cuts — interlock is thicker, more stable, and retains shape better for looser garment types. Which suits your production depends on the end product, your customer market, and your production conditions.

What is the difference between single jersey and interlock?

Single jersey is knitted with a single needle bed and produces a fabric with two distinctly different sides — a smooth front and a rough back with visible stitches. This construction gives the fabric its characteristic crosswise elasticity and its light drape. Interlock, on the other hand, is knitted with two needle beds interlocked with each other, resulting in a fabric that is identical on both sides and significantly more dimensionally stable.

In practice, this means that single jersey curls along the edges when cut — a well-known condition in production, but one that requires proper handling during sewing. Interlock does not curl and lies flat, making it more manageable at the sewing table, especially when working with loose or rectangular cuts.

A third difference is weight. Single jersey typically has a lower g/m², while interlock is heavier gram for gram. This directly affects your material budget per piece — relevant if you produce in large series.

When do you choose single jersey?

Single jersey is the standard in most lightweight knit production. You choose it when:

• The end product needs to fit close and follow the body — T-shirts, bodysuits, leggings, underwear
• You need maximum crosswise elasticity with good recovery
• You work with digital print, where the fabric’s smooth front provides the best color reproduction
• The weight class needs to be kept low — e.g., for summer clothing or layering concepts
• You produce children’s clothing where freedom of movement and easy handling are crucial

At Jydsk Stoflager, most of our jersey fabric is single jersey at 220 g/m², 160 cm wide, 95% cotton and 5% lycra. This weight works across the spectrum from baby clothes to casual women’s wear — heavy enough to drape properly, light enough to be comfortable.

When do you choose interlock?

Interlock is the right choice when you need a fabric that holds its shape without shrinking. This is typically relevant for:

• Loose cuts and A-line models where single jersey would drape uncontrollably
• Sportswear and activewear with double-sided finish — e.g., reversible jackets or shorts
• Clothing for seniors or segments that prioritize dimensional stability over stretch
• Products where both sides of the fabric are visible in the finished garment

Interlock is generally more expensive to produce than single jersey, which is reflected in the purchase price. This is a factor you need to consider, especially if you compete on price in mass production. However, the extra stability offers advantages in production itself — fewer errors in cutting and sewing, and better results with printed or embroidered surfaces on looser cuts.

Digital print — single jersey is the obvious choice

If you want to work with digital print, single jersey is the fabric type you should choose. The smooth, uniform front absorbs the ink precisely and provides the color-true reproduction that is the prerequisite for a professional result. Interlock can be printed, but the surface texture is more uneven, which can cause subtle differences in detail sharpness — something especially visible in designs with fine lines or gradients.

Our digital print jersey is AI-designed and manually refined in Photoshop, and available exclusively at Jydsk Stoflager. The color reproduction is consistent from roll to roll — a non-negotiable requirement when producing an entire collection and needing color consistency across sizes and deliveries.

If you want to combine printed and solid-colour fabrics in the same collection, you will find our solid-colour jersey in the same fabric type and weight class — making it easy to mix in a cut without the production experiencing differences in handling or stretch.

Practical considerations for your purchasing decision

Before you decide, there are three questions worth clarifying:

1. What is the end product’s function? Close-fitting and flexible — choose single jersey. Loose and dimensionally stable — consider interlock.
2. Do you need to print on the fabric? Single jersey provides the best print surface and is the standard in digitally printed jersey.
3. What is your production volume? Single jersey is typically more advantageous for large series. Interlock’s extra stability can reduce error rates in production, but the price per meter is higher.

If your production uses both types, it is a good idea to standardize your processes separately for each fabric type — edge finishing, seam allowances, and stretch settings on the sewing machine differ, and mixing them without adjustment causes errors.

A practical tip: always order a sample length and run it through your full production process — including washing — before locking a collection to a supplier. Our solid-colour jersey and digital print jersey are ready for dispatch from stock in Ikast with delivery in 1–3 business days to all of Europe. This allows you to validate the fabric quickly without tying up large amounts in inventory upfront.

Certifications and minimum order

Most of our digital print jersey is GOTS-certified — the remaining variants are Oeko-Tex 100. This is relevant if your customers require documentation or if you produce for markets that demand sustainability certification as part of purchasing conditions.

The minimum order is 10 meters regardless of fabric type. This applies both to jersey fabric in general and to our exclusive digital prints. For a clothing manufacturer or fabric shop testing new designs, this is a manageable entry — you do not need to overcommit to a new print before you know it works in your production or sells with your customers.

Conclusion

Single jersey and interlock serve two different purposes. Single jersey is your standard choice for close-fitting clothing, digital print, and children’s wear production — it is the fabric that gives you the most flexibility at the lowest weight. Interlock is the right choice when dimensional stability and double-sidedness are requirements in the end product.

At Jydsk Stoflager, we primarily work with single jersey in the weight classes that cover most of the fashion industry. See our current range of solid-colour jersey and exclusive digital prints — or contact us directly to discuss your specific needs. Stock ready for dispatch, delivery 1–3 business days.