# Pima Cotton Yarn for Polo Shirts **Fiber Guide · B2B Sourcing · Data-Driven** --- ## Pima Cotton Yarn for Polo Shirts. Pima cotton's extra-long staple (ELS) length of 34–36mm is precisely what separates a polo shirt that wears like a premium corporate uniform from one that pills within a season. The longer fibre bundles spin into tighter, smoother yarn at Ne 40s–60s, producing the dense piqué surface that holds its geometry at the collar — the single most visible quality signal in the polo category. For corporate gifting buyers and golf apparel brands sourcing at scale, that structural integrity translates directly into brand perception: a well-draping collar on day 90 versus a rolled, distorted one tells the story of your procurement decision every morning. One differentiating data point: Pima cotton fibre has a mean fibre strength of 30–34 grams per tex (g/tex), roughly 20–25% stronger than standard upland cotton at 24–28 g/tex. That strength feeds directly into yarn tenacity, which feeds into how cleanly piqué cells hold their raised texture after repeated washing. --- ## At a Glance **The comparison, summarised.** | Dimension | Rating | Why | |---|---|---| | Softness / Hand Feel | 9/10 | ELS fibres produce fewer fibre ends per unit area, giving Pima piqué a smooth, almost waxy surface feel absent in standard cotton piqué. Critical for next-to-skin collar contact in hot-weather wear. | | Durability / Abrasion Resistance | 8/10 | Higher tenacity (30–34 g/tex) resists the repeated collar friction polo shirts experience. Piqué fabric typically grades 3.5–4 on the Martindale scale vs. 3–3.5 for standard cotton interlock. | | Colour Retention / Colorfastness | 8/10 | Longer, smoother fibres accept reactive dyes more uniformly. Expect wash fastness of 4–4.5 (ISO 105-C06), light fastness 4–5 (ISO 105-B02) for mid and dark shades. | | Breathability / Moisture Management | 8/10 | Piqué's textured, air-pocketed construction combined with Pima's natural moisture wicking (regain ~8.5%) makes this a functional choice for golf and outdoor events. | | Stretch & Recovery | 5/10 | Without elastane, Pima piqué has limited stretch. This is a conscious trade-off — polo buyers in the corporate segment generally prefer structural integrity over give. Add 3–5% Lycra for performance variants. | | Cost Efficiency (B2B cost-per-wear) | 7/10 | Yarn costs 15–25% more per kg than standard cotton, but longer garment lifespan (40+ washes before visible degradation) improves cost-per-wear by roughly 30% against standard cotton polos. | | Sustainability / Eco Credentials | 7/10 | Predominantly grown in Peru and US Southwest; GOTS and OEKO-TEX 100 certification available from Tier-1 mills. Water usage is comparable to standard cotton — no significant reduction without additional certifications. | | Ease of Care / Wash Durability | 8/10 | Mercerised Pima polos tolerate 60°C machine wash with minimal shrinkage (1.5–2% post-pre-shrink). Standard cotton typically runs 3–5%. | --- ## Why Pima Cotton for Polo Shirts **What makes Pima cotton the right choice for polo shirts.** **01. Piqué Cell Integrity Over Time** The piqué knit construction that defines polo shirts — that raised, waffle-like texture across the body — is structurally demanding on the yarn. Each piqué cell is formed by a combination of knit, tuck, and float stitches, and the tension balance between them depends heavily on yarn consistency and tensile strength. Standard upland cotton, with its 25–28mm staple length, introduces more splicing points per unit length of yarn, which creates uneven tension zones that eventually distort the cell structure after repeated washing. Pima's 34–36mm fibres, spun to combed Ne 40s–60s counts, produce significantly more even yarn (CV% around 10–11 versus 12–14 for standard cotton at the same count). The result is that piqué cells retain their defined geometry for substantially longer. Independent wash-and-wear tests on 60-wash cycles show Pima piqué retaining grid clarity at about 85% versus 60–65% for standard cotton piqué. For corporate uniforms with two-to-three-year replacement cycles, this structural retention is the core functional argument. **02. Collar Drape and Dimensional Stability** The collar is the polo shirt's defining element and its most structurally stressed component. It sits through repeated folding, ironing, and mechanical contact with the neck. A rib-knit collar made from standard cotton will typically begin showing edge curl and fibre fraying after 20–25 washes. Mercerised Pima rib collar constructions — using the same ELS yarn processed through NaOH mercerisation at controlled tension — demonstrate dimensional stability improvements of 15–20% in repeated wash tests, and the lustre imparted by mercerisation maintains a clean, pressed appearance even without ironing. For executive gifting markets, this is not a subtle distinction. A branded polo gift sent to 500 senior managers that maintains its collar geometry through a year of regular wear is a recurring brand impression. One that rolls and frays after two months is not. Specify mercerised Pima rib for collars and cuffs as a baseline, and require the mill to test collar dimensional change per AATCC 135 before bulk shipment. **03. Dyeing Uniformity and the Executive Palette** Corporate gifting and golf apparel both share a colour requirement that casual tees do not: solids must be solid. Navy, white, charcoal, and burgundy in polo shirts are scrutinised by the buyer and the end-recipient against light and shadow; any shade variation across a single garment or within a batch reads as quality failure. Pima's smoother, longer fibre structure accepts reactive dyes with greater uniformity than standard cotton because there are fewer structural irregularities that cause differential dye uptake. Mill data from Peru-based Pima spinners shows batch-to-batch shade variation (Delta-E) of 0.4–0.6 for Pima versus 0.8–1.2 for standard cotton under identical dyeing protocols. For a buyer placing 500–2,000 pieces across two production runs, that difference means consistent colour across all units versus potential shade matching problems that require costly re-dyeing or rejection of second-run goods. **04. Mercerised Polish for Premium Market Positioning** Mercerisation — treating cotton yarn or fabric under tension with sodium hydroxide solution — has a dramatically greater effect on Pima than on standard cotton. Because Pima fibres have a more circular cross-section and greater inherent lustre than upland cotton, mercerisation amplifies this natural brightness rather than simply introducing it. Post-mercerisation, Pima piqué reflects light with a semi-lustrous finish that reads as "premium" to a corporate buyer without the synthetic sheen of polyester blends. Quantifiably: mercerised Pima typically achieves a Barre Factor (lustre measurement) 40–50% higher than mercerised standard cotton. It also improves dye uptake efficiency by 20–25%, meaning mills can achieve deep, saturated colours at lower dye concentrations — a cost efficiency in the dyeing process that partially offsets the higher raw material cost. For polo shirts positioned above ₹1,500 retail or targeting premium corporate gifting at ₹2,000+ per unit, mercerised Pima is the standard in the segment. --- ## Technical Specifications **Manufacturing specs for Pima Cotton polo shirts.** **GSM Range** - 180–210 GSM: Standard polo weight for year-round corporate uniform use. 180 GSM works for warmer climates (above 25°C average ambient); 200–210 GSM gives better structural presence for gift-quality polos that need to hold shape in a presentation box. - 210–230 GSM: Heavy-weight polo for cooler climates or for golf brands positioning against performance outerwear. At this weight, collar drape becomes particularly critical — specify tighter tension on collar rib knitting. - Avoid below 175 GSM with Pima piqué: the fabric becomes insufficiently structured to maintain piqué cell definition, and the premium hand-feel proposition is undermined. **Yarn Count** - Body piqué: Ne 40s–50s two-ply for most polo applications. Ne 50s–60s single for lighter-weight summer corporate polos. - Collar/cuff rib: Ne 30s–40s, typically 1x1 or 2x2 rib construction. The collar takes structural stress; a lower count provides mass and stability. - Avoid going above Ne 60s single for body fabric — the resulting fabric weight drops below practical polo GSM thresholds. **Knit Construction** - Body: Double piqué (French terry piqué) is preferred for corporate and golf polo shirts — more stable cell structure than single piqué, better dimensional stability, improved abrasion resistance. - Collar: 1x1 rib, welt construction, with collar end tucked and stitched for clean edge. - Sleeve hem: 1x1 rib matching collar construction. **Shrinkage** - Pre-shrunk (compacted) Pima piqué: 1.5–2.0% length, 1.0–1.5% width after first wash (40°C, ISO 6330) - Non-pre-shrunk: 3.5–5.0% length, 2.5–3.5% width — not suitable for sized garments in corporate gifting **Pilling Resistance** - Combed Pima piqué: Grade 4–4.5 (ISO 12945-2 Martindale, 2000 cycles) - Standard cotton piqué: Grade 3–3.5 at same test parameters **Colorfastness** - Wash fastness (ISO 105-C06): 4–4.5 for reactive-dyed Pima - Light fastness (ISO 105-B02): 4–5 depending on shade depth (darks perform better) - Rubbing fastness (ISO 105-X12): 3.5–4 dry, 3–3.5 wet — standard for cotton; note this in care instructions **Tensile Strength** - Warp/course direction: 350–420 N (grab tensile, ASTM D5034) at 200 GSM - Fill/wale direction: 280–360 N - Seam slippage: specify minimum 80 N at collar seam attachment point **MOQ Guidance** - Yarn (combed Pima): 100–200 kg per count/colour from Peruvian and US Pima spinners; some Indian mills offering blended Pima have lower MOQs at 50 kg - Fabric: 500–1,000 meters per colour/construction from specialist polo fabric mills - Finished garments (CMT with Pima piqué): 300–500 pieces per style/colour from South Asian manufacturers; expect 800–1,200 from Peruvian integrated mills --- ## Manufacturing & Sourcing Considerations **What to know before you source.** **Knitting Machine Requirements** Pima piqué requires circular knitting machines configured for double-knit constructions, typically 24-gauge or 28-gauge for fine polo fabric. The higher gauge (28) is preferred for Ne 50s–60s yarns producing lightweight corporate polos; 24-gauge is standard for 180–210 GSM mainstream production. Machine speed should be moderated 10–15% relative to standard cotton runs — Pima's higher tenacity means it does not break, but running at full speed increases yarn tension variation which manifests as piqué cell inconsistency visible after washing. Collar and cuff rib fabrics are typically produced on separate flat-bed or circular rib machines. Ensure your mill has dedicated rib machinery — polos produced with collar fabric cut from tubular rib rather than properly structured rib machines will show collar instability within 10–15 washes. **Dyeing Compatibility** Pima cotton is dyed with reactive dyes (cold pad batch or exhaust dyeing). The key consideration: Pima's higher uniformity means it requires less dye to achieve equivalent depth of shade compared to standard cotton — mills accustomed to standard cotton will over-dye Pima fabric, resulting in slightly deeper shades than specified and reduced wash fastness due to surface dye build-up. Require your dyehouse to run a shade trial at 80% of their standard cotton recipe and adjust from there. For whites and pastels (critical for corporate gifting): Pima's natural cream-to-white base (reflectance typically 78–82%) benefits from optical brightening agents (OBA), but OBAs degrade under UV and should be specified only for indoor-facing corporate items, not golf wear. **Finishing Processes** Mercerisation: Specify yarn mercerisation (not fabric mercerisation) for highest lustre uniformity. Yarn mercerisation at Ne 40s before knitting gives more controlled results than post-knit fabric mercerisation. Caustic soda concentration: 22–24° Baumé at 15–20°C, under controlled tension. Bio-polishing (cellulase enzyme treatment): Recommended for polos targeting premium corporate gifting. Removes protruding fibre ends, improving pilling resistance by 0.5–1 grade and enhancing initial hand feel. Run for 30–45 minutes at 55°C, pH 4.5–5.5 (acidic cellulase). Confirm the mill neutralises properly — residual enzyme activity will continue attacking the fabric in storage. Pre-shrinking: Compaction finish is mandatory for sized corporate polos. Specify maximum 2% residual shrinkage in your purchase order. **Quality Control Checkpoints** - Yarn: Check CVm% (coefficient of variation of mass) — Pima combed should be ≤11% at Ne 40s; reject above 12% - Greige fabric: Verify piqué cell uniformity under oblique lighting before dyeing - Dyed fabric: Shade comparison against approved standard under D65, A, and UV light conditions - Collar: Dimensional test per AATCC 135 on 3 wash cycles before bulk production approval - Finished garment: Measure collar point-to-point spread; tolerance ±3mm across a production run **Lead Times** Yarn to finished garment (integrated mill, Peru): 90–120 days for initial order; 60–75 days for repeat orders with pre-approved fabrics. Fabric sourcing + CMT (separate mill, South Asia): 45–60 days for fabric + 30–45 days CMT = 75–105 days total. Allow an additional 2–3 weeks if mercerisation is being added to a mill not routinely running that process. **Key Sourcing Regions** Peru (integrated Pima supply chain, Incatops, Creditex): Highest fibre authenticity, premium pricing, longer lead times. Best for brands where Pima origin story is a selling point. India (Coimbatore region): Blended Pima and mixed ELS cotton available at lower cost; verify fibre certification independently. US (Supima-certified): Technically Supima (35–38mm, AZ/CA grown) — interchangeable in many polo applications with Peruvian Pima at comparable premium. --- ## Trade-Offs — Honest Assessment **Every fibre has limits. Here's the full picture.** **Strengths** - **Piqué cell retention over 40+ washes.** Pima's yarn evenness (CVm ≤11%) maintains piqué geometry significantly better than standard cotton. Wear tests show 85% cell clarity retention at 60 washes versus 60–65% for standard cotton piqué — a visible difference in batch-consistency critical for corporate uniform programs. - **Collar dimensional stability with mercerisation.** Mercerised Pima rib collars show 15–20% better dimensional stability versus unmercerised standard cotton collars in AATCC 135 testing. This directly reduces collar roll, the most common quality complaint in the corporate polo segment. - **Superior dye uniformity.** Batch-to-batch Delta-E of 0.4–0.6 versus 0.8–1.2 for standard cotton. For buyers placing repeat orders across multiple production runs (common in uniform programs), this significantly reduces shade-matching risk. - **Tensile strength supporting seam durability.** At 30–34 g/tex fibre tenacity, Pima yarn resists the seam stress points — underarm, collar attachment, side seams — that cause premature failure in high-wash-frequency corporate uniform programs. - **Mercerised lustre elevates perceived value.** The semi-lustrous finish of mercerised Pima piqué reads visually as premium without synthetic sheen. In corporate gifting, presentation quality of an unworn garment drives the initial impression; Pima consistently outperforms standard cotton in blind buyer evaluations of unboxed garments. - **Improved cost-per-wear economics.** At 40+ wash lifespan versus 25–30 for standard cotton polos in the same GSM range, Pima's 20–30% higher unit cost is recovered over the garment's life — relevant for uniform programs calculating total cost of ownership over 12–24 months. **Limitations** - **Premium raw material cost with limited substitution flexibility.** Pima yarn typically prices at ₹420–520/kg (combed, Ne 40s) versus ₹320–380/kg for combed standard cotton at equivalent count. For large corporate uniform tenders priced against budget constraints, this 20–30% yarn cost premium can disqualify Pima from competitive bids unless the brief specifies premium fibre. Mitigation: position Pima as the standard for gifting and executive tiers; use combed Egyptian or Supima blends for volume tiers. - **Moisture management is good, not exceptional.** Pima absorbs well (~8.5% moisture regain) but does not wick moisture away from skin the way a polyester piqué or Coolmax-blended fabric does. For performance golf wear in high-humidity environments (Southeast Asia, Florida summer), pure Pima piqué will feel damp during sustained activity. Mitigation: blend with 10–15% polyester or use moisture-transfer finish; note that this partially compromises the Pima hand-feel and lustre story. - **Limited elasticity without modification.** Standard Pima piqué elongation is 15–20% in the cross direction without elastane — adequate for regular fit but insufficient for slim or athletic-fit polo shirts worn during active movement. Mitigation: incorporate 3–5% Lycra or equivalent spandex at the knitting stage. This requires a separate qualification run with the knitting mill and adds minor complexity to the dye process (spandex requires lower temperature dyeing protocols). - **Price sensitivity in Indian domestic market.** At ₹1,800–2,500 MRP for a Pima polo versus ₹900–1,400 for standard cotton, the Pima positioning requires active communication to the end buyer. Corporate gifting purchasers not specifically briefed on fibre quality may resist the price differential. This is a sales and briefing challenge, not a product challenge — but it affects where in the procurement chain the Pima argument needs to be made. --- ## Cost Analysis **The economics of Pima Cotton for polo shirts.** **Yarn Pricing (indicative, 2024–2025)** - Combed Pima cotton Ne 40s: ₹420–520/kg (FOB Peru/India) - Combed standard cotton Ne 40s: ₹320–380/kg - Egyptian cotton (Giza 86) Ne 40s: ₹480–580/kg (broadly comparable to Pima) - Supima (US-grown ELS) Ne 40s: ₹440–540/kg **Fabric and Garment Cost Build** For a 200 GSM Pima piqué polo at 300 pieces (medium run): - Fabric cost: ₹380–440/metre (piqué, dyed, finished) versus ₹280–320/metre for standard cotton piqué - Fabric consumption per polo: approximately 1.6 metres (S–XL average) - Fabric cost per garment: ₹608–704 (Pima) versus ₹448–512 (standard cotton) - CMT + trims + overhead: ₹350–500 (broadly similar regardless of fabric) - Total ex-factory cost per garment: ₹958–1,204 (Pima) versus ₹798–1,012 (standard cotton) - Premium for Pima: ₹160–200 per garment at production level, roughly 18–25% **Cost-Per-Wear** A standard cotton polo rated for 25–30 quality wash cycles before visible degradation at ₹1,200 ex-factory = ₹40–48 per wear. A Pima piqué polo rated for 40–50 quality wash cycles at ₹1,350 ex-factory = ₹27–34 per wear. The Pima polo delivers 30–35% better cost-per-wear despite higher sticker price — the relevant metric for uniform program buyers evaluating total cost of ownership over a 12–24 month replacement cycle. **Comparison vs. Alternatives** | Fiber | Yarn Cost/kg | Polo Ex-Factory | Wash Lifespan | Cost/Wear | |---|---|---|---|---| | Pima Cotton | ₹420–520 | ₹1,100–1,350 | 40–50 cycles | ₹27–34 | | Standard Cotton | ₹320–380 | ₹950–1,150 | 25–30 cycles | ₹38–46 | | Cotton/Polyester 65/35 | ₹280–340 | ₹850–1,050 | 50–60 cycles | ₹17–21 | | Egyptian Cotton | ₹480–580 | ₹1,200–1,450 | 40–50 cycles | ₹29–36 | The polyester blend wins on pure economics but loses on hand feel and the natural-fibre brand story that premium corporate gifting increasingly requires. Egyptian cotton is broadly comparable to Pima in price and performance — the choice between them is often a supply chain and origin-story decision. --- ## Sustainability Profile **Environmental and ethical considerations.** Pima cotton's sustainability credentials are real but nuanced. Water consumption for Pima in Peru (primarily Piura and Ica valleys) averages 8,000–10,000 litres per kg of fibre — comparable to conventional cotton globally (estimated 10,000–20,000 litres depending on region and irrigation method). Peruvian Pima benefits from coastal desert growing conditions that reduce pesticide requirements versus humid cotton-growing regions, but water sourcing from Andean rivers in drought-stressed regions is an emerging supply chain risk to monitor. **Available Certifications** - GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Available from certified Peruvian organic Pima growers; commands 25–35% premium over conventional Pima yarn but enables organic product marketing - OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Available at fabric and garment level; tests for harmful substances. Most Tier-1 Pima mills carry this certification - BCI (Better Cotton Initiative): Applicable to Indian Pima-blend operations - Fair Trade certification: Available from select Peruvian mills (Creditex has Fair Trade options) **Biodegradability** Natural cellulose fibre — fully biodegradable under correct composting conditions (industrial compost at 58°C: approximately 60–90 days for fibre degradation). Blended Pima/elastane polos will not fully biodegrade due to synthetic component. From an end-of-life standpoint, pure Pima is significantly preferable to polyester or cotton-poly blends. **Consumer Perception** In the premium B2B gifting and golf segments, "natural fibre" and "premium cotton" are increasingly specified in RFPs — particularly from ESG-focused corporate procurement teams. Pima allows an authentic natural fibre narrative without the cost premium of merino or the supply complexity of organic linen. The origin story (Peru, family farms, traceable supply chain) maps well onto corporate sustainability reporting requirements. --- ## FAQ **Pima Cotton for Polo Shirts — answered.** **1. What makes Pima better than standard cotton piqué for polos?** The core difference is fibre length. Pima's 34–36mm staple versus standard cotton's 25–28mm means fewer splice points per unit of yarn, which translates to higher yarn evenness (CVm ≤11% versus 12–14%) and higher fibre strength (30–34 g/tex versus 24–28 g/tex). In practical polo terms: piqué cells hold their raised geometry for 40+ washes versus 25–30 for standard cotton, collars maintain their shape and edge definition longer, and the overall garment retains a "new" appearance significantly further into its lifespan. For corporate uniform programs running 12–24 month replacement cycles, that difference eliminates a mid-cycle replacement purchase. **2. What's the minimum order quantity for Pima piqué polo fabric?** Expect 500–1,000 metres minimum per colour from specialist polo fabric mills in Peru and India that carry Pima piqué as a standard construction. For finished garments (CMT), South Asian manufacturers typically quote 300–500 pieces per colour/size run for Pima polo programs. If you're below 300 pieces, you'll likely need a pre-made fabric programme or a mill that holds greige stock — ask your sourcing agent specifically about greige inventory availability, which can reduce lead time and lower effective MOQ to 200 pieces in some cases. **3. How does Pima piqué perform after 50 wash cycles?** At 50 washes (40°C, inside-out, ISO 6330 protocol), a well-specified Pima piqué polo will show: piqué cell clarity at approximately 80–85% of original definition (versus 55–65% for standard cotton piqué), shrinkage stabilised by wash 5 (subsequent dimensional change ≤0.5%), colorfastness maintaining ISO grade 4 on wash for reactive-dyed mid-tones, and minimal pilling at Grade 4 (Martindale). The collar is the first area to show wear — the fold crease becomes permanent around wash 30–40, which is why collar rib construction quality is as important as body fabric quality. **4. What GSM should I specify for a corporate gifting polo?** For a corporate gifting polo that needs to look substantial in a presentation box and maintain shape through a year of office/event wear: 200–210 GSM. This weight gives enough body presence that the polo holds its fold and structure when boxed, while remaining comfortable in temperature-controlled office environments. For golf brands or outdoor event use in warmer climates, 180–190 GSM is appropriate — it performs comparably but feels lighter in the heat. Avoid 160–170 GSM Pima piqué for corporate gifting; at that weight the garment reads as lightweight summer casualwear, which undercuts the premium gifting positioning. **5. Is mercerised Pima necessary for golf apparel, or is it overkill?** Mercerisation is standard specification for the premium golf polo segment (₹3,000+ retail positioning) but is optional below that. The benefits — lustre, dimensional stability, improved dye uptake — are more visible to a corporate buyer comparing swatches than to a golfer focused on performance. For golf brands competing on performance credentials (moisture management, UV protection, stretch), a Pima/polyester or Pima/Lycra blend without mercerisation may be a better specification choice. Mercerisation adds ₹25–40 per metre to fabric cost and 1–2 weeks to lead time; budget accordingly. **6. What certifications should I look for when sourcing Pima polo fabric?** At minimum: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 at the fabric or garment level — this confirms the finished product is free from harmful substances, which is increasingly required by corporate gifting procurement teams. For brands making organic or sustainability claims: GOTS certification from an accredited Peruvian or Indian mill. For origin verification (confirming it's actually Pima ELS cotton and not mislabelled standard cotton): ask for fibre test reports from ASTM D5103 (fibre length testing) or equivalent. Pima at 34–36mm is distinguishable from standard cotton at 25–28mm in certified lab testing — always verify the first bulk shipment from a new supplier. **7. How does Pima handle embroidery for corporate branding?** Pima piqué embroiders cleanly with appropriate stabiliser (tear-away for chest left-chest logo, cut-away for collar or back neck). The higher yarn evenness means less needle deflection and cleaner stitch registration versus standard cotton piqué. One caution: piqué's textured surface can cause embroidery to appear slightly elevated on the raised cells versus the sunken areas — for very small logo embroidery (under 25mm height), test on actual fabric before full production. For corporate logo placements at 40–80mm height, standard embroidery specifications apply without modification. **8. What's the typical lead time for Pima polo orders from India versus Peru?** India-sourced (Pima or ELS blend, South Asian CMT): 70–90 days for a new style with custom colour, 45–60 days for repeat orders with pre-approved fabrics. Peru-sourced (integrated Pima supply chain, Peruvian CMT): 100–130 days for new orders, 75–90 days for repeats. The Peru route is longer but offers more supply chain transparency and is appropriate for brands that use "Peruvian Pima" as a consumer-facing claim. Budget an additional 15–20 days for air freight to India if ordering from Peru and landing into Indian distribution — sea freight adds 25–35 days. --- ## Related Links **Related Applications for Pima Cotton** - [T-Shirt Manufacturing](/yarn/pima-cotton/t-shirt-manufacturing) - [Premium Apparel](/yarn/pima-cotton/premium-apparel) **Alternative Fibers for Polo Shirts** - [Cotton](/yarn/cotton/polo-shirts) - [Polyester](/yarn/polyester/polo-shirts) - [Linen](/yarn/linen/polo-shirts) - [Organic Cotton](/yarn/organic-cotton/polo-shirts) - [Egyptian Cotton](/yarn/egyptian-cotton/polo-shirts) - [Cotton-Poly Blend](/yarn/cotton-poly-blend/polo-shirts) - [Supima Cotton](/yarn/supima-cotton/polo-shirts) **Glossary** - [Staple Length](/glossary/staple-length) - [Hand Feel](/glossary/hand-feel) - [Colorfastness](/glossary/colorfastness) **Compare** - [Pima Cotton vs. Alternatives](/compare/pima-cotton)