Blended yarns balance cost, comfort and performance — but PC, PV and CVC each behave differently. Here is how to tell them apart and choose the right one for your fabric.
The three common blends
PC (Poly-Cotton)
A polyester-dominant cotton blend — typically 52/48, 65/35 or 70/30 polyester/cotton. Durable, easy-care and dimensionally stable, PC is the workhorse for shirting, uniforms and knitwear.
PV (Polyester-Viscose)
Polyester blended with viscose, commonly 65/35 or 80/20. Smooth, with good drape and a softer hand than pure polyester — the standard for suiting and bottom-weights.
CVC (Chief Value Cotton)
A cotton-dominant blend (cotton above 50%, e.g. 60/40 or 80/20 cotton/polyester). It keeps a cotton-rich feel with a little added strength and stability — favoured for premium tees and fleece.
How they compare
| Blend | Typical ratios | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PC | 52/48, 65/35, 70/30 (poly/cotton) | Shirting, uniforms, knitwear |
| PV | 65/35, 80/20 (poly/viscose) | Suiting, bottom-weights |
| CVC | 60/40, 80/20 (cotton/poly) | Premium tees, fleece |
Getting the ratio right
The blend ratio is what you are really buying — it sets cost, hand-feel and dye behaviour. To split an order into fibre weights by percentage, use our Blend Ratio Calculator. We batch blends for even fibre distribution so dye uptake stays consistent across runs.
Choosing for your fabric
Lead with PC for durable easy-care fabric, PV where drape and suiting feel matter, and CVC when you want a cotton-rich hand with a strength boost. We match any ratio to spec.
Looking for a blend matched to your fabric? We supply PC, PV, CVC and custom ratios.
More on our buyer tools and yarn guides.