Cotton sateen fabric: weave, thread count and types
Cotton sateen is woven in a satin weave. Each yarn floats over several yarns before it goes under one, so the face is covered in long floats. The floats reflect light, which gives one side a smooth, lustrous finish while the back stays matte.
Sateen, satin and polyester
Satin is the name of a weave, so it says nothing about the fibre. Shiny polyester fabrics are also sold as satin. In bedding the word usually means cotton sateen. Check the composition in writing before you order.
Typical specifications
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Composition | 100% cotton; cotton-polyester blends also exist |
| Weave | Satin weave, usually 4/1 for bedding |
| Thread count | 82 threads per cm² and up |
| Yarn | 40/1 or finer, usually combed cotton |
| Width | Usually 240 cm or wider for bedding |
Values vary from fabric to fabric. Composition, width and weight for each series are on its series page.
Types of sateen
- Solid sateen: piece-dyed in one colour. Hotels mostly use white.
- Stripe sateen: shiny and matte stripes are created in the weave, so a single-colour fabric shows a tone-on-tone stripe. Stripe width is given in centimetres, for example 1, 2 or 3 cm.
- Jacquard sateen: the pattern is woven on a jacquard loom, with no print.
- Printed sateen: rotary or digital print. Digital print suits short runs and multi-colour designs.
Uses
- Hotel duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases
- Higher-end retail bedding sets
- Duvet and pillow inner covers
Points to check
Long floats wear faster under friction than a plain weave. For hotel linen that is washed often, yarn quality and thread count matter more. Sateen feels smoother and slightly warmer than percale.
Ask for thread count, yarn count, width and weight in the quote. For stripe sateen, confirm the stripe width; for printed sateen, the print method.