Free Delivery Above £1500
HOTEL-GRADE TEXTILES
BULK & TRADE PRICING
RELIABLE UK DELIVERY
Shopping for bed linen gets confusing when fabric labels start mixing different terms. One sheet says 100% cotton, another says polycotton, while others are described as percale or sateen.
They might sound like four different materials, but they aren’t.
Cotton and polycotton tell you what a fabric is made from. Percale and sateen describe how the threads are woven. Understanding that difference makes it much easier to compare bed sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases.
Here’s what each term means and why it matters when choosing bedding.
Every woven bed sheet starts with fibres that are turned into yarns. Those yarns are then arranged into a fabric using a particular weave.
Think of the description in two parts:
A cotton sheet can have a percale or sateen weave. The same applies to a polycotton blend.
This is why comparing cotton directly against sateen doesn’t tell you very much. One describes the material, while the other describes the construction.
Cotton is a natural plant-based fibre widely used in bed linen.
It’s valued for its familiar feel and ability to absorb moisture. However, not every cotton sheet feels the same.
The yarn, weave, thread count, fabric weight and finishing process all influence the finished result.
A loosely constructed cotton fabric can feel different from a more closely woven one, even when both labels say 100% cotton.
Cotton bedding also needs to be cared for according to its specific washing instructions. Shrinkage and creasing depend on the fabric’s construction, finishing and laundering conditions.
Polycotton is made by combining cotton and polyester fibres.
The amount of each fibre varies between products. You might find blends containing 70% cotton and 30% polyester, or 80% cotton and 20% polyester.
The composition matters because changing the ratio changes the materials used in the fabric.
Polyester and cotton have different moisture-handling, crease and care characteristics. However, the performance of a finished sheet cannot be determined by blend ratio alone.
Yarn construction, weave, finishing and laundry conditions also play a part.
For accommodation providers, it’s sensible to compare samples and care instructions rather than assuming all polycotton bedding behaves identically.
Choosing between the two isn’t simply about which sounds better.
| Factor | Cotton | Polycotton |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Natural cotton fibre | Cotton and polyester blend |
| Fabric feel | Depends on yarn, weave and finish | Depends on blend, weave and finish |
| Moisture handling | Cotton absorbs moisture | Depends partly on the blend ratio |
| Creasing | Can crease during use and washing | Polyester content may influence crease behaviour |
| Laundry care | Follow product instructions | Follow product instructions |
| Buying decision | Compare actual specifications | Compare actual specifications |
If you’re responsible for bedding across several rooms, consistency is worth considering too. Reordering the same composition and construction helps you maintain a similar appearance and feel across your linen stock.
Percale describes a closely woven plain-weave fabric.
The yarns follow a simple over-and-under arrangement, creating a balanced woven surface. Percale is commonly associated with a crisp feel and a matte appearance.
It can be made from cotton or blended fibres.
One important detail is that not every plain-weave sheet is necessarily sold or specified as percale. The term is normally used for fabrics meeting particular construction expectations.
So, if a product is simply labelled plain weave, don’t automatically assume it’s percale.
Sateen describes a weave that places longer yarn floats on the fabric surface.
This construction often produces a smoother feel and a more noticeable sheen than a conventional plain weave.
Sateen is frequently made from cotton, although fibre composition and construction vary.
The longer floats can influence how the fabric responds to friction and snagging. Actual performance depends on the yarn, weave density and finishing.
If you’re considering sateen bedding for regular use, checking a sample and the manufacturer’s care guidance is a sensible starting point.
The difference is primarily in the weave.
| Feature | Percale | Sateen |
|---|---|---|
| Weave structure | Plain weave | Sateen weave with longer floats |
| Typical appearance | Matte | Subtle sheen |
| Typical feel | Crisp | Smooth |
| Fibre options | Cotton or blends | Cotton or other suitable fibres |
| Care requirements | Product-specific | Product-specific |
| Main consideration | Preference for a crisp finish | Preference for a smoother finish |
Neither weave is automatically better.
Some people prefer the crisp feel of percale. Others prefer the smoother surface of sateen.
The right choice comes down to the finished fabric, how it feels and whether its care requirements suit the intended use.
Not exactly.
Satin stripe describes a visible pattern created using contrasting weave structures. The stripes may have a sheen that stands out against the surrounding fabric.
A sateen sheet, on the other hand, is described by the weave structure used across its fabric.
This distinction matters when reading product descriptions.
For example, the Thornton Mills Iberia and Andalusia collections feature satin stripe designs. That doesn’t mean they should automatically be described as full sateen sheets.
Always check the individual product’s fabric specifications.
Thread count is another measurement you’ll encounter when comparing bedding.
It generally describes the number of warp and weft threads within one square inch of woven fabric.
While it helps describe the construction, it doesn’t identify the fibre composition or guarantee a particular feel.
A 200 thread count cotton sheet and a 200 thread count polycotton sheet can differ because the yarns, fibres, weave and finishing are not necessarily the same.
Fabric weight is a separate measurement, usually expressed in grams per square metre (GSM).
When comparing bedding, it’s useful to look at all these details together rather than relying on one number.
Whether you’re buying bedding for a guest room or managing linen across a larger property, start with the actual specifications.
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fibre composition | Identifies cotton and polyester content |
| Weave | Helps explain fabric appearance and texture |
| Thread count | Provides information about thread density |
| GSM | Describes fabric weight |
| Dimensions | Confirms whether the bedding fits |
| Care instructions | Helps assess laundry compatibility |
| Fabric sample | Allows you to assess the finished material |
It’s also useful to compare a new fabric with your existing linen.
If you’re replacing only part of your stock, differences in shade, feel or finish may be noticeable when products are used together.
Thornton Mills offers several bed linen ranges with different fabric compositions and designs.
For example, Valencia uses a 70% cotton and 30% polyester blend with a plain design, while Seville has cotton and polycotton options.
Iberia and Andalusia offer satin stripe designs for those looking for a different appearance.
These ranges illustrate how fibre composition and surface design can vary, even within one supplier’s collection.
You can explore the Thornton Mills bed linen collection to compare the published specifications.
For details of individual products, check their respective pages rather than assuming all ranges have identical care or performance characteristics.
No. Percale describes a weave, so the fabric can be made using cotton or suitable fibre blends.
Not exactly. Both terms relate to weave structures that create a smoother surface, but satin and sateen are not interchangeable descriptions for every textile.
Neither is universally better. They use different fibre compositions, and the right choice depends on the specific product, preferred feel and care requirements.
No. Thread count is only one part of the fabric specification. Yarn, fibre composition, weave and finishing also influence softness.
Not necessarily. Polyester content may influence creasing, but actual ironing requirements depend on the fabric construction, finishing and laundry process.
No. Satin stripe refers to a patterned woven appearance, while sateen describes a weave structure. Check the product specifications to understand the difference.
Cotton, polycotton, percale and sateen become easier to understand once you separate fibre composition from weave.
Cotton and polycotton describe the materials used. Percale and sateen describe how the fabric is constructed.
When choosing bedding, compare both alongside thread count, fabric weight, dimensions and laundry instructions. For an example of a currently available 70% cotton and 30% polyester range, see Valencia Hotel Bed Linen.
Enter your email address to access the Thornton Mills profile PDF and explore our hospitality textile range.
