Percale vs Sateen - What does it mean and which is better?

Percale and sateen are not references to the type of fabric but refer to the weave of the cotton itself.  The method used creates two vastly different textures.

Percale Weave

A percale weave is a closely woven fabric with one vertical thread woven over one horizontal thread.Percale is typically at least 200 thread count or higher and is noticeably tighter than the standard type of weave used for bedding.  It has medium weight, is firm and smooth with no gloss, and washes very well.  It gives the fabric a crisp cotton texture.

Sateen Weave

A Sateen weave is woven with the shiny side of the cotton up, 4 over and 1 under, which means that most of threads are on the surface.  This creates a smooth and silky texture which is beautiful to touch.  Sateen appears to be of higher quality fabric because of its sheen.

Which one is better?

The truth is that it’s really a personal preference.  A percale weave produces a stronger, crisper fabric so if you're after that crisp cotton feel choose a percale weave. However, if you like a silkier feel then a sateen weave tends to be shinier and softer.

The type of cotton will also influence the overall feel of the fabric, as will the thread count, construction, and finishing techniques applied. Feel free to check out my other articles if you want to find out more.