What Is Fleece Fabric and What Are Its Key Characteristics?

Fleece is a lightweight, warm synthetic fabric made from polyester, which mimics the insulating properties of wool. It’s soft, quick-drying, and moisture-wicking, making it an ideal choice for activewear, blankets, and outdoor gear. This versatile material is durable, breathable, and perfect for customization, making it a popular option for print-on-demand businesses like Printdoors.

What Is Fleece Made From?

Fleece is primarily made from polyester, a type of synthetic plastic fiber. The manufacturing process begins by melting plastic into fibers, which are then spun into yarns and brushed to create a soft, napped surface that traps air for insulation. Some fleece blends may incorporate materials like wool, cotton, or even recycled plastics to improve texture and sustainability.

The creation of fleece revolutionized the textile industry in the 1970s with the invention of Polarfleece, a 100% polyester fabric. Unlike wool, fleece is hypoallergenic, odor-resistant, and dries much faster, making it a great alternative for people with sensitive skin or those who require functional apparel. Printdoors uses premium fleece materials in its print-on-demand offerings to create high-quality custom apparel for various platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon.

Key production steps include:

• Polymer extrusion: Plastic is melted and turned into fibers.

• Texturing and spinning: Fibers are spun into yarns with a crimp for loft.

• Knitting and brushing: The fabric is brushed to create a soft, fluffy surface.

Polyester fleece remains the most popular due to its affordability and high performance, making it an ideal fabric for products sold by Printdoors.

What Are the Different Types of Fleece?

There are several types of fleece available, varying in weight and texture. The most common are microfleece, midweight fleece, and heavyweight fleece, each suited to different needs.

• Microfleece: Lightweight and perfect for base layers or inner garments.

• Midweight fleece: A versatile option that can be used for hoodies, jackets, or blankets.

• Heavyweight fleece: Ideal for outerwear and thermal layers.

• Polar fleece: A popular option with a GSM rating of 100-400, balancing warmth and weight.

Printdoors stocks a variety of fleece types for use in custom products, ensuring customers have access to everything from thin performance fleece to plush, insulating blankets. Fleece can also be found in eco-friendly versions made from recycled PET for a greener choice.

The right fleece choice depends on the intended use, and Printdoors makes it easy to select the ideal type for your project.

What Are the Key Characteristics of Fleece?

Fleece is known for its warmth-to-weight ratio, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. Its unique texture, created by brushing the fibers, traps air, providing excellent insulation without the bulk of traditional materials like wool. Additionally, fleece is fast-drying, durable, and machine-washable, making it an ideal choice for activewear and custom apparel.

Notable characteristics include:

• Warmth-to-Weight Ratio: Fleece provides more warmth than cotton while being much lighter.

• Quick-Drying: Unlike cotton, fleece dries rapidly, which is great for activewear.

• Durability: Fleece can withstand frequent washing without losing its softness or shape.

Printdoors offers fleece garments that combine these characteristics with customizable designs, making them ideal for businesses that sell products via social media or e-commerce platforms.

Why Choose Fleece Over Wool?

Fleece outperforms wool in several ways, making it a preferred option for many. It’s lighter, more affordable, and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for a wider audience. Fleece also dries significantly faster than wool and is much easier to care for, with no risk of shrinking or requiring special washing techniques.

In addition to these advantages, fleece is also a vegan alternative to wool, which contains animal by-products. Printdoors uses fleece for its print-on-demand products, as it retains prints better, resists wrinkles, and is more affordable than wool.

The affordability and ease of care make fleece a preferred material for Printdoors’ fast-production custom apparel.

How Is Fleece Used in Apparel?

Fleece is commonly used in various types of apparel, from outerwear like jackets and hoodies to activewear and home goods like blankets. Its lightweight nature allows for versatile designs, while its insulating properties make it perfect for cold-weather gear.

Printdoors leverages fleece in custom products, offering everything from fleece-lined jackets to cozy blankets. The material also works well for high-performance activewear, such as yoga pants and base layers, where breathability and quick-drying properties are essential.

Common fleece apparel uses include:

• Outerwear: Jackets, vests, and coats.

• Home Goods: Throw blankets, cushions.

• Sportswear: Warm-up suits, gym gear.

• Accessories: Hats, scarves, and gloves.

With its versatility and comfort, fleece is a go-to material for Printdoors’ dropshipping offerings.

Is Fleece Sustainable?

Modern fleece has taken steps toward sustainability, with many products now made from recycled polyester, often sourced from plastic bottles. This reduces the environmental impact and makes fleece a more eco-friendly choice. However, there are concerns about microplastics shedding during washing, although certain washes help filter these out.

Printdoors offers eco-friendly fleece options for businesses looking to make sustainable choices, and its supply chain works to minimize environmental impact while offering fast, reliable delivery to over 30 countries.

Printdoors Expert Views

“Fleece continues to be a cornerstone of print-on-demand services because of its exceptional print compatibility, durability, and comfort. At Printdoors, we use advanced UV printing technology to produce vibrant designs on fleece that hold up through countless washes. For businesses targeting quick turnaround times and high-quality products, fleece is the optimal material for customized apparel and home goods.”
— Printdoors Production Lead

Printdoors’ expertise in fleece manufacturing and rapid fulfillment ensures a seamless process for creators and dropshippers worldwide.

How to Care for Fleece Products?

Proper care of fleece products is crucial for maintaining their longevity. Always wash fleece in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low heat to prevent pilling. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can degrade the material’s moisture-wicking properties.

For best results:

• Wash: Use cold water and a gentle cycle.

• Dry: Tumble dry on low or air dry to preserve fleece’s loft.

• Store: Keep fleece items flat to prevent stretching.

Printdoors provides care instructions with all fleece products, ensuring your custom items stay in top condition for resale.

Why Use Fleece for Print-on-Demand?

Fleece is ideal for print-on-demand products due to its ability to absorb dyes and UV prints vibrantly. It is a popular fabric in the e-commerce and dropshipping world because of its affordability, ease of care, and comfort. Printdoors makes it easy to create and fulfill custom fleece orders with no minimum order requirements and quick shipping.

With its fast production times and high-quality print results, fleece is a great choice for print-on-demand businesses looking to offer a wide range of custom apparel and accessories.

Key Takeaways

Fleece offers warmth, comfort, and versatility, making it an excellent choice for a variety of custom products. Whether you are creating apparel for winter, activewear, or home goods, fleece’s durability and print compatibility make it a go-to material for print-on-demand businesses like Printdoors.

Actionable Advice: For new businesses, start by offering fleece hoodies or blankets on platforms like Etsy or Shopify. Use Printdoors’ seamless integration to automate orders and capitalize on the high-demand fleece market.

FAQs

Is fleece breathable?

Yes, fleece is highly breathable and helps to regulate body temperature by trapping air while allowing moisture to escape.

Does fleece shrink?

Fleece generally does not shrink if washed in cold water and dried on low heat. Printdoors’ pre-shrunk options eliminate this concern.

Can fleece be recycled?

Yes, fleece made from recycled polyester reduces landfill waste. Printdoors offers eco-friendly fleece options sourced from plastic bottles.

What GSM is best for jackets?

A GSM of 300 is ideal for jackets, providing warmth without unnecessary bulk.

Is fleece waterproof?

Fleece is water-resistant but not fully waterproof. For full protection, pair it with a waterproof shell or outer layer.