As the weather gets colder, the demand for sweaters heats up! Here’s a primer on the world of fleece.
Fleece garments may be a mainstay for screen printers and garment decorators, but “fleece” can refer to a wide variety of fabrics. Here, we’re breaking down the different types of fleece fabric so you have a better idea of which fleeces are best suited to your projects.
Fleece Basics
So what constitutes a fleece fabric? Fleece fabrics are knit, and then at least one side is brushed to loosen fibers and create a nap (raised surface) for a soft, plush feel. For basic fleece sweatshirts and sweatpants, generally the inside of the garment is brushed to feel warm and soft against the skin. The two-sided plush garments generally referred to as fleece are brushed on both sides.
Fleece can be made of a variety of different materials. Sweatshirts and sweatpants most commonly are made of a cotton/polyester blend, while plush fleece jackets and pants are usually 100 percent polyester. There are eco-friendly fleeces and fleeces made from recycled materials. In the end, it’s the plush knit fabric that makes a fleece rather than the material it’s made from.
On our website you can find a complete assortment ofscreen printing equipment on fleece.
Types of Fleece
In addition to being made from different materials, “fleece” fabrics come in a range of thickness and plushness. As you shop for fleece garments, you will find several types of fleece. Here are some of the more popular types of fleece:
- Cotton or cotton blended fleece. The most commonly used fleece for sweatpants and sweatshirts, fleeces made from cotton or cotton blends have a smooth outer surface and a plush inner nap.
- Polyester fleece. Polyester fleece garments have become increasingly popular. Like cotton or cotton blend fleece, polyester fleece is smooth on the outside and plush on the inside. Polyester fleece differs from cotton fleeces in that its smooth side has a shiny appearance, and it does a better job of repelling moisture.
- Lycra spandex fleece. Lycra spandex fleece comprises a majority cotton with a small percentage of Lycra spandex to create a stretchy fabric. It’s popular both for fitted women’s or junior’s garments and for performance fleece.
- Microfleece. Microfleece is a double-sided fleece that is thin and soft. Because it’s lightweight and does an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the body, microfleece is a popular choice for performance garments.
- Polar fleece. Polar fleece is much thicker and warmer than microfleece. It’s popular for blankets and jackets in colder climates.
- French terry fleece. French terry fleece is unbrushed on both sides, so it lacks the usual fluffy nap of most fleeces. It’s thinner and sits flatter than other fleeces.
- Slub fleece. Slub fleece is knit from two different sized yarns twisted together. The result is a fabric with a textured look.
- Sherpa fleece. Sherpa fleece is 100 percent polyester and very fluffy. It’s meant to mock the look of wool fleece, and it’s commonly used to line garments for added warmth.
Beyond the different varieties of fleece, you also will find fleece with specific properties. There is water-resistant fleece, which is either made from a higher concentration of polyester or specially treated cotton, as well as low-pill polyester, which is made to better retain its texture over time.
Choosing the Right Fleece
The fleece garments you choose will depend on the purpose of the garment and your customers’ requests. Whatever fleece you choose, you will find that there are some challenges that come with screen printing on fleece. Most fleece garments are prone to shrinking when exposed to heat, so be careful to consider this when choosing and printing your shirts. An automatic screen printing machine equipped with a flash cure that measures garment temperature, like the all-electric Anatol VOLT paired with our Rapid Wave quartz flash unit, can help you control the heat as precisely as possible. Flash cures with temperature sensors allow you to be sure your garments aren’t heated beyond a set temperature, reducing the potential for shrinkage.
You can find some more helpful tips and tricks for successfully screen printing on fleece here:
Our Six Best Tips for Screen Printing on Fleece
Types of fleece: advantages & disadvantages
FAQs
Polar fleece is much thicker and warmer than microfleece. It's popular for blankets and jackets in colder climates. French terry fleece. French terry fleece is unbrushed on both sides, so it lacks the usual fluffy nap of most fleeces.
Are there different types of fleece? ›
Polar fleece is much thicker and warmer than microfleece. It's popular for blankets and jackets in colder climates. French terry fleece. French terry fleece is unbrushed on both sides, so it lacks the usual fluffy nap of most fleeces.
What type of fleece is the warmest? ›
Polartec Alpha Fleece:
Polartec Alpha is an ultralight, highly breathable fleece with a lattice construction that is becoming more popular because it offers the greatest warmth-to-weight ratio of any fleece. A super warm 60 g/m2 fleece made of Polartec Alpha can weigh as little as 4 or 5 ounces!
What's the difference between fleece and polar fleece? ›
Polar Fleece is the name given to fleece with a double sided pile. It's the fleece that you see on countless amounts of outdoors wear, blankets, and linings of garments – perhaps the most common and ubiquitous form of fleece.
What's the difference between fleece and plush fleece? ›
Fleece is generally going to be a felted product perhaps over a knitted base. A plush is actually going to have a nap or direction the fibers lay. It is going to be a knitted product with loops projecting above the base of the fabric, and can be cut or uncut. While both are "fuzzy" the plush will have longer "fuzz".
Which is warmer fleece or sherpa? ›
But it is believed that Sherpa blankets are warmer and softer than fleece blankets. It does a great job trapping in tapping the heat in its soft, faux-wool nap. Available in various sizes and distinct levels of thickness from lightweight to slightly scratchy microfleece to thick, blanket-like polar fleece.
Which is warmer, fleece or microfleece? ›
In terms of which one is better, that completely depends on the user. If you just want to stay warm, synthetic fleece is perfectly suitable. But if you want to stay warm in inclement weather, microfleece may be the better option. Ultimately, it's best to try both to see which suits you best.
What is high quality fleece? ›
Higher-quality fleeces start with premium polyester fibers engineered for optimal durability, breathability and warmth. Tighter knits made from finer fibers offer better heat retention by minimizing airflow through the fabric. They also last longer against pilling and wear.
What is the thickest type of fleece? ›
Heavyweight fleece is at the top of the range of fleece weights, coming in at 300gsm or more. This type of fleece is best suited for very cold conditions where physical activity is limited as it is best used as a thermal fleece.
What is sherpa fleece? ›
Sherpa is a curly piled fabric structure made of synthetic yarns like acrylic or polyester. The texture is soft and fluffy, useful in jackets resembling wool or sheepskin on the piled side. Sherpa fleece is a knitted type of fabric usable in line clothing and winter wear.
How to tell if a fleece is good or not basics
- Look for consistency. A good quality fleece will be mostly the same color and staple length. ...
- Make sure it's clean… Check for vegetation throughout the fleece. ...
- Investigate the Staples. You can tell a lot about a fleece by examining the staples. ...
- Make sure it pulls apart easily.
So here is a list of things to look for in a fleece:
- The fleece should have a fresh animal smell, not stale or moldy, if there is a sour smell or if the fleece is sticky then it is likely to be over a year old. ...
- If a sheep or a mohair fleece – the grease should be soft, not sticky or gritty (alpaca does not have grease).
Polar/Blizzard/ Anti Pill/ Medium Weight Fleece
Polar Fleece can be divided in to two categories, anti-pill and non anti-pill. Anti-pill tends to be a more high quality fabric, and doesn't “ball up” or “pill” after several washes. Non anti-pill is cheaper, but will get little pills after wearing and washing.
Are all fleece the same? ›
That's basically correct, but not every fleece material is the same. There are several aspects that come together to make this functional outdoor material what it is.
What is the best fleece made of? ›
Fleece is typically made from polyester, but can also be made from recycled plastics like PET bottles. Polyester fleece is lightweight, breathable, quick-drying and provides insulation. It's a very versatile material that works well as an outer layer or mid-layer.
What is the softest type of fleece? ›
Microfleece is a double-sided fleece that is thin and soft. Because this fabric is lightweight and does an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the body, microfleece is a popular choice for performance garments. Polar fleece is much thicker and warmer than microfleece.
What is the difference between Blizzard fleece and fleece? ›
The biggest difference is with the feel. For the most part (and you will always find exceptions) blizzard is going to feel thicker than anti-pill. I tell my customers the most important thing is to find the colors/patterns that you like and not worry about anything else.
