Fleece Fabrics
Engineered for cold-weather comfort, layering, and everyday warmth. Our polar fleece, French terry, sherpa, and bonded fleece deliver thermal insulation, anti-pilling durability, and that soft-hand feel customers reach for first.
What Makes Fleece Fabric Different?
Fleece fabric is a engineered knit textile defined by one critical feature: a brushed, napped surface that traps pockets of air for insulation. Unlike woven insulation (like down or quilting), fleece provides warmth through fiber-level air entrapment — making it lightweight, breathable, and machine-washable.
The fleece category is broad — spanning from ultra-light micro fleece (100 GSM) used as base layers to heavy sherpa fleece (450+ GSM) used for extreme cold-weather outerwear. Between those extremes lies the massive middle ground of polar fleece hoodies, French terry joggers, and bonded fleece jackets that dominate streetwear and athleisure markets worldwide.
At Dhalay International, we manufacture four primary fleece types — each tested for anti-pilling resistance (Martindale 10,000+ cycles, Grade 3+), thermal CLO value, shrinkage control (<2% after washing), and colorfastness (Grade 4+) before shipping.
Non-Negotiable Standards
Every fleece fabric we produce must meet these minimum benchmarks — no exceptions.
Four Fleece Fabric Options
Each fleece type serves a different warmth level, aesthetic, and price point. The right choice depends on your garment type and target market.
Polar Fleece (100% Polyester)
The industry workhorse. Brushed on one or both sides, lightweight yet warm. The go-to fabric for hoodies, sweatshirts, and fleece joggers worldwide.
French Terry (Cotton-Poly Blend)
Unbrushed loop-back interior with a smooth face. More structured and less fuzzy than fleece — ideal for joggers, lightweight hoodies, and athleisure-streetwear crossover.
Sherpa Fleece (100% Polyester)
Faux-shearling with a deep, fluffy pile on one side and smooth knit on the other. Maximum warmth — used for lined jackets, heavy hoodies, and cold-weather outerwear.
Bonded Fleece (Poly Shell + Fleece Back)
Two-layer construction with a smooth woven face and fleece backing. Weather-resistant exterior with warm interior — the premium choice for fleece jackets and gilets.
What Wearers Actually Feel
These aren't just lab specifications — they're the qualities that determine whether your fleece garment becomes someone's daily wear or gets returned.
Thermal Insulation
Brushed fibers trap air pockets that act as a thermal barrier. Higher GSM and deeper nap = more trapped air = more warmth per gram than most natural fibers.
Anti-Pilling Resistance
Engineered with anti-pill treatments (singeing, bio-polishing, enzyme finish) to resist the fiber balling that destroys cheap fleece after 2–3 washes.
Soft Brushed Hand
The napped surface creates a plush, cozy texture against skin. Double-brushed fleece feels even softer — a key differentiator for premium positioning.
Lightweight Warmth
Fleece provides more insulation per unit weight than cotton, wool, or down. A 280 GSM polar fleece hoodie is as warm as a much heavier cotton sweatshirt.
Moisture Management
Polyester fleece wicks sweat and dries rapidly — critical for activewear crossover. Cotton-blend French terry absorbs more but feels more natural.
Dimensional Stability
Heat-set and compacted during finishing to control shrinkage. Our fleece guarantees <2% shrinkage after 20 industrial washes — not the 5–8% common in low-cost fleece.
Breathability
Air permeability varies by GSM — lightweight micro fleece breathes well for active use, while heavy sherpa prioritizes heat retention. French terry offers the best balance.
Easy Care
Machine washable, quick-drying, no ironing needed. Polyester fleece maintains its shape and softness through 50+ wash cycles with proper care.
Our Anti-Pilling Guarantee
Pilling is the #1 quality complaint in fleece wear. Every lot is tested before shipping — here's what we verify:
GSM for Every Fleece Garment
Fleece spans an enormous weight range — from paper-thin liners to heavy-duty cold-weather shells.
Micro Fleece Liners
Ultralight base layers, neck gaiters, and liner gloves for mild cold
Lightweight Fleece Tops
Thin hoodies, zip-ups, and layering pieces for year-round wear
Standard Hoodies & Joggers
The sweet spot — warm, structured, and substantial without bulk
Heavyweight & Bonded Fleece
Premium hoodies, fleece jackets, gilets, and bonded outerwear
Sherpa & Extreme Cold
Lined jackets, heavy sherpa hoodies, and extreme-weather garments
What We Produce
From classic pullover hoodies to technical bonded jackets — we cut and sew any fleece garment style.
Pullover Hoodies
Our #1 seller — kangaroo pocket, drawcord hood, ribbed cuffs
Zip-Up Hoodies
Full or half-zip options — YKK zippers standard, metal or plastic
Fleece Joggers
Tapered, straight, or relaxed — elastic waist with drawcord
Fleece Jackets
Bonded fleece, full-zip, with or without hood — premium outerwear
Fleece Gilets
Sleeveless vests — ideal for layering and outdoor workwear brands
Crewneck Sweatshirts
French terry or polar fleece — classic streetwear and collegiate style
Fleece Headwear
Beanies, trapper hats, ear warmers, and neck gaiters
Fleece Gloves
Micro fleece and sherpa-lined gloves — touchscreen compatible options
Fleece Blankets
Large-format throw blankets — sublimation-ready for gifting brands
Honest Assessment
We focus on 100% polyester polar fleece as the primary fleece fabric — here's an unfiltered look at its strengths and trade-offs.
- Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio — warmer than cotton at half the weight
- Fast drying — polyester sheds moisture in minutes, not hours like cotton
- Fully sublimation-capable (100% polyester) for all-over print designs
- Machine washable and low-maintenance — no special care required
- Lightweight and packable — compresses to a fraction of its size
- Cost-effective raw material — lower price point than wool or down alternatives
- Hypoallergenic — no natural fiber allergens, safe for sensitive skin
- Available in massive GSM range (100–500+) for any garment weight
- Prone to pilling — even anti-pill fleece pills eventually with heavy friction
- Static electricity buildup — especially in dry, cold environments
- Not windproof — air passes through easily unless bonded or laminated
- Holds odors more than merino wool — poly fibers trap bacteria over time
- Environmental concern — polyester is petroleum-based and non-biodegradable
- Can melt if exposed to high heat — ironing or dryer on high is risky
- Less breathable at higher GSM — heavy fleece can cause overheating indoors
- Not as soft as natural fibers initially — requires brushing for plush feel
Four Decoration Methods
100% polyester fleece is a decorator's dream — it accepts virtually every printing method with excellent results.
Sublimation
The #1 choice for 100% polyester fleece. All-over prints, photo-realistic designs, and unlimited colors with zero hand feel. The dye bonds permanently with polyester fibers — it becomes part of the fabric.
Screen Printing
Plastisol or water-based inks for bold, opaque logos on fleece. Excellent durability on the flat front/back panels. Slight texture change on brushed surface — best for large, simple designs.
Embroidery
The gold standard for fleece branding. Thread-based logos on the chest, sleeve, or back look premium and last the garment's lifetime. We use cut-away backing to prevent distortion on the brushed surface.
Heat Transfer / CAD Cut
Polyurethane or vinyl films heat-pressed onto fleece. Best for small runs, individual names/numbers (team wear), and complex multi-color designs without screen setup costs.
Your Brand, Your Specs
Every element of your fleece fabric and garment can be customized to your exact requirements.
Base Fabric
Polar fleece, French terry, sherpa, or bonded fleece — choose your foundation.
Composition
100% polyester, cotton-poly blends (60/40, 80/20), or recycled polyester (rPET).
GSM & Width
100–500 GSM, 58–60" standard or 72" wide-width for pattern efficiency.
Finish Treatments
Anti-pill, anti-static, anti-microbial, water-repellent, brushed (1 or 2 sided), bio-polish.
Color & Dye
Any Pantone TPX matched. Solid dye, space dye, heather, melange, or sublimation-ready white.
Branding & Packaging
Woven labels, leather patches, heat-transfer size tags, custom hang tags, individual poly bags.
Ordering Process
From first inquiry to finished fleece wear at your warehouse — streamlined in 5 steps.
Inquiry
Day 0Samples
3–5 DaysApproval
1–2 DaysProduction
15–21 DaysDelivery
4–7 DaysMOQ, Capacity & Lead Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Complementary Fabrics
Complete your fleece line with these complementary fabric options.
Ready to Launch Your Fleece Line?
Get fabric swatches, pricing, and a custom recommendation for your fleece brand — typically within 4 business hours.