What is a Fleece Blanket?
Fleece blankets are usually made of synthetic fibers like polyester, not wool. Common fleece blankets are classified into the following five categories: polar fleece blankets, flannel fleece blankets, coral fleece blankets, sherpa fleece blankets, faux fur fleece blankets.
This article will introduce these five types of fleece blankets in detail.
1. Polar Fleece blanket
2. Flannel Fleece Blanket
3. Coral Fleece Blanket
4. Sherpa Fleece Blanket
5. Faux Fur Fleece Blanket
How to Choose the Right Fleece Blanket?
Although fleece blankets are typically made from the same synthetic fibers, the various manufacturing processes result in significant differences in texture and softness among the finished products. Each category of fleece blanket—whether it's polar fleece, flannel fleece, coral fleece, sherpa fleece, or faux fur fleece—offers a unique feel and level of comfort, showcasing the versatility of fleece materials.Next, I will introduce the characteristics of different blankets one by one to help you better purchase and choose the right blanket for you.
1. Polar Fleece Blankets
What is Polar Fleece?
Polar fleece is a type of fleece fabric that is widely used for various applications, particularly in the production of outdoor clothing and blankets. It is made from polyester fibers, which are processed through a series of steps to create a lightweight, warm, and insulating material. 
Production Process:
1. Material Selection: Polar fleece is primarily made from synthetic polyester fibers, often sourced from recycled plastic bottles(RPET material), which makes it a more environmentally friendly option.
2. Extrusion: The polyester is melted and extruded through spinnerets to form long strands of fibers.
3. Texturing: The fibers are then textured to create a soft, fluffy surface. This is typically done by using heat and mechanical processes that create small loops in the fabric.
4. Finishing: The fabric undergoes finishing processes such as dyeing and anti-pilling treatments to enhance its appearance and durability.
5. Cutting and Sewing: the fabric is cut into desired shapes and sewn into polar fleece blankets. Features of Polar Fleece Blanket:
1. Texture: While polar fleece may not be as soft as some other types of fleece, it still provides a comfortable and warm feel. But some may find it slightly less luxurious compared to higher-end fleece materials.
2. Pricing: Polar fleece is relatively affordable compared to other fabrics. Its lower cost makes it an attractive option for manufacturers and consumers alike, particularly for bulk purchases. This affordability is one reason why many airlines and companies choose to use polar fleece for blankets and uniforms.
3. Fabric Weight: Customers typically use polar fleece in various weights, but common weights range from 150 grams to 300 grams per square meter (gsm). The choice of weight often depends on the intended use, with lighter weights being suitable for layering and heavier weights providing more warmth.
4. Customization: Polar fleece blankets are highly customizable in terms of color and size. Manufacturers can offer a wide range of colors to meet customer preferences, and different sizes can be tailored to suit specific needs, making it a versatile choice for various applications. 
2. Flannel Fleece Blankets
What is Flannel Fleece?
Flannel fleece is a synthetic fabric usually made from polyester. The fabric is often brushed on one or both sides to enhance its softness and warmth. Machine washable. Wrinkle-resistant.
Production Process:
1. Raw Material Selection: The primary raw material for flannel fleece is polyester， favored for its durability, softness, and ability to retain heat.
2. Fiber Processing: Raw materials are turned into fibers. For synthetic fibers, plastic pellets are melted and extruded through spinnerets to form long polyester strands. These strands are then cooled and cut to the desired length.3. Spinning: The fibers are spun into yarn. In this process, the fibers are twisted together to form a continuous strand of yarn, which may vary in thickness depending on the desired texture of the final flannel fleece product.4. Knitting: Knitting is more common for fleece production as it creates a stretchy and soft material. The fabric is produced in large rolls.
5. Brushing: Once the fabric is created, it undergoes a brushing process. This involves using mechanical brushes to raise the fibers on the surface of the fabric, creating a soft, fluffy texture characteristic of flannel fleece.
6. Dyeing and Finishing: The brushed fabric is then dyed to achieve the desired colors and patterns. Various finishing processes, such as anti-pilling treatments or water repellency, may also be applied to enhance the fabric's performance and durability. Features of Flannel Fleece Blanket:
1. Texture: Flannel fleece is a popular type of fleece fabric known for its softness and warmth. Flannel fleece is brushed to create a soft, fuzzy texture. 2. Pricing: In terms of feel, flannel fleece is incredibly soft and cozy, making it a favorite for those who enjoy snuggling up in warm fabrics. The price of flannel fleece can vary based on quality, weight, and supplier, but it is generally affordable compared to other fabric options.
3. Fabric Weight: Customers typically look for weights ranging from 200 to 400 grams per square meter (GSM) for flannel fleece, which provides a good balance of warmth and breathability. Additionally, flannel fleece is highly customizable in terms of colors and sizes, allowing for personalized products.
4. Sublimation Flannel Fleece Blankets Customization: Many people use flannel fleece as the material for white digital printing blankets, which can be customized with various designs and images. The standard sizes for digital printing blankets made from flannel fleece are often 50" x 60" and 60" x 80". Flannel fleece sublimation blankets have become a very popular choice for personalized custom products, appealing to consumers looking to create unique gifts or home decor items.
3. Coral Fleece Blankets
What is Coral Fleece?
Coral fleece is a new type of fabric. Because the fleece looks very much like coral, it is named coral fleece or coral velvet.
Flannel Fleece VS Coral Fleece
1. In terms of hand feel, flannel fabric is better. Because the surface of flannel fabric is smooth fluff, while the surface of coral fleece fabric has small coral fleece-like particles, flannel feels softer and smoother.
2. From the perspective of cleaning, coral fleece fabric is better. Coral fleece blankets are easier to clean and will not deform or pill.
3. Because flannel fluff is soft and thick, while coral fleece fluff is rough and sparse; coral fleece is easier to fall off, while flannel is less likely to fall off.
4. In terms of pattern clarity, flannel is better. The same pattern will appear blurred on coral fleece fabric, while flannel fabric will be clearer and brighter. So, if you need to better restore your design on the blanket, you can use flannel fleece as the raw material. Because the color reproduction of flannel fleece blanket is higher.
4. Sherpa Fleece Blankets
What is Sherpa Fleece?
Sherpa fleece is a fabric with a soft, fluffy texture similar to the wool of the Sherpa sheep. This fabric is typically made from polyester, making it lightweight, durable, and easy to care for.
Production Process:
1. Material Selection: The process begins with selecting high-quality synthetic fibers, primarily polyester, which are preferred for their durability and ability to mimic the texture of wool.
2. Fiber Preparation: The chosen polyester fibers are processed to ensure they are clean and ready for spinning. This may involve washing and drying the fibers to remove any impurities.
3. Spinning: The prepared fibers are then spun into yarn. This is done using a spinning machine that twists the fibers together to create a strong and flexible yarn that can be woven or knitted into fabric.
4. Knitting: The spun yarn is then knitted into fabric. For Sherpa fleece, a special knitting technique is often used to create a fluffy, textured surface that resembles shearling. This process can involve various stitch patterns to achieve the desired thickness and texture.
5. Brushing: After the fabric is created, it undergoes a brushing process. This involves using special machines with bristle brushes that lift and fluff the fibers, giving Sherpa fleece its characteristic soft and plush feel.
6. Dyeing: The fabric is then dyed to achieve the desired color. This step can take place before or after the brushing process, depending on the manufacturer’s preference.
7. Finishing: The final step involves finishing treatments, which may include applying anti-pilling agents, water repellents, or other treatments to enhance the fabric’s performance and longevity. Features of Sherpa Fleece Blanket:
1. Texture: The hand feel of Sherpa fleece is incredibly soft and fluffy, providing a luxurious sensation against the skin. This softness, combined with its warmth, makes it a favorite for blankets, jackets, and loungewear.
2. Pricing: Generally, it is considered an affordable option compared to other high-performance materials, making it accessible for a wide range of consumers.
3. Fabric Weight: Customers typically choose Sherpa fleece with a weight ranging from 160 to 400 grams per square meter (GSM), depending on the intended use. Lighter weights are suitable for layering（Perfect as a layer in a double blanket）, while heavier weights provide more warmth and are ideal for outerwear.
4. Sublimation Sherpa Fleece Blankets Customization: One of the great features of Sherpa fleece is its versatility in customization. Customers can often request a variety of colors and sizes to suit their preferences, making it a popular choice for personalized products.
Many customers also use sherpa fleece blanket as one of the materials for digital printing blanket. 5. Faux Fur Fleece Blanket
What is Faux Fur Fleece?
The raw material of faux fur fleece is generally polyester, a synthetic material that imitates the appearance and texture of animal fur.
Production Process:
1. Material Selection: The first step in producing faux fur fleece is selecting the appropriate synthetic fibers. Typically, polyester fibers are chosen due to their softness, durability, and ability to mimic the texture of real fur. The fibers can be produced from virgin materials or recycled plastics. 2. Fiber Production: The chosen materials are processed into fibers through a process called polymerization. For polyester, this involves melting and extruding the polymer into long strands. These strands are then cooled and cut into staple lengths suitable for further processing. 3. Dyeing: Once the fibers are produced, they are dyed to achieve the desired colors and patterns. This can be done using various dyeing techniques, including solution dyeing (adding color to the polymer before it is extruded) or batch dyeing (dyeing the fibers after they have been produced). The dyeing process ensures that the colors are vibrant and that they adhere well to the synthetic fibers. 4. Tufting: After dyeing, the fibers are woven or tufted into a backing material, usually made of polyester blend. In tufting, the fibers are inserted into the backing using a tufting machine that creates a dense, plush surface. The length of the fibers can vary, depending on the desired texture of the faux fur. 5. Shearing: Once tufted, the faux fur fleece is sheared to achieve a uniform length and create the soft, fluffy appearance characteristic of fur. This process involves using specialized cutting machines that trim the fibers to the desired height, enhancing the tactile quality of the fabric. 6. Finishing Treatments: After shearing, the faux fur fleece may undergo several finishing treatments to improve its properties. This can include anti-static treatments, water repellents, or flame retardants, depending on the intended use of the fabric. These treatments enhance the fabric's performance and durability.
7. Quality Control: Before the faux fur fleece is rolled out for distribution, it undergoes rigorous quality control checks. This includes inspecting for color consistency, texture uniformity, and ensuring there are no defects in the fabric. Samples may be tested for strength, durability, and washability.
Features of Faux Fur Fleece Blanket:
1. Texture: Faux fur fleece is known for its incredibly soft and plush texture. It provides a warm and cozy feel, making it comfortable to wear.2. Pricing: Because the weight of faux fur fleece is higher than that of ordinary blankets, the price of each faux fur fleece blanket will be much higher than that of ordinary flannel blankets, polar fleece blankets, etc. However, it is much lower than the price of real fur, which is more affordable and cost-effective.
3. Fabric Weight: Generally, customers will use about 400gsm faur fur fleece and 180gsm micro plush to sew together to make a double-layer faux fur fleece blanket, which is warmer and more comfortable. 
