Micro Fleece Fabrics
The ultimate mid-layer — lightweight warmth from ultra-fine polyester fibers that trap heat without bulk. Fully sublimation-ready, anti-pill treated, and available in five distinct finishes for brands in 40+ countries.
What Makes Micro Fleece Different?
Micro fleece is a lightweight synthetic fabric made from ultra-fine polyester fibers measuring less than 1 denier per filament — roughly one-tenth the thickness of a human hair. These micro-denier fibers create a dense, soft surface with millions of tiny air pockets that trap body heat while remaining thin enough to layer comfortably.
Unlike heavy hoodie fleece (280–400 GSM), micro fleece lives in the 100–200 GSM range, making it ideal for lightweight jackets, vests, liners, pullovers, and layering pieces. We produce five distinct variants — standard, brushed, anti-pill premium, stretch micro fleece, and double-sided — each with unique surface characteristics.
Every batch is tested for GSM accuracy (±5%), CLO insulation value, pilling resistance (Grade 3+ Martindale), shrinkage (under 2%), and colorfastness (Grade 4+) before shipment.
Five Micro Fleece Variants
Same micro-denier fiber, different finishing — each variant produces a distinct hand feel and visual texture.
Standard
Clean, uniform fleece surface. The baseline — soft, light, and the most cost-effective option.
Brushed
Extra brushing creates a deeper, softer pile. Plusher hand feel with enhanced warmth retention.
Anti-Pill Premium
Special polymer treatment bonds fibers at the surface. Grade 4+ pilling resistance for heavy-use garments.
Stretch Micro
4–5% spandex blended in for athletic fit. Ideal for active jackets and performance pullovers.
Double-Sided
Both sides brushed for reversible garments. No right or wrong side — doubles your color options.
The Insulation Advantage
Micro fleece's superpower is warmth per gram — it outperforms fabrics twice its weight.
GSM Range & Use Cases
Micro fleece spans a narrow but critical range — small GSM changes create dramatically different garments.
Liners
Spring Layer
Zip Jackets
Pullovers
Cold Weather
Double-Sided
Stock & Custom Colors
Micro fleece holds color vibrantly — and 100% polyester means unlimited sublimation colors on demand.
Engineered for Lightweight Warmth
Micro fleece isn't just thin fleece — it's a fundamentally different fiber construction with unique properties.
Ultra-Light Weight
100–200 GSM means garments weigh 200–400 grams — light enough to stuff in a pack and forget you're carrying it.
High Insulation
Micro-denier fibers create 10x more air pockets per square inch than standard fleece — more trapped air, more warmth.
Highly Breathable
Air circulates through the micro-fiber structure — warm but never clammy. Ideal for active use during transitions.
Moisture Resistant
Polyester absorbs less than 1% of its weight in water — sheds light rain and dries in minutes, not hours.
Sublimation Ready
100% polyester accepts dye at the molecular level — prints become part of the fabric, never cracking or fading.
Wrinkle Free
Pull it from a packed bag and it's ready to wear — no ironing, no steaming, no creases from folding.
Easy Care
Machine washable, quick drying, no special treatment needed. Maintains appearance after 50+ wash cycles.
Recyclable
100% single-polymer construction (no blends) makes micro fleece one of the easiest synthetic fabrics to recycle.
What Micro Fleece Is Used For
The go-to fabric for any garment that needs to be warm, light, and packable.
Micro Fleece vs Polar Fleece vs Heavy Fleece
Understanding where micro fleece sits in the fleece family helps you pick the right weight for your product.
| Property | Micro Fleece | Polar Fleece | Heavy Fleece |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSM Range | 100–200 Lightest | 200–350 | 280–450 |
| Yarn Denier | Micro-denier (< 1D) Finest | Standard (2–5D) | Coarse (3–6D) |
| Hand Feel | Silky, smooth Softest | Soft, fuzzy | Plush, thick |
| Warmth | Light insulation | Medium insulation Balanced | Heavy insulation Warmest |
| Packability | Excellent — packs tiny Micro | Moderate | Poor — bulky |
| Breathability | Highest Micro | Good | Lowest |
| Sublimation Quality | Sharpest detail Micro | Good | Fair — deeper pile blurs detail |
| Pilling Tendency | Moderate (without treatment) | Low Polar | Low |
| Cost Per Meter | Lowest Micro | Moderate | Highest |
| Best For | Light jackets, vests, liners, mid-layers | Standalone jackets, hoodies, cold-weather wear | Heavy hoodies, track suits, extreme cold |
Honest Assessment
- Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio — more insulation per gram than almost any other fabric
- 100% polyester enables full sublimation with the sharpest print detail in the fleece family
- Extremely packable — a 150 GSM jacket compresses to the size of a water bottle
- Retains 85% of insulation even when damp — unlike cotton which loses nearly all warmth when wet
- Zero ironing needed — inherently wrinkle-resistant and ready to wear straight from a bag
- Quick drying — 1% moisture absorption means it air-dries in 20–30 minutes
- Cost-effective — 20–40% cheaper per meter than polar or heavy fleece
- Single-polymer construction makes it the easiest synthetic fleece to recycle
- Not warm enough for standalone use below 5°C — it's a mid-layer, not an outer layer for extreme cold
- Prone to pilling without anti-pill treatment — friction from backpacks and washing machines creates surface balls
- Highly flammable — polyester melts and drips when exposed to flame, not suitable for flame-resistant applications
- Static electricity buildup — especially in dry climates, attracts lint and causes mild shocks
- Not windproof — air passes through the fleece structure, so it needs a shell layer in windy conditions
- Environmental concern — polyester is petroleum-based and sheds microplastics during washing
Decoration Methods for Micro Fleece
Micro fleece is a decorator's dream — 100% polyester with a fine surface accepts almost any method.
Sublimation
The #1 choice for micro fleece. 100% polyester and fine fiber surface create the sharpest sublimation detail in the entire fleece family — edges are crisp, colors are vivid, and the print stretches with the fabric without cracking.
Screen Printing
Works well for simple logos and text on micro fleece. The fine surface holds plastisol ink cleanly. Avoid large solid coverage areas — the fleece's texture can show through thin ink deposits, requiring a white underbase.
Embroidery
Micro fleece's light weight requires careful embroidery — we use lightweight backing stabilizers to prevent puckering. Best for small left-chest logos (under 10cm). Large embroidery areas can weigh down the light fabric.
Engineer Your Perfect Micro Fleece
From the fiber denier to the final surface treatment — every variable is yours to specify.
Fleece Variant
Standard, brushed, anti-pill, stretch, or double-sided — each produces a fundamentally different hand feel.
GSM Target
100 GSM for liners up to 200 GSM for double-sided — controls warmth, drape, and packability.
Yarn Denier
Standard micro-denier (0.7–0.9D) for softness or slightly heavier (1.0–1.2D) for durability and lower cost.
Anti-Pill Grade
Standard treatment (Grade 3) or premium polymer bond (Grade 4+) for high-wear garments.
Functional Finish
DWR water repellent, anti-static, anti-microbial silver ion, or UPF 50+ UV protection treatment.
Recycled Content
rPET option — made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Same quality, same price, better sustainability story.
Ordering Process
From first contact to delivery — a streamlined 5-step process.
Inquiry
Day 0Samples
3–5 DaysApproval
1–2 DaysProduction
14–18 DaysDelivery
4–7 DaysMOQ, Capacity & Lead Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore the Fleece Family
Micro fleece is one member of a broader fleece fabric ecosystem.
Ready to Start Your Micro Fleece Order?
Get a detailed quote with pricing, lead time, and free fabric samples — typically within 4 business hours.