Are you making the most of new fleece opportunities?

The fleece market in the UK? A billion-pound business with a runway to reach £2.5 billionby 2030, according to Grand View Research. In other words – a massive opportunity forclothing resellers… especially if you can master decoration.

Fleece for all
From corporate uniforms to promotionalwear to fashion retail, fleece are everywhere andare popular with everyone across logowear, kidswear, workout gear and winter sportsapparel. A great combination of comfort-first lifestyle trend and versatility, fleece works equallywell for weekend adventures and corporate branding.

Choose your fleece
Not all fleece are created equal. Choose wisely for the best decoration results.

Decoding decoration

Fleece is a firm favourite, but here’s where it gets a little tricky: decoration. Its fluffy pile and stretch mean you can’t simply use standard customisation techniques, as fleece demands its own approach. Embroidery – the key challenge? Those plush fibres will swallow your stitches. Use water soluble topping to keep embroidery sitting on the surface, not disappearing into the pile. Other essentials:

• Drop stitch density by 10–20%, compared to regular fabrics
• Medium-weight cutaway stabiliser works best
• Go for denser designs – they hold better on fleece
• Never stretch the fabric when hooping

Screen printing – good news: fleece loves plastisol inks. They sit on top, instead of soaking in, giving you bold, crack-resistant prints. Water-based inks work well, too; butwatch the temperature, as fleece will scorch faster than cotton.

Modern methods – DTF (Direct to Film) printing is a game changer for fleece. The film stops ink disappearing into the pile, delivering crisp detail that traditional methods simply can’t match. DTF on polyester/synthetic blends like fleece typically requires lower temperatures (270–280°F), compared to cotton.

Laser engraving – remove the pile to reveal the base fabric underneath, creating subtle, sophisticated branding that’s virtually indestructible. It works brilliantly on dark fleece like Stanley/Stella’s Brooker (SX249).

Recycled polyester

These days, most fleece are made from recycled polyester sourced from old plastic bottles. Rather than making broad environmental claims, the focus should be on proven performance benefits. Fleece offers significant advantages over traditional materials – it’s lighter than wool, yet maintains excellent insulation properties even when wet.

The Recycled fleece polar thermic jacket (R903X), from Result Genuine Recycled, is a perfect example of how sustainable choices don’t mean compromising on performance. With proper care, high-quality fleece garments deliver years of reliable service, inevitably supporting a more responsible approach to fashion purchasing.

Fleece – from function to fashion

Fleece is the word

There are no two ways about it – fleece outerwear represents a seriously lucrative opportunity for any reseller. Strong market growth, popular proven decoration techniques and the many, many ways fleece are now enjoyed make their business potential too good to ignore.

Yes, the decoration challenges are real, but they’re entirely manageable. Master your fleece decoration and you’ll quickly unlock consistent demand, healthy margins and even more super-satisfied customers.

Are you making the most of fleece?