Dear buyers, if you’re looking to select fabric for purchasing or customizing plush toys, I believe this article will provide you with valuable assistance. Fabric not only determines the toy’s aesthetics and feel, but also directly impacts its durability and safety compliance. Drawing on industry experience, we’ll review the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and applicable scenarios of common plush fabrics to help you make a more informed decision.
1. Softness Comparison: Which is More Skin-Friendly?
Plush Fabric
Plush is currently the mainstream choice. It’s often made of polyester fiber and covered with fine, short pile, resulting in a smooth and soft feel, making it ideal for infant and toddler toys. For example, a teddy bear made of high-quality plush feels comfortable against the skin and is easily embraced by children. However, please note that the durability of plush varies depending on its quality. Low-end products may become hard or shed after repeated washings.
Minky Ultra-Soft Velvet
Minky is the preferred choice for many mid- to high-end plush toys. Its pile typically ranges from 1 to 20mm in length, boasting high density and excellent elasticity, creating a cloud-like softness. We once used Minky to make a unicorn toy, and customers commented on its “amazing feel.” However, Minky is a specialty fabric, and local stock availability may be limited, leading to a relatively high price.
Velour
Velour is soft and skin-friendly, easily available, and a great choice for small-batch production or for beginners making samples. A bunny made with it is both adorable and affordable. However, it has a minor drawback: the surface may pill slightly after long-term use, affecting its aesthetics.
Durability and Safety: Which Fabrics Are More Reliable?
Oxford Fabric
If you need a toy designed for outdoor use or to withstand the strain of a child, Oxford fabric is worth considering. It is tear-resistant and water-resistant, making it a more durable option for a toy dog meant to accompany children outdoors. However, it lacks the softness of velvet and is recommended for accessories or specialty items. As long as it meets international safety standards such as EN71 and ASTM F963, Oxford cloth is chemically safe.
Canvas
Canvas is strong and durable, making it suitable for functional plush toys—such as carryable backpacks or travel dolls. We had a client customize a canvas dinosaur backpack, which their child carries to kindergarten every day, and it’s still sturdy after six months. Regarding materials, cotton canvas is more natural, while polyester canvas is more durable. Both must meet toy chemical testing requirements.
Wool
Wool has excellent elasticity and resists deformation, making it suitable for mid- to high-end toys. It is naturally mite-resistant and antibacterial, making it more suitable for babies with sensitive skin. For example, a baby soothing lamb stuffed and wrapped in wool has been reported by mothers as “warm and safe.” Of course, the price will be slightly higher, and care must be taken to protect it from insects during storage.
Characteristics and Applications of Other Common Fabrics
In addition to the above, these fabrics are also commonly found in plush toys:
- Velvet: It has a luxurious feel and a high-end appearance, often used for gifts or collectible toys. However, it has poor scratch resistance and requires careful cleaning.
- Faux fur: Highly realistic, suitable for animal-shaped toys. However, its drawbacks include weak elasticity and high cutting loss.
- Satin: Has a nice sheen and creates a delicate effect. It’s often used on princess dolls or holiday-themed toys and is recommended for topical use.
- Knit fabric: Excellent elasticity and conformability to fillings make it suitable for bendable toys and is also commonly used on baby dolls.
- Felt: Resists raveling and is easy to shape. It’s suitable for details like facial features and decorative accessories.
- Cotton/flannel: Suitable for accent areas like the inner ear and the soles of the hands and feet. However, flannel’s abrasion resistance is generally low, so it’s best not to use it as the primary fabric.
- Synthetic fibers (nylon/acrylic): Highly UV-resistant and weather-resistant, suitable for toys that will be stored outdoors for extended periods, but can have a stiffer feel.
Conclusion and Recommendations
There’s no single “best” fabric choice; it depends on your product’s positioning, target age group, and budget. If you’re targeting the infant and toddler market, consider short plush, minky, and wool. If you’re making outdoor or durable toys, consider Oxford cloth and canvas.
China’s plush toy industry chain is mature, and most reputable factories can provide safe fabrics that meet international standards (such as EU EN71 and US ASTM). Once you’ve confirmed your initial interest, we recommend that you proactively request fabric color swatches and test reports from your supplier. If possible, it’s best to inspect samples in person or entrust a third-party inspection.
We look forward to helping you find the most suitable fabric and create safe and popular plush toys! We’re also happy to assist with further inquiries.
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