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Polyester Fabric

What is polyester fabric?

Polyester is a synthetic fibre used in many woven and knitted fabrics. It is known for its shape retention, easy-care behaviour and relatively low shrinkage compared with many natural fibres. Polyester can feel smooth, soft, crisp, textured or warm, depending on the yarn, construction and finish.

Polyester is often used on its own or blended with fibres such as cotton, viscose, wool or elastane. These blends can improve crease recovery, durability, stretch, drying time or care performance. Because polyester is a fibre rather than one fixed fabric type, its final look and feel depend strongly on how it is made.

View Polyester mix fabrics

Specifications

  • Construction Woven, knitted, non-woven or blended into many fabric constructions
  • Composition 100% polyester or blends with cotton, viscose, wool, elastane or other fibres
  • Fabric weight Commonly around 50 to 350 g/m², depending on construction, yarn type and intended use
  • Stretchability Little to no stretch in woven polyester, more stretch in knits or when elastane is added
  • Abbreviations PES or PL = polyester, EL = elastane, CO = cotton, CV or VI = viscose, WO = wool

Properties of the fabric

Polyester is a thermoplastic synthetic fibre, which means it can be stabilised with heat during production. This helps the fabric keep its shape and reduces creasing and shrinkage. Polyester fabrics are often easy to care for and usually dry faster than many cotton or viscose fabrics.

Polyester can be made as smooth filament yarn, textured yarn, fleece, satin, crêpe, voile, lining, jersey or woven suiting fabric. Fine polyester yarns can create a softer hand feel and subtle sheen, while textured yarns can add volume, stretch or warmth. Polyester is also often used in blends to make fabrics more stable and easier to maintain.

Applications

  • Blouses and shirts.
  • Dresses and skirts.
  • Lining for jackets and coats.
  • Fleece sweaters and jackets.
  • Sportswear tops and trousers.
  • Curtains and decorative interior textiles.

Care instructions

  • Wash polyester usually at 30 to 40°C, depending on construction, colour and finish.
  • Wash inside out to help protect the surface and reduce friction.
  • Avoid high heat, because excessive temperature can affect shape, shine or elastane in blends.
  • Air drying is usually sufficient, as polyester dries relatively quickly.
  • Iron at low temperature if needed, preferably on the reverse side.

Certificates

  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 may be available depending on the specific article.
  • GRS may be possible when recycled polyester is used.

Practical tip

Do not judge polyester only by fibre name. A polyester lining, fleece, crêpe, satin or jersey can behave very differently, so always check construction, weight, stretch and finish before choosing it for a garment.

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