What is microfiber fabric? How to read the specifications

What is microfiber fabric?

Microfiber is a fabric woven from very fine polyester yarn. In the VTEX range, T200 is listed as 100% Microfiber (Polyester), so when you see “microfiber fabric” in a material specification, read it as a synthetic polyester fabric rather than cotton.

The name only identifies the material family. Two microfiber codes can still differ in weight, width, surface and use, so each specification needs to be checked.

Microfiber codes at VTEX

Microfiber appears in several product groups for different purposes:

• T200: 100% Microfiber (Polyester), 120gsm, 50D × 144F yarn, anti-static, plain and striped, with white available in 240/260/280cm.
• Coloured Microfiber 90gsm: 100% Microfiber, 240cm, anti-static, used as material for coloured and patterned textile products.
• Poly 120gsm plain/striped: 100% Microfiber, anti-static; white comes in 240/260/280cm and coloured stripes in 240cm.
• White 70gsm lining: 100% Microfiber, plain, 240cm, used for mattress protectors, pillow inserts and soft toys.

In addition, TPU waterproof fabric uses an 80gsm 100% Microfiber base laminated with 0.01mm TPU.

How does Microfiber differ from Cotton and CVC?

The clearest difference is composition. T233 and T350 Cotton are 100% Cotton. CVC is a blend: T250 CVC is 55% Cotton and 45% Microfiber, while T300 CVC is 80% Cotton and 20% Microfiber. T200 is 100% Microfiber (Polyester).

Because composition, weight and weave differ, the right code depends on the finished design and the workshop's requirements. The guide to CVC, Cotton and Microfiber places the codes side by side.

Specifications to check before buying

For microfiber fabric, check in this order:

1. Composition: 100% Microfiber or a blend with cotton.
2. Weight (gsm): 70, 90 or 120gsm indicates different thickness. See what GSM means and 70gsm versus 120gsm Microfiber.
3. Width: 240, 260 or 280cm depending on code and colour. For T200 and Poly 120gsm, white comes in three widths while coloured stripes are 240cm only.
4. Surface and colour: plain, striped, embossed or printed, depending on the code.
5. Features: some codes list anti-static properties in the catalogue.

Information to prepare for samples and quotations

When you get in touch, state the code, surface, colour, width, estimated metres and intended use (bedding, pillowcases, mattress protection, coloured and patterned goods). If you are unsure which code to choose, send the finished design to discuss first. When you are comparing several widths for the same requirement, state clearly that they are alternatives.

Send a request to discuss samples and quotations →