Everybody loves plush toys – they are cute, cuddly, and huggable. People use them for many purposes, including gifts, promotions, fundraisers, mascots, etc. It is one item that showed resilience in the pandemic when every industry struggled. Even research backs it up that hugging and playing with plushies helps release stress – it increases dopamine – hormones that make us feel good and reduces cortisol – hormones that make us feel stressed. And do not forget how vital they are for a child; they aid in their creative and social skills development. Customizing plush toys is also fun – you can use your imagination and creativity to make something out of this world. But, it can also confuse many because of the many choices of materials. Well, you are lucky – the blog will provide information and take out the guesswork regarding the fabrics. Without further ado, let us start.
Best fabrics for custom plush toys:
- Cotton is one of the best materials for custom plushies because it is sturdy and hypoallergenic. You do not have to worry about people’s/ children’s allergies – they are safe for everyone. They are also easy to work with because of their little movement during manufacturing. It has variations:
- Polycotton is lighter and thinner.
- The cotton drill is heavier and thicker.
- Quilting cotton has medium weight and thickness.
Another benefit of using cotton for custom stuffed animals is the option for colors and patterns – they are sharp and last long after many wash cycles.
However, their popularity is decreasing because they are not squishy and soft. Do a lot of filling to ensure that the seams do not fold.
Pro tip: you do not have to use cotton standalone and can use it as accents or blends.
- Polyester has many variations as soft flowy, fluffy puffs, etc. People also widely use them for stuffing. It is sturdy, stain and mildew-resistant, and keeps its shape. Polyester custom plushies are easy to wash and dry – they do not shrink or stretch. With high color retention, they do not fade for years. While it may not provide the softness, you can use blends and microfiber blends to make them squashy. They are budget-friendly, making them suitable for mass giveaways and fundraisers.
- Flannel is another popular option for custom plush toys. The material is softer than most cotton and resembles the structure and texture of brushed cotton. They weave cotton or wool with the napping technique that gives its characteristic fuzzy and warm texture. The plush toys will be thick and cuddly. The downside of using it is the ability to fray and pill – they do not make the most durable soft toys. However, materials like brushed cotton provide a similar texture and are not as thick.
- Felt is one of the most popular materials for custom stuffed toys. They make from the felted or meshed technique. It is one of the oldest because it does not require a loom and is cheap. You get a wide variety of options like bright craft, undyed felt, etc. Choose from various thicknesses and weights. Since it is unwoven, the edges do not fray. They make for lightweight plush toys even with enormous sizes because of their lightweight and no graininess. The downside of felt is its lack of stretchiness which is unsuitable for a fluffy look.
- Fleece: you might have heard it for making apparel and blankets; it is also one of the most famous materials for custom plush toys. It is soft and warm and comes in a range of materials. Although the name comes from sheep, it is not 100% natural, and the majority available in the market comes from polyester, cotton, hemp, and rayon. The cost is low, and it does not easily fray. It is suitable for stuffed toys because of the right amount of stretchiness and the ability to hold its shape. The wide range of patterns and colors is a bonus. The toys will last for years because of their durability.
- 6. Faux suede: People used genuine suede in the past but changed to it. Although not regular, they make up for durable custom plush toys. The material is easy to work with, so it is an option if you want a quick turnaround with large orders. They are helpful for promotional toys or mascots and might not be suitable for children – they are not soft as other materials. They make it from polyester microfiber by weaving it into thin yarns that produce soft yet tough fabric. However, it requires high expertise because they stretch little.
- Faux fur / Velboa is one of the regular favorites for custom plush toys because of its soft texture and durability. They make it from polyester – up to 100% depending upon requirements – which gives its durability. It has a soft-plush texture on one side and graininess on the other and is available in various colors, patterns, and prints. However, the budget will increase because it is slightly expensive; they are also challenging to work with – they require high skill and experience levels. People use it for accents like long hair by cutting and sewing through the back, only to avoid wastage.
- Minky is one of the most famous materials for customizing stuffed toys. It is a polyester fabric that knits into varying weights and piles heights. Choose the one suitable for your needs; every option is soft and cozy. That said, it is expensive and has limited colors and prints. The material has a right side; you have only one side to sew following the grain. It also requires experience because of its high-stretchiness.
- Loopback jersey comprises loops on one side and soft yarn piles on the other. It is cuddly and soft, making it suitable for custom plushies. The material is like French Terry and sweatshirt yarns and is available in various colors. It maintains shape during manufacturing and washing. However, it is more expensive than others. It is challenging to work with because of its high-stretchiness.
- Interlock knit fabric is not a fabric type but a technique that uses two needles instead of one. Two of the most popular ones are polyester and cotton. It is like a jersey knit, but the front and the back look the same. Its firm and soft nature make it suitable for plush toys. It is double-sided, which reduces waste, and you do not have to worry about cutting the pattern. However, it is super absorbent, which means it will take longer to dry and may be susceptible to mild do if not correctly dried.
- Brushed cotton: They make it from various fabric structures and remove excess lint, it leaves it with only one soft side. It is thin and easy to work with but is prone to shrinking after washing and heat drying.
Customization tips:
Custom plush toys give you the freedom to choose any material and filling.
- Fabric type: the choice will depend upon your requirements. Do you want structured and soft? How about the texture and squishiness? Answering these questions will provide you with clarity.
- Ease of care and cleaning: Choose the material per usage, like promotions or children. Ensure they are easily washable and hypoallergenic; natural fibers are better for them.
- Durability: tightly woven fabrics will last longer and are better for children; they can handle rough usage.
- Softness: Before committing to a fabric, ask the supplier about it. If possible, visit a few local shops to get a clear picture of the textures. For softness alone, fleece or Minky is ideal.
- Price: Everything will come down to your budget. Answer these: do you want to spend a lot of money to create something on a few toys? Do you want to go the more economical route and make a lot of toys? Whatever choice you make will depend upon your goals. However, we recommend quality over quantity.
Over to you:
Now that you know the type of fibers for custom plush toys, it is time to use your creativity. Making plushies is a time-consuming process that takes years of experience and expertise. Choose a reliable manufacturer that can provide guidance and a variety of options. EverLighten has worked with startups, corporates, shops, sports, university teams, celebrities, and individuals for over eighteen years.
Andrea Strandlien, the founder of Haphazards Games, contacted EverLighten to create custom plush toys per their game character – an antelope. They had connected with several manufacturers but were dissatisfied with the quality. The antlers were challenging to produce because of their complex shape, but our in-house design team created the exact artwork and prototype. Our quality inspectors checked every toy and took care of the packaging to ensure they did not get pressed and lose shape.
Check out the entire story https://everlighten.com/blogs/success-stories/success-story-haphazards-games-custom-plush-toy.
Reasons to work with EverLighten:
Best pricing: We make custom plush toys in our factory, which helps customers to get the best prices.
Premium quality: Customers get custom stuffed toys with the best materials and the latest production methods.
Fast delivery: our factory helps deliver orders in the least time.
Customer service: Customers can contact us 24*7 for their queries.
Customer-centric: They love helping every customer create their dream toys.
100% customization: Customers can customize every aspect of their custom plushies.
Minimum order quantity: Customers can order as many soft toys as they need; EverLighten offers the lowest minimum limit in the industry.
Worldwide delivery: EverLighten delivers to every part of the world, and you can track orders with the online tool.
For information, inquiries, and ordering, visit https://everlighten.com/collections/custom-plush-toys.