· 6 min read
Polar Fleece GSM Guide: Which Weight for Which Product?
GSM is the single most important number when you buy polar fleece. Here is what it means and how to choose the right weight for each bedding product.
When you buy polar fleece bedding or polar fleece fabric in rolls, the first number a supplier will ask about is GSM. Choosing the right GSM is the easiest way to get the warmth and feel your customers expect, at a price that works for your shop.
What does GSM mean?
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It is the weight of one square metre of fabric. A higher GSM means more fibre in the same area, which usually gives a thicker, warmer and heavier fabric. A lower GSM gives a lighter, thinner fabric that costs less.
How GSM changes the product
- Light fleece: soft and easy to fold, good for linings, pillow covers and light covers.
- Mid-weight fleece: the most common choice for bedding. Warm, soft and still easy to wash and dry.
- Heavy fleece: thick and very warm, used where customers want a premium feel or extra warmth.
Exact GSM figures vary by mill and finish, so always compare physical samples rather than numbers alone.
Matching GSM to the product
- Duvet cover sets and quilt covers: mid-weight, because the cover sits over a filled duvet or rajai that already gives warmth.
- Dohar sets: mid to heavy, because the dohar itself must keep the user warm.
- Fitted bedsheets: light to mid-weight, so the sheet stretches over the mattress and the elastic holds well.
- Pillow covers: light to mid-weight.
GSM is not the only quality check
Two fabrics with the same GSM can feel very different. Also check:
- Anti-pill finish: reduces the small balls of fibre that form after washing.
- Brushing: single-side or double-side brushed fleece feels different.
- Colour fastness: wash a sample before you order in bulk.
- Width and roll weight if you are buying fabric for your own cutting.
How to order the right GSM
Tell your supplier the product, the price segment you sell in and the feel your customers expect. Ask for samples in two weights and compare them side by side. That one step prevents most quality complaints later in the season.
We manufacture polar fleece bedding and supply polar fleece fabric in rolls. See our polar fleece range or request samples.
