Acrylic—you’ve probably heard the word in relation to paint or plastic materials.
But did you know it’s also used to make fabrics? Acrylic fabrics are the BEST wool alternative. Quite frankly, it can even beat the real thing.
This material is cheap, super lightweight, hypoallergenic, and versatile. And there’s just so MUCH ROOM to attract and convert customers using this material.
As a cut and sew manufacturer, we work with acrylic fabric material a lot. So, we compiled everything we’ve learned about it over the decade. No missed info. Learn the pros, cons, prices, environmental impacts, and more.
Be a PRO with a fabric that could soon skyrocket your sales. This 10-minute guide will inspire your next money making move.
Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
What is Acrylic Fiber Material?
Acrylic fabric is commonly referred to as cheap wool. But this material is MORE than just a wool alternative. It’s a high-performance synthetic fiber with serious potential.
It’s derived from coal or petroleum, which might sound a little odd. But the result? A fabric that’s just as soft and cozy as wool without the itch.
So, how was this material even created?
Well, it all started with the American DuPont Corporation. It was determined to ACE innovation in the fabric industry. In the 1940s, they discovered Fabric A — later known as acrylic fiber.
Initially, it was marketed as faux silk. But demand was low. I mean, trying to replicate one of the most premium fabrics didn’t sit right with people. It’s like buying a knockoff brand.
So, they changed their strategy. They made the fabric thicker and rebranded it as a wool alternative instead.
The results? Mind-blowing success. People loved its incredible softness and easy-care qualities. As a bonus, unlike real wool, acrylic isn’t itchy, making it a favorite for sensitive skin.
Saying that acrylic fiber is uncomfortable is just one of the many myths of synthetic fabrics.
How is Acrylic Fiber Material Made?
Acrylic fiber is a synthetic material. So, the process sounds more like sci-fi chemistry than a family farming vlog. Here’s how it’s made:
Step 1: Polymerization
Of course, raw materials must be procured first. For acrylic fiber, the materials are coal and petroleum. These are combined to make a thick, plastic-like substance called polymer. This forms the base of acrylic fiber.
Step 2: Dissolving
The polymer is dissolved in a liquid to facilitate shaping. Remember, it’s a thicker solution initially. This liquid solution will be used to create thin fiber strands.
Step 3: Extracting
The liquid polymer is pushed through tiny holes in a machine called a spinneret. This forms long, thin fibers, like spaghetti strands. This is essentially how all synthetic fibers are manufactured.
Step 4: Wet or Dry Spinning
In this step, the fibers are hardened. There are TWO WAYS to do this. You can either pass them through warm air (dry spinning). Alternatively, you can perform a chemical bath (wet spinning) to solidify them.
Step 5: Washing and Stretching
The fibers are washed. You don’t want the excess chemicals to remain, don’t you? After that, it’s stretched. Stretching makes them stronger and more flexible, similar to real wool.
Step 6: Loading
Fibers are crimped to add waves. Now, this one’s not a necessary process, but it helps them feel like they’re on the right track. Then, they are cut into shorter lengths or left long for different uses.
Step 7: Weaving
Lastly, the fibers are spun into yarn. From there, they are woven or knitted into fabric. At this point, it’s ready to be used like regular wool!
Characteristics of Acrylic Fiber Material
Why do people choose acrylic fabric instead of just REAL WOOL? Well, there are more reasons than ONE. This time, we’ll mention five.
Hypoallergenic
In other words, acrylic fiber does NOT trigger skin allergies. It’s not ‘cause it’s synthetic or not real wool. It simply doesn’t have those stray fibers, which are incredibly itchy if you have sensitive skin. Mind you, many people have sensitive skin.
Our advice: Highlight this quality when marketing acrylic clothing! Not many people know this.
Affordability
Real wool comes from real sheep. So, the supply is relatively limited. After all, there are only so many sheep in the world. This natural scarcity is something China Hoodie Manufacturers must constantly navigate when sourcing materials.
But acrylic fiber? You can produce way more FASTER!
Now, the exact PRICE DIFFERENCE depends on the type of wool. However, some types of premium wool can be two to three times more expensive than acrylic fiber.
Luxurious Feel
Other synthetic fibers carry the image of being CHEAP. But acrylic fiber looks and feels luxurious. From afar, you don’t even notice that it’s fake. Unless you really pay attention.
You can feel the difference between real wool and acrylic fiber, though.
But plot twist: that’s because acrylic fiber can be softer than wool! This is an arguable statement, though. What do YOU think?
No wonder acrylic is also one of the best cloth material for gym.
Lower Maintenance
Acrylic fiber is a tough cookie. You can put it in a washing machine, and it comes out as good as new. Real wool, though, is as delicate as it sounds. I have a wool jacket. And I dry clean it every time I use it. Otherwise, its appearance deteriorates in just weeks.
There are also no problems with mildew or damage from moths. If you didn’t know, these are common issues of real wool. This is why some Jacket Manufacturers USA have shifted toward acrylic blends for their seasonal collections, offering consumers the luxurious look of wool with significantly easier maintenance.
Warm
And, of course, the reason it’s an AMAZING wool alternative. Acrylic fiber is also warm. Now, it’s not as warm as wool. But out of all synthetics, it’s one of the best at retaining heat. This makes it perfect for creating heavy clothing or similar applications.
Acrylic fiber is a lifesaver for a hoodie manufacturer like us. You can make the softest hoodies for a fraction of the cost.
Downsides of Acrylic Fabric Material
Now, nothing is ever perfect. Even wool is NOT perfect.
So, let’s go over the potential downsides of using acrylic fabric for your clothes.
Less Breathable
Natural fibers are always the most breathable option. Acrylic fabrics and other synthetic materials? Not quite. This can leave customers feeling a little hot or uncomfortable. It’s a different feeling from the ideal warmth.
But many customers DO NOT mind reduced breathability. Especially if the garment is designed to retain heat anyway.
Prone to Static Electricity
Okay, this sounds very menial. But yes, it’s a real concern for others. Acrylics are more prone to static electricity. You know what that means. More uncomfortable shocks to customers. An unpleasant experience we’ve all experienced at one point. Not just that, the staticity also attracts dust or pet hair.
Friendly tip: You can blend acrylic with natural fibers like cotton or wool to reduce static. That’s one of our go-to strategies as a sweatshirt manufacturer!
Pilling
Over time, acrylic develops fuzz balls on the surface. The more you wear, the more visible. Real wool tends to pill less.
Environmental Impact
An unfortunate fact we can never ignore. Using synthetic fibers is more harmful to the environment than anything natural. It’s not biodegradable. Plus, it contributes to microplastic pollution. Don’t worry. Later, I’ll tell you how not to scare customers away from the acrylic fiber.
Top Uses of Acrylic Fabric Material
Guess what—acrylic fiber isn’t just for day-to-day clothes! They have a whole library of applications. We’ll go through the most popular ones!
Clothing and Apparel
Of course, the MAIN CHARACTER. Acrylic fiber is ideal for lots of everyday garments. I’m talking about sweaters, scarves, and hats. Several sportswear manufacturers in China have spotted the unique benefits of acrylic fiber. They use its outstanding qualities to improve athletic clothing.
The material is both lightweight and soft. This quality appeals to sportswear brands. They aim to design comfortable and versatile clothing that meets style and function needs.
Home Textiles
Blankets, upholstery—those sorts of things at home. Many cut and sew hoodie manufacturers also utilize acrylic fiber for their custom designs, appreciating how the material transitions perfectly from apparel to home goods. You can even make curtains using acrylic fiber. It’s durable and retains color, after all.
Carpets and Rugs
Remember? Acrylic fiber does not attract MILDEW, MOISTURE, and MOTH. Perfect for carpets or rugs. Those rugs stay soft to the touch and last.
Knitting Yarn
During my very rare downtimes, I try knitting scarves or beanies. Acrylic fiber is the primary yarn I use. It feels easy to work with due to its softness and flexibility. Plus, it holds shape and color beautifully.
Different Types of Acrylic Fabric
There are DIFFERENT TYPES of acrylic fiber, too. They’re each produced or blended slightly differently. That’s to highlight unique properties. So, some are softer, some are more resistant, and some are more stretchy.
Let’s go over the most common types:
- Acrylic
This is the standard form of acrylic fiber. It’s what most people refer to when they say “acrylic fabric.” It’s made primarily from polyacrylonitrile. For context, other types may contain less of it or mix it with other chemicals. Acrylic is lightweight, warm, and soft.
If you’re making sweaters vs jackets, scarves, or other cozy apparel, this is likely the type you’ll use.
- Modacrylic
This is short for “modified acrylic.” To make this, you must blend acrylic and other polymers. You’ll often find it in wigs, protective clothing, and faux fur. This blend gives more durability.
- Nytril
This one’s less popular, but it’s still part of the family. Nytril is made from vinylidene dinitrile, not the usual polyacrylonitrile. That difference means it’s not as soft or versatile, but it has solid chemical resistance. It was once used in clothing, but now? Not so much.
Still worth a mention, though.
- Lastrile
Need STRETCHINESS? Lastrile is your guy. It’s an acrylic fiber blended with elastic materials. Think spandex fabric material or similar. You’ll find it in things like sportswear, stretchy linings, etc.. It also handles oils and sunlight like a champ.
Best Country to Source Acrylic Fiber Material
Of course, everyone knows this—CHINA is the best country to source acrylic fiber from. It produces over 30% of the global supply of acrylic fiber. Oh, and due to the competition between suppliers, you’ll get HIGH-QUALITY acrylic.
Of course, though, you still have to make sure and guarantee that the acrylic is good.
That’s why we often recommend just opting for all-in-one sourcing packages. JaceApparel, for example, sources the acrylic material AND MAKES THE CLOTHES. All in one. No more confusing steps.
Key advice: Don’t just go for the cheapest supplier. Prioritize consistent quality and certifications. Especially if you plan to SELL clothing worldwide.
Mike Song, Textile Industries
Is Acrylic Fabric Material Expensive?
Nope. As mentioned, it’s 2X to 3X cheaper than real wool. Merino wool fabric, for example, can be crazy expensive.
But good news! Acrylic can still APPEARS LUXURIOUS. Hence, you can set price points like premium despite using a cheaper synthetic fiber.
Pro tip: Always haggle prices when buying acrylic fiber material. Chances are, you’ll at least get a little discount.
Manufacturers, however, will receive cheaper quotations for fabrics. They buy in HUGE AMOUNTS. If you’re only buying a few rolls for your clothes… It may be better to ask your manufacturer to do it instead.
Acrylic Fabric’s Environmental Impact
Nobody’s proud to admit that acrylic fabric is not the MOST EARTH-FRIENDLY fabric. It uses lots of energy and water during production. And it’s one of the MAIN SOURCES of microplastics in the ocean.
However, there’s a way to make customers aware that you’re still trying and putting in the effort to improve. Get your materials certified OEKO-TEX® for human ecological standards.
If you’re using recycled acrylic fibers, you can also get the RCS and GRS certifications. However, they’re not as widely recognized.
Our advice: You can combine acrylic fiber with sustainable fabric materials. This improves the FEEL of the garments. It also reduces the environmental impact.
People Also Ask About Acrylic Fiber Material
1. Which fabrics are best to blend with acrylic fiber?
It depends on what you’re going for. Blend with polyester for more durability and wrinkle resistance. Cotton is a fantastic choice if you want more breathability. Wool is also great if you’re going for an authentic wool-like feel. There’s no single correct answer.
2. Is acrylic fabric more profitable than natural fabric?
Yes! Acrylic fabrics are more profitable because they are cheaper! Additionally, the supply remains stable throughout the year. For wool, it varies depending on whether there are enough sheep to meet demand. You can sell consistently with acrylic, making more profit.
3. Does synthetic fiber disappoint potential customers?
Not gonna lie—sometimes, it does. Especially if they expect “natural” or luxury. But if you’re upfront and make clothes comfy, people won’t mind. Synthetic fibers are literally everywhere now.
4. Can acrylic garments be labeled as “vegan” or “cruelty-free”?
Yes! This is one of the beauties of acrylic fabric material. No animals are involved. This may be appealing to customers who are vegan or concerned about animal cruelty.
Conclusion
Acrylic fiber has been around for a LONG TIME. However, it’s not outdated or phased out at all. It remains a major player, leaving a lasting mark on the fashion industry.
NOT USING IT could make your brand lag behind competitors who can move faster and price better.
Need an AMAZING supplier for the best acrylic fiber material out there?
JaceApparel is one call away. We’ve transformed plain acrylic fabrics into premium sweaters, outdoor gear, and more. Literally, anything and everything. All are certified and meet international export standards.
Your consultation with us is COMPLETELY FREE. And it’ll stay that way forever!
Sources
Acrylic fiber’s sustainability: https://www.treehugger.com