What is 3-End Fleece And Why Should I Care About It?

If you’re new to sourcing blank apparel, fleece can get technical pretty fast. Fabric weight… cotton percentages… yarn counts… face composition… 2-end… 3-end…

Here, we’re focusing on 3-end fleece and why you should pay attention to it.

So, what is 3-end fleece?

3-end fleece is made by adding a third yarn to the knitting process. Instead of the two yarns used in traditional 2-end fleece, 3-end construction uses a face yarn, binding yarn, and fleece yarn.

One yarn creates the outside of the sweatshirt, one creates the soft fleece inside, and the third binds the two together. Because each yarn has its own job, the outside can be knit tighter and more evenly, creating the smoother surface decorators want to work with.

But why go through the trouble of making sure the fleece you’re considering is 3-end fleece? Trust us, the difference is noticeable when adding decoration. The smoother and more consistent the garment surface is, the cleaner and more consistent the decoration will be.

Because at the end of the day, you’re not selling the blank. You’re selling what you do to it. Starting with the right one makes your work look better and gives your customer a better finished product.

We’ve been intentional about fleece from the start.

When Lane Seven got started, the fleece available to screen printers was pretty average. There were plenty of options, but they were all the same: same fabrics, same knitting, same printability.

And we didn’t think it was good enough. We thought we could do better, and 3-end fleece was part of the answer.

It costs more to produce, in part because you’re adding that third yarn, but for a garment made to be decorated, we thought it was worth it.

We were right.

3-end became the Lane Seven standard.

Today, you’ll find 3-end fleece throughout the Premium, Urban, Heavyweight, Element and Womens Collections, so you always have plenty of options depending on the project.

The LS14001 Premium Pullover Hoodie is our go-to for a reason. It’s an incredibly versatile blank with a tight-knit 100% cotton face and 32 colors to work with. For something with a little more presence, the LS19001 Heavyweight Pullover Hoodie has that same 3-end construction in a heavier fleece with a more substantial silhouette.

And it doesn’t stop at fleece. You’ll also find 3-end construction in our Heavy Core French Terry, bringing the same approach to a different fabric altogether.

Add 3-end to your blank non-negotiables.

We know there’s already so much to consider when you’re sourcing fleece. Color. Fit. Price. Availability. But now, you’ll know to check the knitting, too.

If you see 3-end fleece on the spec sheet, you know what it means. You’re welcome.