Everybody loves plush toys, dont you agree as well? It is soft, tender, cute and it is huggable. Basically, Plush toys are made from soft materials, outside and inside, that is why it’s become everyone’s favorite toy. These soft materials come from various materials, from organic/natural to synthetic materials. In this article, we will share our knowledge regarding various plush toy materials which are commonly used by plush toy manufacturers.
Contents
Outer layer Plush Toy Materials
Plush toys in general consist of two parts, out layer and inside layer (stuffing layer). Each has its own material, whether its organic/natural or synthetic material. There are a lot of materials choices for our plush toys.
Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabric comes from a natural plant also called Cotton. This plant produces white soft fibers that are processed to become a thread in the manufacture. The thread that is produced from cotton is made into fabric which is used as plush toy materials. Cotton is considered as natural materials that are safe for children and rarely cause allergies. But cotton fabric is not that soft and squishy, so it becomes my least favorite for out layer material plush toys.
Fleece Fabric
Next material which is often used as plush material is fleece. This material has all characteristics that are needed to make plush toys. Fleece texture is soft, light and can be stretched while it still holds its shape. Fleece fabric is also easy to get in the ordinary fabric store, so it becomes an ideal fabric for beginner plush toy makers.
Minky Fabric
Minky and fleece fabric looks similar in a glance, they both have soft and velvety texture, also great for plush toy materials. But, both fabrics have differences such as Minky is softer and thicker. Minky also feels more velvety and feels more plushy than fleece. On the other hand, fleece is lighter and breathable, ideal for outdoor activities or for outside toys. Minky is an ideal fabric for plush toys that are played indoors. Minky is also more durable than fleece and does not tear easily.
Felt Fabric
Felt fabric is our next choice for plush toys. This material is one of the most versatile fabrics, also easy to get in a fabric store. It has a soft texture, light weight and almost no grain. Beginner toy makers who often make mistakes on their craft love to use these materials because it’s easy to sew whether it’s by machine or by hand. But this fabric lacks stretch and is not so fluffy compared to Minky or Fleece.
Inside Layer (Stuffing) Materials
The second part of the plush toy is inside layer or stuffing, that makes it fluffy and huggable. Inside layer plush toy materials or stuffing also come in various choices, there are eco-friendly materials but also synthetic materials.
Bamboo Stuffing
First choice of environmental friendly stuffing is come from bamboo plant. This plant can produce biodegradable fiber through a series of processes. Besides that, bamboo fibers also has antibacterial properties that make it safe for children. Bamboo stuffing available in 100% organic or sometimes it is mix with little polyester.
Wool Stuffing
The next choice for plush toys is wool. It is also organic and natural, also safe for children. Wool is soft, durable and elastic. But it has disadvantages like it cannot be washed or dried in the machine, because it will compress and uneven, making the toy not plush anymore. Wool generally should not be washed or dried in a machine unless it is labeled as machine-washable, as it may shrink or become uneven.
Cotton Stuffing
Cotton could be our choice to stuff our plush toy. It is also considered natural and organic materials because it comes from cotton plants. It is soft, fluffy and safe for children. Good quality cotton can produce cute and fluffy plush toys.
Polyester Stuffing
Natural or environmentally friendly stuffing costs more than synthetic stuffing. That is why toy makers often use synthetic materials for plush toys. Polyester stuffing could be our first choice. This material is relatively cheap and easy to get. Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum-based chemicals. It is extremely light, so it is suitable for children’s toys who cannot carry heavy toys. Polyester also has good durability for a long time.
Conclusion
There are various plush toy materials for inside or outside layers that we could choose for our toys. We can choose good quality materials or maybe costly materials for our best quality plush toys. We also could choose standard quality materials but still produce good quality plush toys.
BuyChinaToys is one of the plush toys manufacturers in China. We make good quality plush toys and distribute them all over the world. We use good quality materials for our products to guarantee the quality of their products. Our plush toy factory utilizes advanced machinery and employs skilled toy makers to ensure consistent, high-quality production.