Introduction
Take a look at blankets if you’re looking for a more substantial print on demand product to add to your merchandise line. While there’s not a huge number of styles available yet, you can go sort of crazy with your designs for building a really distinctive style for your customers.
Print on demand blankets tend to be made from some type of fleece. You’ll find some variations in pile height and backings.
I cover three styles here. The samples you see are sourced from a mix of Printful and Printify. If this is a product category you’re interested in, I suggest you also check out Gooten: they have a wider range of styles in their catalogue as of this writing plus some options for printing on both sides with certain styles.
With all three of the styles reviewed here, I printed the design only on one side For these particular styles, you cannot print on the back and it remains the base color of the product, usually white or cream.
Design Challenges
Based on my experience, there’s two main challenges when designing for blankets:
- Large size of the print files (as you’ll see in the specs for each style below)
- High variability of the print results – especially the color reproduction – among the different styles
File Size
If you license existing artwork to use in your blanket designs, you’ll want to check the size and resolution of the files you’re getting. If they’re too small, you might struggle to get the results you want. For example, Printful requires a file that is 7950 x 9450 pixels for the plush blanket.
Of course, how much this factor affects you will depend on what type of design you’re going for.
Here’s a few tips to manage this issue (beyond looking for large scale artwork to license):
- Use vector artwork since it can be resized without loss of resolution.
- Either make your own designs from scratch – if you have the skill – or commission it at the size you need for your application.
- Use smaller scale artwork to make repeating or scatter designs instead of trying to fill the whole space with only a few elements.
- Try simple text and color background designs. You can get some very effective results with this approach. And it could be a straightforward way to offer personalized designs.
Color Reproduction
I used the same design file (resized as needed) for each of the three samples you’ll see below. In fact, I used the exact same file for both the Sherpa and Low-Loft Fleece blankets. The color results were very different on each – a perfect example of why getting samples can be so important.
For example, the background color in each design file was exactly same.
The actual colors on the different fabrics ranged from a slightly periwinkle blue to soft sky blue to an almost azure blue.
All of the other design elements showed similar variations, but the background stands out the most when comparing the results.
Depending on how precise you need to be in your color results, you may need to invest in various samples. Particularly if you plan to use one or two blanket styles extensively, you might consider putting together a swatch file similar to what some providers offer for certain clothing items.
Use the results from the sample to color correct your design files to get the results you want.
Sherpa Style – Fleece & Faux Shearling Blanket
Setting aside the questionable name of this style, I like it a lot. I actually use one of these all the time as a lap blanket: they’re light and cozy, perfect for curling up on the couch.
Key Features
| Sizes Available | 50″x60″ 60″x80″ I got the 50″x60″ model, and it’s true-to-size. |
| Content | 100% Polyester |
| Care | Machine wash on cold. Tumble dry on low. Do not bleach or dry clean. |
| Print File Specs | Printify – JPG or PNG – 50″x60″: 7875 x 9375 pixels – 60″x80″: 9375 x 12,375 pixels – Maximum resolution 23,000 x 23,000 pixels – Maximum file size 50MB Gooten – JPG or PNG. Recommend saving as PNG if part of the design is transparent. – 50″x60″: 7875 x 9375 pixels – 60″x80″: 9375 x 12,375 pixels – 150 dpi |
| Description | The front – the side that will be printed with your design – is a soft, low-to-medium loft fleece. While soft it’s not particularly fuzzy, and it has worn well with minimal pilling. The back I consider a fluffy, faux shearling fabric in an ivory shade. I have noticed it starts clumping together more as you use and wash the blanket, but it has not affected the warmth or comfort. The edges are finished with a classic blanket stitch. The design is actually printed over the stitches on the front, while the thread on the back remains ivory to match the fluff. This shows that the blanket is completely assembled before printing your design. The corners are rounded. The supplier does a good job with the print job, taking the design completely to the edge on the front. |
| Sample Source | Printify |
Detail Images
I’ve provided several detail images to give you a better feel for this option.
Plush Velveteen or “Minky” Blanket
I’ve seen this style from multiple suppliers, and it is variously called a plush velveteen, a minky, or (simply) a throw blanket. It’s a super-soft faux fur style fabric. The underlying product is bright white which I think is a factor in the color reproduction, especially when compared to the other two styles here.
I could see this being a favorite of anyone who loves fuzzy textures given how silky-soft it is. Another option that is great for snuggling.
Key Features
| Sizes Available | 30″x40″ 50″x60″ 60″x80″ Sizes available vary by supplier. As of this writing, Printful has only the 50″x60″ while Printify and Gooten have all three options. I got the 50″x60″ model, and it’s true-to-size. |
| Content | 100% Polyester |
| Care | Machine wash warm. Tumble dry on low. Do not bleach. |
| Print File Specs | Printful – JPG or PNG – 53″x63″ at 150 dpi = 7950 x 9450 pixels Printify – JPG or PNG – 30″x40″: 4725 x 6300 pixels – 50″x60″: 7824 x 9324 pixels – 60″x80″: 9300 x 12,300 pixels – Maximum resolution 23,000 x 23,000 pixels – Maximum file size 50MB Gooten – JPG or PNG. Recommend saving as PNG if part of the design is transparent. – 30″x40″: 3200 x 4200 pixels – 50″x60″: 5200 x 6200 pixels – 60″x80″: 6200 x 8200 pixels – 100 dpi |
| Description | This blanket is made from a super-soft and fuzzy material. I don’t think it’s quite as cozy warm as the Sherpa style, but it’s silkier against the skin. While I haven’t used this blanket much, I have washed it several times for testing purposes. The color has remained bright, and the surface texture is unchanged. The edges are finished all around with a turned and stitched hem. The design is fully printed all the way to the edge. As mentioned above, the base product is bright white. The color reproduction on this style was the brightest by far of those I’ve sampled. But because of the fuzzy texture, the design is printed only on the very surface of the threads. As a result, the white will show through with a color-shifting effect. The corners are square. Given how crisply the pattern is reproduced on the blanket, this would be a good surface for some of your more intricate designs. |
| Sample Source | Printful |
Detail Images
Here are some detail images focusing, in particular, on the surface texture and color-shifting behavior.
Low-Loft Polyester Fleece Blanket
Of the three suppliers I’ve evaluated so far in the blanket category, only Printify carries this particular style as of this writing. It has by far the crispest design reproduction with clear lines and details.
This style is not, however, one I would consider suitable as a lap blanket. It has a rather stiff finish that has not significantly improved through multiple washings.
I do think this would be great for applications where you want a bit sturdier surface. For example, this style would work great as a picnic or beach blanket – it’s resistant to damp – or as a car blanket.
Key Features
| Sizes Available | – 40″x50″ – 50″x60″ – 58″x80″ Oddly, on Printify’s site, they list 6 size options but it’s simply the above three reverse. So, for example, they list both 40″x50″ and 50″x40″. It’s more about whether your design is portrait or landscape. I got the 50″x60″ model, and it’s true-to-size. |
| Content | 95% Polyester, 3% Viscose, 2% Spandex |
| Care | Machine wash cold. Tumble dry on low. |
| Print File Specs | – JPG or PNG – 40″x50″: 6000 x 7500 pixels – 50″x60″: 7500 x 9000 pixels – 58″x80″: 8700 x 12,000 pixels – Maximum resolution 23,000 x 23,000 pixels – Maximum file size 50MB |
| Description | This blanket is made of a low-loft fleece with almost no surface fuzziness. The fabric is surprisingly firm in hand for a thin fleece and feels sturdy. The base blank is a soft white. As with the minky style, I haven’t used this sample much but have washed it multiple times for testing. The colors and surface remain unchanged, and the overall feel of the fabric has softened only slightly. Your design is printed on one side with the back remaining white. The edges are finished around with contrast black trim (no option available to choose a different color). I’m not positive, but I suspect that the fabric is printed first and then finished with the black binding. There’s no sign of printing on the trim, and, in fact, I can see that the design continues under the binding. The corners are rounded. It folds up far more compactly that the other two styles, which would be handy in an application such as a beach or car blanket . |
| Sample Source | Printify |
Detail Images
I’ve provided several images to give you a better feel for the surface texture, edging, and the lower bulk when folded.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking to branch out into more home goods categories, do give blankets consideration. I’ve found they require their own design approach – because of the size you can rarely just recycle existing design files. But I think they’re a great production line for offering personalized items (kids’ names, family name or initial, etc.).
You will need to watch for color reproduction and should plan accordingly.
All three of the samples I’ve tried so far wash easily, maintaining their color and texture.
So try any of these styles and also check out POD suppliers for other options. I’ve seen things such as duvet covers, hooded blankets, comforters, and multiple types of fleece.
