What Is Jacquard Fabric? Woven Patterns in Blankets

Jacquard describes fabric where the pattern is woven or knitted into the material itself, not printed on the surface. The name comes from the loom that made complex woven patterns possible. On a blanket, “jacquard” is a quality signal — it means the texture and design are part of the fabric’s structure, so they can’t fade, peel, or wash out.

Woven in, not printed on

The key difference from a printed blanket is durability and depth. A printed pattern sits on top of the fabric and can crack or fade with washing. A jacquard pattern is built into the weave, which gives it two advantages: it lasts the life of the fabric, and it has real three-dimensional texture you can feel. That raised texture is why jacquard blankets look richer than flat printed ones.

Where you’ll see it in blankets

• Jacquard fleece — a fleece with a woven-in raised pattern, like the turtle-shell jacquard blanket or the waffle patchwork throw. Soft and plush, with sculptural texture.
• Stripe / grid jacquard — the organized pile on faux-fur comforters like the cream faux-fur stripe set, where the jacquard arranges the fur into channels or squares.

Because the pattern is structural, a jacquard piece keeps its look through normal washing — just follow the fabric’s care rules (see how to wash a fleece blanket or a faux-fur comforter). For the textured throw lineup, see best textured throw blankets.

Frequently asked questions

What does jacquard mean on a blanket? +

The pattern is woven or knitted into the fabric rather than printed on top. This gives the blanket real, raised texture that will not fade, peel, or wash out over time.

Is jacquard better than a printed blanket? +

For durability and texture, generally yes — a woven-in jacquard pattern lasts and has dimensional feel, while a print sits on the surface and can crack or fade. Jacquard usually signals a higher-quality construction.

Is jacquard fleece soft? +

Yes — jacquard fleece keeps the soft, plush hand of fleece while adding a woven raised pattern. The turtle-shell and waffle patchwork throws are examples of soft jacquard fleece.

How do you care for jacquard fabric? +

Follow the fabric type: fleece and faux-fur jacquards wash cold on gentle with low or no heat. The jacquard pattern itself is durable because it is part of the weave, not a surface treatment.