Percale
A closely woven plain weave fabric with a crisp, cool feel, typically used for high-quality bedding.
Percale is a plain weave fabric characterized by its tight, one-over-one-under weave structure that creates a crisp, cool hand feel and matte finish. This classic construction has made percale a staple of premium bedding, particularly in the hospitality industry where durability and comfort are equally important.
The defining characteristic of percale is its balanced weave structure, where warp and weft threads interlace in a simple alternating pattern. This creates a fabric with equal appearance on both sides and exceptional durability. True percale requires a minimum thread count of 180, though quality percale bedding typically ranges from 200 to 400 threads per square inch. Unlike sateen, which has a lustrous sheen from its float-heavy construction, percale presents a matte, understated appearance.
The hand feel of percale is distinctively crisp and cool, often compared to a fresh, pressed dress shirt. This coolness makes percale particularly popular in warm climates or for sleepers who tend to overheat. The fabric is highly breathable due to its balanced weave structure, which allows air to circulate freely. An appealing characteristic of percale is that it becomes softer with each washing while maintaining its structural integrity, developing a comfortable, lived-in feel over time.
Percale fabrics for bedding typically weigh between 100 and 150 GSM and are produced in widths up to 280cm. The construction is favored for hotel bedding programs where sheets must withstand commercial laundering, premium residential sheets and pillowcases, and duvet covers where a crisp drape is preferred over a fluid one.
Spec tools
Common questions
What is percale fabric?
- Percale is a balanced 1/1 plain weave in which warp and weft interlace one-over-one-under with comparable yarn counts, producing a tight, matte, breathable cloth with a crisp cool hand. The construction is the standard for hotel-grade bedding sheets because it softens with repeated laundering without losing tensile strength.
What thread count is considered real percale?
- By industry definition, percale requires a minimum of 180 threads per square inch (combined warp and weft), but quality hotel-grade percale typically runs 200–400 TC. Above ~400 TC the weave becomes so tight that air permeability drops and the percale coolness is lost; very high TC numbers on cotton percale are often achieved with multi-ply yarn tricks that do not improve hand.
What is the difference between percale and sateen?
- Percale is a 1/1 plain weave: matte, crisp, cool, and the most breathable. Sateen is a weft-float satin weave (typically 4/1): smooth, lustrous, heavier drape, and warmer to sleep under. Percale is favored in hot climates and hotels for its crisp cool feel; sateen is favored for cold climates and luxury residential programs for its drape.
What GSM does percale run?
- Sheeting percale runs 100–150 GSM (about 110–150 g/m² for a 90-inch wide sheet after finishing). Lighter percale below 100 GSM is suitable for pillowcases and shirting; heavier percale above 150 GSM is uncommon for bedding and shifts the construction toward suiting weight.
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