The Ultimate Guide to Acrylic Fabric: Qualities, Uses & Industry Leaders

This guide explores the history of acrylic fabric, its defining qualities, and highlights some of the leading options in marine- and outdoor-grade fabrics like Sattler®, Sunbrella® and Outdura®.

The History of Acrylic Fabric

Acrylic fabric, a synthetic fiber made from acrylonitrile (a byproduct of propylene and ammonia), was first developed in the 1940s as a lightweight alternative to wool. Through a chemical process, acrylic fibers are produced in either continuous “tow” or shorter “staple” fibers, offering versatility in texture and appearance. By the 1950s, acrylic fabric was commercially available and widely embraced for its durability, affordability and ease of care. It quickly became popular in various industries, such as apparel, upholstery and outdoor applications.

Today, acrylic fabrics are a staple in marine and outdoor textiles due to their weather-resistant properties, colorfastness and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Key Qualities & Features of Acrylic Fabric

Acrylic fabric is valued for its unique qualities, which make it a strong contender for both indoor and outdoor applications:

• Durability: Known for long-lasting performance, acrylic is resistant to wear and tear.
  Colorfastness: Acrylic fibers hold dye exceptionally well, ensuring vibrant colors that resist fading.
• Shrink-Resistant: Unlike natural fibers, acrylic maintains its shape even in tensioned applications (awnings, biminis, etc.).
• Moisture-Wicking & Quick-Drying: The hydrophobic nature of acrylic repels water and dries quickly.
• UV & Sunlight Resistant: Acrylic is an ideal choice for outdoor applications, as it resists UV damage and fading.
• Mildew & Insect Resistant: Acrylic fabrics are less likely to harbor mildew or attract insects.
• Softness: Despite its toughness, acrylic has a surprisingly soft texture, especially in high-quality brands like Sattler and Outdura.

However, acrylic has some drawbacks, such as static buildup and susceptibility to pilling (formation of small lint balls) in lower-quality options. High-grade options like Sattler, Sunbrella and Outdura have been engineered to resist pilling.

What Is Solution-Dyed Acrylic?

All of the acrylic fabrics at Sailrite are solution-dyed. What does that mean? Solution dyeing is a process where fibers are dyed during their production, rather than after they’ve been woven or knitted into fabric. Unlike traditional dyeing methods, where color is applied to the surface of the finished fabric, solution dyeing incorporates color directly into the liquid acrylic polymer before it's spun into yarn. This makes the color an intrinsic part of the fabric, running all the way through each fiber.

Because of this, solution-dyed acrylic fabric is exceptionally colorfast, with high resistance to fading and deterioration from sunlight, harsh weather and other environmental factors. This durability is just one of the reasons acrylic has become such a popular and versatile fabric choice.

Marine Acrylic Cover Fabrics

Marine grade acrylic fabrics are specifically engineered to endure harsh marine conditions. They are water-repellent, UV resistant and mold resistant, making them perfect for boat covers, biminis and dodgers, awnings, and full enclosures. At Sailrite, we stock a large selection of marine grade fabric collections from the top brands in the industry.

Sattler Marine Grade: A high-performance, solution-dyed acrylic fabric with a legacy of strength, longevity and affordability. Harsh outdoor conditions are no match for this dependable canvas fabric.

Sattler Yachtmaster: Yachtmaster is Sattler Marine Grade with an acrylic coating on the underside for superior water resistance. It never requires re-treatment to restore lost water resistance because its water-resistance level won’t fall over time. 

Sattler Trio: The unique three-layer bonded construction ensures superior resistance to the elements. Fully waterproof yet breathable, Trio is a great option for wooden boat covers. 

Sattler Valora: A special weave and an Intelligent Polyurethane Coating make it smooth and completely waterproof. It's also lighter and more flexible than comparable fabrics, so it's great for items that need to fold compactly for storage.

Sunbrella Marine Grade: Sunbrella is another industry leader in marine-grade fabrics. Known for their durability and weather resistance, Sunbrella’s marine fabrics are favored for bimini tops, boat covers, and outdoor seating.

Sunbrella SeaMark: SeaMarks is Sunbrella Marine Grade with a waterproof PVC backing on the underside, a combination that results in a colorfast, waterproof fabric laminate that can withstand the harshest conditions in any marine environment

Shop Marine Canvas Acrylic Fabrics

Indoor/Outdoor Acrylic Upholstery Fabrics

Acrylic is also widely used for indoor/outdoor upholstery due to its soft texture, easy maintenance and resilience to sun exposure and mildew. Known as performance fabrics, indoor/outdoor upholstery fabrics are solution-dyed, UV resistant, and water, mold and mildew resistant. They boast high abrasion resistance and easy cleanability for worry-free fabrics both indoors and out.

Outdura Upholstery: Inherently water and fade resistant, Outdura is a great choice for living room upholstery, RV upholstery, curtains, patio cushions and more. Sailrite stocks the largest selection of Outdura in the United States, with hundreds of colors, patterns and styles to choose from. 

Sunbrella Upholstery: Sunbrella’s reputation for high-performance acrylic fabrics extends to upholstery. These fabrics resist fading, moisture and stains, allowing them to perform beautifully in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Shop Performance Upholstery Acrylic Fabrics

Outdoor Acrylic Cover & Awning Fabrics

Outdoor covers and awnings require fabrics that feature high UV resistance, abrasion resistance and water resistance. They also need to hold their shape and not sag when tensioned. Acrylic is a fantastic choice for awnings, canopies, patio umbrella, grill covers, furniture covers and more. Acrylic cover and awning fabrics will protect you and your outdoor equipment and furniture from intense sunlight, rain and wind.

Sattler Valora & Trio: Protect your outdoor furniture, grill cover, fire pit and more with a well-made cover. Trio’s soft tricot underside protects teak and other delicate materials. Valora offers a fully waterproof cover (install a vent grommet for breathability). 

Sattler Awning: Sattler’s range of outdoor awning fabrics includes collections designed to add style and withstand weather extremes. From classic solids to traditional stripes to modern textures, browse hundreds of fabrics in the Sattler Elements and Sattler Lumera collections.

Sunbrella Awning: Sunbrella offers acrylic fabrics known for their high performance in outdoor awnings. Resistant to fading, mildew, and UV rays, Sunbrella awnings remain vibrant and effective in protecting from the sun.

Shop Awning & Shade Acrylic Fabrics

Why Choose Acrylic Fabric for Your Project?

From marine covers to outdoor upholstery, acrylic fabrics offer a unique balance of durability, color retention and weather resistance. Variations in weave, color and treatments enable manufacturers like Sattler, Sunbrella and Outdura to produce fabrics tailored for specific applications, ensuring performance and aesthetic appeal in even the harshest environments. Consider these high-quality options when planning your next marine, home or outdoor project for results that look great and stand the test of time.

Have you tried acrylic fabrics for your projects? Share your experiences and favorite brands in the comments below!