A print-receptive, pill-resistant, knitted fleece fabric and printed article of apparel. The fabric is knitted from yarn formed from high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber having a tenacity value of greater than about 4 grams/denier and preferably about 6 grams/denier. The resulting knitted fleece fabric has a pilling resistance value of greater than about 3. In the preferred embodiment, the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber is selected from the group consisting of air jet spun polyester; nylon; acrylic; and polypropylene. The use of staple fibers improves the hand, drape and comfort of the knitted fabric. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the knitted fabric is a 3 end fleece fabric having a face yarn side and a lay-in yarn side, the face yarn side being formed from the high-tenacity, staple synthetic fiber and the lay-in yarn side being substantially formed from cellulosic yarns, such as cotton and synthetic cellulosic fibers or a synthetic/cellulosic blend. This construction improves both comfort and opacity of the knitted fabric while, at the same time, provides a print-receptive face and good print resolution of the article of apparel after multiple home washings.
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