CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC FOR YOUR PRIVATE LABEL SHIRTS

Private label shirts are a popular service that many fashion brands and retailers offer. As a manufacturer or designer, choosing the right fabric for your private label shirts is crucial to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. The type of fabric you choose can impact everything from the shirt's comfort and durability to its overall appearance. 

However, you may find choosing the right fabric hard and cannot decide which is best for your business. It is completely okay. In this blog, we will discuss the different fabric types used in clothing manufacturing, and we'll dive into the different types of fabrics available for private label shirts, their properties, and provide tips on how to choose fabric for your private label shirts.

Importance of Choosing the Right Fabric for Private Label Shirts

Choosing the right fabric for your private label shirts is essential for several reasons. As the fabric determines the shirt's quality, durability, and overall look and feel, you should take into consideration the quality and the material of the fabric. Moreover, the fabric's properties can affect the shirt's performance and comfort, such as breathability, easy-care, and flexibility which, in the end, will affect the appearance of the brand and so marketing.

Finally, the fabric's cost and availability can impact the shirt's production and pricing. You can get the best conclusion by mixing these factors into choosing the right fabric. But what are these fabric types?

Fabrics for Private Label Shirts

Fabrics can be separated into two categories, natural and synthetic. Natural fabrics are made from plant or animal fibers and are known for their breathability, softness, and natural texture. Synthetic fabrics are made from artificial fibers, such as polyester, nylon, or spandex. They are known for their durability, flexibility, and easy-care properties. Here are some common natural and synthetic fabrics used in private label shirt production:

• Cotton: Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in clothing manufacturing, including private label shirts. It is lightweight, soft, and breathable, making it suitable for warm weather and casual wear. Cotton is also easy to care for and withstand high temperatures during washing and drying.
• Silk: Silk is a luxurious and delicate fabric made from the cocoons of silkworms. It is known for its softness, shine, and drape, making it suitable for formal or high-end private label shirts. However, silk requires special care and is prone to wrinkles, shrinkage, and color fading.
• Linen: Linen is a lightweight and breathable fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. It has a natural texture and drape and is suitable for casual or beachwear private label shirts. Linen requires special care and is prone to wrinkles, shrinkage, and mildew.
• Polyester: Polyester is a durable and affordable fabric that can mimic the look and feel of natural fabrics. It is wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and easy to care for, making it suitable for athletic or performance-based private label shirts. However, polyester is not as breathable as natural fabrics and can cause skin irritation or odor buildup.
• Nylon: Nylon is a lightweight, strong fabric that can withstand wear and tear. It is often blended with other fabrics to add durability and flexibility to private label shirts. Nylon is also quick-drying and easy-care, making it suitable for sportswear or outdoor apparel. However, nylon is not as breathable as natural fabrics and can trap heat and sweat.
• Spandex: Spandex is a stretchy and form-fitting fabric that can add comfort and flexibility to private label shirts. It is often blended with other fabrics to create flexible or compression-based apparel. Spandex is also easy-care and quick-drying, making it suitable for activewear or underwears. However, spandex can lose its elasticity and requires special care during washing and drying.
• Denim: Denim is a durable, sturdy cotton twill fabric commonly used for making clothing, particularly jeans. A diagonal pattern characterizes it, called a "twill line," on the fabric's surface, created by how the fabric is woven. Typically, denim is made from cotton yarns dyed with indigo, a deep blue dye that gives denim its characteristic color.
• Jacquard: Jacquard is a fabric characterized by intricate, complex patterns woven into it using a special loom. The Jacquard loom uses punched cards to control the weaving process, allowing for much greater detail and complexity in the patterns woven into the fabric. Jacquard fabrics can be made from a wide range of fibers, including silk, cotton, wool, and synthetic materials. They can be used for various applications, from clothing to upholstery to home decor.
• Corduroy: Corduroy is a fabric characterized by raised, parallel ridges or "cords" on its surface. It is typically made from cotton but can also be made from a blend of cotton and other fibers, such as polyester or spandex. Weaving yarns create corduroy in a way that forms the characteristic ridges on the fabric's surface. The size and shape of the ridges can vary depending on the type of corduroy being produced, with wider ridges known as "wide-wale" corduroy and narrower ridges known as "pin-wale" corduroy.

Weave Styles for Different Fabrics

As well as fabric, style plays a key role in choosing private label shirts as it can affect your idea. Depending on the fabric, the style of the product will give you a clear idea and help you choose. Here are some special styles of private label shirts:

• Yarn Dyeing: Yarn dyeing is a process of coloring yarn before it is used to create fabric. The process involves immersing the yarn in a dye bath, where it absorbs the color. The yarn is then dried and can be used to create fabric with a variety of designs and patterns. Yarn dyeing can be done using natural or synthetic dyes, and it allows for greater control over the final color and pattern of the fabric. This technique is commonly used in the production of woven and knitted textiles such as clothing.
• Knitted: Knitting creates fabric by interlocking a series of loops of yarn or thread. The loops are formed by pulling yarn through other loops, and the resulting fabric can be made to any size or shape by adjusting the number and arrangement of the loops. This is typically done using knitting needles, long, thin, pointed tools.
• Printed: In private label shirt manufacturing, "printed" typically means applying a design or pattern to the shirt's fabric using dye. This can be done in various ways, depending on the type of fabric being used and the complexity of the design. One common printing method is screen printing, in which a stencil or "screen" is used to apply dye to the fabric. Another method is digital printing, in which an image is printed directly onto the fabric using a special printer. Other printing techniques include sublimation printing, heat transfer printing, and rotation printing.

Tips for Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Private Label Shirts

Now that you know the fabric types and styles, you can choose. But do you still search for tips about how to choose the right fabric? We have listed some tips:

• Consider the shirt's design and intended use: Different fabrics are suitable for different shirt styles and occasions. Consider the shirt's intended use, such as formal, casual, athletic, or workwear, and choose a fabric that matches the design and function. For instance, if you are searching for how to choose the right fabric for your sewing project, the answer might be different from other occasions, such as formal or workwear.
• Test the fabric's quality and durability: Inspect the fabric for any flaws, such as snags, holes, or pilling. Test the fabric's durability by rubbing, stretching, and exposing it to sunlight or water. A high-quality fabric should be strong, smooth, and resistant to wear and tear.
• Check the care instructions: Make sure you understand how to clean and maintain the fabric before purchasing it. Some fabrics require special care, such as dry cleaning, hand washing, or air drying, which can affect the shirt's durability and cost.
• Consider the environmental impact: Choose fabrics that are sustainable and eco-friendly, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled polyester. These fabrics are not only better for the environment but also appeal to consumers who prioritize ethical and conscious fashion.
• Cost: How much the fabric costs per yard or meter and how it affects the shirt's overall pricing and profitable are also issues that you should take into consideration. If you go over budget, it might affect your marketing and, so, the business.

Choosing the right fabric might be hard, but it is not impossible. With the right fabric, your private label shirts can stand out in a competitive market and appeal to diverse consumers. DORA provides a wide range of fabrics and styles you can customize. Moreover, you can consult about design and development and make the best decision for your business.