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The Ultimate Guide to Fabric Sourcing

Business, Design, Fabrics, Manufacturing, Prints, Sustainability

The Ultimate Guide to Fabric Sourcing

Leveraging a Global Network

Sourcing fabric globally opens up a world of possibilities for fashion brands, offering access to diverse textiles, competitive pricing, and sustainable options. However, if you don’t have the connections, then finding the right fabric for the price and MOQ that you need can be like finding the needle in the haystack. Navigating the complexities of international fabric sourcing requires expertise, reliable partnerships, and a strategic approach. In this guide, we’ll explore how our fabric sourcing services can help you find the right fabric while ensuring quality and efficiency.

THE FABRIC SOURCING PROCESS WORKS IN 2 STAGES:

1. R’N’D STAGE (research & development)

When our design team create the tech packs for our clients, we use our in-office fabric library to select the fabric type. This fabric is not usually a final decision, it’s a guide for production quotation purposes. We do not proceed to the sample stage before a production quotation has been approved. Our team will determine the best-suited factory for the product type and request production quotations to be calculated. The factory will check prices for a matching fabric in the tech packs with their suppliers and provide the FOB prices, this includes complete garments including fabric, packed and delivered to port.

HOW TO REQUEST PRICE QUOTATIONS

2. SAMPLE STAGE

Once our clients have approved a production quotation to move into sampling, the factory will send fabric swatches for approval. Sometimes, there are stock colours to choose from, but if not, we can always custom dye any colour. We can also print any artwork

FABRIC PRINT METHODS

The Ultimate Guide to Fabric Sourcing: Leveraging a Global Network

Visionise is an end-to-end Design, sourcing and Manufacturing service with a global network, ensuring seamless access to premium materials while minimising risks. By leveraging expert partnerships and industry knowledge, brands can achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness in their fabric procurement process.

✔️ Global network of fabric and trim suppliers

✔️ Large in-house fabric library

✔️ Custom milling fabrics

✔️ Custom dye fabrics

✔️ Custom printing fabrics

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The Benefits of Using Visionise Fabric Sourcing Service

A professional fabric sourcing service can save brands time and money while reducing risks associated with overseas sourcing. Key advantages include:

Access to a Global Network – Working with suppliers from major textile hubs such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Italy.

Material Consultation – Assistance in selecting the right fabrics based on your brand’s needs.

Time-Saving Solutions – Skip the research and verification process by leveraging expert partnerships.

Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing – Connect with suppliers certified by GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and other compliance bodies.

Cost Efficiency – Get competitive pricing through established relationships with manufacturers.

Reduced Supply Chain Risks – Avoid production delays and quality issues with expert oversight.

Quality Assurance – Ensuring the fabric meets industry standards before bulk production.

Supplier Vetting Process – Ensure they work with certified and ethical manufacturers.

Negotiation & Logistics Support – Handling price discussions, shipping, and import regulations.

Range of Services – Benefits of end-to-end solutions, including sampling, production monitoring, and logistics support.

HOW TO MANAGE THE FABRIC SOURCING PROCESS

Sourcing fabric overseas can be an exciting and cost-effective way to access high-quality materials for your clothing brand. However, it also comes with challenges such as quality control, communication barriers, and logistics. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps that we take to successfully source fabric from international suppliers while avoiding common pitfalls.

1. Determine Your Fabric Needs

Before we reach out to suppliers, define exactly what you’re looking for. Consider the following:

Fabric type (cotton, linen, polyester, etc.)
Weight and texture
Sustainability and ethical considerations
Colour and dyeing processes
Minimum order quantities (MOQs)

★ Having a clear idea of your needs will help you find the right supplier faster.

3. Request Fabric swatch Samples & Test Quality

Never commit to a bulk order without first testing fabric samples. When requesting samples:

Evaluate colour consistency and fabric feel.
Check shrinkage and durability after washing.
Perform stretch and tear tests to assess quality.
Ensure dye fastness to prevent colour bleeding.

7. Monitor Quality Control

Even with a reliable supplier, quality control is esential. Implement measures like:

Third-party inspections before shipment.
Regular quality checks on received goods.
Setting clear quality standards in your purchase agreements.

Q & A

Can you source my fabric as a standalone service?

Fabric sourcing is a service we offer in conjunction with creating tech packs and / or production with our factories.

Please understand the fabric sourcing process is time consuming and can get expensive if you don’t follow our recommend process. If you don’t have clear indication on the kinds of fabrics you’d like to source, there is no guarantee that we can accurately source options for you.

The most efficient and cost effective way to proceed is for you to indicate the kind of fabric you want to use for each style / or book a meeting with one of our Designers to get help: DESIGN CONSULT. Our Senior Designers have the expert knowledge about fabric allocation and all the technical aspects of functionality, sustainability, feasibility, costs etc.

Once we have a clear description of the fabric that you are after, we can arrange the sourcing process.

Can you custom mill fabrics?

We sure can! In fact, there are some great advantages to custom milling fabric!

Benefits of custom milling fabric:

Ensure the quality – stock fabric is out of their control.
Price is generally lower (at least 10% less)

General Lead time: 1 month

General MOQ: 800m per colour. Example: 800m makes about 200 dresses. If you use the fabric across 2 styles of dresses, this makes about 100 dresses per style. We can also store unused fabrics in the factory for later orders

How can I describe the fabrics that I’m after?

For clothes and fabrics the best thing to do is hit the shops. You need to feel some fabric qualities and try on garments to determine the detailing and fits you like. There’s no easy way to get around this ‘homework’ but a bit of online research (and competitor investigation) can help.

This next part is not strictly necessary but If you want to get more involved in the sourcing process when it comes to fabrics, you can also visit fabric suppliers near you and talk to a sales reps about what you are thinking of developing and what they may have on hand for you to see. Then you can purchase sample swatches to use as sourcing references before requesting the sourcing processes to start with us

What if the fabric I want cannot be sourced?

Most fabrics can be sourced, the challenge is more around MOQ and prices to match your production and pricing requirements. Don’t forget, we can also custom mill your fabric.

Can I get help recommending suitable fabrics for my product type?

Yes or Senior Designers have the expert knowledge about fabric allocation and all the technical aspects of functionality, sustainability, feasibility, costs etc. DESIGN CONSULT

How do I ensure high-quality fabrics?

This means we will develop your brand with our premium boutique manufacturer, it also means sourcing quality fabrics. Fabric samples will be sent for testing and approval. Keep in mind that high-quality fabrics will be reflected in your unit costs, so your RRP’s needs to reflect a suitable price point.

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The Fabric Sourcing Process with a Global Network

Fabric sourcing services follow a structured approach to ensure a smooth experience for brands:

Understanding Brand Needs – Initial consultation to determine fabric specifications, sustainability goals, and budget.
Supplier Matching – Identifying and shortlisting suppliers that meet the brand’s criteria.
Sample Procurement & Testing – Ordering fabric swatches for quality assessment and performance testing.
Pricing & Order Negotiation – Finalizing costs, MOQs, and lead times with suppliers.
Production & Quality Control – Overseeing bulk production and conducting inspections to ensure consistency.
Shipping & Logistics Management – Coordinating freight, customs clearance, and delivery to the brand’s location.

Trends in Global Fabric Sourcing

The fabric sourcing industry is evolving, with key trends shaping the future:

Sustainable & Recycled Fabrics – Growing demand for organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester.
Nearshoring & Regional Sourcing – Brands diversifying suppliers to reduce lead times and transportation emissions.
Technology Integration – Digital platforms for virtual fabric sampling and supplier collaboration.
Transparency & Ethical Standards – Increased focus on fair trade and traceability in textile sourcing.

SUSTAINABLE FABRIC SELECTION GUIDE