Buyer FAQ
Woven Fabric Sourcing FAQ for Buyers
Practical answers for overseas apparel, outdoor textile and sourcing teams comparing woven fabric composition, GSM, usable width, MOQ, coating, TPU lamination, sample approval and pre-shipment inspection.
Quotation preparation
Questions to answer before asking for price
What information should a fabric inquiry include?
Send fabric type, composition, GSM, usable width, color, finishing, end use, estimated quantity, destination market and any reference sample photos or technical sheet. If the fabric needs coating, TPU lamination, bonding, water resistance, shrinkage control or color fastness testing, mention this before sampling.
Why are GSM and usable width important?
GSM affects hand feel, opacity, drape and performance. Usable width affects garment consumption and cutting cost. Buyers should confirm usable width, not only nominal width, because selvedge and finishing can change the real cutting width.
How should buyers compare polyester, nylon, cotton, T400 and T800 woven fabrics?
Polyester is often chosen for stable cost and repeatability. Nylon is used for lightweight strength and outdoor shells. Cotton supports comfort and natural hand feel. T400 and T800 are considered when stretch, recovery and movement comfort matter.
What affects MOQ and lead time?
MOQ and lead time depend on base fabric, color, greige stock, dyeing route, finishing, coating or lamination setup, testing requirement, packing plan and order quantity by color. Stock or regular greige fabric can shorten development time when available.
What should be confirmed for PU coated woven fabric?
Confirm base fabric, coating side, coating hand feel, water pressure target, color, appearance, peeling risk, testing standard and final garment use. For waterproof apparel, softness, durability and water resistance should be balanced early.
What is different about TPU laminated fabric?
TPU lamination combines a woven base fabric with TPU film. Buyers should confirm film type, bonding structure, water pressure, breathability, hand feel, usable width, shrinkage, peel strength and final use such as rainwear, softshells or bags.
When should buyers consider 3-layer bonded fabric?
Three-layer bonded fabrics combine face fabric, membrane and backing fabric. They are used when the project needs structure, warmth, waterproof or windproof performance, and a specific inner hand feel for outdoor apparel or workwear.
Can fabric be matched from a sample?
A physical swatch is the best reference. Photos and a technical sheet help, but matching is more accurate when the supplier can review yarn, density, hand feel, weight, finish and color under real conditions.
What should be checked before approving a sample?
Check composition, GSM, usable width, color, hand feel, finish, shrinkage, color fastness, coating appearance, bonding strength, packing requirement and end-use fit. Approval should be connected to a written specification sheet.
What does pre-shipment inspection usually cover?
Common checks include quantity, roll condition, usable width, GSM, color consistency, hand feel, visible defects, packing, labels and buyer-agreed testing items. Functional fabrics may need extra checks for water resistance, coating or bonding performance.
Can certificates or test reports be provided?
Available certificates and test reports should be confirmed by fabric item and order requirement. If a buyer needs OEKO-TEX, color fastness, shrinkage, waterproof rating or peeling strength testing, mention it before quotation.
How can buyers get a faster reply?
Send the target fabric details and attach photos or sample references in the first message. Clear technical details let Taiya review fabric direction, sample route, MOQ, lead time and quotation more quickly.
Next step
Prepare a quotation-ready woven fabric inquiry.
Review product specifications first, then send composition, GSM, usable width, color, finishing, quantity, end use and destination market.
Inquiry checklist
Prepare a quotation-ready woven fabric inquiry.
Use the buyer checklist to organize fabric type, composition, GSM, usable width, color, finishing, order quantity, sample target and inspection needs before asking for price.