Natural
Cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp. Soft, breathable, good for everyday wear.
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Fabric Guides
Fabric Guides for Apparel Manufacturing
A manufacturer's fabric guides for apparel brands and buyers. Understand fibre types, knit vs woven, GSM by garment, and decoration suitability, so you choose the right fabric before you produce, then request a quote.
Response within 24 hours
Discuss fabric, MOQ & production
No-obligation consultation
2,500/day
Output, scalable to 15,000
In-house QC
Checks before shipment release
Swatches
Samples before bulk
Low MOQ
Start small, scale to bulk
Production Guide
A Fabric Guide Tuned to Production
Picking fabric is one of the biggest decisions in apparel manufacturing. The right fibre, construction, and weight set the feel, durability, and cost of your product, and they decide which decoration method will work.
These fabric guides help US brands and buyers choose fabric for real production. Each section links to the product or service that uses it, so you can move from learning to a quote fast.
GenXport runs cutting, sewing, and decoration in-house, so we match fabric to your garment, fit, and budget, then confirm it with a sample.
Fibre Types
Fibre Types: Natural, Synthetic & Semi-Synthetic
Fibre source sets the base behaviour of any fabric.
Synthetic
Polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex. Strong, quick-drying, performance-friendly.
Semi-Synthetic
Rayon, viscose, lyocell, modal. Soft drape with a natural feel.
Knit vs Woven Explained
Construction decides stretch, structure, and which garments a fabric suits.
| Factor | Knit | Woven |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Interlooped yarns | Interlaced yarns at right angles |
| Stretch | Natural stretch and recovery | Little stretch unless spandex added |
| Feel | Soft, flexible | Structured, crisp |
| Common fabrics | Jersey, interlock, fleece, french terry, pique | Twill, poplin, canvas, denim, oxford |
| Best for | Tees, hoodies, activewear, polos | Shirts, pants, jackets, workwear |
GSM by Garment
GSM is grams per square metre. Higher GSM means a heavier, denser fabric.
Use this as a starting reference. Exact GSM depends on the fabric, fit, and feel you want, and we confirm it on a sample.
| Garment | Typical fabric | Typical GSM |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight t-shirt | Cotton jersey | 140-160 GSM |
| Standard t-shirt | Combed cotton jersey | 160-200 GSM |
| Premium / oversized tee | Heavy cotton jersey | 200-240 GSM |
| Polo shirt | Pique | 180-220 GSM |
| Hoodie / sweatshirt | French terry / fleece | 280-360 GSM |
| Heavyweight hoodie | Brushed fleece | 360-500 GSM |
| Leggings / activewear | Nylon-spandex | 220-280 GSM |
| Workwear / coveralls | Cotton twill | 240-320 GSM |
Apparel Fabrics
Common Apparel Fabrics
The fabrics that show up most often in production, and what they are for.
Jersey
Soft knit for tees and base layers.
French Terry & Fleece
Warm knit for hoodies and joggers.
Pique
Textured knit for polo shirts.
Twill
Durable woven for pants and workwear.
Poplin
Crisp woven for shirts.
Canvas & Denim
Heavyweight woven for jackets.
Nylon-Spandex
Stretch knit for activewear.
Mesh
Breathable knit panels for sport.
Not sure which fabric fits your garment?
Tell us the garment and look you want. We suggest fabric and GSM, then sample it before bulk.
Performance
Performance & Sustainable Options
Functional finishes and eco materials, matched to your line and goals.
Moisture-Wicking
Moves sweat off skin for activewear and sport.
4-Way Stretch
Spandex content for movement and recovery.
Breathable Mesh
Airflow panels for warm-weather kits.
Water-Resistant
Finishes for outerwear and workwear.
Organic Cotton
Sustainable natural fibre, certified on request.
Recycled Polyester
Lower-impact synthetic for eco lines.
Product Match
Match Fabric to Your Product
Jump to the product page that uses each fabric family.
T-Shirts
Cotton jersey tees in light to heavy weights.
Hoodies
Fleece and terry hoodies for warmth.
Activewear
Stretch performance fabrics for gym wear.
Uniforms
Durable twill and poly-cotton for workwear.
For more help, see our fabric & size guides, the Resources hub, or all resources.
FAQ
Fabric Guide FAQs
Direct answers to the fabric questions brands ask before production.
Need fabric help?
Share the garment, fit, and target look. We suggest fabric, GSM, swatches, and sampling before bulk.
GSM stands for grams per square metre, the weight of a fabric. Higher GSM means a heavier, denser fabric. A light tee might be 140 to 180 GSM, while a heavyweight hoodie fleece is around 300 to 500 GSM.
GX
Fabric Options
Get Fabric Options for Your Garment
Tell us the garment, the look, and your rough quantity. We suggest fabric and GSM, send swatches, and confirm it with a sample before bulk.
Request a Manufacturing Quote
Response within 24 hoursFabric and GSM guidanceSwatch and sample supportNo-obligation consultation