When launching a fashion brand, design often gets most of the attention. However, in real production, fabric choice is the most critical decision — especially for small-batch and startup brands.
As a private label manufacturer in Turkey, we see many projects slow down or fail not because of design, but because the chosen fabric is not suitable for low quantities or realistic production timelines.
This guide explains what fashion startups should know about fabric selection before moving into sampling and production.
Why Fabric Matters More Than Design
Fabric affects:
Fit and comfort
Durability and wash performance
Production feasibility
Minimum order quantities (MOQ)
Final cost and lead time
A design can often be adjusted.
A fabric that cannot be sourced or produced in small quantities cannot.
The Reality of Fabric Minimums
One of the most common misconceptions is that any fabric can be produced in small runs.
In reality:
Many mills require 500 kg or more for custom fabric production
Specialty fabrics (bamboo, modal, nylon, technical blends) usually come with high minimums
Stock fabrics are limited to what is already produced and available
For small-batch production, working with available stock fabrics is often the only realistic option.
Common Fabric Expectations vs Production Reality
Startup brands often request fabrics such as:
Bamboo or bamboo blends
Lenzing™️ Modal or MicroModal™️
Nylon blends.
Poliamid blends.
Custom yarn counts or special finishes
While these fabrics exist, they are typically:
Produced for large brands
Ordered in high volumes
Developed through dedicated R&D processes
For small quantities, these expectations rarely align with production realities.
Fabric Options That Work Better for Small Runs
For low-MOQ production, the most feasible fabric categories are:
1.Organic Cotton with Elastane
Comfortable and skin-friendly
Suitable for daily wear, athleisure, and yoga-inspired pieces
Easier to source in smaller quantities
Conventional Cotton Jerseys
Stable and predictable
Ideal for T-shirts, sweatshirts, and casual wear
2.Polyester Blends (Stock Only)
Suitable for active-inspired garments
Limited in finish and performance unless custom-developed
It is important to note that organic or bamboo fabrics will not replicate the performance of technical activewear brands that use engineered synthetic fabrics and chemical finishes.
Why Not Every Fabric Is Suitable for Activewear
Many brands reference premium activewear labels when developing products. However, brands like Lululemon achieve their performance through:
Natural fibers such as bamboo or organic cotton are better positioned for:
Yoga wear
Loungewear
Daily comfort garments
They are not designed for high-performance or intensive sports use.
A Manufacturer’s Perspective
From a production standpoint, successful projects start with:
Realistic fabric expectations
Available materials suitable for the intended quantity
Clear positioning of the product category
Fabric selection should be based not only on ideals, but on what can be consistently produced.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right fabric is not about selecting the most premium option on paper — it is about selecting the most suitable and producible option for your brand’s current stage.
At Alle Textile, we work as a private label manufacturer, producing garments based on approved fabrics and finalized technical files.
Understanding fabric realities early helps ensure smoother sampling, realistic timelines, and long-term production success.