FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products, services, and processes.

Quality & Certification

Q

Can I request specific testing parameters for my order?

A

Yes, we can arrange custom testing to your specifications through SGS, TUV, Intertek, or our in-house lab. Common custom tests include specific colorfastness standards, antimicrobial efficacy (AATCC 100), seam strength, UV protection (AS/NZS 4399), and chemical analysis (formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals). Custom testing costs $50–$200 per parameter, depending on the test. For bulk orders exceeding 5,000 meters, we include standard testing at no charge and offer discounted rates for additional parameters.

Q

What is a Restricted Substances List (RSL)?

A

An RSL is a document specifying the maximum allowable concentrations of restricted chemicals in textile products, aligned with global regulations and brand requirements. Our RSL covers over 200 substances including formaldehyde, azo dyes, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), phthalates, PFAS, and flame retardants. Compliance with the RSL is verified through chemical testing before shipment. We can customize the RSL to match your brand's specific requirements or align with industry standards such as AFIRM Group or ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals).

Q

How do you manage quality for repeat orders?

A

Repeat orders reference our shade library and retained samples from previous productions to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. We store physical fabric samples and colorimetry data for every production run for a minimum of 3 years. When a repeat order is placed, we match the new production to the original standard within Delta E ≤ 1.5. For long-running programs, we proactively monitor for color drift and adjust dye recipes as needed. This system ensures that your Season 3 garment matches Season 1 in color and quality.

Q

Do you offer a quality guarantee or warranty?

A

Yes, we offer a quality guarantee covering manufacturing defects for 12 months from the delivery date. If a defect is confirmed as a manufacturing issue (not caused by improper use, washing, or storage), we will replace the affected fabric or issue a pro-rated refund. Quality claims must be submitted within 15 days of discovery with supporting documentation (photos, test results, lot numbers). Our quality guarantee is backed by product liability insurance, providing additional protection for your brand.

Q

What is pilling and how do you prevent it?

A

Pilling is the formation of small fiber balls on the fabric surface caused by friction and abrasion during wear — we prevent it through optimized fiber selection, yarn twist, and anti-pilling finishes. Pilling occurs when loose fibers on the fabric surface tangle together under friction, forming small balls that remain attached to the fabric. Prevention strategies include using high-tenacity fibers that resist fiber migration, increasing yarn twist to bind fibers more tightly, applying anti-pilling chemical finishes that reduce fiber mobility, and choosing tighter fabric constructions. Our fabrics achieve pilling ratings of Grade 4–5 (ISO 12945-2 / ASTM D4970), meaning minimal to no pilling after 2,000 abrasion cycles.

OEM & ODM Services

Q

What is the difference between OEM and ODM?

A

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means you provide the complete design and specifications, and we produce exactly to your requirements; ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) means we develop the fabric design and you select or customize from our existing developments. In OEM, you own the intellectual property and we are purely the manufacturer. In ODM, we contribute to the design process, and you may customize elements such as color, weight, or finish. Both services include full production, quality control, and certification support. Most of our customers use a hybrid approach: OEM for proprietary fabrics and ODM for rapid market entry.

Q

Do you offer full OEM services for functional fabrics?

A

Yes, we provide complete OEM services from fiber selection through to finished fabric, including custom weaving/knitting, dyeing, printing, functional finishing, and quality testing. You provide the specifications (composition, weight, construction, color, performance requirements), and we handle the entire production process. OEM services include lab dip development, sample yardage, bulk production, and certification documentation. Typical OEM development takes 4–8 weeks from specification to approved sample. We sign an NDA before beginning any OEM development to protect your intellectual property.

Q

What can be customized in OEM fabric development?

A

Virtually every aspect of the fabric can be customized: fiber composition (e.g., 92% recycled polyester / 8% elastane), yarn count and type, fabric construction (weave pattern or knit structure), weight (GSM), width, color (Pantone or custom), functional finishes (moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, DWR, FR, anti-static, UV), hand feel (soft, crisp, brushed), surface texture (smooth, textured, peached), and packaging (rolls, hangers, custom labels). The level of customization depends on your volume — higher volumes allow more customization options with lower per-unit cost.

Q

What is your OEM development process?

A

Our OEM process follows 6 steps: (1) Requirement gathering — you provide specifications or reference samples; (2) Fiber and yarn sourcing — we select and source appropriate raw materials; (3) Lab dip and handloom — we create color and construction samples for approval; (4) Sample yardage — we produce 1–5 meters of finished fabric for your evaluation; (5) Testing and approval — fabric is tested to your specifications and approved; (6) Bulk production — full-scale manufacturing with QC at every stage. The entire process takes 4–8 weeks depending on complexity.

Q

Can you sign an NDA before we share our fabric specifications?

A

Yes, we routinely sign mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) before receiving confidential specifications, designs, or reference samples. Our standard NDA covers both parties and protects all proprietary information shared during the development process. We can use your NDA template or provide our own. NDAs are particularly important for exclusive fabric developments, brand-specific technologies, or when sharing garment prototypes for reverse engineering. Contact us to initiate the NDA process before sharing sensitive information.

Q

Do you offer ODM fabric development from your existing designs?

A

Yes, we maintain a library of over 200 proprietary fabric developments that can be customized for your brand with modified colors, weights, or finishes. ODM is faster and more cost-effective than full OEM development because the base construction is already engineered and tested. Typical ODM customization takes 2–4 weeks (vs 4–8 weeks for OEM). Our ODM library includes moisture-wicking jerseys, waterproof-breathable shells, fleece fabrics, softshell constructions, and high-stretch knits — all performance-tested and certification-ready.

Q

Can you develop fabrics with multiple functional properties?

A

Yes, we engineer multi-functional fabrics that combine 2–5 performance properties in a single fabric, such as moisture-wicking + antimicrobial + UV protection, or waterproof + breathable + flame-retardant. Multi-functional development requires careful compatibility testing between treatments to ensure they don't interfere with each other. For example, DWR and antimicrobial finishes can coexist, but heavy FR treatments may reduce moisture-wicking performance. Our R&D team has extensive experience optimizing multi-functional fabric formulations for specific end-use scenarios.

Q

What is the minimum volume for OEM development?

A

The minimum volume for OEM development is typically 1,000–3,000 meters per color, depending on the fabric type and complexity. This covers the setup costs for custom dyeing, finishing, and quality testing. For development and sampling, there is no minimum — we produce samples in any quantity. Once the sample is approved, the bulk MOQ applies. For lower-volume OEM needs, we can sometimes combine custom colors with similar production runs to reduce minimums, or use digital printing for patterns where traditional printing MOQ is too high.

Q

Can you handle the complete supply chain from fabric to finished garment?

A

While our core expertise is fabric manufacturing, we have established partnerships with garment factories that can produce finished apparel using our fabrics. We can manage the complete supply chain: fabric development → fabric production → garment manufacturing → quality inspection → packaging → shipping. This one-stop service simplifies your sourcing process and ensures quality consistency from fabric to finished product. Alternatively, you can purchase fabric from us and handle garment production independently — we support both models.

Q

Do you provide technical support during garment development?

A

Yes, we provide technical consultation during your garment development process, including fabric selection guidance, performance specification recommendations, sewing and construction advice, and wash care instructions. Our technical team can review your garment tech pack and recommend fabric adjustments for optimal manufacturing and performance. We can also provide seam sealing tapes, bonding adhesives, and construction guidelines for waterproof garments. Technical support is complimentary for confirmed orders and available on a consultation basis for development projects.

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