Starting a Clothing Brand in India? Your Fabric Sourcing Checklist

A 10-step fabric sourcing checklist for new clothing brands in India: price point, fabric brief, quantities, samples, purchase orders and reorders.

EVOMODA Team

11/1/20262 min read

Your fabric decides how your clothes look, feel, wash and last, and it is usually the biggest single cost in a garment. Yet many new brands choose fabric late, in a rush, after the designs are already fixed. This checklist helps you source fabric the right way from day one.

1. Know your customer and price point first

Before you look at a single swatch, decide who you are selling to and at what price. A ₹599 t-shirt and a ₹2,999 shirt need very different fabrics. Work backwards: if your target retail price is fixed, you can estimate how much you can spend per metre once you account for stitching, trims, packaging, marketing and margin.

2. Build a fabric brief for each product

For every style, note:

  • Fabric type (denim, twill, poplin, jersey, georgette)

  • Fibre composition (100% cotton, poly-cotton, with or without stretch)

  • Weight (GSM or oz)

  • Width

  • Colours and any print or pattern

  • How it should feel (crisp, soft, structured, flowing)

3. Calculate how much you need

Work out the fabric consumption per garment (ask your pattern maker), multiply by the number of pieces and add 5–10% for wastage, pattern matching and samples. Ordering slightly more is cheaper than running short in the middle of production.

4. Decide between ready stock and custom

  • Ready stock fabric is already made. MOQs are lower, delivery is fast and it suits first collections.

  • Custom fabric (your own colour, print or construction) needs larger quantities and more time, but makes your brand more distinctive.

Most new brands start with ready stock and move to custom once they have repeat sellers.

5. Find and compare suppliers

Shortlist two or three suppliers who specialise in your fabric. Compare them on quality, consistency, MOQ, lead time and communication, not just price. A supplier who answers clearly and asks good questions is usually easier to work with.

6. Sample, test and approve

  • Get swatches or sample metres.

  • Wash-test for shrinkage and colour bleeding.

  • Make a proto sample garment.

  • Wear it, wash it, and wear it again.

Only approve the fabric once the finished garment meets your standard.

7. Lock it in writing

Put the full spec, price, quantity, tolerances, delivery date and payment terms on a purchase order. Keep an approved swatch with you and with the supplier.

8. Inspect when it arrives

Check metres, width, GSM, shade consistency between rolls and visible defects before you send the fabric for cutting.

9. Plan for reorders

If a style sells well, you will want the same fabric again. Ask your supplier how long the fabric will be available and how closely they can match the shade in a new batch.

10. Keep records

Keep a simple sheet with each fabric's supplier, spec, price, swatch photo and order history. It makes reorders, costing and new collections much faster.

Quick checklist

  • Target customer and retail price fixed

  • Fabric brief written for each style

  • Quantity calculated with 5–10% extra

  • Ready stock or custom decided

  • Two or three suppliers compared

  • Samples tested and garment approved

  • Purchase order with full spec

  • Delivery inspected before cutting

Conclusion

Good fabric sourcing is mostly good preparation. A clear brief, proper testing and written agreements protect you from the most common and expensive mistakes. If you are launching a brand and need bulk fabric supply, EVOMODA is happy to help you get started.