How Do Fabric Manufacturers Cheat You When Buying Fabrics?
Below are the 10 most common ways fabric manufacturers will try to cheat you. Learning more can help you buy in a more informed manner.
Using cheaper materials
Fabric manufacturers may use lower quality materials than what was specified by the apparel brand in order to cut costs.
Skipping quality control measures
Some manufacturers may neglect important quality control measures, such as fabric testing and inspection, in order to reduce production time and costs.
Misrepresenting fiber content
Fabric manufacturers may mislabel or misrepresent the fiber content of their fabrics in order to sell them at a higher price.
Tampering with weight and size specifications
Manufacturers may alter the weight or size specifications of their fabrics in order to reduce the amount of material used and increase profits.
Cutting corners on dyeing and finishing processes
Fabric manufacturers may use substandard dyeing and finishing processes, such as skipping pre-treatment steps or using cheaper, lower quality dyes, in order to reduce costs.
Ignoring environmental standards
Some manufacturers may neglect to follow environmentally responsible practices, such as using hazardous chemicals or dumping waste into waterways, in order to reduce costs.
Falsifying production records
Fabric manufacturers may falsify production records, such as the number of yards produced, in order to overcharge apparel brands for their products.
Skimping on labor standards
Fabric manufacturers may ignore fair labor practices and pay workers below minimum wage or subject them to poor working conditions in order to reduce costs.
Using counterfeit materials
Some manufacturers may use counterfeit or substandard materials, such as fake or low-quality zippers and buttons, in order to reduce costs.
Shipping substandard products
Fabric manufacturers may ship products that are not up to quality standards or that do not meet the specifications agreed upon with the apparel brand, in order to meet deadlines or reduce costs.
It is important for apparel brands to carefully evaluate their fabric suppliers and implement strong quality control measures to minimize the risk of being cheated by fabric manufacturers. This may include regularly auditing suppliers, conducting independent quality control inspections, and establishing clear expectations for materials, quality, and production standards.