Fabric Supply

Definition and position in transactions

Fabric supply is a method in which an orderer such as an apparel maker, brand, or trading company secures the fabric and sends the required amount to a sewing factory, cutting factory, or processing partner such as embroidery or printing.

As a rule, the recipient does not sell the fabric, but processes the fabric they receive.

It is used when the orderer wants to handle fabric selection, quality control, and inventory management, or when the same fabric is used at multiple processing partners. In addition to product production, fabric supply is also used for processing accessories that use fabric, such as covered buttons and patches.

Paid supply and free supply

Paid supply means that the cost of the supplied fabric is recorded between the orderer and the recipient. Free supply means that the fabric is entrusted without billing the recipient for the fabric cost, and the recipient mainly invoices processing fees. However, because the wording and the accounting and ownership treatment differ by trading partner, it is important not to judge by the name alone.

In either case, the owner of the fabric, the responsibility for storage at the recipient, and who bears any excess fabric and defective or lost portions are made clear in the purchase order or supply document. Whether it is paid or free also affects the scope of processing fees and the method of inventory management.

Calculating supply quantity and confirmation items

The supply quantity is determined based on the yardage calculated from the pattern and marker, while also taking into account size-specific quantities, matching patterns, grain direction, cutting loss, and unusable portions identified during fabric inspection. Fabric width and usable width, whether the unit is meters or yards, and the length per roll also affect quantity calculations.

In general, simply multiplying the planned production quantity by the yardage per item may not be sufficient. Necessary allowance and loss rates vary depending on the fabric pattern, width variation, inspection standards, cutting method, and processing steps, so they are set in advance with the recipient.

• Fabric name, color number, lot, blend ratio, processing content
• Roll number, number of rolls, measured length of each roll, total supply quantity
• Fabric width, usable width, face and back, grain, pattern direction, and whether pattern matching is required
• Inspector, handling of defects, and criteria for determining usability
• Supply date, delivery destination, and return destination and deadline for leftover rolls

Points to prevent misunderstandings

At shipment, record the quantity for each roll number and attach a supply statement as well as the shipping document. At receipt, the recipient should confirm the number of rolls, length, appearance, color difference, and so on, and if there are any discrepancies or defects, it is desirable to contact the sender before cutting. After processing, verify the used amount, remaining amount, and loss amount by quantity.

If fabric defects or color differences are found after cutting, it affects the arrangement of additional fabric and the delivery schedule. In particular, patterned fabrics, brushed fabrics with nap, and directional prints require more yardage depending on the cutting conditions. Share the specification sheet, pattern, and sample fabric in the same version, and also manage the revision history.

Differences from similar terms

Custom order refers to newly producing or arranging fabric or products to match specifications, while fabric supply refers to the act and transaction method of handing already arranged fabric to a processing partner. In some cases, custom-ordered fabric is supplied for sewing by fabric supply.

Labor charges are fees for sewing and processing, and are not fabric supply itself. In free supply, it is common to invoice only labor charges, but whether accessories, interlining, inspection, delivery, and return of leftover rolls are included in the labor charges must be confirmed individually.

Frequently asked questions