Keqiao
Keqiao is a textile production and trading area centered on Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China, where fabric production, processing, and distribution markets are concentrated.
Contents5 sections
Definition and Overview
Keqiao is a textile production area centered on Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. In addition to woven and knit production bases, it brings together dyeing, printing, finishing, and fabric distribution functions, and is known as an area that handles a wide range of apparel fabrics.
China Textile City is the name for the fabric trading market in Keqiao. Shaoxing, on the other hand, is the city name that includes Keqiao District. These terms are sometimes used in a similar sense, but they differ in that Keqiao refers to the area, Shaoxing to the broader administrative region, and China Textile City to the market.
Features of the Production Area and Production Background
In Keqiao, fabrics that combine diverse raw materials, structures, colors and patterns, and processing are planned and traded. Not only woven fabrics but also knits and lace are handled, and the area is characterized by a wide range of options, from solids to prints, yarn-dyed patterns, and functional finishes.
Because related businesses involved from fabric planning through processing and distribution are concentrated here, transactions for finding ready-made fabrics and consultations for custom orders specifying color, pattern, processing, and so on take place. However, not all processes are necessarily completed within Keqiao.
- Thin and medium-weight fabrics made mainly from polyester synthetic fibers
- Decorative fabrics such as prints, yarn-dyed fabrics, and Jacquard
- Fabrics with finishing treatments such as stretch, brushed, and water-repellent finishes
- Apparel fabrics for shirts, blouses, dresses, outerwear, lining, and more
Typical Fabrics and Applications
Traded fabrics include a wide range of plain weave, twill, satin, georgette, chiffon, and knit fabrics made from polyester, rayon, and other materials. Even with the same fabric name, the appearance and sewing properties can vary greatly depending on the blend ratio, fabric weight, density, and processing conditions.
For women's clothing, thin fabrics with good drape for blouses and dresses are considered. For casual wear, shirting and trouser fabrics are used, while for outerwear, high-density woven fabrics and functional processed fabrics are examined. It is important not to judge intended use or quality from the production area name alone, but to check the specifications and the actual fabric.
Points to Confirm When Purchasing
Labels such as made in Keqiao, made in Shaoxing, or handled by China Textile City do not by themselves identify the raw material origin, weaving location, dyeing and processing location, or the seller's location. If country-of-origin labeling or sourcing policy is involved, confirm with the supplier which process the production area designation refers to.
For continuous production, confirm early whether the fabric is stock or made to order, the minimum lot size, roll length, reproducibility on repeat orders, and lead time to mass production. Since color and hand feel can vary by lot, it is useful to check the sample roll before mass production and agree in advance on the required quality test items.
- Blend ratio, fabric width, fabric weight, structure, color number, and processing details
- Stock quantity, minimum lot size, whether repeat production is possible, and roll length
- Acceptable range for color difference, hand-feel difference, and pattern misalignment between sample rolls and mass-produced goods
- Quality standards according to the intended use, such as shrinkage rate, color fastness, and pilling
- Lead time and inspection conditions, including shipping location, transportation method, and customs clearance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Keqiao and China Textile City mean the same thing?
They do not mean exactly the same thing. Keqiao is the name of the textile production area centered on Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, while China Textile City is the name of the large fabric trading market in that area. In conversation, they may be used in a similar sense, so when placing an order, the weaving location and processing location are confirmed separately.
What should be checked by lot when purchasing fabrics from Keqiao?
Since minimum lot sizes and lead times differ between stock items and made-to-order products, first confirm the supply format. In repeat production, the color, hand feel, width, and fabric weight may differ from the first order, so it is important to check a sample roll before mass production and share the acceptable range and inspection conditions with the supplier.
Can the production location of fabric be determined from a Shaoxing label alone?
No. Shaoxing is a broad city name, and from the label alone it is not possible to tell whether it refers to the seller's location, the market handling area, the weaving location, or the dyeing and processing location. If country-of-origin labeling or sourcing control is required, confirm the location for each process.
