home decor, kitchen and household goods / Buying guide
Home textiles from China
Home textiles can pack compactly, but fibre, construction, colourfastness, labelling and finished dimensions still need a written specification.
Two numbers do most of the work — the fibre composition and the fabric weight in grams per square metre — and a listing that gives neither is not describing a product.
In this guide
The specification that has to be written down
- Fibre composition as a percentage, verified against the specification when material claims matter.
- Weight in GSM. A 180gsm cushion cover and a 320gsm one look the same in a photograph and are not the same product.
- Weave or knit construction, and thread count where it applies.
- Colourfastness to washing and light, tested against the intended use where needed.
- Finished dimensions after washing, with the shrinkage allowance stated.
Where it is made
- Nantong, Jiangsu — the bedding and home textile centre, enormous and deep.
- Shaoxing, Zhejiang — fabric itself, at the largest textile market in the world.
- Guangdong — finished and cut-and-sew work, strong on smaller runs.
Labelling is a market-access requirement, not a formality
Textile labelling rules vary by destination and product. Confirm the applicable fibre, origin, care and importer information before approving label artwork.
Ask for a photograph of a labelled sample and verify the final production labels against the destination requirements.
Freight, which is unusually kind here
Some textiles can be compressed or folded more tightly. Compare measured packed dimensions before and after any proposed repacking, and confirm that it will not damage the finish or retail presentation.
Questions & answers
Common questions
- What minimum should I expect?
- Get separate minimums for stock colourways, custom print or weave, and packaging. Ask whether colours can be combined.
- Can I get my own label sewn in?
- Ask for a labelled sample, a price and a minimum for the label itself. Check the wording against your destination-market rules.
- Is Chinese cotton an issue for my market?
- Some jurisdictions restrict cotton from particular regions. Ask for the origin of the fibre in writing and keep the answer — the obligation is on the importer.
Your next step
Have a link you want checked?
Send a 1688 or Taobao product link and you get back the specification in English, the supplier check, and the landed cost to your country before you commit to anything.
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