Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get clear on the textile distributors terms that relate to your fabric

Fabric wholesalers and textile distributors carry large inventory of fabrics. The fabrics are of course different weights, colors and textures. Knowing the basic information for your chosen fabric is important. For each fabric type you carry know: weight,weave, nap, color, texture and washing instructions. Fabrics are sold in bulk by weight not length.

I recommend: Fabrics Manufacturers has a complete and detailed glossary of the types of available fabrics with solid definitions. Dress King offers a fabric glossary that describes how each fabric should look and feel as well as its basic uses.

Review fabric wholesale distributors terms to help with ordering and supplies

Visiting the sites of fabric wholesalers lets you become familiar with how members of the distribution and wholesale industry communicate with their peers. Established sites offer glossaries to help learn industry terms as well as information articles full of industry slang.

I recommend: InfoMat offers several term glossaries as well as textile and fashion industry trends and definitions. Apparel Search Company is a great industry term resource site with everything from fabric definitions to wholesale suppliers and their lingo.

Stay current on key terms by subscribing to cloth distributors feeds and blogs

After learning the basic terminology for your specific fabrics and ordering needs, stay abreast of changing terms by subscribing to fabric wholesale sites that update on a regular basis. New terms often include the names of the latest ordering and inventory software as well as the names of new companies and fabrics styles.

I recommend: Billian Publishing offers subscription to the Textile World magazine and website that includes information on industry trends, news, changes and a directory of suppliers. TechExchange.com is a great source for the latest news and article on the fabric and textile industry from a variety of perspectives.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Fabric brokers have terms and slang that differs slightly from fabric distributors and wholesalers and may require a little additional research on your part.

Guide to Fabric Distributors and Wholesalers

Find low priced, quality textile distributors to supply your business needs

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the type and quantity of fabric you wish to purchase from fabric wholesalers

Consider the size of your shop. Also take into consideration the types of fabrics that your customers prefer to purchase. If you run a fabric shop that sells all sorts of dry goods, you may need to contact general fabric brokers, as well as upholstery fabric wholesalers and a whole host of other dealers to get the range of products your customers want.

I recommend: A fabric wholesaler that offers a full line of products is a good place to start. David Textiles, Inc. offers a wide line of fabric at wholesale prices. Nick of Time Textile, Ltd. is another wholesale fabric distributor that offers a full line of fabrics.

Find textile distributors who specialize in home décor

Depending on your business, you may want to offer fabrics for upholstery and other home decorations. Or, you may want to limit yourself to lighter weight fabrics that are suitable for drapery and curtain material.

I recommend: To get a feel for what upholstery fabric wholesalers have to offer, look at 800 Fabrics.com. Another option is House Fabric.com. They specialize in fabrics for window treatments and offer their goods at wholesale prices.

Locate fabric distributors who offer specialty fabrics

If you have a make particular item, such as sports clothing, or your customers request the necessary fabric, you may want need to go beyond a generalized wholesale fabric distributor. The same is also true if your fabric shop specializes in a certain type of sewing, such as sewing bridal fashions.

I recommend: Bear Paw Quilting, in addition to quilting supplies, offers specialty fabric for almost every American sports team. OnlineFabricStore.net sells fabrics used in the creation of wedding gowns and clothing for the bridal party.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be wary of textile distributors that seem to offer too good a deal. Ask to see samples. Some fabric makers dye the pattern on top of the fabric rather than weave the pattern in. Unfortunately, this type of fabric tends to wear out quickly and lose its original color. If you intend to sell quality material to your customers, start with a quality product.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy wholesale fabric from niche market suppliers

Whether you sell wholesale terry cloth fabric or specialize in upholstery fabric, finding a textile broker than deals mainly in your area of expertise can lower prices and increase networking contacts. Subscribing to exchange websites and broker RSS feeds will let you know when your fabric genre is available and what its cost will be.

I recommend: The website of distinctivefabric.com offers both RSS feeds and breakdown of wholesale costs by fabric type. Fabric Stock Exchange Textile Brokers allow you to plug in the details of your fabric needs so they can research the best price for you. They also offer a blog on the latest fabric exchange news.

Choose green fabric wholesalers to increase profit

As green and organic textile become ever more popular, it seems a good idea for textile distributors to stock a few in their warehouse. Be sure to ask for green certification from your supplier so you can pass both the price and promotion of organic products onto your customers.

I recommend: Fabrics-textiles.com offer a great range of organic fabrics with super low prices for the wholesale industry. Sew Eco-Logical provides bulk certified organic fabrics made to order for wholesalers and manufacturers.

Purchase by the bolt to save money on fabric supplies for resale

All cloth distributors know that buying in bulk in order to sell in bulk is key. Its important to avoid special offers on wholesale fabric off the bolt or precut. Choose and purchase from only those textile companies selling fabric by the bolt. If you choose to repackage or cut the fabric in order to sell wholesale to smaller business afterwards, you stand a chance of increasing your profit further.

I recommend: PA Fabric Outlet is a company offering bulk fabric at heavily discounted prices. They also offer cash return for any left over trimmings. Paylessfabric offers a great selection of fabric at very low prices to wholesale distributors. Contact them for further wholesale trade discounts.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider signing up for newsletters or email alerts from your fabric suppliers to keep you up to date with new fabrics, special offers or clearance items.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Try a book or magazine to find names of cloth distributors

Many magazines are dedicated to the textile industry. These can be an excellent source for finding the best fabric distributors and wholesalers. Articles often profile and rate sources. For a more in-depth look at the fabric industry, page through a directory to find a fabric wholesaler that meets your need.

I recommend: Davison's Textile Blue Book, available from Textile World, lists textile mills as well as specialty fabric suppliers such as weavers and knitters. For less than $200, you can have access to their contact information for fabric suppliers throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Central America. The American Wholesalers and Distributors Directory available from The Directory Store for about $460 also provides information on fabric wholesalers.

Look for local fabric wholesale distributors

Find fabric distributors near your home to save delivery costs. By doing that, you can also look the fabric over before you buy to check the quality and color.

I recommend: Nick of Time Textile in Allentown, PA, offers a variety of fabrics from fleece to taffeta as well as trims. Prices listed online range from $.50 to $1.25 a yard. They allow customers to order a single bolt and promise next-day delivery. David Textiles is a California-based fabric distributor that has national and international branches. They offer a variety of fabrics from terry cloth to velvet. If you are looking for upholstery fabric wholesalers, 800 Fabrics has a large selection. Most of their upholstery fabric ranges from $1.99 to $11.99 a yard.

Consider overseas textile distributors

There are a lot of inexpensive fabric distributors and wholesalers in Asia. The Asian countries are an especially good source for silks and specialty fabrics. One consideration here is the cost to import fabrics. First, figure out the currency exchange rate to be sure the price is favorable. Then, ask if the price includes the V.A.T., or value-added tax. Also remember to add shipping costs to the price.

I recommend: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has a website that lists more than 900 fabric suppliers in China and Hong Kong. Contact each distributor directly for pricing information. Topper Silk in Hong Kong, for example, will give you a price with or without the 17% V.A.T.