Sourcing Cluster Guide · Textile & Apparel
China's fastest-moving garment city — thousands of factories feeding a market that turns a new style into a shipping order in two weeks.
Guangzhou is the commercial heart of China's apparel industry and one of the largest garment-production clusters in the world. The city proper plus the surrounding districts of Panyu, Baiyun, Haizhu and Zengcheng hold tens of thousands of garment factories and finishing workshops, and the Shisanhang (13 Factories) and Shahe wholesale districts alone move millions of pieces a day. Guangzhou and its Pearl River Delta neighbours account for a large share — commonly cited at around a fifth — of China's total apparel output, and the city is the country's leading export gateway for women's fashion and knitwear.
The supply chain here is unusually complete for a fashion city. Xintang, in Zengcheng, is one of the world's largest denim-production towns, handling everything from rope-dyeing and weaving to washing, laser distressing and ozone finishing. Zhongda Fabric Market supplies greige and finished fabric by the metre — cotton jersey, French terry, viscose, linen blends, denim, lace — within 24 hours for most qualities, and the accessory lanes beside it cover buttons, zippers, labels, hangtags and embroidery. That proximity means a small brand can develop 20 styles, sample them all, and only commit to production on the three that sell.
The catch for a foreign buyer is that Guangzhou's strength — speed and huge variety — also means thousands of small workshops with uneven QC, inconsistent sizing and no export paperwork. Factory-direct is not the same as buyer-ready: measurement tolerances, colour fastness, shrinkage, azo-dye compliance and shipping marks all need to be verified before a container leaves. That verification layer is where an on-the-ground agent earns its margin.
Trial orders typically start at 100–300 pcs per style per colourway, with a 30–50% deposit. Sampling takes 5–10 days including fabric sourcing; bulk production 15–30 days. Insist on a pre-production sample in the actual bulk fabric, and run a mid-production inspection plus final AQL 2.5 check covering measurements, colour fastness (ISO 105), shrinkage after 3 washes, and needle/Sharps detection for childrenswear.
20 representative product lines with typical export specifications. Every product below is available through our vetted supplier network in Guangzhou, Guangdong.
The backbone of Guangzhou export apparel — blank and printed tees in 160–240 gsm.
| Fabric | 100% combed cotton or CVC, 160/180/200/240 gsm |
| Construction | single or double-needle hem, taped neck, side-seamed |
| Sizes | XS–3XL, EU/US/Asian grading available |
| screen, DTG, sublimation, puff, embroidery | |
| Shrinkage | ≤ 5% after 3 home washes (pre-shrunk fabric) |
| MOQ | 200 pcs per colour per size run |
380–450 gsm fleece pullovers and zip hoodies, a top autumn/winter export line.
| Fabric | cotton/poly fleece 380–450 gsm, brushed back |
| Details | double-layer hood, kangaroo pocket, 2×2 rib cuffs |
| Trims | metal eyelets, YKK or SBS zipper, drawcord with tipping |
| Sizes | S–3XL, custom grading and spec sheet |
| Wash | garment-dye, acid-wash, vintage enzyme options |
| MOQ | 150–300 pcs per colour |
Five-pocket denim from the Xintang cluster with full wash and distress capability.
| Fabric | 10–14.5 oz stretch or rigid denim, 98% cotton / 2% elastane |
| Fits | skinny, straight, slim, relaxed, wide-leg, bootcut |
| Wash | stone, enzyme, laser, ozone, whiskering, hand-sanding |
| Hardware | YKK/SBS zipper, branded rivets and buttons |
| Shrinkage | ≤ 3% after industrial wash |
| MOQ | 200 pcs per wash per fit |
Guangzhou's signature category — trend-driven dresses in viscose, cotton and blends.
| Fabric | viscose rayon, cotton poplin, linen blend, polyester crepe |
| Styles | midi, maxi, wrap, shirt, tiered, slip |
| Lining | full or half lining in matching polyester |
| Sizes | XS–XL plus curve range, 3–5 size grading |
| Details | invisible zipper, French seams, bias binding |
| MOQ | 100–200 pcs per style |
Poplin, oxford and flannel shirts with fused or sewn interlining.
| Fabric | 40s/60s cotton poplin, oxford, yarn-dyed check, flannel |
| Collar | cutaway, spread, button-down, mandarin |
| Construction | single-needle side seam, 18–22 SPI stitching |
| Sizes | S–4XL, slim/regular/relaxed fits |
| Finish | garment wash, anti-wrinkle, moisture-wicking option |
| MOQ | 200 pcs per colour |
Corporate and retail polos with tipping, embroidery and contrast plackets.
| Fabric | cotton piqué 180–220 gsm, poly performance 150 gsm |
| Collar | flat knit rib, self-fabric, contrast tipping |
| Placket | 2 or 3 button, reinforced, spare button |
| Embroidery | up to 12 colours, 8 cm chest area standard |
| Sizes | XS–4XL |
| MOQ | 200–500 pcs per colour |
Four-way stretch performance sets in nylon-spandex and recycled poly.
| Fabric | Nylon/Spandex 75/25, 220–280 gsm, 4-way stretch |
| Features | squat-proof opacity, flatlock seams, hidden waistband pocket |
| Compression | medium to high support, gusseted crotch |
| Options | recycled REPREVE yarn, brushed peached handfeel |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100, UPF 50+ |
| MOQ | 150 sets per colour |
Seamless bras, briefs and shapewear from circular-knit machines.
| Technology | Santoni circular knit, 28–40 gauge |
| Fabric | nylon/spandex 80/20, cotton-blend options |
| Bonding | ultrasonic or glue bonding, no side seams |
| Sizes | S–3XL, 12+ size curves |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100, formaldehyde-free |
| MOQ | 300 pcs per style per colour |
Crew, ankle and no-show socks knitted on 144–200 needle machines.
| Machine | 144 / 168 / 200 needle single cylinder |
| Yarn | combed cotton 32s/40s, spandex 2–5%, nylon reinforced heel |
| Cuff | true rib or mock rib, non-slip silicone option |
| Sizes | 35–46 EU, kids 20–34 |
| Packing | poly bag, header card, 3/5/6-pair gift box |
| MOQ | 1,200 pairs per design |
Lightweight down jackets and synthetic padded coats for EU and North American winter.
| Fill | 90/10 white duck down 600–800 FP, or 3M Thinsulate alternative |
| Shell | 20D/40D nylon or polyester ripstop, C6 DWR |
| Construction | baffled or sewn-through channels, taped seams option |
| Zips | YKK vislon, two-way main zip |
| Certification | RDS down, OEKO-TEX, bluesign on request |
| MOQ | 200 pcs per colour |
Bikinis, one-pieces and rash guards in chlorine-resistant Italian and local fabrics.
| Fabric | 80% nylon / 20% elastane, 190–240 gsm, UPF 50+ |
| Lining | full front lining, removable pads |
| Resistance | chlorine-resistant to 100+ hours (Carvico/equivalent) |
| Sizes | XS–3XL, cup-size grading for bikini tops |
| Details | gold/silver hardware, adjustable ties, tummy control |
| MOQ | 150 pcs per style |
Cotton sets, dresses and schoolwear with EN 14682 safety compliance.
| Fabric | GOTS organic cotton option, 180–260 gsm jersey |
| Ages | 0–24 months, 2–14 years |
| Safety | EN 14682 drawcord rules, no small detachable parts |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Class I, CPSIA / CPC for US |
| Testing | sharp point, phthalates, lead, azo dyes |
| MOQ | 200 sets per design |
Woven satin and knit sleepwear, a high-repeat export category.
| Fabric | cotton lawn, viscose satin, modal jersey, flannel |
| Sets | short/long sleeve + shorts/pants combinations |
| Details | piping, contrast cuffs, elastic or drawstring waist |
| Sizes | XS–3XL, maternity options |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX, 16 CFR 1610 flammability for US |
| MOQ | 200 sets per colour |
Flat-knit and circular-knit sweaters in cotton, wool and acrylic blends.
| Gauge | 3GG / 5GG / 7GG / 12GG flat machines |
| Yarn | cotton, merino, acrylic, viscose, cashmere blend |
| Stitches | jacquard, cable, intarsia, rib, pointelle |
| Sizes | S–3XL, plus-size grading |
| Finishing | hand-linked or overlock, garment wash |
| MOQ | 150–300 pcs per style |
Industrial workwear, chef and medical uniforms with functional finishes.
| Fabric | poly/cotton twill 240–280 gsm, ripstop, flame-retardant option |
| Features | cargo pockets, reflective tape, bartack reinforcement |
| Certification | EN ISO 20471 hi-vis, EN ISO 11612 FR, EN 340 |
| Sizes | S–5XL, tall and women's cuts |
| Branding | embroidered logo, heat-transfer name badges |
| MOQ | 300 pcs per style |
Fluid woven tops in mulberry silk and washable viscose.
| Fabric | 16/19 momme mulberry silk, 100% viscose, silk-viscose blend |
| Details | French seams, covered buttons, bias-cut panels |
| Sizes | XS–XL, 5-size grading |
| Care | dry-clean or hand-wash; pre-shrunk viscose available |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
| MOQ | 100–200 pcs per style |
Full-sublimation jerseys, shorts and tracksuits with per-player names.
| Fabric | 140–180 gsm polyester interlock, moisture-wicking |
| Printing | dye sublimation, unlimited colours, no cracking |
| Customisation | names, numbers, sponsor logos, club crests |
| Sizes | YXS–5XL, matching shorts and socks |
| Lead time | 20–25 days including sublimation |
| MOQ | 50 pcs per design (sublimation) |
Waterproof shells and softshells with taped seams and breathable membranes.
| Shell | 2L/3L polyester or nylon, 5,000–20,000 mm waterproof |
| Membrane | TPU or ePTFE, 3,000–15,000 g/m²/24h breathability |
| Seams | fully taped, 13 mm tape |
| Details | YKK Aquaguard zips, adjustable hood, pit zips |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX, REACH-compliant PFC-free DWR |
| MOQ | 200 pcs per colour |
Woven labels, hangtags, buttons, zippers and packaging — sourced in the same trip.
| Labels | woven, printed, heat-transfer, 20–60 mm |
| Hangtags | 300–400 gsm art card, foil, spot UV, string or pin |
| Buttons | polyester, horn-look, corozo, metal snap |
| Zippers | SBS / YKK, 3#–10#, nylon or metal |
| MOQ | 1,000–5,000 pcs per item |
| Lead time | 7–12 days |
Extended-size ranges and adaptive closures for inclusive collections.
| Sizes | XL–6XL, custom measurement charts |
| Adaptive features | magnetic closures, seated-fit patterns, side-seam openings |
| Fabric | high-stretch jersey, soft-touch modal blends |
| Grading | separate pattern block, not scaled up |
| MOQ | 150 pcs per style |
| Sample time | 7–10 days with fit model notes |
Tell us the products and quantities — we reply within 24 hours with supplier options, sample costs and an all-in quote.