Shrinkage in Garment Production: What It Means and How to Beat It

Don’t Panic About Shrinkage—Here’s What You Need to Know

Shrinkage. Yep, it’s one of those words that sends a chill down the spine of every brand owner. But here’s the truth: shrinkage is normal, and if you know how to handle it, it doesn’t need to be a big deal.

If you’ve ever had a customer complain that their top shrank after the first wash, you’re not alone. But before we go pointing fingers, let’s break it down.

What Is Shrinkage in Garment Production?

Shrinkage (or fabric shrink) happens when the fibres in your fabric get smaller after washing, pressing, or even dyeing. It can make your finished garment a size too small—yikes!

But here’s the good news: up to 5% shrinkage is totally industry standard. That means, even though the fabric gets a little smaller, it’s expected. You don’t have to offer a refund or remake the order.

That said, if you’re serious about quality, there are smart ways to control it from the very start.

Shrinkage Happens—But You Can Plan for It

Think of shrinkage like wrinkles in a shirt—it’s annoying, but fixable. In professional sampling, we treat the fabric just like in real production. We cut it, sew it, measure it, wash it, press it, dry it, and measure it again.

We’re basically trying to predict how the fabric will behave—so you don’t get any nasty surprises later on.

If your fabric is prone to shrink (and we’re looking at you, natural fibres like cotton, hemp and bamboo), we might pre-wash or scale up the pattern to adjust. That way, your garment fits even after the first few washes.

 

Why Designers Should Care About Shrinkage

Let’s say you’re making a shirt for your latest range. If the garments shrink by 6% and suddenly the sleeves feel tight or the length is off—you’ve got a problem.

That small shrinkage can cause returns, refunds, and unhappy clients. And for a business owner who’s watching the clock and budget, this is a big headache.

By dealing with shrinkage during the sampling process, you can save time and money. No redos. No wasted material. Just reliable, consistent fits that keep your clients coming back.

The Sampling Room: Where Shrinkage Gets Handled

Here’s where the magic happens. In our development process, we go through a checklist to manage shrinkage like pros:

1. Fabric Test – We cut a small piece (say 10x15cm), steam it, and press it to see how much it shrinks.

2. First Garment Sample – We make a sample, wash it like your customer would, and measure it again.

3. Pattern Adjustment – If there’s any major shrinkage, we scale the pattern up and make it again.

4. Wash House Prep – For production, we can pre-wash all garments so they’re done shrinking before they’re even packed.

This is how we keep shrinkage from wrecking your range. And yep, we do this for every garment we make so you don’t have to.

Common Fabrics That Shrink (And Ones That Don’t)

Not all fabrics are created equal. Some are drama queens, and others are chill. Here’s a quick list:

Fabric Type	Shrinkage Risk
Hemp	High
Cotton	Moderate to High
Bamboo	Moderate
Polyester	Moderate
Spandex Blends	Moderate
Denim	High

Denim and natural fibres shrink more because they’re made from plant fibres. Synthetics like polyester and nylon are usually more stable but can still shrink if heat is too high.

Pro tip: If you’re using a variety of fabrics in a garment, test how they shrink together. One might shrink while the other doesn’t—causing twisted seams and a weird fit.

Pre-Shrunk Labels: Are They Worth It?

Ever see a garment labelled “pre-shrunk”? That means it’s already been washed during production to take care of the shrinkage upfront.

In some instances, such as items like dyed jerseys, this can be super helpful. It’s peace of mind for both you and your customers.

If you’re selling a high end, high cost label, pre-shrunk can be a selling point. Just another way to show your product is top-notch.

Final Tips to Beat Shrinkage

To wrap up, here are a few takeaways to help you manage shrinkage like a pro:

• Always sample first—never skip this step.

• Don’t trust “shrink-proof” claims without testing.

• Check how blended fabrics behave together.

• If in doubt, scale the pattern slightly up.

• Ignore the claim that fabrics are pre- shrunk. The process of putting it on a roll can stretch it again causing shrinkage after cutting.

• Ask your manufacturer if they rest fabric before the cutting begins

Shrinkage isn’t a monster hiding under the bed—it’s just something to plan for. And once you do, you’ll have fewer returns, happier clients, and way more confidence in your product line.

Let’s Get You Started—No Shrink Surprises Here

Let’s keep your garments sharp, consistent and ready for action—no shrinkage stress allowed.