sourcing · 5 min read
What actually makes up the price of a metre of fabric
Knowing where the cost sits tells you what is negotiable. Yarn is mostly market price; finishing and margin are where a conversation can happen.
By Weft Bridge · Reviewed by our Guangzhou sourcing team · Updated 2026-11
A rough split
| Component | Share of price | Negotiable? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and yarn | 50–65% | Only through the market or the spec |
| Weaving / knitting | 10–20% | Slightly, at volume |
| Dyeing and finishing | 15–25% | Yes — shade, finish, colour count |
| Mill overhead and margin | 5–10% | Yes, with volume and repeat orders |
Why the same fabric has different prices
- Colour count: each additional colour adds a dye batch and a minimum.
- Shade depth: dark shades need more dye and longer cycles.
- Finishing: mercerizing, anti-pilling and water repellency all add cost.
- Width and weight: more material per metre, more cost.
- Order size: setup is spread over fewer metres.
Where to push
Ask for a price with and without the finishing step, and with the lab dip fee separated. That tells you what the mill is charging for each stage, and which stage you can drop if the product allows it.
For repeat orders, ask for a price break at a higher volume rather than a discount on the current one. It gives the mill a reason to say yes.
FAQ
Should I ask for the yarn price?
It helps you understand the floor. Yarn is traded on a market, so the mill is not hiding much there.
Why did my price go up without a spec change?
Yarn, dye and energy prices move. Ask for the reason in writing before accepting it.