Single Jersey Knit Fabric Manufacturer

1. Single Jersey Fabric Overview and Category Scope

Single jersey is a weft knitted fabric made on a circular machine with one set of needles. Every loop is formed in the same direction, which gives the fabric a smooth face with visible vertical wales and a textured reverse side with horizontal loops. Because of this simple structure, single jersey is the most widely used knit construction in apparel, appearing in T-shirts, base layers, loungewear, sportswear and children's clothing.

This category covers cotton, polyester, viscose, modal, bamboo, blended and elastane-containing single-jersey fabrics. Weight usually ranges from lightweight 120 GSM to mid-weight 220 GSM, and finishing can include combing, mercerizing, brushing, enzyme washing and moisture management treatment. Buyers who source from a Custom Single Jersey Factory often value consistent yarn lots, stable shrinkage control and the ability to adjust width, weight and hand feel to a specific garment program.

Shaoxing Keqiao Maozan Textile Co., Ltd. operates in Keqiao, a major textile cluster in China. As a single jersey fabric supplier China based brands can work with, the company supports ODM and OEM development, from yarn selection to finished roll packing.

2. How Single-Jersey Is Constructed

(1) Knitting Principle

A single-jersey machine uses one cylinder of latch needles arranged in a circle. Yarn is fed to the needles through multiple feeders, and each needle pulls a new loop through the previous one. The result is a tube of fabric that is later slit open, relaxed, dyed and finished. Machine gauge, yarn count and stitch length decide the final density, weight and opacity.

(2) Key Structural Properties

• Face side shows distinct vertical loops, reverse side shows rounded horizontal loops
• Edges tend to curl toward the face side when cut, which affects cutting and sewing layout
• Lengthwise and widthwise stretch is moderate without elastane
• Thin, breathable build suited to warm-weather and layering garments

A China ODM Single Jersey Factory controls these properties through yarn quality, stitch length settings and heat-setting parameters, so that fabric width and shrinkage stay within the range requested by the garment maker.

3. Common Types and Their Characteristics

Different fiber choices and finishing routes create distinct single-jersey grades. The table below summarizes the types most often specified by apparel buyers.

A single jersey fabric supplier China buyers rely on typically offers all of these fiber routes, along with solid, melange, yarn-dyed stripe and printed options.

4. Fiber Content Comparison Chart

The horizontal bar chart below compares relative performance ratings of four common fiber routes in single-jersey fabric. Ratings are on a simple five-point scale and reflect general industry tendencies rather than test results of a specific lot.

Cotton single jersey scores well for softness because natural fibers have a gentle surface and absorb moisture readily. Polyester leads in drying speed since the fiber takes up very little water. Modal and viscose blends offer a fluid drape that suits flowing garments. Blended fabrics balance cost of care with durability, while elastane-containing builds provide recovery after stretching. Buyers should read the chart as a starting point and confirm performance through swatch testing with the factory before bulk planning.

5. Single Jersey Compared With Other Knit Structures

(1) Structural Differences

Interlock, rib and fleece are also common in apparel, yet each behaves differently. Interlock is built from two interlocked layers and has a smoother, more stable face on both sides. Rib shows alternating wales and offers greater widthwise stretch. Fleece adds a brushed backing for warmth. Single-jersey stays the lightest and most economical structure to produce, which explains its role in high-volume basics.

(2) Radar Comparison

The radar chart places single jersey and interlock side by side across five attributes. Single jersey extends further toward lightness, drape and breathability, which suits summer garments and layered looks. Interlock extends further toward stability and warmth, so it is often chosen for garments that need more body or a firmer surface. Neither structure is better in every case, because the right choice depends on garment design, season and handling during sewing. A China ODM Single Jersey Factory can supply swatches of both so that buyers can compare them directly.

6. Application Scenarios

Single-jersey fabric is used across several apparel segments. The column chart below shows a typical distribution of how this fabric category is allocated across product programs in a general apparel sourcing portfolio.

T-shirts account for the largest portion because single jersey is the standard fabric for everyday tops. Sportswear follows, where polyester and blended constructions add moisture management. Loungewear and kidswear benefit from the soft hand of combed cotton and modal. The remaining share covers items such as linings, scarves and accessory trims. These figures are illustrative and meant to show how broad the use of the fabric is rather than to report a market survey.

7. Selection Points for Buyers

1. Fiber and yarn count: match the yarn type to the target garment and season
2. GSM and width: confirm finished weight and usable cuttable width
3. Shrinkage and twisting: request wash test data for length and width change
4. Color fastness: check rubbing and washing performance for the intended color
5. Surface finish: choose from combed, brushed, enzyme washed or mercerized surfaces
6. Order planning: agree on lead time, lot size and development sample steps

Working with a Single jersey factory in China that has an in-house development team shortens the path from reference sample to bulk production, because adjustments to stitch length, finishing and dyeing recipe can be made within one workflow.

8. Customization and Development Workflow

Shaoxing Keqiao Maozan Textile Co., Ltd. supports ODM and OEM programs for single-jersey fabric. Located in Keqiao, the company draws on nearby yarn, dyeing and finishing resources, which helps keep sourcing steps connected. The line chart below shows a typical development timeline, measured in days, from the first inquiry to bulk shipment.

The curve begins with an inquiry that includes target weight, fiber and end use. Sampling follows, where lab dips and hand samples are prepared. Approval confirms color, hand feel and shrinkage values. Bulk production then runs through knitting, dyeing, finishing and inspection before packing. The days shown are an example for planning and can change with color complexity, order volume and finishing steps. Early communication of specifications is the most reliable way to keep a program on schedule.

9. Care and Maintenance Guidance

(1) Washing

Garments made from single-jersey fabric should be washed with similar colors in warm or cool water using a mild detergent. Turning garments inside out reduces surface abrasion and helps preserve the face appearance.

(2) Drying and Storage

Low heat tumble drying or flat drying limits shrinkage. Folding is preferable to hanging for heavier or elastane-containing knits, since long hanging can stretch the shoulder area. Storing garments in a dry, ventilated space helps prevent odor and fiber stress.

(3) Fabric Handling in Production

Cutting rooms should relax rolls for several hours before laying, because knit fabric holds tension from finishing. Ball point needles and balanced thread tension help avoid skipped stitches and seam puckering.

10. Frequently Asked Questions

(1) What does a Custom Single Jersey Factory provide beyond standard stock fabric?

A Custom Single Jersey Factory develops fabric to buyer specifications, including fiber blend, GSM, width, color and finishing. This allows a brand to build a distinct hand feel and performance profile instead of selecting only from ready items.

(2) How is single-jersey different from interlock?

Single-jersey uses one needle bed and shows different faces on each side, while interlock uses two interlocked layers and looks the same on both sides. Single jersey is lighter and more flexible, and interlock is firmer and more stable.

(3) Why does single jersey fabric curl at the edges?

The loop structure is asymmetrical, so cut edges roll toward the face side. Heat setting, proper relaxation and edge handling during cutting help manage this behavior.

(4) What information should be shared when requesting a quote from a China ODM Single Jersey Factory?

Provide the target fiber content, GSM, width, color references, finishing needs, end use and estimated volume. A reference swatch or garment sample makes development faster and more accurate.

(5) Can a single jersey fabric supplier China based support small development runs?

Many suppliers arrange development lots for new programs before moving to bulk. Shaoxing Keqiao Maozan Textile Co., Ltd. works with buyers on sample stages and flexible order planning to match different market needs.

11. Working With a Single Jersey Factory in China

Selecting a partner involves more than comparing fabric swatches. Buyers look at the consistency of yarn sourcing, the range of finishing methods, the clarity of communication during sampling and the ability to adapt to seasonal changes. Shaoxing Keqiao Maozan Textile Co., Ltd. combines the textile cluster resources of Keqiao with ODM and OEM support, so apparel brands, wholesalers and garment makers can build programs around single-jersey fabric that fit their product plans. Contact the team with your specification, and a development plan can be arranged around your target garment.