Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Non-Woven Fabric Procurement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Non-Woven Fabric Procurement | Xinhua Textile (Direct Manufacturer)

When sourcing non-woven fabrics, traders, brand owners, and manufacturers of finished goods often encounter questions regarding specifications, minimum order quantities (MOQs), lead times, quality, and certifications. Information asymmetry not only increases communication costs but can also lead to incorrect product selection and subsequent disputes.

As a direct manufacturer with full-scale production lines—including spunbond, needle-punched, and spunlace technologies—Xinhua Textile has compiled 16 of the most frequently asked questions. We provide professional answers to help you quickly clarify key procurement points and efficiently evaluate potential supply chain partners.

I. Products and Specifications

Q1: What types of non-woven fabrics can you produce? What are the ranges for basis weight (gsm) and width?

We produce three primary categories of non-woven fabrics: PP spunbond, needle-punched (needle-felt), and spunlace.

- Spunbond: Basis weight 10–260 gsm; maximum width 3200 mm; custom slitting available.

- Needle-punched: Basis weight 45–1000 gsm; maximum width 3200 mm; thickness adjustable from 1–20 mm.

- Spunlace: Basis weight 35–150 gsm; maximum width 3200 mm; available in various patterns, including plain, pearl-embossed, and mesh/apertured.

For all categories, raw material composition and functional treatments can be customized based on specific application requirements—serving sectors such as agriculture, furniture, geotextiles, filtration, medical/hygiene, and industrial wiping.

Q2: What is the typical tolerance for the basis weight of non-woven fabrics? How do you ensure the weight meets the specifications?

The industry-standard tolerance is ±5%. Our factory maintains a control standard within ±5%, with the capability to achieve ±3% for high-end, customized orders.

Our production lines are equipped with real-time basis-weight monitoring, and every roll is weighed and inspected before leaving the factory. This ensures that the delivered products strictly adhere to the agreed-upon weight specifications, preventing issues such as inaccurate weight labeling or short-weight deliveries.

Q3: How can one distinguish between virgin (new) materials and recycled materials? What raw materials do you use?

Non-woven fabrics made from virgin materials feature uniform color, a flexible and soft texture, good tensile strength, and a surface free of visible impurities or black specks. In contrast, fabrics made from recycled materials tend to be brittle, dull or grayish in color, contain numerous black specks or impurities, and exhibit inconsistent strength with significant variations between batches.

Xinhua Textile exclusively uses high-quality virgin raw materials. For our spunbond products, we use 100% virgin polypropylene (PP); for needle-punched and hydro-entangled products, we use virgin polyester, viscose, and other similar fibers. We never incorporate recycled materials or low-grade fillers, and every batch of raw material is fully traceable to its source.

II. Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) and Pricing

Q4: What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)? Can I place a small-batch order?

We accept small-batch trial orders for standard, general-purpose specifications. For customized specifications, we set reasonable MOQs based on the complexity of the production process.

- Standard in-stock items: Available for flexible procurement, including small-roll slitting.

- Customized orders (e.g., specific colors or functional requirements): MOQs are determined based on the specific product category and manufacturing process.

Q5: What are the primary factors that influence the price of non-woven fabrics?

The price of non-woven fabric is primarily determined by four factors:

1. Raw material costs: The prices of base materials like polypropylene (PP) and polyester fluctuate in line with the petroleum market; this is the most significant factor affecting price.

2. Basis weight and width: Higher basis weights and specific cutting widths (requiring more processing) lead to an increase in unit costs.

3. Functional finishing: Treatments such as UV resistance, hydrophilicity, water repellency, flame retardancy, or anti-static properties add to the production costs.

4. Order volume and lead time: Larger order volumes result in lower unit costs, while urgent orders or highly customized specifications may incur additional charges.

Our quotes are direct-from-factory prices with no intermediary markups, offering a significant price advantage for the same level of quality.

Q6: Are free samples available?

For standard, general-purpose specifications, we provide free A4-sized samples; shipping costs are either paid upon delivery or can be offset against the cost of a subsequent bulk order. For custom samples requiring specific basis weights, colors, or functional treatments, a reasonable sampling fee will be charged, which may be refunded once a bulk order reaches a pre-agreed threshold.

Standard samples are typically dispatched within 1–3 business days, while custom samples generally take 3–7 business days to prepare, depending on the complexity of the production process.

III. Customization and Sampling

Q7: What customization services do you offer? Can you handle specific colors or functional treatments?

With full-process, in-house production, we support multi-dimensional customization:

- Basic Parameters: Basis weight, width, roll length, and inner core diameter.

- Appearance/Color: Non-woven fabrics can be customized in various colors based on Pantone codes.

- Functional Treatments: UV resistance, hydrophilicity, water repellency, flame retardancy, anti-static properties, antibacterial properties, etc.

- Special Structures: Blends of different fibers, lamination/coating, reinforced structures, etc.

Simply provide us with your application scenario and performance requirements, and our technical team will develop a tailored customization solution for you.

Q8: How long does sampling take? What is the lead time for bulk production?

- Standard Samples: 1–3 business days.

- Custom Samples: 3–7 business days (depending on process complexity).

- Bulk Production: Typically 7–15 days; the exact timeline is confirmed based on order volume and current production scheduling.

For urgent orders, we can discuss prioritizing your production to best accommodate your project timeline.

IV. Quality and Quality Control

Q9: How do you ensure that bulk production matches the quality of the samples? How consistent is the quality across different batches?

Consistent quality is rooted in fixed raw material formulations and standardized process parameters:

1. We enter into long-term supply agreements with upstream raw material manufacturers, ensuring consistent material grades and mixing ratios.

2. Every production line adheres to standardized process parameters, with key indicators—such as temperature, pressure, and speed—recorded throughout the entire process.

3. Repeat orders utilize the same production formulations and process documentation, ensuring a high level of consistency between batches.

4. Samples from every batch are retained and sealed, allowing for traceability and verification should any questions arise.

By maintaining control over the entire process—from raw materials to the finished product—we avoid the common industry pitfall where "the sample meets specifications, but the bulk shipment does not."

Q10: What testing is performed before products leave the factory? Can you provide test reports?

Mandatory pre-shipment testing includes checks for basis weight, thickness, width, surface defects, tensile strength (in both machine and cross directions), and elongation at break. For functional products, additional performance testing is conducted—such as hydrostatic pressure resistance, air permeability, or hydrophilicity.

Each shipment includes a factory test report. We can also provide reports from authoritative third-party testing institutions to meet your internal receiving inspection requirements or the qualification audits of your end customers.

V. Lead Times and Logistics

Q11: What is the typical production lead time? Can you guarantee on-time delivery during peak seasons?

The standard production cycle is 7–15 days, while items in stock can be shipped immediately.

With multiple independent production lines and ample monthly capacity, we ensure that standard orders are delivered strictly according to contractual deadlines. During peak seasons, we proactively stock raw materials and reserve production capacity. For large orders, we offer phased deliveries to safeguard your sales and production schedules, ensuring you never face supply shortages during busy periods.

Q12: What shipping methods are available? Can I specify a port for export orders?

For domestic orders, we offer various shipping options, including dedicated logistics lines and express delivery. For international trade, we support terms such as FOB, CIF, and EXW, and can accommodate shipments through any major port in China.

Leveraging our long-term partnerships with logistics providers and freight forwarders, we can assist with transportation and export customs clearance, offering flexible solutions such as door-to-port or door-to-door delivery. VI. Certifications and Compliance

Q13: What certifications do your products have? What qualifications are required for export to Europe and the U.S.?

Our products come with third-party test reports and comply with major market access standards, such as the EU’s REACH and RoHS regulations. We can provide relevant material certifications and compliance documentation upon request.

For specialized applications—such as food-contact materials, medical/hygiene supplies, or construction materials—we can assist clients in obtaining the necessary qualifications and completing required testing to facilitate customs clearance and market entry.

Q14: Can you provide the full set of documentation required for customs declaration and clearance?

Yes. We possess full in-house export capabilities and can provide a complete suite of export documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and test reports. We support various payment methods, such as Letters of Credit (L/C) and T/T, and are well-versed in the customs clearance requirements of major global markets to ensure your goods clear customs smoothly.

VII. Cooperation and After-Sales Service

Q15: What are your payment terms?

Our standard payment structure involves an initial deposit followed by the balance payment prior to shipment. For regular orders, a 30% deposit is required, with the remaining 70% balance due after production is completed and the goods have passed inspection.

Q16: What happens if quality issues are discovered upon receipt of the goods?

We maintain a 24-hour after-sales response mechanism:

1. Upon receiving feedback regarding quality, we immediately verify production records and retained samples.

2. If the issue is determined to be our responsibility, we will—in accordance with our agreement—arrange for replacements, rework, or price adjustments. We take full accountability and ensure prompt resolution.

3. A dedicated point of contact will oversee the entire process until the issue is satisfactorily resolved.

We value long-term partnerships with every client and are fully committed to taking responsibility for the quality of our products.

Contact Us

If your question is not covered above, or if you require professional advice and a quote for a specific project, please contact Xinhua Textile directly. Our technical sales team will provide personalized material recommendations and direct-from-factory pricing based on your specific application, technical specifications, and procurement volume.

We look forward to becoming your stable and reliable supply chain partner for non-woven fabrics.