How to Order Custom Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric From a Manufacturer

---

Custom Spunbond Fabric Starts With a Clear Specification

Many buyers begin a custom spunbond nonwoven fabric project with a simple request:

“I need 50 GSM spunbond fabric. Please send me your best price.”

That may be enough for a standard product, but it is usually not enough for a customized order.

A manufacturer needs to know much more:

• What will the fabric be used for?

• What GSM is required?

• What width is needed?

• What color?

• Virgin or recycled PP?

• SS, SSS, or another structure?

• Hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

• UV resistant?

• What strength is required?

• How much fabric is needed?

• How should the rolls be packed?

• Where will the goods be shipped?

The more precisely these requirements are defined, the easier it becomes for a manufacturer to quote the correct product and reproduce the same specification in mass production.

This guide explains the practical process of ordering custom spunbond nonwoven fabric from a manufacturer.

---

1. What Can Be Customized?

Spunbond nonwoven fabric can be customized in many ways.

The most common parameters include:

Customization	Typical buyer requirement
Raw material	Virgin PP / recycled PP
GSM	10–200+ g/m² depending on product
Width	Customized
Color	White / black / custom color
Structure	SS / SSS / other
Surface treatment	Hydrophilic / hydrophobic
UV resistance	Required / not required
Antistatic treatment	Required / not required
Flame-retardant treatment	Application dependent
Softness	Application dependent
Tensile strength	Application dependent
Elongation	Application dependent
Roll length	Customized
Core size	Customized
Packaging	Customized
Printing	Depending on final application

Not every manufacturer can provide every option.

Therefore, the first step is to determine which customization actually matters for the finished product.

---

2. Start With the Finished Product, Not the Fabric

One of the most common mistakes buyers make is selecting fabric specifications before explaining the application.

For example, a buyer may ask for:

“70 GSM spunbond.”

But 70 GSM alone does not tell the manufacturer whether the fabric is intended for:

• Shopping bags

• Agricultural covers

• Medical products

• Packaging

• Furniture

• Construction

• Hygiene products

• Industrial applications

The manufacturer needs to understand the end use because different applications require different combinations of properties.

A better starting point is:

Application → required performance → fabric specification

rather than:

GSM → price → application

---

3. Define the Application

Before requesting a quotation, write down the final use.

For example:

“We need 65 GSM PP spunbond fabric for reusable shopping bags. The fabric will be printed and cut into bags.”

This immediately tells the supplier that properties such as:

• Strength

• Surface quality

• Printability

• Color

• Width

• Roll configuration

may be important.

Another example:

“We need 25 GSM hydrophilic spunbond fabric for a hygiene application.”

This creates a completely different specification discussion.

Application information to provide

• Final product

• Production process

• Expected service conditions

• Indoor or outdoor use

• Contact with water/liquid

• Printing requirement

• Sewing or heat sealing

• Exposure to sunlight

• Required service life

---

4. Decide Between Virgin and Recycled PP

One of the first material decisions is whether to use virgin or recycled PP.

Virgin PP

Often considered when buyers prioritize:

• Consistent raw material

• Stable appearance

• Color consistency

• Predictable processing

• Tight specifications

Recycled PP

May be considered when buyers require:

• Recycled content

• Sustainability-related claims

• Potential material-cost advantages

• Customer-specific recycled-material requirements

If recycled content is important, specify the required percentage and documentation.

Do not simply write:

“Eco-friendly PP.”

Instead, define what you actually need.

For example:

“Minimum 30% recycled PP content, with supporting documentation.”

---

5. Choose the Right GSM

GSM is one of the most important specifications for custom spunbond nonwoven fabric.

GSM affects:

• Material weight

• Thickness

• Coverage

• Strength

• Opacity

• Cost

• Finished-product weight

However, higher GSM is not automatically better.

A 100 GSM fabric is not necessarily more suitable than a 50 GSM fabric.

The correct GSM depends on the final product.

Example

For a reusable bag, the buyer may need to balance:

Strength + weight + cost + appearance + sewing/printing performance

For an agricultural cover, the buyer may prioritize:

Coverage + strength + UV resistance + airflow + service life

Therefore, define GSM based on the application rather than choosing the highest available value.

---

6. Specify the Fabric Width

Width is often overlooked when buyers first request a quotation.

But width can have a major effect on production efficiency.

Tell the supplier:

• Required finished width

• Width tolerance

• Whether the width is fixed or flexible

• Whether edge trimming is acceptable

For example:

Required width: 160 cm ± agreed tolerance

If the fabric will run through automated equipment, the width specification should be clearly defined before production.

---

7. Choose the Color

Color customization is common for:

• Shopping bags

• Promotional bags

• Packaging

• Furniture

• Agricultural products

• Consumer products

For standard colors, a supplier may have an existing color reference.

For customized colors, provide:

• Pantone reference

• Physical color sample

• Approved digital/printed reference where appropriate

Do not rely only on a monitor image.

Different screens and lighting conditions can produce different visual results.

For large orders, keep a physical approved sample as the reference for mass production.

---

8. Choose SS, SSS, or Another Structure

Spunbond fabrics can have different web and bonding structures.

For example:

SS

typically refers to a two-layer spunbond structure.

SSS

typically refers to a three-layer spunbond structure.

The choice can affect:

• Surface characteristics

• Uniformity

• Softness

• Strength

• Application performance

However, buyers should not choose a structure simply because one abbreviation sounds more advanced.

The manufacturer should recommend the appropriate structure based on:

• GSM

• Application

• Required strength

• Softness

• Production requirements

---

9. Specify Functional Treatments

Custom fabric can include additional treatments when required.

Potential requirements include:

• Hydrophilic treatment

• Hydrophobic treatment

• UV stabilization

• Antistatic treatment

• Flame-retardant treatment

• Other application-specific treatments

Each treatment should be clearly defined.

For example, don't simply write:

“Waterproof.”

Explain whether you mean:

• Hydrophobic surface

• Water resistance

• Hydrostatic resistance

• Laminated waterproof structure

These are not necessarily the same thing.

A vague requirement can result in a product that technically matches the quotation but does not perform as expected.

---

10. Define Mechanical Requirements

If mechanical performance matters, include measurable requirements in the RFQ.

Potential parameters include:

• MD tensile strength

• CD tensile strength

• MD elongation

• CD elongation

• Tear strength

• Puncture resistance where applicable

For example:

Parameter	Buyer requirement
GSM	60 g/m²
MD tensile	≥ ___ N/5 cm
CD tensile	≥ ___ N/5 cm
MD elongation	___ %
CD elongation	___ %

Do not simply tell the supplier:

“I need very strong fabric.”

“Strong” should be converted into measurable requirements wherever possible.

---

11. Tell the Manufacturer About Printing

If the fabric will be printed, mention this before quotation.

Printing requirements can influence material selection and surface requirements.

Tell the manufacturer:

• Printing method

• Number of colors

• Coverage

• Expected print quality

• Whether the fabric is printed before or after converting

For bags, for example, the buyer may use:

• Flexographic printing

• Screen printing

• Other commercial printing processes

The supplier should know about the printing requirement when preparing the material specification.

---

12. Define Roll Configuration

Two suppliers may quote the same GSM and width but provide very different roll configurations.

Specify:

• Roll length

• Maximum roll weight

• Core diameter

• Core material

• Roll diameter

• Winding direction if relevant

• Roll identification

• Packaging requirements

For example:

Width: 160 cm
Roll length: 2,000 m
Core: 3 inches
Maximum roll weight: agreed limit

This information can make a major difference during converting.

---

13. Tell the Supplier Your Quantity

Quantity affects the quotation significantly.

Do not simply say:

“Please quote your price.”

Provide:

• Trial quantity

• Monthly requirement

• Annual requirement if known

• Number of colors

• GSM

• Width

• Estimated order frequency

A supplier may quote differently for:

500 kg

versus:

20 tons

versus:

100 tons per month

Production planning and raw-material purchasing can affect the final quotation.

---

14. Tell the Supplier the Destination

The destination is important because the supplier needs to understand the logistics requirement.

Provide:

• Country

• Port or city

• Preferred Incoterm

• Required delivery schedule

For example:

1 × 40HQ to Mombasa, Kenya, CIF.

or:

20 tons to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, FOB/CIF depending on quotation.

This allows the supplier to provide a more useful commercial offer.

---

15. Send a Complete RFQ

Instead of sending multiple messages over several days, prepare one structured request.

Example RFQ

Product: PP spunbond nonwoven fabric
Application: Reusable shopping bags
Material: Virgin PP
Structure: SSS
GSM: 65 g/m²
Width: 160 cm
Color: White
Treatment: None
Printing: Yes, flexographic printing by buyer
Roll length: 2,000 m
Quantity: 20 tons
Destination: ___
Incoterm: ___
Required delivery: ___
Required documents: Technical data sheet + relevant test reports
Sample: Required before bulk order

This format allows the manufacturer to understand the project quickly.

---

16. Ask for a Technical Data Sheet

Before placing a large custom order, request the supplier's technical data sheet.

It should ideally identify:

• Product name

• Material

• Structure

• GSM

• Width

• Tensile properties

• Elongation

• Thickness where relevant

• Air permeability where relevant

• Treatment

• Roll specifications

The technical data sheet should be treated as a starting point.

For critical properties, the buyer should define the final contractual specification.

---

17. Request a Sample Before Mass Production

A sample is one of the most important steps in custom fabric purchasing.

Do not approve a large order based only on:

• Product photos

• Supplier description

• Technical data sheet

• Price quotation

Request a physical sample whenever practical.

Evaluate:

• Appearance

• GSM

• Width

• Strength

• Softness

• Color

• Surface

• Odor

• Printing

• Processing behavior

If the fabric will be converted into a finished product, test the fabric in the actual production process whenever possible.

---

18. Make the Sample an Approved Reference

Once the sample is accepted, do not simply say:

“Sample approved.”

Record the actual specifications.

For example:

Approved sample

• 65 GSM

• 160 cm

• White

• SSS

• Virgin PP

• Specific tensile requirements

• Specific roll configuration

• Approved physical sample

Keep the physical sample and specification together.

This becomes the reference for future production.

---

19. Confirm Tolerances Before Production

A custom order needs tolerances.

No industrial production process produces every roll at exactly the same number.

Therefore, define acceptable ranges for relevant parameters.

For example:

Parameter	Target	Acceptance range
GSM	65 g/m²	Agreed tolerance
Width	160 cm	Agreed tolerance
Roll length	2,000 m	Agreed tolerance
Tensile	Target	Agreed tolerance
Color	Approved sample	Agreed visual standard

The exact tolerance should be determined based on the product, production capability, and buyer's requirements.

---

20. Confirm Quality Inspection Requirements

Before production, agree on how quality will be checked.

Potential inspection items include:

Appearance

• Color

• Surface uniformity

• Stains

• Holes

• Foreign particles

Dimensions

• GSM

• Width

• Thickness

• Roll length

Mechanical properties

• MD tensile

• CD tensile

• Elongation

• Tear strength

Functional properties

• Hydrophilic performance

• Hydrophobic performance

• Air permeability

• UV resistance

• Other application-specific properties

This prevents disputes after shipment.

---

21. Discuss MOQ for Customized Fabric

Customization can increase the minimum order quantity.

For example, a supplier may have standard production specifications for:

• Common GSM

• Common widths

• Standard colors

But a custom:

• GSM

• Width

• Color

• Treatment

• Roll configuration

may require a dedicated production run.

Ask:

“What is your MOQ for this exact specification?”

Also ask:

“Is the MOQ per color, per GSM, or per production run?”

This distinction can significantly affect the order.

---

22. Understand the Effect of Multiple Colors

Suppose you need:

10 tons total

but require:

• 5 tons white

• 2 tons blue

• 1 ton green

• 1 ton yellow

• 1 ton black

The supplier may not treat this as one simple 10-ton production order.

Each color can create additional production planning and changeover requirements.

Therefore, when requesting a custom quotation, list every color and quantity separately.

---

23. Understand the Effect of Custom Width

Custom width can also affect production economics.

A manufacturer may already produce common widths efficiently.

A less common width may require:

• Different production setup

• Edge trimming

• Additional waste

• Special winding

• Special packaging

Therefore, always ask the manufacturer whether your requested width is a standard production width or a custom width.

---

24. Ask About Production Lead Time

Custom fabric normally requires more planning than a standard product.

Ask for:

• Sample lead time

• Production lead time

• Color approval time

• Raw-material preparation

• Testing time

• Packing time

• Estimated shipping date

For repeat orders, also ask whether the supplier can reserve production capacity for regular customers.

---

25. Confirm Payment Terms and Commercial Conditions

A technical specification is only one part of the order.

The purchase agreement should also confirm:

• Unit price

• Currency

• MOQ

• Payment terms

• Incoterm

• Delivery time

• Packaging

• Inspection requirements

• Claims procedure

• Documentation

The quotation should clearly indicate what is included in the price.

---

26. Inspect the First Production Before Scaling Up

For a new custom specification, consider treating the first order as a qualification order.

Check:

1. Raw material

2. GSM

3. Width

4. Color

5. Surface

6. Strength

7. Functional properties

8. Roll configuration

9. Packaging

10. Production consistency

If the first order performs well, future orders can use the same approved specification as the baseline.

---

27. Keep a Golden Sample

For long-term purchasing, maintain a golden sample.

A golden sample is an approved physical reference used for future production comparison.

Keep it together with:

• Product specification

• Purchase order

• Test report

• Color standard

• Supplier information

• Revision date

For repeat orders, compare production material against this reference.

This can significantly reduce misunderstandings such as:

“The supplier says the fabric is the same, but it feels different from last year's order.”

---

28. Custom Fabric Does Not Always Mean Completely New Material

There are different levels of customization.

Level 1: Standard product customization

Examples:

• Different GSM

• Different width

• Different color

Level 2: Functional customization

Examples:

• Hydrophilic

• Hydrophobic

• UV resistant

• Antistatic

Level 3: Performance customization

Examples:

• Specific tensile requirements

• Specific elongation

• Specific air permeability

• Specific softness

Level 4: Highly specialized development

Examples:

• New formulation

• New treatment

• Special multilayer structure

• Application-specific performance development

The higher the customization level, the more important testing, sampling, and production trials become.

---

29. How to Avoid Paying for Unnecessary Customization

Customization sounds attractive, but not every custom specification provides meaningful value.

For example, a buyer may request:

“Please make the fabric exactly 63 GSM.”

If the finished product performs equally well at 60–65 GSM, specifying an extremely narrow target may increase production difficulty without creating meaningful product value.

Ask:

“Which specifications are critical to the finished product?”

Then separate them into:

Must-have

and

Nice-to-have

This can help reduce unnecessary production complexity and cost.

---

30. How to Compare Custom Fabric Quotations

When comparing suppliers, make sure the specifications are identical.

Parameter	Supplier A	Supplier B	Supplier C
Material	Virgin PP	Virgin PP	Virgin PP
Structure	SSS	SSS	SSS
GSM	65	65	65
Width	160 cm	160 cm	160 cm
Color	White	White	White
Treatment	None	None	None
Roll length	2,000 m	2,000 m	2,000 m
MOQ	___	___	___
Price	___	___	___
Lead time	___	___	___
Incoterm	___	___	___

Only after standardizing the specifications does the price comparison become meaningful.

---

31. What to Do If the Manufacturer Says Your Specification Is Difficult

This is not necessarily a negative sign.

A manufacturer may tell you that a requested combination of:

• Very low GSM

• Very high strength

• Very high softness

• Very high air permeability

• Very tight GSM tolerance

is difficult to achieve simultaneously.

Instead of immediately asking for another supplier, ask:

“Which specification is creating the limitation?”

Then ask:

“What alternative specification would give us the closest practical performance?”

A good technical discussion can sometimes produce a better specification than simply insisting on the original numbers.

---

32. A Complete Custom Spunbond Ordering Workflow

A practical workflow looks like this:

Step 1 — Define the application

What will the fabric become?

Step 2 — Define critical performance

What must the finished product do?

Step 3 — Create the specification

GSM, width, material, structure, color, treatments, strength, etc.

Step 4 — Send the RFQ

Request price, MOQ, lead time, and documentation.

Step 5 — Compare suppliers

Compare equivalent specifications.

Step 6 — Request samples

Evaluate the actual material.

Step 7 — Test the sample

Use your own laboratory or qualified testing facility where appropriate.

Step 8 — Approve the specification

Create a written specification and retain the physical sample.

Step 9 — Confirm the production order

Confirm commercial and technical terms.

Step 10 — Monitor production

Check the first production output where practical.

Step 11 — Conduct quality inspection

Verify the shipment against the approved specification.

Step 12 — Ship and retain records

Keep inspection reports, batch information, and the approved sample for future orders.

---

33. Custom Spunbond RFQ Template

Buyers can copy the following format when contacting manufacturers:

Product: Custom PP Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

Application: __________

Material: Virgin PP / Recycled PP

Structure: SS / SSS / Other

GSM: __________ g/m²

Width: __________ cm

Color: __________

Treatment: None / Hydrophilic / Hydrophobic / UV / Other

MD Tensile: __________

CD Tensile: __________

MD Elongation: __________

CD Elongation: __________

Roll Length: __________ m

Core Diameter: __________

Quantity: __________ tons

Number of Colors: __________

Printing: Yes / No

Destination: __________

Incoterm: __________

Required Delivery: __________

Required Documents: __________

Sample Required: Yes / No

Special Requirements: __________

Then ask the manufacturer to provide:

• Unit price

• MOQ

• Sample lead time

• Mass-production lead time

• Payment terms

• Packaging details

• Quality tolerance

• Relevant certificates/test reports

---

34. FAQ

What can be customized in spunbond nonwoven fabric?

Common customization options include GSM, width, color, raw material, SS/SSS structure, hydrophilic or hydrophobic treatment, UV resistance, mechanical properties, roll length, core size, and packaging.

What information should I provide when ordering custom spunbond fabric?

At minimum, provide the application, material, GSM, width, color, structure, quantity, destination, required treatment, roll configuration, and delivery requirements. For technical applications, include measurable performance requirements.

Is custom spunbond fabric more expensive?

It can be, depending on the customization. Special colors, unusual widths, small quantities, special treatments, narrow tolerances, and additional testing can all affect the final cost.

What is the MOQ for custom spunbond fabric?

There is no universal MOQ. It depends on the manufacturer, GSM, width, color, treatment, production setup, and quantity required. Always ask for the MOQ for your exact specification.

Should I request a sample before placing a bulk order?

Yes. A physical sample is strongly recommended for customized fabric, particularly when the material will be used in a new application or production process.

How do I make sure the bulk order matches the sample?

Create a written specification and keep an approved physical sample. Define tolerances for GSM, width, strength, color, and other critical properties. Then inspect production against those references.

Can I customize the color of spunbond fabric?

Yes. Many manufacturers can produce customized colors. For accurate color matching, provide a Pantone reference or physical sample and approve a production sample before bulk manufacturing.

Can spunbond fabric be customized for a specific application?

Yes. Manufacturers can often adjust material, GSM, structure, width, treatment, mechanical properties, and roll configuration according to the application. The feasibility depends on the manufacturer's equipment and production capabilities.

---

Conclusion

Ordering custom spunbond nonwoven fabric successfully is less about finding a supplier who says “yes” to every customization request and more about defining exactly what the finished product needs.

A reliable purchasing process is:

Application → Performance → Specification → RFQ → Sample → Testing → Approval → Production → Inspection → Shipment

The most important step is turning a vague requirement such as:

“I need strong 60 GSM fabric at a good price”

into a measurable specification covering:

material + structure + GSM + width + color + treatment + performance + roll configuration + quantity + quality tolerance.

Once those requirements are clearly documented, manufacturers can quote more accurately, buyers can compare suppliers more fairly, and future repeat orders become much easier to control.