GREENTEX BLOG
How to Make Custom Printed Fabric: Small-Lot OEM & Bespoke, Explained by a Fabric Supplier
"We want our mascot or logo on fabric." "We want bags and novelties in an original pattern that fits our brand." — that's where custom printed fabric comes in. High plate fees and minimums of thousands of meters used to be the norm, but with digital printing you can now start small. Here's the whole process, explained from a fabric supplier's point of view.
What is custom printed fabric
Fabric made by printing your artwork (or a pattern drawn by a designer) directly onto cloth. It's widely used for corporate novelties, brand goods, OEM products, and limited fabrics for makers and small brands.
Why small lots are possible
Traditional screen printing needs a separate "plate" for every color — plate fees add up, so large lots were a given. Digital printing prints straight from your artwork data, which means —
- No plate fees — lower upfront costs.
- Almost no color limits — photos and gradients are fine.
- Small lots welcome — great for trials and limited editions.
Colors come out vivid, and fine details reproduce beautifully.
The production flow (bespoke)
- Consultation & quote — we discuss the use (bags? novelties? products?) and quantity.
- Artwork submission — formats and pattern repeat are explained at consultation; we help with adjustments.
- Fabric selection — chosen to match the use.
- Factory sample — a test print on the actual fabric.
- Sample check — color, pattern scale, and hand feel.
- Production & delivery — fully original from 100m, in about 2 months.
If you proceed to production, the sample is free of charge.
Which fabric should you choose?
- Bags and novelties that hold their shape → Oxford
- Shirts, small goods, all-around use → Sheeting
- Baby items and things worn against the skin → Double gauze
All are 100% cotton with excellent digital-print color.
Existing Taiwan patterns vs. fully bespoke
| Existing Taiwan patterns | Fully bespoke (your pattern) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lot | From 10m | From 100m |
| Lead time | About 2 months | About 2 months |
| Artwork | Not needed — just pick a pattern | Artwork data required |
| Best for | Small-lot novelties, trials, limited runs | Brand goods, OEM, volume production |
Want to start small? Choose an existing pattern. Want it fully yours? Go bespoke. Both are made to order with a lead time of about 2 months.
Taiwanese fabric is ~150cm wide | how it differs from Japanese fabric
Taiwanese print fabric typically comes about 150cm wide. A wider fabric lets you cut large pattern pieces in one piece — for womenswear, one meter can sometimes yield a whole garment — so cutting efficiency is excellent. In Japan, largely for handling and transport reasons, widths around 110cm in 36m rolls are common. Neither is better or worse: choose what fits what you're making and how you work. For bags with large panels, or volume production where you want to minimize cutting loss, the wide 150cm format really pays off.
Great for
Corporate novelties (eco bags, pouches, handkerchiefs), original brand goods, staff goods for shops, OEM fabric products (bags and sundries), and limited fabrics for makers and small brands.
Greentex custom printing
Greentex is the authorized Japanese distributor of Taiwanese original digital-print fabrics. A rich library of existing patterns by Taiwanese designers (from 10m), fully bespoke from 100m in about 2 months. The ~150cm width cuts efficiently, and we can deliver fabric as-is or handle finished-product OEM. Talk to us in Japanese or English — we coordinate directly with the factory in Taiwan.
Frequently Asked Questions: Custom Printing
Q1. What's the minimum order?
Existing Taiwan patterns from 10m; fully original bespoke from 100m.
Q2. How long does it take?
About 2 months for both existing patterns and bespoke (made to order).
Q3. Can I get a sample first?
Yes. Once the fabric is decided, the factory makes an actual sample for your approval before production. If you proceed to production, the sample is free of charge.
Q4. Which fabrics can you print on?
Mainly 100% cotton fabrics such as sheeting, oxford, and double gauze. We'll recommend one for your use.
Q5. Can you make finished products, not just fabric?
Yes — we also handle OEM for fabric products such as bags and sundries.
For custom printing, contact us via Custom Production or email (info@greentex.jp). See our FAQ as well.
