Resources · Fabric Guide
Fabric Guide
Most swimwear is made from one of two fabrics — nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex. Here is what they are, how they differ, and how to specify fabric for your order.
Key fabric attributes
These are the attributes we check first when confirming a fabric — and the details to send us if you are specifying one.
- CompositionNylon or polyester blended with spandex (elastane). Spandex provides stretch and shape recovery — around 15–18% is typical for swimwear.
- WeightStandard swimwear fabric is about 200 GSM. Most styles work at 200 GSM; lighter or heavier options (roughly 180–230 GSM) are possible depending on the design.
- Knit structureWe mainly use warp-knit swimwear fabric — it stretches evenly and keeps its shape through wear and washing.
- StretchSwimwear should have four-way stretch (length and width) so it moves with the body and recovers its shape.
- SurfaceOur standard finish is matte. Other surfaces — slight shine, peach-skin or textured — are available on request.
- PerformanceColor fastness to chlorine, sunlight and sweat, plus shrinkage and pilling, can be confirmed to standard test methods when your market requires it. Request a test report
Common swimwear fabrics
Two fabrics cover most swimwear programs — around 80–90% of what we produce. Both are matte, around 200 GSM and available in a wide range of solid colors.
| Fabric | Composition | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon / spandex | 82% nylon, 18% spandex | Solid colors | Soft hand feel and good recovery, with hundreds of in-stock colors. Not used for sublimation prints. |
| Polyester / spandex | 85% polyester, 15% spandex | Prints and solid colors | Better chlorine and sunlight resistance, holds prints well, and is usually a little cheaper than nylon. |
How to choose: pick nylon/spandex for solid colors and a softer, premium hand feel. Pick polyester/spandex for prints, or when durability and value matter most — see the color & print guide for how each fabric prints.
See the fabric in motion
Specs are useful — but seeing the fabric stretched and held in the hand tells you more. This clip shows the four fabric variations we use for swimwear — nylon and polyester blends, each in matte and shiny finishes — under a hand-stretch test.
Watch how far each one stretches, how quickly it recovers, and how the surface differs up close — matte stays muted, while shiny finishes catch the light.
Special fabrics
Eco-friendly fabrics, spandex-free options, premium imported fabrics and jacquard or textured fabrics are usually made to order rather than held in stock.
- Eco-friendly and spandex-free fabrics — generally not stocked. Suppliers may only carry greige goods (undyed fabric), and custom dyeing has a high minimum — see the color guide.
- Premium imported fabrics (e.g. Italian mills such as Carvico, Eurojersey Sensitive®, Iluna and Penn Italia) — sourced from abroad, so the cost is significantly higher. Domestic near-matches exist but are also made to order.
- Jacquard and textured fabrics — not stocked, but we keep color cards and small samples of common styles; available colors are not always fixed.
Need a specific fabric? We can source it for you — see our fabrics & trims sourcing page.
How to specify
Tell us the composition, weight (GSM), knit structure, stretch and surface you need, and send a color reference. If you already have a physical reference, sending us a swatch or sample swimsuit is the fastest and most accurate way to match it — images help, but they cannot replace a physical sample.
Stock fabrics can be confirmed quickly. Special fabrics usually need to be ordered, which affects minimums and lead time — we will confirm what is possible before you commit.
Common questions
Why don't you use cotton for swimwear?
Cotton absorbs water, holds it against the skin and loses its shape when wet. Swimwear fabrics are quick-drying and stretchy with good recovery — that is why nylon and polyester blends with spandex are the standard.
Nylon or polyester — which should I choose?
For solid colors and a softer hand feel, choose nylon/spandex. For prints, or when chlorine/sunlight resistance and value matter most, choose polyester/spandex.
Do you keep fabric in stock?
Our standard fabrics are stocked in a wide range of solid colors. Special fabrics — eco, spandex-free, imported or textured — are usually made to order.
Can you print on nylon?
Sublimation printing works best on polyester, so nylon is mostly used for solid colors — see the color & print guide for details.
Are eco-friendly fabrics certified?
When your market requires certification, we can confirm what is available for the fabric you choose — ask us before production.
Ask about fabrics
Tell us what you need — we will help you specify or source it.