Don't Panic About Shrinkage—Here’s What You Need to Know
Shrinkage. Yep, it’s one of those words that sends a chill down the spine of every sportswear manufacturer. But here's the truth: shrinkage is normal, and if you know how to handle it, it doesn’t need to be a big deal.
If you’ve ever had a customer complain that their top shrank after the first wash, you’re not alone. But before we go pointing fingers, let’s break it down.
What Is Shrinkage in Garment Production?
Shrinkage (or fabric shrink) happens when the fibers in your fabric relax or get smaller after printing, pressing, washing, or even dyeing. It can cause a garment to get smaller uniformly, or one way or worse still get wider and shorter, or narrower and longer. It can make your finished garment a different size all together than what you had planned. l—yikes!
But here’s the good news: there is an understanding that a small amount of shrinkage (up to 5%) is totally industry standard. That means, even though the fabric gets a little smaller, it’s expected. But it is best to be aware to make the decision for you and your brand to avoid reworks
That said, if you're serious about quality, there are smart ways to control it from the very start.
Shrinkage Happens—But You Can Plan for It
Think of shrinkage like wrinkles in a shirt—it’s annoying, but fixable. In professional sampling, we treat the fabric just like in real production. We test it, make it, wash it, press it, dry it, and measure it again.
We’re basically trying to predict how the fabric will behave—so you don’t get any nasty surprises later on.
If your fabric is prone to shrink , we might pre-wash or scale up the pattern to adjust. That way, your garment fits even after the first few washes.
Why Sportswear Manufacturers Should Care About Shrinkage
Let’s say you’re printing sublimated team jerseys or polos for a corporate event. If the garments shrink by 3% and suddenly the sleeves feel tight or the length is off—you’ve got a problem.
This can happen in natural fibers and synthetics but is prone to happen in jersey fabrics which is the majority of sportswear.
That small shrinkage can cause returns, refunds, and unhappy clients. And for a business owner who’s watching the clock and budget, this is a big headache.
By dealing with shrinkage during the sampling process, you can save time and money. No redos. No wasted material. Just reliable, consistent fits that keep your clients coming back.
The Pattern Room Process: Where Shrinkage Gets Handled
Here’s where the magic happens. In your sampling process, we suggest you go through a checklist to manage shrinkage like pros:
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Fabric Test – Cut a small piece (say 10x15cm), steam it and put it through the calendar press it to see how much it shrinks.
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Check if this has shrunk the shape and the % it has shrunk by- Scale the pattern up by this amount
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First Garment Sample – Make a sample, and measure it once it has been finished against the spec. Then wash it like your customer would, and measure it again.
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Pattern Adjustment – If there’s any major shrinkage after it has been made and after the garment has been washed then you will need to adjust the pattern again.
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Wash House Prep – For production, you can pre-wash all garments before sending out to the client if further shrinkage has happened after the first wash.
This is how we keep shrinkage from wrecking your range. And yep, we do this for every pattern in our catalogue so you don’t have to.
Common Fabrics That Shrink (And Ones That Don’t)
Not all fabrics are created equal. Some are drama queens, and others are chill. Here's a quick list:
|
Fabric Type |
Shrinkage Risk |
|
Hemp |
High |
|
Cotton |
Moderate to High |
|
Bamboo |
Moderate |
|
Polyester |
Moderate |
|
Spandex Blends |
Moderate |
Pro tip: If you’re mixing different fabrics in one garment, test how they shrink together. One might shrink while the other doesn’t—causing twisted seams and a weird fit.
Pre-Shrunk Labels: Are They Worth It?
Ever see a garment labelled “pre-shrunk”? That means it's already been washed during production to take care of the shrinkage upfront.
If this is already in your production process through garment dying then it’s peace of mind for both you and your customers.
If you’re selling gear to elite teams or corporate clients, pre-shrunk can be a selling point. Just another way to show your product is top-notch.
How Our Pattern Catalogue Helps You Manage Shrinkage
Here’s the cool part: all our DXF and Ai patterns are easy to scale once you know what the shrinkage is. Both programs have an easy scale option in both X and Y axis. Shrinkage is not something we can do for you or factor into a pattern as all fabrics work in different ways.
But whether you're making compression tights, polos, hoodies, or board shorts—we’ve got your back. Our patterns are ready in 48 hours or less, no matter where you live.
And because they’re easy to use through this process, you won’t waste time or money fixing fit issues after production. That’s a win.
Final Tips to Beat Shrinkage
To wrap up, here are a few takeaways to help you manage shrinkage like a pro:
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Always sample first—never skip this step.
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Don’t trust “shrink-proof” claims on fabrics without testing.
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Check how blended fabrics behave together.
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If in doubt, scale the pattern slightly up.
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Use tested patterns (like ours) to skip the guesswork on fit
Shrinkage isn’t a monster hiding under the bed—it’s just something to plan for. And once you do, you’ll have fewer returns, happier clients, and way more confidence in your product line.
Let’s Get You Started—No Shrink Surprises Here
If you’re ready to speed up production without sacrificing quality, check out our online pattern catalogue. Every pattern is fit-tested, graded patterns, and ready to go.
👉 Browse our catalogue now and get your first pattern in 48 hours!
Let’s keep your garments sharp, consistent and ready for action—no shrinkage stress allowed.
