Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
A wholesale thread order starts with three pieces of information: which fabrics you sew, which seams you use and how many items you will produce. From these, the type and weight of thread, the number of colours and the consumption in metres are calculated, and from there the number of cones. Send this information to the manufacturer together with the colour references and ask for samples before starting production.
Who buys thread wholesale
Wholesale buyers are CMT garment factories, clothing brands with their own production, home textile manufacturers, upholstery and footwear factories, ateliers, sewing schools and haberdashery traders. Their needs differ, but one thing is common: the thread must be consistent in quality and colour from delivery to delivery.
Step 1: define the types of thread
Make a list of the main groups you use:
- sewing threads for lockstitch and chainstitch – usually polyester ticket 120 or 100;
- overlock threads – spun or textured polyester on large cones;
- threads for visible seams – heavier, ticket 40–20;
- special threads – cotton, embroidery, technical.
Combine articles wherever possible. If two styles can be sewn with the same thread, there is no need for two articles in the warehouse. The core range is in sewing threads, and for natural fabrics in cotton threads.
Step 2: calculate consumption
Thread consumption depends on the type of seam, the thickness of the fabric and the number of stitches per centimetre. Technologists use consumption ratios – how many metres of thread are needed per metre of seam for each stitch type. As a guide:
| Seam type | Relative consumption |
|---|---|
| Lockstitch | lowest |
| Chainstitch | higher |
| 3-thread overlock | high |
| 4-thread overlock | higher |
| 5-thread safety stitch and coverstitch | highest |
Measure the length of each seam in the style, multiply by the ratio for the stitch type and add them up. Add a reserve for threading, breaks and colour changes. The exact ratios are provided by thread and machine manufacturers, and the most reliable way is to measure the consumption on a trial garment.
Step 3: choose the colours
- Core colours – white, black, navy, grey, beige – are ordered in larger quantities and kept permanently.
- Seasonal colours – according to the collection, ordered for the specific style.
- Colours matched to a sample – when an exact match with the fabric is needed; send a piece of fabric or a Pantone reference.
Record colours using the numbers from the manufacturer's colour card, not descriptions. That way the repeat order will be accurate.
Step 4: choose the put-up
Wholesale threads come on cones of different lengths. Large cones are more economical for mass sewing and overlocking. Small spools are convenient for ateliers, samples and rare colours. Consider the type of thread stands on your machines and how quickly you use up a given colour.
What to include in the inquiry
- Type of items and fabrics.
- Types of seams and machines.
- Desired fibre and weight (ticket or tex), if you know them.
- A list of colours with references or samples.
- Approximate quantities or number of items.
- Desired delivery date and address.
- Whether you need samples for testing.
Why samples are essential
A sample is the cheapest insurance. It shows whether the thread runs smoothly on your machines, whether the colour matches the fabric in daylight and how the seam behaves after washing. Test the sample on the real fabric, on the real machine and at the real line speed.
What the price of wholesale thread depends on
The price is not fixed and is determined by several factors: the fibre (polyester, cotton, polyamide, special), the construction (spun, core-spun, filament, bonded), the weight, the length on the cone, the colour (standard or matched to a sample) and the quantity. For an accurate quote, send a quote request with the details above. Minimum quantities depend on the article.
Common mistakes when ordering thread wholesale
- ordering on price alone, without a machine trial;
- mixing batches of one colour in one production run;
- too many articles with almost identical parameters;
- too much stock of rare colours, which ages in the warehouse;
- no article and colour recorded in the tech pack.
Delivery planning
Link thread orders to the production plan. Keep core colours with a minimum buffer, and order seasonal colours for the specific collection. Good communication with the manufacturer allows you to order more often and in smaller quantities without the risk of stopping the line.
Seasonality and lead times
The peaks in garment production – preparing the autumn-winter and spring-summer collections – also put pressure on thread producers. Send inquiries for new colours and articles early enough, especially if matching to a sample is required. Core colours you use all year round can be ordered at regular intervals, for example every month, according to actual consumption in the previous period. This keeps the warehouse small and the line never stops for lack of thread.
Documentation and traceability
When working with brands and large clients, traceability of materials is often required. Keep the invoices, the cone labels with the batch number and the approved samples. If the client has requirements for composition, colour fastness or special certificates for a specific style, state them in the inquiry so that you receive accurate information about the available options.
Wholesale thread from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags with over 30 years of experience, large stock and delivery across the EU. In the threads category you will find sewing, cotton, embroidery and technical threads. Send a request for a quote and samples via the contact page – we will help you with the specification and colour selection.
