Turkey is one of Europe’s most established sources for knitted apparel. Geography, a deep yarn and fabric supply chain, and decades of export experience make it possible to develop a knitted program quickly and produce it consistently. KARSAN TEKSTİL, a Turkish OEM/ODM apparel manufacturer with 30 years of experience, produces knitted and woven collections for brands in more than 13 export markets.
This guide explains what knitted apparel manufacturing actually involves, where cost comes from, and how to plan a program that samples and ships without surprises.
Key takeaways
- Knitted apparel covers jersey, rib, fleece and seamless constructions — each with different machinery and minimums.
- Cost is driven by yarn, fabric weight, dyeing, finishing and trims, not by sewing time alone.
- A complete tech pack is the single biggest factor in fast, accurate sampling.
- Turkey offers short transit times to the EU and a mature fabric supply base for both basic and fashion knits.
What knitted apparel manufacturing includes
A knitted program usually sits in one of five product families: activewear and seamless, t-shirts and tops, sweatshirts and hoodies, loungewear and pyjamas, and kids and babywear. Each family uses different fabric weights, stitches and finishing routes.
Seamless programs are knitted as a tube and need dedicated machines. Fleece programs need brushing and a heavier yarn count. Jersey programs are the most flexible: they can be piece-dyed, garment-dyed, printed or finished with a soft-hand wash. Deciding the family early tells you which line the order will run on and which minimums apply.
Where the cost comes from
Buyers often compare knitted quotes on sewing price alone. In practice, the fabric usually represents the largest share of the cost. Four variables move the number most:
- Yarn: combed cotton, organic cotton, recycled polyester and blends carry different prices and lead times.
- Weight: a 180 gsm jersey and a 320 gsm fleece are different products with different costs.
- Colour: lab dips, dye lots and the number of colours per style all add setup time.
- Finishing: garment dye, enzyme wash, brushing, printing and embroidery each add a step.
Order size spreads fixed costs. A small run of a complex style can cost more per unit than a large run of a basic — the fabric and setup are the same, but the volume is not.
Sampling and approvals
Sampling normally runs through a proto sample, a fit sample and a pre-production sample. Fabric and trim approvals — lab dips, strike-offs, zippers, drawcords and labels — move in parallel. The most common delay is a tech pack that leaves measurements, fabric weight or artwork open to interpretation.
A complete pack includes a technical drawing, points of measure, grade rules, fabric and trim specifications, colour references, label placement and packing requirements. With that in hand, a first proto typically takes one to two weeks depending on fabric availability.
Quality control and export
Production is checked inline and again at final inspection before packing. Measurements, seam strength, colour continuity and labelling are verified against the approved sample. Export documentation, carton marking and shipping mode are agreed before bulk starts, not after.
FAQ
What is the difference between knitted and woven apparel?
Knitted fabrics are built from interlocking loops, so they stretch and recover — jersey, rib, fleece and seamless constructions. Woven fabrics are interlaced, so they hold structure — poplin, twill, linen and canvas. The construction decides which factory, machinery and finishing line an order needs.
What is a typical MOQ for knitted apparel in Turkey?
MOQ depends on fabric type, colour count and construction. Basic jersey styles usually start lower than custom jacquard or garment-dyed programs. Send your style, target quantity and colour plan and we will confirm the exact minimum for your fabric.
How long does knitted apparel sampling take?
A first proto usually takes one to two weeks after a complete tech pack and approved fabric are in place. Fit rounds, lab dips and print approvals add time. Planning them in parallel keeps the critical path short.
Start with a tech pack
Send a technical drawing, target quantity and reference sample to request a production quote. You can also see recent knitted and woven styles or read more about our production setup.