Thread count, GSM and weave: fabric terms for textile listings

Thread count is the number of warp and weft threads woven into one square inch of fabric. It belongs on sheets and pillowcases, where fine, tightly woven cloth feels smooth against the skin and holds its shape through repeated washing. It does not belong on towels.

The number can mislead. Two or three thin yarns twisted together may be counted as separate threads, so a high count can sit on a coarse cloth. Single-ply yarn from long-staple cotton usually feels better than a bigger number made from short fibre, so ask which one the listing describes.

Show thread count with ply and fibre. A listing that gives only a number invites a comparison that the number alone cannot support, and buyers then pick the biggest figure.

GSM means grams per square metre. It is the weight of the cloth, which is why it fits towels, blankets, bathrobes and curtains better than a count of threads ever could. A lighter towel dries quickly and packs small. A heavier one feels plush but dries slowly.

GSM alone says nothing about softness or absorbency. Yarn, pile length and finish matter too. A ring-spun combed towel and a coarse open-end towel can share the same GSM and still feel very different in the hand.

Give the weight, the yarn and the use. Gym, bath, beach and hand towels each want something different, so a use line helps buyers who have no idea what a heavy towel should weigh.

Weave describes how threads cross. Percale is a plain weave, one thread over and one under, which feels crisp and cool and shows a clear grid when held to the light. Sateen floats threads on the surface for a smooth, slightly warm hand and a soft drape. Twill gives a diagonal rib that hides marks. Terry, waffle and jacquard are different again.

Fibre blend is the second field. Cotton, linen, polyester microfibre and bamboo viscose behave differently in heat, wash and wear. List each fibre with its share of the content, as the care label would, and use the plain fibre name rather than a marketing word.

Labelling rules for fibre content differ by country. Check the rule for each market you sell into, and keep the supplier’s test report on file in case a marketplace asks to see it.

Buyers fear two things in a new set: dye that stains the rest of the wash, and a fitted sheet that stops fitting after one cycle. Both can be answered with fields instead of adjectives.

Colour fastness has several parts. Wash fastness covers bleeding in water. Crocking covers dye that rubs off on skin or furniture. Light fastness matters most for cushion covers placed near a window, where afternoon sun fades what the washing machine never touched. Quote the mill’s test grades as given.

Shrinkage is the other half. State whether the cloth is pre-washed, the care temperature to use and the size change a buyer should expect after washing, stated in centimetres or as a tolerance. Add a first-wash note, such as washing dark colours apart.

A bedsheet record needs set size, the mattress depth the fitted sheet covers, thread count, ply, weave, fibre and pillowcase count. A towel needs GSM, yarn, size and use. A cushion cover needs cover size, insert size, closure type, fabric weight, washability and a note on whether the zip is hidden or exposed on the back.

Fill the same fields for every item. A blank tells the shopper nothing, while a field marked not stated tells them the seller does not know. Ask suppliers to complete these fields before accepting a new line.

Pick your three best-selling items today. Fill every field from the supplier’s spec sheet, and write down the ones you cannot fill. That list becomes your first supplier request.