IS DEADSTOCK FABRIC SUSTAINABLE?

What is Deadstock Fabric?

Deadstock fabric is old fabric that for one reason or another has not been able to sell.

This could be for a variety of reasons, but for fabric to be true deadstock and not just stock (we will get to that in a minute), the fabric needs to have been created specifically for a brand but not claimed for some reason.

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How Fabric Becomes Deadstock

There are two many reasons there is too much fabric in the world.

1. Brands order and place pre-orders for way more fabric than they actually need.

2. The factory messes up the fabric, so the brand rejects it and demands new undamaged goods.

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Where Deadstock Fabrics Go

Many brands falsly believe they are nobily saving these disgarded fabrics from going to the landfill.

They are not…

But what normally happens is that they will be sold to a jobber. AKA a fabric middle man, who will buy the fabrics at a discount, and then resell them for a small profit.

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Stock VS Deadstock

As we know, deadstock fabric is fabric that was produced for a brand – but for one reason or another, the brand no longer wants it.

Stock fabric is extra fabric that the mill produces because they know that one day they will be able to sell it.

Both are extra fabric – but one is actual waste (deadstock), and one is not (stock).

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Is It Greenwashing?

If you can get real deadstock, it’s sustainable.

But the problem is that verifying deadstock vs stock fabrics is extremely hard.

So, many brands that think they are saving the planet are actually unknowingly buying into a system of overproduction.

Deadstock Benefits

1. Great for small brands who need low MOQs

2. If verified is actually good for the environment

3. Boosts creativity because brands must work with what they can get, not what they want

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Cons of Deadstock

1. Has created a system of overproduction.

2. Scaling is difficult – once a fabric is gone, it’s gone forever.

3. Poor quality – fabrics may have been rejected because of damages.

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Where to But Deadstock Fabrics

If you want to know where to buy deadstock fabrics, you’ll have to read the article!

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click on over to the beginner fashion startup guide...

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