Materials & Fabrics · 3 min read · Buyer questions: Q0024
Same GSM, Different Jersey Prices: What Buyers Should Compare
The same stated fabric weight does not make two jersey quotations equivalent. Align the full specification, commercial scope and evidence before comparing unit prices.
The decision in one paragraph
GSM only describes fabric mass per unit area. It does not identify yarn, knit construction, finish, garment pattern, seam work, print process, trims, inspection, packaging or freight. To compare quotations, issue one controlled RFQ and require suppliers to declare every substitution and exclusion.
Why the same GSM can describe different offers
ASTM D3776 treats fabric mass per unit area as a measurement with defined sampling options. It does not turn GSM into a complete fabric grade. A supplier can quote the same nominal number while proposing a different yarn, knit density, finish, usable width, shade route or tolerance.
The garment can also differ after the fabric is chosen. Pattern efficiency, panel count, collar construction, seam type, personalisation, labels and quality controls all influence the delivered product and cost.
Build a like-for-like comparison
| RFQ field | Why it changes the quote | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Composition, structure, width, finish and tolerance affect sourcing and yield | Named swatch and written specification |
| Garment construction | Panels, collars, bindings and seams change labour and waste | Technical drawing and construction notes |
| Artwork | Coverage, number of marks and small detail affect setup and process | Final-size artwork placement |
| Sizes and quantity | Size mix changes consumption; price breaks depend on order structure | Quantity by style, colour and size group |
| Sampling and approval | Development samples and duplicate samples are separate work | Itemised sample route |
| QC and packing | Inspection scope, individual packing and labels add operations | Written inspection and packing plan |
| Freight and import | Incoterm and destination change landed cost | Named Incoterm, place and exclusions |
Send one controlled RFQ pack
Use one version-controlled pack for every supplier. Include a product drawing, measurement table, approved or target fabric, artwork positions, quantity by variant, packaging, inspection scope, destination and required arrival date. Ask each supplier to mark assumptions directly against it.
If a field remains open, label it “supplier proposal required” rather than leaving a blank that each supplier will interpret differently.
Normalise the price before selecting a supplier
Create a comparison column for unit price, development cost, sample cost, tooling or setup, labels, packing, inspection, freight, duties and taxes. Compare the same Incoterm and named place. Separate the confirmed amount from estimated or excluded costs.
A quote that includes a pre-production sample and independent inspection is not directly comparable with a quote that excludes both. The objective is to compare the same commercial result, not the shortest price line.
Control changes after the quotation
When fabric, artwork, size mix or packaging changes, ask for a revised quotation with a new version and a short change log. Do not approve a new price through an isolated chat message while the old specification remains attached to the order.
For KITRAVA projects, product MOQ, sample conditions and production timing remain order-specific. They belong in the written quotation and should not be inferred from a guide or a different style.
What to confirm for your project
- Same fabric reference and tolerance
- Same pattern, construction and artwork scope
- Quantity split by style, colour and size
- Itemised sample, label, packing and QC costs
- Same Incoterm and named destination
- Written list of substitutions and exclusions
Questions to carry into supplier review
- Is the fabric weight measured on the quoted swatch or copied from a catalogue?
- Does the price include names, numbers and sponsor marks?
- Which costs change if the final size mix differs from the RFQ?
Standards and primary references
These references support the comparison method. They do not certify a KITRAVA product, facility or test result.