Fabric prices become comparable only after GSM, usable width, currency, sales unit, finishing stage and commercial scope are aligned. A transparent conversion sheet should retain the original quotation, show every assumption and express offers on one usable-area or usable-length basis.
Start with a common comparison basis
A price per kilogram, a price per linear meter and a price per yard cannot be compared directly. Even quotations using the same unit may describe fabrics with different GSM, usable widths or finishing stages. The first step is to select one commercial basis and convert every offer to it.
Price per usable square meter is often a practical basis when constructions vary in weight or width. Price per linear meter can also work, but only when usable width is stated alongside it.
- Record the specified and actual GSM, including the permitted tolerance and whether the measurement applies before or after finishing.
- Use usable or cuttable width rather than nominal loom width. State whether selvedges, pin marks, coating edges or other unusable areas are excluded.
- Convert every quotation to the same unit, such as price per usable square meter or price per linear meter at an agreed usable width.
- Fix the comparison currency and record the exchange rate source and date if conversion is required.
- Compare equivalent fabric states and finishing routes. Greige, prepared-for-dyeing, dyed, printed, coated and performance-finished fabrics are not interchangeable price bases.
Normalize weight, width and unit
GSM determines how much material is contained in a square meter, while usable width determines how many square meters are supplied in each linear meter. A lower price per kilogram can therefore produce a higher price per linear meter if the fabric is heavier or wider.
The calculation should use the contracted finished GSM and finished usable width when buying finished fabric. Greige dimensions should only be used when all offers are genuinely for greige goods and later process loss is assessed separately.
- Kilograms per linear meter = GSM x usable width in meters / 1,000.
- Price per linear meter = price per kilogram x kilograms per linear meter.
- Price per usable square meter = price per kilogram x GSM / 1,000.
- For a quotation per linear meter, price per usable square meter = price per linear meter / usable width in meters.
- For yards and inches, convert both length and width to metric units before applying the calculation, or use one agreed conversion method throughout the comparison.
Treat usable width as a purchasing specification
Nominal width can overstate usable material. Selvedges, bowing, edge damage, tenter marks or coating margins may reduce the area available for conversion. Two fabrics sold at the same price per linear meter may therefore have different effective costs per cuttable square meter.
Width should be written into the comparison sheet as a measurable specification, not left as a description such as standard width or approximately 60 inches.
- State whether width is nominal, full width, between selvedges or cuttable width.
- Ask how width is measured and what tolerance applies across the roll and lot.
- Clarify whether selvedges can enter the marker. This may differ for garment cutting, home textile conversion, coating or lamination.
- Document expected relaxation, shrinkage or finishing loss if purchasing greige or prepared fabric for later processing.
Align currency, finishing and commercial scope
Currency conversion alone does not make quotations comparable. The conversion date matters, and an exchange-rate allowance may be relevant when the quotation validity and delivery period differ.
Finishing should be described by process stage, finish type and required performance specification. A quotation for dyed and compacted fabric should not be placed beside a greige quotation without adding the expected processing cost, process loss, rejection risk and logistics involved in conversion.
- Use one currency and record the exchange rate and conversion date.
- Confirm whether the unit is kilogram, linear meter, square meter, yard, pound, roll or piece.
- Separate base fabric cost from dyeing, printing, coating, brushing, peaching, raising, calendaring, compacting, heat setting, washing and other specified processes.
- List required performance finishes, such as water repellency, flame resistance, antimicrobial treatment or easy-care treatment, without assuming that similarly named finishes have equivalent chemistry or durability.
- Confirm the commercial basis, including Incoterm, packing, inspection, testing, duties, freight, banking charges and any taxes that are included or excluded.
Build a comparison sheet that can be audited
A comparison sheet should preserve both the supplier's original quotation and the buyer's normalized result. This avoids losing the assumptions behind a converted figure and makes later review easier.
The sheet should also note minimum order quantity, color minimum, small-lot surcharge, packing method, roll-length terms, quantity tolerance, quotation validity and lead-time basis. These may not belong inside the unit-price formula, but they can change the final sourcing decision.
- Supplier and quotation reference.
- Fabric construction, fiber composition and specification revision.
- Specified GSM, GSM tolerance and test condition.
- Nominal width, usable width and width tolerance.
- Fabric state and complete finishing route at quotation stage and delivery stage group, including any testing requirements tied to the finish specification and how related charges are handled commercially within the offer