Knit Fabric Manufacturer Since 2009 · China
WAFFLE KNIT · FABRIC SOURCING
Waffle Knit Fabric Manufacturer
Runtang Textile manufactures waffle knit fabrics for textured T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, shorts and lounge sets. Choose polyester/cotton, cotton/polyester, pure cotton or stretch waffle in light to heavy weights. Stock orders start at 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour; custom colours start at 200 kg per colour.
13 fabrics online · Explore the details
Collection & Ordering at a Glance
Waffle Knit Fabric for apparel brands, garment manufacturers and fabric sourcing teams.
- Stock MOQ
- From 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour
- Custom MOQ
- From 200 kg per colour
- Lab dip
- 3–5 working daysHow lab dips work
- Bulk production
- 15–25 days
- Payment
- T/T · L/C
- Trade terms
- FOB · CIF · DDP
- Inspection
- 4-point system (ASTM D5430), every roll
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Explore Our Waffle Knit Fabrics
Explore our online waffle knit range, backed by a library of 152 options.
Item No.
GG14004
- Composition
- 25% cotton / 75% polyester
- Weight
- 200 GSM
- Width
- 66.9″ (170 cm)
Item No.
GG2193
- Composition
- 35% cotton / 63% polyester / 2% spandex
- Weight
- 200 GSM
- Width
- 66.9″ (170 cm)
Item No.
GG14005
- Composition
- 82% nylon / 18% spandex
- Weight
- 210 GSM
- Width
- 59.1″ (150 cm)
Item No.
GG2239
- Composition
- 95% polyester / 5% spandex
- Weight
- 250 GSM
- Width
- 57.1″ (145 cm)
Item No.
GG14008
- Composition
- 72% viscose / 23% nylon / 5% spandex
- Weight
- 280 GSM
- Width
- 61″ (155 cm)
Item No.
GG14001
- Composition
- 43% cotton / 2% spandex / 55% polyester
- Weight
- 360 GSM
- Width
- 63″ (160 cm)
Item No.
GG14006
- Composition
- 50% cotton / 50% viscose
- Weight
- 360 GSM
- Width
- 68.9″ (175 cm)
Item No.
GG14007
- Composition
- 65% viscose / 28% nylon / 7% spandex
- Weight
- 380 GSM
- Width
- 61″ (155 cm)
Item No.
GG2202
- Composition
- 97% polyester / 3% spandex
- Weight
- 400 GSM
- Width
- 61″ (155 cm)
Item No.
GG2203
- Composition
- 97% polyester / 3% spandex
- Weight
- 400 GSM
- Width
- 61″ (155 cm)
| Item | Composition | Weight | Width | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG2149 | 100% polyester | 160 GSM | 59.1″ (150 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14004 | 25% cotton / 75% polyester | 200 GSM | 66.9″ (170 cm) | View specifications |
| GG2193 | 35% cotton / 63% polyester / 2% spandex | 200 GSM | 66.9″ (170 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14005 | 82% nylon / 18% spandex | 210 GSM | 59.1″ (150 cm) | View specifications |
| GG2239 | 95% polyester / 5% spandex | 250 GSM | 57.1″ (145 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14008 | 72% viscose / 23% nylon / 5% spandex | 280 GSM | 61″ (155 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14002 | 100% cotton | 320 GSM | 53.1″ (135 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14003 | 100% cotton | 320 GSM | 63″ (160 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14001 | 43% cotton / 2% spandex / 55% polyester | 360 GSM | 63″ (160 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14006 | 50% cotton / 50% viscose | 360 GSM | 68.9″ (175 cm) | View specifications |
| GG14007 | 65% viscose / 28% nylon / 7% spandex | 380 GSM | 61″ (155 cm) | View specifications |
| GG2202 | 97% polyester / 3% spandex | 400 GSM | 61″ (155 cm) | View specifications |
| GG2203 | 97% polyester / 3% spandex | 400 GSM | 61″ (155 cm) | View specifications |
Looking for More Waffle Knit Options?
Our fabric library includes 152 waffle knit options. Contact us for more compositions, weights and colours for your collection.
What Is Waffle Knit Fabric?
Waffle knit fabric has a grid of small recessed squares framed by raised lines, created by combining knit and tuck stitches. The cells trap a thin layer of air, so waffle feels warmer than a flat knit of similar weight and is often called thermal knit. The texture also hides creases and gives plain garments visual interest without a print. In our library, waffle and grid knits mostly weigh 200–315 GSM, with polyester/cotton and cotton/polyester blends as the largest groups and pure cotton for heavier sweatwear. Cell size changes the look: small cells read as a fine texture, larger cells as a bold grid. Waffle is less stretchy than rib, adds some bulk at seams, and large cells can distort on very close-fitting garments.
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Waffle Knit Fabrics by Composition
Cotton/polyester blends cover most of our waffle range; pure cotton and stretch blends serve sweatwear and activewear.
| Fabric type | Fabric examples | Apparel applications |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester/cotton and cotton/polyester waffle | 200–320 GSM, such as GG14004 (75% polyester / 25% cotton) at 200 GSM | T-shirts, polo shirts and streetwear tops |
| 100% cotton waffle | 250–320 GSM, such as GG14002 at 320 GSM | Sweatshirts, lounge sets, shorts and trims |
| Stretch waffle: nylon/spandex and polyester/spandex | 160–250 GSM, such as GG14005 (82% nylon / 18% spandex) at 210 GSM | Training tops, yoga tops and fitted tees |
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Waffle Knit Weights for Your Collection
Choose 160–210 GSM stretch waffle for training tops, 180–270 GSM for T-shirts and henleys, 210–280 GSM for polo shirts, and 250–330 GSM for sweatshirts, shorts and lounge sets. Heavier waffles up to 400 GSM are available online for structured pieces.
Below 200 GSM
1 qualities
200–299 GSM
5 qualities
300 GSM and above
7 qualities
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Waffle Knit vs Pique Knit and Ottoman Knit
All three are textured knits often chosen for polos and casual tops. Compare the shape of the texture and the body it gives.
| Feature | Waffle Knit | Pique Knit | Ottoman Knit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Square grid of recessed cells | Small raised honeycomb or diamond cells | Raised horizontal ridges |
| How it is made | Knit and tuck stitches | Tuck stitches on a single or double knit | Extra courses build up ribs across the width |
| Feel | Textured and warm | Crisp and breathable | Firm and structured |
| Typical weights in our library | 200–315 GSM | 200–280 GSM | 250–320 GSM |
| Typical garments | Tees, polos, sweatshirts and lounge sets | Polo shirts and casual tops | Dresses, skirts, trousers and tops |
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Waffle Knit Fabric Recommendations
Xiwen Zhang, our co-founder and CEO, recommends these waffle weights and blends for the casual and lounge pieces our customers develop most often, drawing on our knit fabric experience since 2009.
TEXTURE FOR EVERYDAY TOPS
Waffle T-Shirts & Henleys
- Weight
- 180–270 GSM
- Composition
- Polyester/cotton or cotton/polyester
- Hand feel
- Textured, light and warm
Read moreRead less — Waffle T-Shirts & Henleys
Choose 180–270 GSM waffle in polyester/cotton or cotton/polyester for T-shirts and henleys. A fine cell keeps the tee light for layering, while the texture makes a plain colour look considered.
A TEXTURED ALTERNATIVE TO PIQUE
Waffle Polo Shirts
- Weight
- 210–280 GSM
- Composition
- Polyester/cotton or cotton/polyester
- Hand feel
- Textured, with a crisp body
Read moreRead less — Waffle Polo Shirts
210–280 GSM polyester/cotton or cotton/polyester waffle works well for polo shirts. It offers a more relaxed, resort-style texture than classic pique, and the blend helps keep the collar and placket neat.
BOLD GRID, RELAXED FIT
Streetwear Tops
- Weight
- 230–320 GSM
- Composition
- Polyester/cotton or 100% cotton
- Hand feel
- Full, with a bold texture
Read moreRead less — Streetwear Tops
For oversized streetwear tops, start with 230–320 GSM waffle. Streetwear is the largest use for waffle in our library. A larger cell gives a boxy tee or overshirt a strong surface that photographs well.
WARMTH WITHOUT FLEECE
Sweatshirts & Lounge Sets
- Weight
- 250–330 GSM
- Composition
- 100% cotton or polyester/cotton
- Hand feel
- Soft, warm and textured
Read moreRead less — Sweatshirts & Lounge Sets
For sweatshirts and matching lounge sets, choose 250–330 GSM waffle, with pure cotton for a natural hand. The cells add warmth without the bulk of brushed fleece, which suits transitional seasons and loungewear.
TEXTURE FOR WARM DAYS
Waffle Shorts
- Weight
- 240–320 GSM
- Composition
- Polyester/cotton or 100% cotton
- Hand feel
- Textured and breathable
Read moreRead less — Waffle Shorts
For casual and lounge shorts, start with 240–320 GSM waffle, ideally matched to a waffle tee or polo for a coordinated set. The texture keeps shorts looking neat even in light colours.
LIGHT TEXTURE WITH STRETCH
Training & Yoga Tops
- Weight
- 160–210 GSM
- Composition
- Nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex
- Hand feel
- Light, stretchy and textured
Read moreRead less — Training & Yoga Tops
For training and yoga tops, start with 160–210 GSM stretch waffle in nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex. The texture lifts the fabric slightly off the skin, and the spandex keeps a fitted top comfortable during movement.
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Waffle Knit Fabric FAQs
What gives waffle knit its texture?
Waffle texture comes from combining knit and tuck stitches, which build raised lines around small recessed cells. The cell size, yarn and weight decide whether the grid looks fine or bold.
Is waffle knit warm?
Yes, for its weight. The cells trap a thin layer of air, so waffle feels warmer than a flat knit of the same GSM, though it is not as warm as brushed fleece. Choose 250–330 GSM for sweatshirts and lounge sets that need extra warmth.
Which waffle weight should I choose for T-shirts and polo shirts?
Most waffle T-shirt qualities in our library weigh 180–270 GSM, and polo shirts 210–280 GSM. Choose a finer cell for close-fitting tops and a larger cell for relaxed or oversized styles.
Which tests matter for waffle knit?
The raised cells take the abrasion, so pilling is the main line for waffle T-shirts, henleys and lounge sets; state the revolutions with the grade. 100% cotton waffle at 250–320 GSM also needs shrinkage in length and width, and the stretch waffle used for training tops adds perspiration fastness.
What is the minimum order quantity for waffle knit fabric?
Stock fabric orders start at 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour. Custom-colour orders start at 200 kg per colour.
Explore More Fabric Collections
Compare complementary fibres and knit constructions for your next apparel collection.
Waffle Knit Fabric Guides
Read practical guides to fibre blends, garment selection and knit construction.
