How to Tell Real Raw Silk Fabric From Cheap Substitutes Before You Order Wholesale

Raw silk fabric has a textured, slightly irregular surface that sells well in boutique capsule collections, but that same texture makes it easy to fake. Before you commit to a bulk order or buy silk fabric by the yard for sampling, here is what to look at.

Check the slub and the hand, not just the photo

Real raw silk shows natural slubs: small thicker places in the yarn that run irregularly across the width. They should vary in size and spacing. Perfectly uniform bumps usually mean a synthetic slub yarn was woven in. Ask for a swatch, hold it against a light, and look at the back as well as the face. The hand should feel dry and slightly crisp, softening with handling, not slick or glassy.

One quality cue worth checking is the weft density at the selvedge. A tightly set edge with no loose picks tells you the mill controls tension, which matters when you cut garments. A common mistake is judging raw silk by shine alone. Buyers order mulberry silk fabric wholesale expecting a mirror finish, then reject good raw silk because it is matte. Raw silk is meant to look soft and slightly uneven.

Ask weight and shrinkage questions before you order

Ask for the weight in momme or GSM, and confirm whether the fabric is degummed or still gummed. Gummed raw silk is stiffer and heavier, and it behaves differently after washing. Request a shrinkage figure from the mill's own testing, not a general claim. Then wash your sample the way your customer will and measure again.

Also ask how the fabric is folded and rolled for export. Creases set into raw silk during shipping can be hard to press out, and that affects how the fabric photographs for your listings.

We are a silk manufacturer and wholesale supplier, and we handle bulk orders and custom work for boutiques and brand owners. If you are comparing raw silk options, send us your weight and finish requirements and we will quote from there.

Related reading: What to Check in a Silk Eye Mask Sample Before Placing a Wholesale Order · How to Sell a Mulberry Silk Pillowcase: Hair and Skin Benefits Buyers Can Actually Verify

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