Shrinkage is often misunderstood as a simple laundry mishap—but for fashion brands, it’s a product integrity risk that affects fit, longevity, and customer trust. Despite the fact that consumers may attribute poor care to the supplier, the underlying issue frequently arises earlier in the supply chain. At Deepwear, we help brands manage shrinkage from the fabric roll to final garment inspection through expert sourcing, standardized testing, and precise production oversight.
In this blog, we’ll talk about:
- What causes fabric shrinkage
- The various kinds of shrinkage and how they act
- How laundering contributes to fabric distortion
- How to test and control material-specific shrinkage
- Why designer clothing calls for extra caution
How to deal with shrinkage during production What is Fabric Shrinkage?
Fabric shrinkage refers to the dimensional change a textile undergoes after washing, drying, or exposure to heat and moisture. When fibers are stretched under tension while weaving or knitting, they relax back into their original state when they are exposed to water, heat, or mechanical action. The Wider Perspective For fashion brands, uncontrolled shrinkage can lead to poor garment fit, increased product returns, and erosion of customer trust and brand credibility. A carefully tailored silhouette can be significantly distorted by even a 2–3% dimensional change, rendering standard sizing unreliable. Because of this, shrinkage is not just a problem after a purchase; rather, it is a production issue that must be anticipated and managed from the very first roll of fabric. In our guide “Natural vs. Synthetic?,” you can learn more about fabric behavior and sourcing strategies.
A Sourcing Guide to Misunderstood Fabrics”
How can fashion brands prevent fabric shrinkage in 2025 and what causes it? In 2025, shrinkage in fashion production continues to pose a serious risk to garment fit, longevity, and customer satisfaction—especially in designer or technical apparel.
Common causes include:
Relaxation shrinkage from release of fabric tension after weaving/knitting
Progressive shrinkage from repeated washing
Felting shrinkage due to moisture, heat, and agitation in animal fibers
Other triggers include improper laundering, excessive heat, harsh detergents, and mechanical stress.
Deepwear assists brands in applying a multi-step procedure to control shrinkage: Fabric shrinkage testing using ISO 6330 or AATCC 135 protocols
Strategic fabric sourcing for dimensional stability
Pattern corrections based on lab data
Simulations from the real world and compatibility checks Controlling fabric shrinkage must be incorporated into sourcing, testing, and fit engineering from the beginning, regardless of whether you are producing couture or basics. The outcome? Fewer returns, better brand trust, and garments that fit as intended.
Types of Shrinkage (and Why They Matter in Sourcing)
Knowing how each type of shrinkage functions enables brands to make better sourcing decisions and avoid costly fit issues. This necessitates early consideration of relaxation shrinkage, progressive shrinkage, and felting shrinkage.
1. Shrinkage in Relaxation
This most common form occurs when tension from weaving or knitting is released during the first wash.
Unless pre-treated, fibers like cotton, rayon, and woven linen collapse slightly, frequently by several percent. Before cutting patterns, fabrics must be pre-shrunk or sanforized.
2. Progressive Shrinkage
due to fiber swelling and entanglement, which occurs gradually over multiple wash cycles. Common with wool, viscose, and other protein-based or semi-synthetic fibers.
Special blends or finishes are needed to maintain shape over time.
3. The shrinkage of felt Specific to animal hair fibers such as wool
Micron-sized fiber scales become irreversibly entangled when they are subjected to heat, moisture, and friction, resulting in felting and shrinkage that cannot be reversed. Avoiding felting often requires specialized finishes like superwash treatment.
What Really Causes Shrinkage (Beyond Just the Fabric)
While fiber type and fabric construction play a major role, shrinkage is often the result of what happens after the fabric leaves the loom—particularly during washing and drying. Many brands overlook this stage, but it’s where the most damage can occur if not properly accounted for.
Key Shrinkage Triggers in Laundering:
Incorrect water temperature: Hot water causes fibers—especially natural ones—to contract.
High heat during drying: Heat exposure can drastically shrink untreated fabrics.
Mechanical agitation: Harsh movements in washing machines can entangle fibers, especially wool and viscose.
Mechanical stress is added by fast spin and extraction speeds, particularly in blends. Chemical dosing: Harsh or excessive detergents can strip finishes or cause uneven shrinkage.
Improper rinsing: Residue left behind can continue to affect fabric behavior post-drying.
If laundered in the wrong conditions, even fabrics that have been pre-treated or blended for stability can still shrink. That’s why reliable shrinkage control requires considering not just the fiber—but also the end-use and care instructions.
Why Designer Garments Are Especially at Risk
A garment’s tolerance for unexpected dimensional changes decreases with its complexity. This makes designer and high-end pieces particularly vulnerable.These garments are built with intention. Whether it’s a sculptural silhouette, a fluid drape, or a sharp tailored edge, the final product relies on consistency in fit and proportion. Even a 2% shrinkage variation can throw off alignment between panels, distort embellishments, or affect the flow of the fabric—all of which compromises the original design.
Unlike standard basics, designer pieces often involve:
A mix of contrasting fabrics in one piece—like structured cotton paired with fluid silk
precision shaping and tailored cuts that require millimeter accuracy surface embellishments, dyes, and trims that respond differently to heat, moisture, or agitation. Stringent aesthetic standards, where visible puckering or asymmetry isn’t just a flaw—it’s a dealbreaker
While “handle with care” or “dry clean only” may be written on care labels, the actual protection begins much earlier, during patternmaking, construction, and fabric testing. If each material hasn’t been stabilized under realistic conditions, even a well-cut garment can lose its form after the first clean.
In collections where brand value is built on craftsmanship and consistency, a mismatch in shrinkage between fabric panels or lining layers can lead to visible warping, puckering, or outright garment rejection.
For designer and technical garments, Deepwear places an emphasis on early-stage testing and cross-fabric prototyping. We can help brands catch and correct shrinkage issues before the first piece goes into production—because in luxury fashion, precision is everything.
