Custom Fabric Printing Resources
Planning a custom fabric project starts with three things: choosing the right base fabric, preparing artwork at the correct size and resolution, and understanding how color will translate from screen to cloth. The resources below are designed to help you make those decisions before you order.
The Textile District prints custom fabric by the yard in the USA for apparel, quilting, home décor, upholstery, accessories, small-batch production, and other sewn products. Orders start at 1 yard, with volume pricing available for larger runs.
- Compare base fabrics, specifications & pricing
- Order the Ground Fabric Swatch Kit
- Explore the Custom Print Color Library
- Review file setup & repeat options
- Start a custom fabric order
Start with the Fabric
The same artwork can look and feel different depending on the fabric underneath it. Weight, weave, texture, drape, fiber content, and printable width all affect the finished result.
Ground Fabric Swatch Kit
Our Ground Fabric Swatch Kit includes a 5" x 5" unprinted sample of every base fabric we carry. Use it to compare hand, weight, texture, drape, weave, and overall suitability before ordering printed yardage.
For detailed fiber content, fabric weight, printable width, recommended uses, and current printed pricing, visit Our Fabrics.
Order the Ground Fabric Swatch Kit
Plan Color with Printed References
Custom Print Color Library
Color on fabric will not look exactly like color on a backlit screen. Fiber content, weave, surface texture, and surrounding colors can all affect how a printed color is perceived.
The Custom Print Color Library provides a printed reference for exploring saturation, undertones, and color relationships on fabric. It is especially useful when building coordinated palettes or when color is an important part of a custom project.
Shop the Custom Print Color Library
You can also view both sampling tools together in Design Tools.
Test Color & Scale Before a Larger Order
For projects where color, motif size, or placement is especially important, consider printing 1 yard on your selected base fabric before committing to a larger run. A test print lets you evaluate the actual color, scale, detail, and interaction between your artwork and the fabric surface.
The Ground Fabric Swatch Kit helps you choose the substrate. The Custom Print Color Library helps guide color decisions. A printed test yard is the best way to evaluate your own artwork on the actual fabric before larger production.
Prepare Your Artwork for Printing
Custom print files should be supplied print-ready and at the exact scale you want them printed. Before submitting artwork, confirm the following:
- Resolution: 300 DPI at final print size
- Color mode: RGB or Lab
- File format: TIFF or JPG
- Scale: Artwork should already be sized as you want it printed
- Repeats: Seamless repeat files should tile cleanly horizontally and vertically
- Panels: Engineered or placement prints must fit within the printable width of the selected base fabric
- Background color: Our base fabrics are white, so any colored background must be included in the artwork
We do not automatically resize or alter print files. If scale, repeat, or placement needs to change, include clear instructions or contact us before ordering.
Repeat Types at a Glance
The repeat style affects how a design moves across the fabric. Choose the layout that best suits the artwork and the finished project.
- Standard repeat: The design repeats directly across and down in an even grid.
- Half-drop repeat: Each vertical row is offset by half the repeat height for a more staggered flow.
- Half-brick repeat: Each horizontal row is offset by half the repeat width.
- Mirrored repeat: Artwork alternates by reflection to create a symmetrical repeat.
- Panel or placement print: Artwork is positioned as a defined panel rather than repeated continuously.
Before submitting a repeat file, check every edge carefully to confirm that it tiles cleanly. For panels and placement prints, confirm the finished dimensions against the printable width of your chosen fabric.
See illustrated repeat examples and file-preparation guidance
How Our Fabrics Are Printed
Cotton, linen, and natural-fiber blends are direct printed with fiber-reactive inks. After printing, the fabrics are steamed, washed, and dried as part of the finishing process, leaving them soft, colorfast, and ready to sew.
Polyester and synthetic fabrics are sublimation printed with fiber-reactive inks. Polyester Outdoor uses a special fiber-reactive ink that provides its water-repellent performance and 500+ hours of UV lightfastness.
Because fiber, weave, and surface texture influence printed color, we recommend testing or using our color and fabric sampling tools when exact color relationships are important.
Name Your Files Clearly
A consistent file name helps us match your artwork to the correct design, colorway, and order.
Recommended format:
Brand Name_Design Name_Color Name.tif
Use the same file name in the Special Instructions field when placing your order. If you are submitting multiple designs or colorways, give each file a distinct name that clearly identifies the artwork.
Ordering Custom Printed Fabric
When your artwork and fabric choice are ready:
- Choose the base fabric on the Print Custom Fabric page.
- Enter the yardage you want to print.
- Select the repeat type.
- Enter the print file name in the Special Instructions field and indicate whether it is a new file or a reprint.
- Complete checkout.
- Send your print-ready artwork separately through Dropbox or WeTransfer to info@thetextiledistrict.com.
Approved print files are stored for easier reordering, so unchanged files do not need to be resubmitted for future reprints.
Artwork Rights & Permissions
Please submit only artwork that you created or have permission to reproduce and print. By submitting a file for custom printing, you are responsible for confirming that you have the necessary rights to use the artwork.
Special Orders & Production Projects
Need help with a larger production run, a special substrate, multiple designs, engineered panels, or a project that falls outside a standard online order? Contact us with the project type, expected yardage, fabric requirements, and any special finishing or put-up needs.
Orders of 3 yards or more are shipped rolled to help prevent folds and creases. For qualifying production quantities, additional put-up and special-order options may be available.
Need Help Before You Order?
If you are unsure about fabric selection, printable width, artwork scale, repeat setup, or color, it is better to resolve those questions before the file goes to production.