I remember the day everything changed for us. It was 2018, and a young designer from Melbourne emailed me, practically begging for 50 meters of a specific organic cotton jersey. Every other mill she contacted wanted 3,000-meter minimums. She had $2,000 in savings and a dream. We said yes. Today, she orders 10,000 meters annually and has introduced us to a dozen other startups. That experience taught me that small orders aren't a hassle—they're an investment in future partners.
Fumao Fabric supports dropshipping and small-batch orders through dedicated low-MOJ programs, extensive stock service, integrated logistics, and technology platforms that make ordering seamless for businesses of any size. We've built systems specifically for entrepreneurs, designers, and small brands who need quality fabric without committing to container loads.
Let me walk you through exactly how this works. When I started in this industry 20 years ago, small brands had no chance with Chinese mills. Minimums were 10,000 meters, payment terms favored only big buyers, and shipping required freight forwarders and customs brokers. Today, that's completely changed—at least with the right partners. Understanding what's possible opens doors for businesses that couldn't exist a generation ago.
What low-MOJ programs does Fumao offer for small brands?
The biggest barrier for small brands has always been minimum order quantities. Traditional mills need large runs to justify setup costs. We've reengineered our entire operation to make smaller quantities viable—for us and for you.
Our stock service is the foundation. We maintain inventory of over 30,000 fabric designs across all categories—cottons, polyesters, blends, specialty fabrics—available for immediate cutting. Minimums start at 50 meters per color, sometimes less for sampling. You browse our catalog, select what you need, and we ship within days. No development costs, no waiting for production slots.
How does the stock service actually work for dropshippers?
Think of it as fabric-on-demand. You list our fabrics on your website or Etsy shop. When a customer orders, you place an order with us for that exact quantity. We cut, pack, and ship directly to your customer—often with your branding in the package. You never touch the inventory, never invest in stock, never worry about leftovers.
The system integrates with major e-commerce platforms. We provide product data, images, and inventory updates so your site always shows accurate availability. When a customer buys, the order automatically routes to our fulfillment system. We handle the rest.
In 2022, a Los Angeles-based print-on-demand startup integrated with our stock service for their sustainable activewear line. They offer 15 of our eco-friendly fabrics in 20 colors each—300 SKUs total—with zero inventory investment. Their Fumao Fabric dropshipping program for small brands customers order, we ship, and they focus on marketing and design. They've grown 300% in two years without ever warehousing a single yard of fabric.
What about custom fabrics in small quantities?
For custom developments, our minimums are higher but still accessible for growing brands. Simple custom colors on standard bases start at 500-1,000 meters. Complex custom developments with unique yarns or constructions might require 2,000-3,000 meters. These are fractions of traditional mill minimums.
We achieve this through flexible scheduling. Small custom orders run alongside larger production for other clients, sharing setup costs. We also offer "group buys" where multiple small brands coordinate orders for the same base fabric, each taking their own color or finish. This spreads setup costs across multiple buyers.
In 2023, we coordinated a group buy for six European brands all wanting custom colors on our bestselling organic cotton jersey. Each brand ordered 200-400 meters of their exclusive color. Together, they reached 2,000 meters, making the run viable. The small-batch custom fabric production at Fumao brands got exclusivity at small-brand quantities, and we built relationships with six growing companies instead of one large one. Everybody won.
How does Fumao handle logistics for small international orders?
Shipping used to be the nightmare for small orders. Freight forwarders don't want to talk to you for 50kg. Customs brokers charge minimums that eat your margin. Courier rates for fabric rolls are astronomical. We've built solutions for all of this.
The key is consolidation. We combine multiple small orders into full container loads for major destinations—US, UK, Germany, Australia—then break them down for final delivery. Your 30kg order travels as part of a 20-ton shipment, then gets handed to local courier for last-mile delivery. You pay a fraction of individual shipping costs.
What shipping options are available for different order sizes?
For urgent small orders under 20kg, we use express couriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Transit time 3-5 days worldwide, tracking included, delivered to your door or your customer's door. Rates are higher but predictable, and we pass through our discounted courier rates rather than marking up.
For larger orders (20-200kg), air freight becomes economical. We consolidate with other shipments, book space, and handle all documentation. Transit time 7-10 days. Costs typically 40-60% of express but faster than ocean.
For orders over 200kg, ocean freight LCL (less than container load) makes sense. Transit time 25-35 days depending on destination. We handle consolidation, customs documentation, and delivery to your local port or door. This is where costs drop dramatically—often 80% less than express for the same volume.
In 2021, a Toronto-based swimwear brand needed 150kg of our recycled nylon fabric urgently for a collection launch. Express courier would have cost $800. We consolidated with another client's shipment to Toronto, air-freighted the consolidated load, and Fumao Fabric international shipping for small orders their portion cost $220. They made their launch date with healthy margins intact.
How do you handle customs and duties for dropshippers?
This scares many small brands, but it's manageable with the right support. For shipments under $800 USD to the US, de minimis rules mean no duties or formal entry—just clearance and delivery. For larger shipments, we provide complete documentation: commercial invoices, packing lists, country of origin certificates, and detailed HTS codes so your broker can clear quickly.
We also offer DDP (delivered duty paid) service for many destinations. You pay us one all-in price, and we handle everything—shipping, duties, taxes, clearance, final delivery. Your customer receives the package with no additional charges, no customs forms to complete, no surprises.
For EU dropshippers particularly, DDP is essential because customs can hold packages if duties aren't prepaid. We've streamlined this for 15+ EU countries. Your customer gets their fabric when expected, not weeks later after customs drama. The customs and duties handling for fabric dropshipping peace of mind is worth the small service fee.
What technology platforms make ordering seamless for small brands?
We're not just a fabric mill—we're a technology company that happens to make fabric. Our digital platforms are designed specifically for small brands who need to order frequently, track easily, and manage their business without phone calls and emails.
Our website shows real-time inventory—what's in stock, how many meters available, when we'll replenish. No calling to ask "do you have this?" No ordering then finding out it's backordered. You see exactly what's available, reserve what you need, and checkout like any e-commerce site.
How does the sample program work for online ordering?
Sampling is critical for small brands because you can't afford mistakes. Our sample program lets you order up to 10 samples per month at nominal cost, with free shipping for sample orders over $50. Each sample is a minimum 30cm x 50cm—enough to see color, feel hand, test washing, even make a small garment.
Samples ship within 24 hours via express courier. You receive tracking immediately. Most samples arrive within 3-5 days worldwide. If you need larger samples for fitting, we offer "cutting samples" up to 5 meters at sample pricing.
The sample system integrates with your account. Fabrics you sample are saved in your favorites. When you're ready to order production quantities, you see your sampled colors and can reorder with one click. No searching, no remembering SKUs, no guessing if this is the same fabric you sampled.
In 2023, a Berlin-based startup ordered 47 samples over three months while developing their debut collection. The Fumao Fabric sample program for designers sampling cost them under $200 total—a fraction of what they'd have spent flying to trade shows or ordering from multiple suppliers. They made final selections confidently because they'd tested everything first.
What order tracking and account management tools are available?
Once you order, you're not left guessing. Your dashboard shows order status in real time—processing, cutting, packing, shipped. Tracking numbers automatically appear when available. Shipping documents download directly. Order history shows every purchase with reorder buttons.
For frequent buyers, we offer wholesale accounts with tiered pricing. Order history determines your tier—the more you buy, the better your prices. No negotiating, no calling sales reps. The system automatically applies your best price at checkout.
We also provide inventory alerts for fabrics you use regularly. When stock drops below your threshold, we email you. No running out unexpectedly, no last-minute scrambles. For a New York-based accessories brand making custom bags, this Fumao Fabric online ordering and tracking alert system prevented three stockouts in 2022 alone. They never missed a customer order because they knew when to reorder.
How does Fumao ensure quality for small batches that ship directly?
Quality concerns often stop small brands from sourcing internationally. "What if the fabric is wrong and I've already sold it?" It's a valid fear. We've built systems specifically to address it for small-batch and dropship orders.
Every order, regardless of size, passes through our QC process. Stock fabrics are inspected before entering inventory. When your order cuts, it's inspected again. For custom fabrics, each batch is tested in our CNAS-accredited lab before cutting and shipping. You receive test reports with your shipment.
What happens if quality issues occur with a dropship order?
Problems happen in any manufacturing business. The difference is how they're handled. Our guarantee is simple: if the fabric doesn't meet specifications, we replace it at our cost, including shipping both ways.
For dropship orders specifically, we maintain a dispute resolution process. If your customer complains about fabric quality, you submit photos and description. We evaluate within 24 hours. If it's our issue, we ship replacement immediately and cover your customer's return shipping if needed. You never pay for our mistakes.
In 2022, a UK-based dropshipper had a customer claim their fabric arrived with a dye streak. Photos showed a minor defect our inspection missed. We shipped replacement fabric same day, express courier, at our expense. The Fumao Fabric quality guarantee for dropshippers customer received it within 48 hours and became a repeat buyer. The cost to us was minimal; the value of protecting our client's reputation was enormous.
How do you maintain consistency across repeat small orders?
This matters for brands ordering the same fabric repeatedly. Will the color match last month's order? Will the hand feel be identical? We maintain lot traceability and batch retention specifically for small brands.
When you reorder a fabric, we check against your previous order's specifications. If the current production lot differs slightly from your previous lot, we notify you before cutting. You can approve the variation, wait for matching lot, or adjust your order. No surprises when fabric arrives.
For critical colors, we offer "cut from same dye lot" service. You order enough for projected needs, and we reserve that entire lot for you, releasing in segments as needed. All segments match perfectly because they're from the same dye batch.
A Melbourne-based swimwear brand uses this for their core colors. They order 1,000 meters of each color annually, stored in our warehouse, released in 200-meter increments as fabric consistency for repeat small orders from China needed. Every production run matches perfectly. They have no warehousing costs, no capital tied up in inventory, and guaranteed color consistency across their entire collection.
Conclusion
Fumao Fabric has spent years building systems specifically for small brands, dropshippers, and entrepreneurs who need quality fabric without traditional barriers. Our stock service offers 30,000+ fabrics with 50-meter minimums. Our logistics handle shipping from sample to full container. Our technology platforms make ordering as easy as Amazon. And our quality systems protect your reputation as if it were our own.
We believe that great design shouldn't be limited by order quantities. The Melbourne designer who started with 50 meters in 2018 now has a thriving business and employs 12 people. The Berlin startup that ordered 47 samples launched successfully and just placed their first 5,000-meter order. The LA dropshipper who integrated with our platform grew 300% in two years. Every one of them started small. Every one of them found a partner who took them seriously from day one.
If you're ready to start or grow your fabric business without the headaches of traditional sourcing, reach out to our Business Director, Elaine. She can walk you through our dropshipping program, explain our sample process, help you navigate your first order, and show you how we support brands at every stage. Whether you need 50 meters or 50,000, we're here for you. Contact Elaine at [elaine@fumaoclothing.com]() to start your journey with Fumao Fabric. Let's grow together.
