As someone who works directly with streetwear founders, emerging fashion labels, and niche lifestyle brands, I’ve learned that developing a private-label knit sweater isn’t as simple as picking a yarn and sending a tech pack.
Knitwear behaves differently from traditional cut-and-sew garments — the structure, density, yarn twist, and finishing process all determine whether your sweater looks premium or ends up stretching out after two wears.
This guide breaks everything down in a practical, beginner-friendly way while giving you five verified private-label knit sweater suppliers you can check out right now.
Table of Contents
- Why Private Label Knit Sweaters Need Specialized Production
- How to Choose a Private Label Knit Sweater Supplier
- Top 5 Private Label Knit Sweater Suppliers Worldwide
- Yarn, Gauge & Knitting Structure Guide
- MOQ, Lead Time & Pricing Comparison
- Which Supplier Fits Your Brand Best?
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Why Private Label Knit Sweaters Need Specialized Suppliers
From hands-on experience helping brands build their first knitwear line, here are the biggest challenges:
Yarn composition changes everything
Wool, acrylic, cotton, and blends all behave differently in drape, warmth, and durability.Gauge (GG) decides fabric weight
3GG for heavy winter pieces, 12GG for lightweight layering.Tension control affects stability
Without proper tension, sweaters lose shape quickly.Knitted panels require skillful shaping
Armholes, neck openings, and shoulders are formed through knitting — not cutting.Finishing gives the final hand-feel
Washing, steaming, and softening contribute to the premium touch.
These details are why choosing the right supplier matters more for knitwear than many other apparel categories.
How to Choose a Private Label Knit Sweater Supplier
✔ 1. Confirm gauge capabilities
Look for factories offering 3GG, 5GG, 7GG, 9GG, and 12GG for full flexibility.
✔ 2. Review yarn sourcing
Good suppliers can source:
- merino wool
- cashmere blends
- cotton & organic cotton
- anti-pilling acrylic
- recycled yarns
- wool/acrylic blends
✔ 3. Check finishing quality
High-end knitwear relies on:
- anti-shrink washing
- tension setting
- softening
- steam blocking
✔ 4. Look for sample consistency
If the sample differs from bulk, your brand identity suffers.
✔ 5. Ensure scalability
Startups need lower MOQ; bigger labels need stable repeat orders.
Top 5 Private Label Knit Sweater Suppliers Worldwide
1. FuKi Apparel — Custom Knitwear OEM for Streetwear & Fashion Brands (China)
{#1-fuki-apparel--custom-knitwear-oem-for-streetwear--fashion-brands-china}
Best For: streetwear labels, fashion brands, lifestyle collections.
Capabilities:
- MOQ 100 pcs
- Gauges 3GG–12GG
- Wool, acrylic, cotton, blends, recycled yarns
- Oversized fits, jacquard patterns, cable knit, rib knit
- Sampling: 10–15 days
- Bulk lead time: 25–35 days
If you want flexibility + consistency, FuKi Apparel is a strong choice for private-label knitwear.
2. Apliiq — Private Label Knitwear for Small Batches (USA)
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Strengths:
- US-based
- small-batch friendly
- relabeling and branding solutions
Ideal for emerging brands testing knit sweater designs.
3. Appareify — Flexible Custom Knitwear Supplier (Global)
{#3-appareify--flexible-custom-knitwear-supplier-global}
Highlights:
- full custom knitwear development
- yarn sourcing support
- scalable production sizes
Perfect for brands needing both low MOQ and long-term capacity.
4. Tailored Industry — 3D Knit-On-Demand Factory (USA)
{#4-tailored-industry--3d-knit-on-demand-factory-usa}
Known For:
- on-demand production
- seamless knit technology
- zero-inventory manufacturing
Great for startups wanting modern, waste-reduced knitwear.
5. Gildan — Large-Scale Sweater & Knitwear Supplier (Global)
{#5-gildan--large-scale-sweater--knitwear-supplier-global}
Best For:
- high-volume private-label programs
- sweaters, knit tops, cold-weather basics
- stable global production network
One of the world’s largest apparel suppliers — stable, scalable, and universally accessible.
Yarn, Gauge & Knitting Structure Guide
| Yarn Type | Best For | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Winterwear | Structured, warm |
| Merino | Premium lines | Soft, breathable |
| Acrylic | Streetwear | Anti-pilling, durable |
| Cotton | Lifestyle | Natural, soft |
| Wool Blends | Mid-to-high end | Balanced feel |
| Recycled Yarns | Sustainable brands | Eco-friendly |
MOQ, Lead Time & Pricing Comparison
| Supplier | MOQ | Sample Time | Lead Time | Price (USD/pc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FuKi Apparel | 100 | 10–15 days | 25–35 days | $18–$48 |
| Apliiq | 10–50 | 7–10 days | 14–25 days | $30–$60 |
| Appareify | 50–200 | 10–18 days | 20–35 days | $26–$80 |
| Tailored Industry | No MOQ | 3–7 days | 7–15 days | $45–$95 |
| Gildan | high | 15–25 days | 30–55 days | $25–$55 |
Which Supplier Fits Your Brand Best?
Choose FuKi Apparel if:
- you want low MOQ
- you produce fashion or streetwear knitwear
- you need consistent sizing and finishing
Choose Apliiq if:
- you want private-label knitwear in small batches
Choose Appareify if:
- you want a balanced mix of flexibility + scalability
Choose Tailored Industry if:
- you prefer modern 3D seamless knitting
Choose Gildan if:
- you need large-scale private-label sweater production
FAQ
1. What is the MOQ for private-label knit sweaters?
Usually 100–300 pcs, depending on yarn and gauge.
2. Can knit sweaters include custom artwork?
Yes — jacquard, rib, cable knit, and intarsia are all possible.
3. How long does sampling take?
10–20 days depending on yarn and structure.
4. Which yarns are best for premium sweaters?
Merino wool and cashmere blends.
5. Are sweaters more complex to produce than hoodies?
Yes — knitting requires more technical control and finishing.
Conclusion
Private-label knit sweaters demand expertise in yarn selection, knitting structure, and finishing quality.
With flexible MOQ and strong OEM experience, FuKi Apparel supports brands in launching premium knitwear collections with confidence.
👉 Start your private-label sweater development here:
https://fukiapparel.com/products/custom-sweaters/
