Illustrative material worktable with indigo cloth, a cotton sweatshirt, fabric swatches and garment patterns
Materials & sustainability · SALATI / Dongguan, China

Every material.
A considered decision.

Choose the cloth thoughtfully. Keep usable offcuts in circulation, and handle the rest according to their composition and condition.

Material study
After the cutting table

A use for what remains.
A route for what cannot.

Cutting a collection leaves pieces of cloth in different sizes and conditions. At SALATI, we give reusable material priority, then separate the remaining streams for recovery or controlled disposal.

Editorial illustration of larger fabric remnants and smaller offcuts on a worktable
Fabric remnant study

Size, fibre composition and cleanliness help determine the next use.

  1. 01
    Larger usable remnants

    Keep larger, intact pieces in use.

    We prioritise internal reuse for small accessories, bags and panelled garments. Material that other factories can use is sold on for further garment production.

    Reuse in our work · Supply to other garment makers
  2. 02
    Clean small and medium pieces, including cotton

    Recover the value in smaller offcuts.

    We collect and sort suitable offcuts for industrial wiping cloths or filling. Where the fibre and condition allow, they can also be mechanically opened and re-spun into recycled yarn for clothing and home textiles.

    Wiping cloths · Filling · Recycled yarn
  3. 03
    Very small, blended or soiled residues

    Use a suitable recovery route.

    Residues unsuitable for fibre recovery are handed to qualified recovery companies. Suitable material can enter alternative-fuel routes, including cement-kiln processing, subject to the receiving facility’s acceptance requirements.

    Qualified recovery partners · Alternative-fuel recovery
  4. 04
    Material with no viable reuse or recovery route

    Handle the unusable remainder responsibly.

    The unusable remainder is handled through regulated industrial-waste treatment. It is not casually dumped or sent to unmanaged landfill.

    Controlled industrial-waste treatment
Start with the cloth

A material brief.
Built into the design.

We review the material, weight, fit and finishing direction alongside your design before pattern making and sampling. The exact composition and specification are confirmed for the individual garment.

Illustrative close-up of cream jersey, charcoal brushed fleece and indigo French terry swatches
Texture study

Jersey, fleece & French terry

Cotton and cotton-blend directions for heavyweight T-shirts, hoodies, joggers and coordinated sweats.

indigo denim, cream canvas and charcoal twill showing their different woven textures
Twill, canvas & denim

Twill, canvas & denim

Material structure, pocket construction and wash references for utility styles, jackets and denim.

green sweater knit, cream linen and navy woven swatches beside yarn cones
Knit & woven textures

Woven fabrics & knitwear

Cotton, linen, viscose, nylon, polyester and selected yarn blends vary with the shirt, outerwear or knitwear style.

Explore the material library
Your sourcing requirements

Make the requirements
part of the conversation.

Clients and the SALATI team reviewing fabric and color swatches around a showroom table
Reviewing fabric and color references together.
01

Finishing & care

Share the wash, dye, print, embroidery or distressing effect you want. Review its appearance with the chosen material during sampling, and define the care-label content for the finished garment.

Finish reference · Sample review · Care instructions
02

Documentation & scope

If your brief requires a particular material certificate, test report or supplier document, identify it at the enquiry stage. Confirm the available documentation, its scope and its relevance to the selected material and order.

Required document · Material or site covered · Order applicability
03

Labels & packaging

Main labels, care labels, hang tags and packaging can be included in your project. Tell us the pack format, label content and any material preferences so they can be reviewed alongside the garment.

Label artwork · Pack format · Packaging material requirements
A practical starting point

Put the specification
on paper.

Use the materials checklist to record composition, weight, finishing, documentation and packaging requirements before you send your enquiry.

Materials & documentation

Useful questions.
Clearer requirements.

A buyer’s guide

What evidence belongs behind a material claim?

A sustainability requirement should identify the material or practice, the document needed and the order it applies to. Check the holder, scope, validity and product connection before using a certificate or report to support a claim about a garment.

Read the full guide

A company document, material certificate and product test report answer different questions. Ask what entity or product is covered, who issued the document, when it was issued and whether it is current for the proposed order. A certificate image without that connection is not enough to establish the characteristics of your garment.

Write your sourcing preferences into the brief: fiber composition, requested recycled or organic content where relevant, finish, label information and packaging format. Availability and supporting documents must be confirmed for the chosen material. This website does not establish that all SALATI garments carry any particular material certification.

Consider care and useful life during sample review. Review construction, dimensions, decoration and intended care together, and record any performance requirements you want verified. Packaging can be discussed with product protection and shipment needs, including pack size, number of components and material preferences. Do not turn these choices into unmeasured carbon or water-saving claims.

Document or requirementWhat to check
Material specificationComposition, fabric identity and connection to the selected sample
CertificateHolder, issuer, scope, validity and relevance to the order
Test reportSpecimen, property, method, date and results actually reported
Packaging briefMaterial, format, protection and required supporting documents

Before you move forward

  • Identify the exact claim you intend to make.
  • Request the documents relevant to the actual material and order.
  • Keep company-level documents separate from product evidence.
  • Confirm final label wording and destination requirements before printing.
Discuss your requirements