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Modal Waffle Knit Fabric
-- Steady & Reliable Manufacturer --
Overview
Our modal waffle knit is a textured, mid-weight knit fabric produced from modal fiber, featuring the distinctive three-dimensional grid surface of waffle construction combined with the softness, moisture absorption, and color performance that modal fiber is valued for in premium casualwear. It is sourced by brand buyers developing elevated basics, thermal layers, and loungewear collections where visual texture provides product differentiation without the cost of printing or embellishment.
Introduction
Waffle knit is a textured construction in which the yarn structure creates a regular grid of raised squares and recessed channels, producing a three-dimensional surface that increases breathability and adds visual depth compared to flat-knit structures. Originally associated with thermal underwear, waffle knit has become a recognized premium texture in the loungewear and casualwear market, valued for its visual interest and tactile differentiation. Produced in modal fiber, waffle knit moves beyond its utility origins: the fine, smooth modal fiber surface softens the waffle grid and produces a fabric that is visually sophisticated while remaining genuinely comfortable against skin in direct-contact applications.
Nantong Tianhong Textile Technology Co., Ltd. manufactures modal waffle knit across a range of waffle cell sizes, weights, and compositions. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification is available, with optional spandex for improved stretch and recovery in fitted applications. Dope dyeing is available on selected production runs — saving approximately 60 tonnes of water and 750 kg of CO₂ per tonne of fabric versus conventional piece dyeing. We supply modal waffle knit to brand owners developing premium loungewear and elevated casualwear, clothing factories producing long-sleeve tops and coordinated sets, and wholesalers serving buyers in the premium casual segment.
Specification
| Fiber Content | 95% Modal, 5% Spandex (100% modal available) |
| Fabric Weight | 180–260 gsm |
| Width | 150–160 cm (59–63 inches) |
| Construction | Waffle Knit (cell size customizable) |
| Shrinkage | ≤5% (after pre-washing) |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 |
| Dope Dyeing | Available — saves ~60 tonnes water and ~750 kg CO₂ per tonne of fabric |
| Customization | Waffle cell size, weight, spandex ratio, and color available upon request |
Application
- Premium Loungewear Tops, Bottoms, and Co-ord Sets: The waffle grid surface provides visual differentiation from flat-knit loungewear at the same or similar price point — a direct commercial advantage for brand buyers building seasonal loungewear collections that need to stand out at retail without adding print or embellishment cost.
- Thermal and Transitional Long-Sleeve Base Layers: The cellular waffle structure traps air for light insulation while the recessed channels improve breathability — making modal waffle knit well suited to transitional-season base layers and long-sleeve tops where warmth and breathability are both required.
- Bathrobes and Spa Garments: The textured waffle surface adds perceived quality and visual interest to bathrobes and spa garments — supporting premium retail positioning in wellness and hospitality categories where material texture communicates quality to the consumer at point of purchase.
- Elevated Casual T-shirts in Sustainable Basics Collections: For brand buyers developing sustainable basics ranges, modal waffle knit provides a textured alternative to plain jersey that reads as premium and differentiated — supporting a higher retail price point without requiring additional decoration or embellishment.
- Children's Thermal Garments: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification and modal's fine, soft fiber surface make modal waffle knit suitable for children's thermal tops and base layers where certified skin safety and comfort are standard retail compliance requirements.
Advantage
- Visual and Tactile Differentiation: The waffle grid adds a three-dimensional surface texture that sets garments apart from flat-knit basics at the same price point — a direct commercial advantage for brand buyers differentiating casualwear collections without adding print or embellishment cost. Texture is a low-cost differentiator that reads as premium to the end consumer in loungewear and casualwear categories.
- Improved Air Circulation: The recessed channels in the waffle structure create air pockets that improve breathability compared to flat-knit structures of equivalent weight, contributing to comfort in indoor and transitional-temperature wearing conditions — a functional performance benefit that modal cotton or polyester equivalents do not provide at comparable weight.
- Modal Softness on a Textured Surface: Modal's fine fiber diameter softens the raised waffle grid, producing a texture that reads as premium and feels comfortable against skin — avoiding the scratchiness that affects waffle knit in coarser fiber constructions such as cotton or standard viscose, which limits their use in skin-contact applications.
- Rich Color on Three-Dimensional Surface: Modal's high dye uptake produces rich, even color across the raised and recessed areas of the waffle surface — a quality consideration for buyers developing solid-color premium loungewear where consistent color depth across the three-dimensional texture is a brand quality signal.
- Dope Dyeing for Environmental Reporting: Dope dyeing integrates color at the fiber stage, saving approximately 60 tonnes of water and reducing CO₂ emissions by around 750 kg per tonne of fabric — providing a production-level environmental benefit that modal waffle knit buyers can include in their product sustainability communications and retail compliance reporting.
Why Choose Us
- Specialized in Premium Modal and Sustainable Knit Fabrics: Since 2001, we have manufactured modal, bamboo viscose, lyocell, and blended knit fabrics for premium casualwear, loungewear, and basics brands across the USA, Europe, South Korea, and Australia. Modal waffle knit is one of our specialty constructions, supported by dedicated R&D capability for cell size and weight customization.
- OEKO-TEX® Certified Production: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification covers our modal waffle knit production, meeting the restricted substance requirements for skin contact applications including loungewear, base layers, and children's clothing across all key export markets.
- Dope Dyeing Infrastructure for Sustainability Claims: Over 40% of our production uses dope dyeing technology. For modal waffle knit buyers with documented water reduction or carbon targets, our dope-dyed production provides measurable, process-level environmental savings — not estimated figures — that can be reported in product-level environmental claims and annual sustainability reports.
- Customization from Cell Size to Color: Waffle cell size, fabric weight, spandex ratio, and color are all customizable through our R&D process. Fabric communication is completed within 3 days and development samples within 15 days of specification confirmation.
- Scalable Production for Seasonal Bulk: Production capacity of up to 1,000 tonnes of knitted fabric per month with 500+ sets of equipment supports reliable delivery from development sampling through to large seasonal bulk programs for casualwear and loungewear brands globally.
FAQ
- Q: Can the waffle cell size be customized?
- Yes. Waffle cell size can be adjusted through the knitting machine settings. Standard cell sizes range from small (approximately 4 mm grid) to large (approximately 8–10 mm grid). Please specify your preferred cell size or provide a reference sample at the time of inquiry and our R&D team will develop a matching specification.
- Q: Is a 100% modal version without spandex available?
- Yes. A 100% modal waffle knit without spandex is available for applications where stretch is not required and a more stable, structured hand feel is preferred. Please specify at inquiry stage.
- Q: How does modal waffle knit compare to cotton waffle knit?
- Modal waffle knit is generally softer and more moisture-absorbent than cotton waffle knit. It accepts dye more efficiently, producing richer colors, and tends to resist pilling better through repeated washing. The trade-off is a higher fiber cost compared to standard cotton, which is reflected in the fabric price.
- Q: Is dope-dyed modal waffle knit available in a full color range?
- Dope dyeing supports a defined color range. The available colors differ from those achievable through conventional reactive dyeing, and lead times for dope-dyed production are typically longer. Please provide your target color reference at inquiry stage and our team will confirm availability and lead time.
- Q: What are the lead times for samples and bulk orders?
- We respond within 24 hours on business days. Sample production is completed within 15 days. Bulk lead times are confirmed at order stage based on volume and current production schedule.
Payment & Shipping
- Payment Terms: We accept T/T (bank transfer) and L/C (letter of credit). For bulk orders, a 30% deposit is required before production, with the balance payable upon receipt of the bill of lading.
- Quotation: Prices are quoted based on your preferred trade term — FOB, CIF, CNF, or others — confirmed during the inquiry process.
- Sampling: Fabric communication is completed within 3 days; sample production is completed within 15 days.
- Lead Time: With a stable supply chain, we accurately control production schedules to ensure on-time delivery.
- Stock Availability: We maintain a range of fabrics in stock and continuously update inventory to meet urgent requirements. Please contact our sales team for current stock and available styles.
- Export Markets: We regularly ship to the USA, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, and Australia.
Our R&D Team
The R&D team at Tianhong is typically made up of expert technicians and innovation teams that are focused on the advancement of technology and solutions for fabrics.
Tianhong Story
