Textile Output Up 13%, Apparel Down 7.4%: What It Means for Custom Apparel Buyers

India's latest industrial production numbers tell an interesting story. As reported by The Economic Times, textile output grew by about 13% in August 2026, while apparel (garment) production fell by around 7.4% in the same month. In simple words, the country made a lot more fabric, but turned less of it into finished clothing. Industry experts expect the festive and wedding season to bring garment demand and production back up.

At Teesgraphy, we work at exactly the point where fabric becomes a finished garment. Our own manufacturing unit in Hyderabad turns quality fabric into custom printed T-shirts, hoodies and uniforms. Here is what this gap means for you.

Why Fabric and Garments Moved in Different Directions

The report points to a few reasons. Fabric makers have been producing ahead of the festive season and for export, while garment factories have faced softer orders, higher costs and labour challenges. Some buyers also held back orders, waiting for prices to settle. The result is plenty of fabric in the system, but less finished apparel coming out of it.

What This Means for Custom Apparel Buyers

Good fabric availability: with strong textile output, a wide range of fabrics, colours and GSM options is available right now.
Garment capacity matters more: the bottleneck is stitching and finishing, not fabric. A supplier with its own production line can move faster.
Festive demand is coming: as garment orders pick up before the festive season, lead times at busy factories will get longer.

Why Buying from a Manufacturer Makes Sense

Many custom T-shirt sellers do not make garments themselves. They buy blanks from wholesalers and print on them, which means they depend on someone else's stock and schedule. Teesgraphy is different. We cut, stitch and print in our own unit in Hyderabad. That lets us:

Choose fabric directly and pass on the savings: quality service at a low cost.
Make sizes, colours and styles that match your exact order, from round neck T-shirts to hoodies.
Produce uniforms and staff wear with consistent quality across repeat orders.
Control quality from the first cut to the final print.

Best Time to Order Uniforms and Bulk Apparel

If you are planning school uniforms, hospital or hotel staff wear, corporate polo T-shirts or event merchandise, now is a sensible time to order. Fabric is available and garment factories have not yet hit their festive rush. Ordering before that rush gives you more fabric choice, better pricing and smoother delivery.

Tips for Planning Your Order

Decide on fabric type first: cotton for comfort, blends for durability, dry-fit for sports.
Collect a size chart from your team early.
Ask for a sample piece for large uniform orders.
Plan reorders in advance so colours and fabric stay consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Teesgraphy make uniforms in custom colours?

Yes. Because we manufacture in-house, we can match colours and styles for uniform and staff wear orders.

Do you offer samples before bulk production?

Yes, for bulk and uniform orders we can provide a sample so you can check fabric, fit and print.

Which printing method is best for uniforms?

Screen printing and embroidery are popular for uniforms because they last long. We will recommend the right method for your design and budget.

Source: Textile output surges but apparel production stays in the red: what's driving the divergence, The Economic Times, 4 October 2026. This article summarises the original report and adds Teesgraphy's view for custom T-shirt and merchandise buyers.

Get Custom Apparel Made Direct

Ready to start? Message us on WhatsApp or call 8885547134. Tell us what you need, from T-shirts and hoodies to full uniforms, and our Hyderabad unit will share fabric options, a proof and a quote.