If you are developing or only considering a hemp clothing line, you must have noticed something strange. People keep on discussing hemp as it is the "future fabric", but almost nobody describes what is going on between raw hemp and a final T-shirt or hoodie.
And honestly, that’s where most brands get stuck. Because hemp isn’t like regular cotton. You can’t treat it the same way and expect it to behave. One factory makes hemp clothing that feels soft, premium, and wearable from day one. Another factory makes something that looks okay in photos but feels stiff, rough, and uncomfortable in real life.
Problem Explanation
Most people assume manufacturing is the easy part. You pick a fabric, send a design, and the factory makes it.
But hemp doesn’t work like that. Hemp fabric has its own personality.
- “It feels scratchy.”
- “It shrank after one wash.”
- “The fit looks different in bulk than it did in sampling.”
- “It twists or loses shape.”
- “It feels stiff and doesn’t drape nicely.”
None of these problems happens because hemp is “bad.” They happen because hemp needs a slightly different approach during manufacturing.
Why This Problem Exists
This is the part people don’t say out loud, but it’s true.
Most factories know cotton. Hemp is still “new” for many of them.
Cotton is the default. It’s easy to work with. The machines are familiar. The finishing process is predictable. Hemp? It needs experience. It needs patience. And it needs the factory to actually care about the fabric, not just the order value.
Hemp needs finishing to feel “wearable”
Raw hemp can feel firm. That’s normal. But if the fabric doesn’t go through proper washing, softening, and finishing, it stays firm in a way customers don’t love.
A lot of suppliers don’t control the full process
Some “manufacturers” don’t really manufacture. They outsource the fabric, outsource stitching, outsource finishing, and then just ship the final product. That’s why consistency becomes a mess.
Brands rush the process because they’re excited to launch
Startups especially do this. They want the product live quickly. But hemp rewards slow, careful development. If you rush, hemp shows it.
Hemp Clothing Manufacturing Process (What Actually Happens)
Let’s break it down properly. This is the full journey of hemp clothing—from fibre to finished garment.
Step 1: Sourcing the hemp fibre (where it all begins)
Everything starts with raw hemp. And yes, the source matters. Not in a dramatic way, but in a practical one.
At this stage, manufacturers usually decide whether the garment will be:
- 100% hemp
- hemp + cotton blend
- hemp + stretch blend (for activewear styles)
Most brands don’t realise this, but fabric choice here decides how the garment will feel later. If you want a softer, more “instant comfort” product, blends usually make more sense.
Step 2: Turning fibre into yarn (the hidden quality step)
This is one of the most important steps, and it’s also one of the most ignored.
Spinning hemp into yarn affects:
- How smooth the fabric becomes
- How strong the garment feels
- How neat the stitching looks
- Whether the fabric pills or stays clean
If the yarn quality is poor, the final garment will never feel premium—no matter how good the design is.
Step 3: Fabric creation (knitting vs weaving)
Once yarn is ready, it becomes fabric. And this is where the product direction starts showing.
Knitted hemp fabric (like jersey) works well for:
- T-shirts
- tank tops
- casual tops
- lightweight everyday wear
Knitted fabric feels more relaxed and flexible.
Woven hemp fabric works well for:
- shirts
- trousers
- overshirts
- structured garments
Woven fabric holds shape better and feels crisper.
Step 4: Washing, scouring, and pre-treatment (where hemp starts improving)
Raw hemp fabric often needs a “reset” before it becomes wearable.
This step removes natural impurities and prepares the fabric for:
- softness
- better dye absorption
- stable shrinkage
- cleaner hand-feel
If this stage is rushed, hemp stays rough.
If it’s done properly, hemp starts feeling like something you actually want to wear.
Step 5: Dyeing (getting the colour right without ruining the feel)
Dyeing hemp is possible, but it needs care.
Some factories dye hemp like cotton and expect the same result. That’s where issues happen:
- uneven colour
- fading
- stiffness after dyeing
A good manufacturer adjusts the dye process so the fabric keeps its softness and doesn’t feel “dry” after colouring.
For brands, this step matters because colour affects how premium a garment looks. Even a basic T-shirt feels expensive when the colour looks rich and even.
Step 6: Pattern cutting (where fit becomes real)
- Now we move from fabric to garment.
- Cutting hemp fabric isn’t hard, but it needs accuracy. The cutter has to consider:
- shrinkage allowance
- fabric grain direction
- How the fabric behaves after washing
This is where many brands get shocked. Their sample fits well, but the bulk feels tighter or shorter. That usually happens because cutting didn’t account for the hemp behaviour properly.
Step 7: Stitching and construction (where quality becomes visible)
This is the stage customers notice first—even if they don’t know they’re noticing it.
Stitching quality decides:
- how the seams sit
- whether the garment twists
- How long does it lasts
- whether it feels “clean” or messy
Hemp is strong, so it can hold stitching well, but only when the thread tension is correct. Too tight and it puckers. Too loose and it looks unfinished.
The small details matter here:
- neckline shape
- hem stability
- seam finishing
- reinforcement points
This is the difference between “looks handmade” and “looks premium.”
Step 8: Finishing (the step that changes everything)
This is where hemp clothing becomes wearable.
Finishing includes things like:
- softening washes
- enzyme wash (depending on fabric)
- pressing
- trimming loose threads
- final shape setting
A well-finished hemp garment feels smoother, looks cleaner, and drapes better.
Step 9: Quality checking (the step that protects your brand)
Quality checks aren’t about being “perfect.” They’re about consistency.
Factories check:
- measurements
- stitching strength
- colour consistency
- fabric defects
- finishing cleanliness
This step saves brands from the nightmare of selling products that come back with complaints.
Step 10: Packing and shipping (getting it retail-ready)
Finally, garments get prepared for delivery. For brands, this stage includes:
- folding and packing
- size stickers
- labels and tags
- cartons and export packing
- documentation (if shipping internationally)
For export buyers, this stage matters because neat packing reduces damage and keeps products store-ready.
Why This Process Matters in Real Life
Here’s the simplest proof:
- Two brands order the same product: a hemp jersey T-shirt.
- One brand works with a factory that handles finishing properly. The tee feels soft, sits well, and customers reorder.
- The other brand works with a factory that rushes finishing. The tee feels stiff, and customers complain that it doesn’t feel “worth the price.”
- Same product idea. Totally different result.
- The difference is the manufacturing process.
This is why brands that succeed with hemp don’t treat it like “just another fabric.” They respect the steps.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing a factory that “can do hemp” but doesn’t specialise in it
A factory that has done hemp once is not the same as a factory that understands hemp.
Mistake 2: Skipping wash testing
Hemp changes after washing. Always test it.
Mistake 3: Expecting pure hemp to feel like cotton instantly
Pure hemp often softens with time. If you want instant softness, choose blends.
Mistake 4: Rushing bulk production after one sample
Take your time. Hemp rewards patience.
Mistake 5: Ignoring finishing
Finishing is not optional in hemp clothing. It’s what makes it wearable.
Planning to put together a hemp clothing line? Well, it is not enough to simply manufacture the item for you. You need to know how they work with the hemp fabric, finishing, shrinkage, and consistency. The answers tell you everything.
Conclusion
Hemp garments are not that hard to manufacture, but every stage requires proper treatment. Sourcing fiber and spinning, down to fabric making, cutting, stitching, and finishing—every step molds the final garment in terms of comfort and quality.
If you want hemp clothing that is customer-friendly, the process is as important as the design itself. Select the right fabric, employ the right people to work with hemp, and create the products that last beyond one season.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does the hemp clothing manufacturing process begin?
The initial step of the hemp clothing manufacturing process is to source either hemp fibre or hemp-blended yarn, to check its quality, and to decide on the type of fabric that would suit the product best. This very first stage determines the softness, the durability, and the overall performance of the final product.
How is fabric prepared during the hemp clothing manufacturing process?
The cleaning, treating, and softening processes are together called fabric preparation, and they will aid the hemp feel and have a smooth and stable for cutting and sewing operations. This fabric preparation stage also virtually eliminates shrinkage problems and enhances the color absorption of the fabric.
What are the main steps in the hemp clothing manufacturing process?
Main steps are carefully selecting the hemp, spinning the yarn, weaving or knitting the fabric, dyeing, cutting, stitching, finishing washes, quality checks, and final packing. Each of these stages has a particular role to play in establishing the fit, comfort, and consistency characteristics of the product.
Does the hemp clothing manufacturing process support bulk production?
Definitely, the hemp clothing manufacturing process allows for mass production if it is done on a proper plan. The manufacturers make sure that the quality of the products is maintained by using the same fabric production, sizing control, quality checks, and finishing methods for big order quantities.