What Is Pique Fabric? B2B Sourcing Guide for Polo Shirts & Uniforms

Direct Answer

Pique fabric (pronounced "pee-kay") is a double-knit textile with a raised geometric texture—typically diamonds, hexagons, or waffle patterns—that creates air pockets between the fabric and skin. This three-dimensional structure delivers 20-30% better breathability than flat jersey while maintaining a professional, structured appearance suitable for business-casual environments.

For B2B buyers sourcing polo shirts, school uniforms, or corporate wear, pique offers the optimal balance of performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The fabric resists pilling (ASTM Grade 4+), maintains shape through 100+ wash cycles, and requires minimal care—making it the industry standard for applications requiring both appearance and longevity.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways for Sourcing Teams

• What it is: Double-knit fabric with raised texture creating air pockets for enhanced breathability
• Best applications: Polo shirts (primary), school uniforms (heavy-weight 280-320gsm), corporate wear, golf/tennis apparel
• Weight selection: Lightweight (180-220gsm) for summer wear, heavy (300gsm+) for uniforms requiring maximum durability
• Fiber choice: 100% polyester outperforms cotton for activewear—faster drying, <2% shrinkage, no ironing, 2x lifespan
• Quality benchmarks: AATCC Grade 4+ color fastness, ASTM Grade 4+ pilling resistance, <2% dimensional change

Table of Contents

1. Why Pique Fabric Matters for Your Product Line
2. How Pique Is Made: The 5-Step Production Process
3. Pique Specification Checklist
4. Questions to Ask Your Pique Supplier
5. Common Sourcing Mistakes to Avoid
6. Related Resources
7. About Huada Creation's Pique Capabilities

Why Pique Fabric Matters for Your Product Line

If you're developing polo shirts, school uniform programs, or corporate apparel, fabric selection directly impacts customer satisfaction, return rates, and reorder frequency. Pique fabric has dominated these categories for a century—here's why:

The breathability problem with flat fabrics: Standard jersey knits sit flat against skin, trapping heat and moisture during activity. This creates the "cling" and "clammy" sensation that customers complain about.

How pique solves it: The raised texture physically lifts fabric away from skin, creating micro-channels for air circulation. Air permeability tests show 20-30% improvement over equivalent-weight jersey.

The durability advantage: Unlike single-knit jersey (which pills within 50 washes), pique's double-knit construction resists pilling and maintains shape through 100+ commercial laundering cycles—critical for school and corporate uniform programs where replacement costs matter.

How Pique Is Made: The 5-Step Production Process

Understanding production helps you evaluate supplier capabilities and specify requirements accurately:

Step 1: Yarn Preparation

High-tenacity polyester yarn (typically 75D-150D) is prepared on creeling systems. Yarn quality directly determines final fabric durability and pilling resistance.

Step 2: Circular Knitting with Specialized Needle Arrangement

Circular knitting machines with dedicated cam arrangements create the double-knit structure. Face needles form the raised geometric pattern while back needles create the smooth underside.

Step 3: Dyeing and Finishing

Fabric undergoes piece-dyeing in jet dyeing machines, followed by heat-setting to lock in dimensional stability. Quality mills achieve <2% shrinkage at this stage.

Step 4: Quality Control Testing

Critical tests include: GSM verification (±5% tolerance), color fastness (AATCC TM61), pilling resistance (ASTM D3512), and dimensional stability (AATCC TM135).

Step 5: Finishing and Inspection

Final treatments may include antimicrobial finishes, UV protection, or moisture-wicking enhancements. 4-point inspection system identifies defects before shipment.

Pique Fabric Specification Checklist

Use this table when preparing RFQs or evaluating supplier quotes:

Pattern Types to Specify:

• Bird's Eye (Diamond): Classic polo appearance, 3-5mm diamond pattern
• Honeycomb/Waffle: More pronounced texture, enhanced breathability
• Double Pique: Extra-thick construction for maximum durability

Questions to Ask Your Pique Fabric Supplier

These 15 questions help you evaluate supplier capabilities and avoid quality issues:

Production & Capacity

1. What is your monthly production capacity for pique fabrics specifically?
2. Do you produce pique in-house or source from sub-contractors?
3. What knitting machine gauge do you use for pique (typically 28-32 gauge)?

Quality & Testing

4. Can you provide third-party test reports for pilling resistance (ASTM D3512)?
5. What is your standard tolerance for GSM variation within a roll? (Should be ±5% max)
6. Do you offer OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified pique fabrics?
7. What is your defect rate and inspection protocol (4-point or 10-point system)?

Color & Finishing

8. How many lab dip iterations are included before bulk production?
9. What color fastness grades do you guarantee for washing and light exposure?
10. Can you apply antimicrobial or moisture-wicking finishes? At what upcharge?

Lead Times & Logistics

11. What is lead time for stock colors vs. custom color matching?
12. What is your MOQ for standard pique vs. custom specifications?
13. Do you offer duty-paid shipping to our destination country?

Pricing & Terms

14. What is your payment term structure (typical: 30% deposit, 70% before shipment)?
15. Do you offer volume discounts at 3,000m, 5,000m, or 10,000m+ order levels?

Common Sourcing Mistakes to Avoid

Based on common issues brands encounter when sourcing pique fabric:

Mistake 1: Specifying Cotton Pique for Performance Applications

The problem: Cotton pique absorbs moisture (25x its weight) rather than wicking it away. Garments stay wet, become heavy, and dry slowly (6-8 hours vs. 2-3 hours for polyester). The fix: Specify 100% polyester pique for any activewear or frequent-wash application. Modern "cotton-like" polyester provides equivalent softness without cotton's drawbacks.

Mistake 2: Underspecifying GSM for Uniform Programs

The problem: Lightweight pique (180-200gsm) lacks durability for daily-wear uniforms, leading to premature wear and higher replacement costs. The fix: Specify 280-320gsm for school uniforms, workwear, or any application requiring 100+ wash cycles.

Mistake 3: Not Requesting Pre-Production Testing

The problem: Bulk fabric doesn't match approved sample due to production variables. The fix: Always request bulk-production test reports matching your specification sheet before shipment release.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Shrinkage Specs for Fitted Styles

The problem: >3% shrinkage causes size-grading issues and customer complaints about fit after washing. The fix: Require <2% shrinkage per AATCC TM135 testing, with test report from bulk production.

Mistake 5: Not Specifying Pilling Resistance Grade

The problem: Low-quality pique pills within 25-50 washes, creating a "fuzzy" worn appearance. The fix: Require ASTM D3512 Grade 4 minimum in your specification. Premium applications should specify Grade 4.5+.

Mistake 6: Accepting Vague "Anti-Pilling" Claims

The problem: Some suppliers claim "anti-pilling" without backing it up with test data. The fix: Request the specific test method (ASTM D3512 Martindale or Random Tumble) and grade achieved.

Mistake 7: Overlooking Commercial Laundering Requirements

The problem: Fabric fails when subjected to harsher commercial/industrial laundering (higher temperatures, stronger detergents). The fix: For uniform programs, request colorfastness testing at 60°C (140°F) to simulate commercial wash conditions.

Mistake 8: Not Accounting for Color Variation Between Dye Lots

The problem: Visible color difference between production batches causes quality control rejections. The fix: Specify Delta E (color difference) tolerance in your purchase agreement. Industry standard is ΔE < 1.0 for critical applications.

Related Resources

Continue your fabric sourcing research with these guides:

• Understanding Fabric Weight: Complete GSM Guide — How GSM affects performance, comfort, and cost
• Polyester vs. Cotton for Sports: Performance Comparison — Why polyester dominates activewear
• Bird's Eye Mesh vs. Regular Mesh — When to use mesh vs. pique for maximum breathability
• Moisture-Wicking Fabrics Explained — Technical deep-dive on moisture management

About Huada Creation's Pique Capabilities

Production capacity: 500,000+ meters/month across pique constructions In-house capabilities: Knitting, dyeing, finishing, testing laboratory Certifications: OEKO-TEX Standard 100, ISO 9001 quality management

Our Pique Fabric Range

Sample availability: Lab dips in 5-7 days, yardage samples in 10-14 days MOQ flexibility: Stock colors from 500m, custom colors from 1,500m

Get a Quote for Your Pique Fabric Requirements

Ready to source pique fabric for your polo shirt, uniform, or corporate wear program?

Request a Quote — Include your target GSM, estimated volume, color requirements, and testing specifications. Our team responds within 24 business hours with pricing and lead times.

Browse Pique Products — View full specifications for our pique fabric range.