KARCEM is a knit fabric manufacturer and supplier based in Esenyurt, Istanbul, operating since 2015. We knit fabric greige on our own circular knitting machines and coordinate dyeing, printing and finishing across the contract network we supervise. For wholesale knit fabric, private label and OEM programmes we act as a single point of contact for brands and garment makers, from sample to shipment. Our monthly capacity is around 450 tonnes, and we export to Europe, the Middle East, North America, Russia and Turkey.
What we make: knit fabric structures
Our knitting floor is the first link that turns yarn into greige knit fabric. From cotton, organic cotton, modal/TENCEL™, viscose/ECOVERO™, recycled polyester and elastane/spandex yarns we knit the full range of core structures; colour and final hand are then developed across the contract dyeing, printing and finishing network we supervise. The main structures we produce:
- Single jersey: Knitted on a single needle bed — a light, breathable base structure and the backbone of t-shirts and underwear. With added elastane it becomes spandex single jersey.
- Interlock: A double-knit, stable structure that is full-bodied on both faces and does not curl; ideal for quality t-shirts, babywear and underwear.
- Rib and 2×2 rib: A widthwise-stretch ribbed knit for collars, cuffs, waistbands and body-hugging tops.
- Piqué: A honeycomb-textured surface — the classic fabric for polo shirts and corporate wear.
- French terry and fleece (two- and three-thread): The basis of sweatshirts, hoodies and joggers; three-thread fleece is warmer when brushed.
- Jacquard: A drapey, fashion-led structure where the pattern is knitted directly into the fabric.
End uses span t-shirts, sweatshirts/hoodies, polos, activewear, underwear/babywear and home textiles. For a composition, weight and end-use comparison of the structures see our fabric portfolio; for how to choose between families see our single jersey vs interlock comparison and our fabric weight (GSM) guide.
| Knit structure | Typical weight (g/m²) | Typical end use |
|---|---|---|
| Single jersey | 110–200 | Basic t-shirts, underwear, dresses |
| Interlock | 180–280 | Quality t-shirts, baby/kids, underwear |
| Rib | 200–340 | Collars/cuffs, bodysuits, slim-fit tops |
| Piqué | 180–260 | Polo collar, corporate / sports polo |
| French terry / fleece | 220–420 | Sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers |
| Jacquard | 200–340 | Patterned sweats, dresses, fashion tops |
These figures are industry-typical starting references; exact weight and hand depend on yarn count, knit density and finishing, and the final specification is confirmed on the physical sample.
Why source from KARCEM
Sourcing directly from the manufacturer rather than through Western intermediaries makes a difference in both cost and traceability. What sets KARCEM apart as a knit fabric supplier:
- One point of contact, end-to-end coordination: We knit on our own machines and coordinate dyeing, printing and finishing across the contract network we supervise. You work with a single contact from sample to shipment.
- ~450 tonnes/month capacity: The production strength to cover both repeat bulk orders and seasonal volume swings.
- Flexible MOQ: We do not impose a fixed minimum-order list; MOQ is set per project and shared clearly at the sample/quotation stage.
- Colour verified to a ΔE<1 target: Every lot from the contract network is checked at incoming quality control, with within-lot and lot-to-lot colour deviation verified in ΔE (Delta E) against a ΔE<1 target; in practice this aims to keep colour visually indistinguishable on repeat orders.
- Export experience: Regular shipments to Europe, the Middle East, North America, Russia and Turkey, with experience in export documentation and delivery terms.
- Private label / OEM: Knit fabric developed to bespoke composition and weight for brands and garment makers.
You can see our production flow and our greige-knitting-plus-coordinated-contract model in detail on our knitting, dyeing and printing process page.
Certifications and organic cotton
Demand for sustainable and certified products is an inherent part of contract manufacturing. KARCEM works with a certified yarn and raw-material chain; because a certified claim starts with certified yarn, we plan any organic cotton or recycled-content requirement together from the very beginning.
- GOTS and OCS — for organic-cotton single jersey, interlock and other structures.
- GRS and RCS — for recycled polyester and recycled content.
- BCI — sustainable cotton sourcing programme.
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 — harmful-substance safety on the finished product is planned with this standard as the target.
For the detail of certified scope, product group and applicable transaction certificates see our certificates page; for the link between GOTS/RCS and carbon footprint see our GOTS, RCS and carbon footprint guide.
How to start: sample, lab dip, production
Our process for nailing down a new knit fabric project is transparent and step by step:
- 1. Brief and sample: You share the knit structure, composition, target weight, certification and end use; we recommend the right structure and provide a physical sample. MOQ and lead time are clarified at this stage.
- 2. Lab dip and colour approval: For colour we run the lab dip approval process and confirm approval not just on screen but together with a physical sample and spectrophotometric measurement.
- 3. Production and verification: In bulk we knit on our own machines and coordinate dyeing/printing/finishing across the contract network; we control quality on the incoming lot with colour verification to a ΔE<1 target and fastness tests.
- 4. Shipment: We complete export or domestic shipment under the agreed delivery terms.
If you want to start specifically with t-shirt fabric selection, our t-shirt fabric selection guide is the right starting point.