When you place an order for custom color fabric with a factory, the production process typically generates some excess material. This occurs due to several practical reasons: machinery setup requirements, minimum dye lot quantities, and standard cutting margins. Factories handle this surplus in various ways depending on their policies and your agreement.

Many manufacturers will include a small percentage of overage (usually 3-10%) within your order to account for potential defects and ensure you receive the exact quantity specified. This extra material is often shipped with your primary order at no additional cost. For larger excess quantities resulting from minimum dye batches, factories may offer you the option to purchase the additional yardage at a reduced rate. Some proactive manufacturers will discuss these minimums during the ordering process, allowing you to adjust your quantity or plan for the extra material.

Sustainable factories increasingly have recycling programs for unusable remnants, transforming them into stuffing material, industrial wipes, or processed fibers. High-quality leftovers might be sold as remnant lots or donated to textile schools and small designers. The most transparent approach is when factories clearly communicate their excess material policy before production begins, sometimes providing options like storing the extra fabric for future orders (for a fee) or incorporating it into smaller complementary items.

Ultimately, what happens to your custom fabric's excess depends on the factory's operational model, the fiber content, and the specific agreements made during ordering. Clear communication about minimums and surplus handling policies is key to avoiding surprises and potentially benefiting from the additional material created during your custom color fabrication process.