Muslin fabric is a lightweight, breathable cotton textile that is highly versatile for various applications, including clothing, crafts, and print-on-demand products. Its fine weave makes it an excellent choice for custom designs, offering softness and durability. With Printdoors, you can easily create and fulfill muslin-based products with rapid 48-hour shipping.
Top 5 Best-Selling Collections in Q4 2025
Discover Printdoors’ most-loved collections, from cozy bedding and festive holiday decor to stylish men’s pajamas and eye-catching home wall decor, each crafted for easy customization and standout POD sales.| No. | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedding | Soft, customizable bedding with unique prints, designed to enhance comfort, use quality materials, and elevate bedroom style. Know more. |
| 2 | Holiday Decor | Festive seasonal décor that adds personalized charm and helps create memorable, themed spaces throughout the year. Know more. |
| 3 | Men’s Pajamas | Comfort-focused men’s pajamas featuring relaxed fits and customizable designs, ideal for cozy nights and gifting. Know more. |
| 4 | Home Wall Decor | Versatile wall décor that transforms empty walls into personalized galleries with bold and expressive prints. Know more. |
What Is Muslin Fabric Made Of?
Muslin fabric is primarily made from 100% cotton, woven into a simple, plain weave structure. This composition results in a soft, breathable material that is comfortable against the skin. While there are blends available, traditional muslin is celebrated for its pure cotton composition, which defines its lightness and versatility.
The manufacturing process begins with high-quality cotton fibers, which are spun into fine yarns and woven together. The plain weave used ensures that the fabric remains light and airy. Historically, muslin was handwoven in Bengal, prized for its delicacy. Today, modern factories use machines to meet demand while retaining the fabric’s core qualities.
For print-on-demand services, muslin offers exceptional printability, and Printdoors uses top-grade cotton to produce sharp, vibrant designs. Its natural fiber composition ensures that the dyes adhere beautifully, making it ideal for items like custom baby blankets or clothing, particularly for platforms like Shopify.
| Muslin Type | Fiber Content | Weight (GSM) | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheer Muslin | 100% Cotton | 30-50 | Veils, linings |
| Medium Muslin | 100% Cotton | 60-100 | Dresses, scarves |
| Heavy Muslin | 100% Cotton | 120+ | Sheets, crafts |
This table provides clarity on the different muslin variants, helping you select the best option for your print-on-demand project.
What Are the Key Properties of Muslin?
Muslin is known for its breathability, lightness, and drapability, making it a perfect material for warm weather garments and accessories. Its composition allows it to dry quickly and resist wrinkles to some extent, while also being hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin.
The fabric excels in humid or hot climates due to its moisture-wicking properties. With a relatively low thread count (usually between 100-200), muslin is both affordable and durable after several washes. Unlike synthetic fabrics, muslin softens over time, maintaining comfort without pilling.
For those in the print-on-demand industry, muslin’s ability to absorb dyes and inks evenly makes it a fantastic option. Printdoors uses advanced UV printing techniques that ensure designs remain vibrant for up to 50 washes. Its popularity among dropshipping sellers is due to the fabric’s premium feel at a competitive price.
Pros:
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Affordable
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Softens over time
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Ideal for printing
Cons:
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Not as durable as heavier fabrics like denim
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Some shrinkage, although pre-shrunk options are available
How Is Muslin Fabric Produced?
The production of muslin involves spinning cotton into fine yarns and weaving them into a plain weave structure. Historically, muslin was handwoven in Bengal, but today, modern mills use power looms for higher efficiency and volume.
The process begins with cotton ginning, followed by carding and spinning the cotton into yarns. These yarns are then woven on looms to create muslin fabric, which is then subjected to various finishing processes such as bleaching, dyeing, and printing.
Printdoors’ textile factories are equipped to handle rapid production times, with capabilities to produce muslin items in just a few hours for customers using their Shopify store integrations. The company also places a strong emphasis on sustainable production, sourcing organic cotton that uses 90% less water compared to conventional cotton methods.
What Are the Different Types of Muslin?
Muslin comes in several variations, each with its own characteristics suited for specific applications. The three most common types include book muslin, butter muslin, and Dhaka muslin, each varying in weight and texture.
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Sheer/Gauze Muslin: This is a very light, double-layered fabric ideal for items like cheesecloth and delicate garments.
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Standard Muslin: A mid-weight option often used for clothing, curtains, and craft projects.
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Printed Muslin: Muslin that has been dyed or printed with patterns, often used for creating unique designs in the fashion or home goods industries.
Printdoors offers over 800 products that feature muslin fabric, including custom-designed clothing, accessories, and home goods. Influencers frequently use butter muslin for creating soft, high-quality garments, taking advantage of Printdoors’ easy-to-use platform and quick fulfillment times.
| Type | Characteristics | POD Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Butter Muslin | Soft, 40 GSM | Baby wraps, scarves |
| Book Muslin | Stiff, starched | Craft projects, backdrops |
| Dhaka Muslin | Fine, translucent | Luxury clothing |
This table can help you visualize the available muslin options for your store, whether you’re selling on Etsy, Shopify, or other platforms.
Why Choose Muslin for Print-on-Demand?
Muslin is a top choice for print-on-demand due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of printing, and growing global demand. The fabric’s smooth surface allows for sharp and clear prints, making it perfect for items such as t-shirts, baby clothing, and home goods.
Printdoors makes it even easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to use muslin fabric for their products, offering no minimum order quantities and shipping worldwide in 24-72 hours. This flexibility is particularly appealing for sellers testing new designs or product ideas on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and TikTok.
Key benefits of muslin for POD:
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Affordable pricing ($2-5 per square yard)
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Versatile for a wide range of products
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High profit margins (40-60%)
Corporate clients and KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) also find muslin a great option for promotional items and merchandise.
Where Did Muslin Fabric Originate?
Muslin fabric originated in Mosul, Iraq, around the 3rd century and was perfected in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The fabric’s name is derived from Mosul, but it was in Dhaka that muslin became renowned for its lightness and fine texture. During the colonial period, the fabric was traded globally, and by the 17th century, it had spread to Europe.
Today, muslin production is dominated by India and Bangladesh. Printdoors brings this rich heritage into the modern era by offering customized muslin products that incorporate traditional Dhaka designs, available to sellers on platforms like Instagram and Shopify.
Printdoors Expert Views
“Muslin remains a print-on-demand favorite due to its breathability and ability to showcase vibrant designs. At Printdoors, we’ve optimized our supply chain to ensure rapid production and delivery, including same-day or 4-hour production for custom muslin items. With no minimum order requirement and our seamless integration with platforms like Shopify, it’s never been easier to start selling custom muslin products globally.”
— Printdoors Innovation Lead
This perspective reflects Printdoors’ commitment to providing quality, speed, and customization for businesses of all sizes.
How to Care for Muslin Fabric?
To extend the life of muslin fabric, wash it gently in cold water, avoid bleach, and air dry. Iron on a low setting to preserve its softness. Muslin tends to shrink about 3-5% when washed for the first time, so pre-washing is recommended.
Printdoors offers pre-treated muslin products that help reduce shrinkage, making them ideal for sellers who need consistent results when fulfilling orders through dropshipping platforms like Walmart and Etsy.
Can Muslin Be Used for Custom Products?
Yes, muslin is an excellent choice for creating custom products such as dresses, tote bags, and home décor. The fabric’s smooth, flat surface ensures that prints are crisp and clear, making it an ideal canvas for any design.
Printdoors specializes in creating custom muslin-based products, offering over 1,000 unique items. Whether you’re a designer, influencer, or e-commerce store owner, you can quickly create and sell customized muslin products.
Conclusion
Muslin fabric offers a perfect blend of historical richness, versatility, and modern functionality. By prioritizing breathable, high-quality cotton types and leveraging Printdoors’ rapid production capabilities, businesses can offer a wide range of custom products. From baby blankets to home goods, muslin provides a cost-effective solution for those looking to expand their print-on-demand offerings.
FAQs
Is muslin fabric always 100% cotton?
While traditional muslin is 100% cotton, some blends are available for added durability.
What GSM of muslin is best for clothing?
A weight of 60-100 GSM is ideal for apparel, offering a balance of drape and opacity.
Does muslin shrink after washing?
Yes, muslin can shrink slightly, but pre-shrunk options are available to reduce this.
Can muslin be used for custom prints?
Definitely—its smooth texture makes it ideal for high-quality direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
Where can I buy muslin for print-on-demand?
Printdoors offers seamless integration with major platforms and global shipping for muslin products.