Product List
Polyester yarn
- polyester spun yarn
- polyester spun sewing thread
- polyester high strength yarn
- polyester DTY
- polyester FDY
- polyester hank yarn
- waxed yarn
Viscose rayon yarn
- viscose rayon yarn
Cotton yarn
- 100% cotton yarn
- recycled cotton yarn
- double color cotton yarn
Aramid yarn
- aramid yarn
Polypropylene yarn
- polypropylene yarn
Nylon yarn
- nylon 6 DTY
- nylon sewing thread
Covered yarn
- rubber covered yarn
- spandex covered yarn
Acrylic yarn
- 100% acrylic yarn
- acrylic wool yarn
Thread machine
- thread winding machine
Buying Guide: Polyester vs Nylon Thread
Polyester vs nylon sewing thread: comparison table
This table compares the properties that matter most when you choose thread for a production run: strength, elasticity, heat resistance, UV resistance, price and typical applications.
| Property | Polyester thread | Nylon (polyamide) thread |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | High tenacity; strong enough for jeans, bags and shoes | Higher tenacity, especially in wet condition |
| Elastic recovery | Good; low extension under load | Excellent; returns to shape after repeated stretching |
| Abrasion resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Heat resistance | Better; withstands normal ironing and high-speed sewing friction | Lower melting point; softens and fuses under hot iron or high friction |
| UV / sunlight resistance | Moderate to good | Poor; yellows and weakens in prolonged sunlight |
| Chemical resistance | Good resistance to acids and most chemicals | Good but weaker against strong acids |
| Price (FOB China) | US $2.25-2.85 / kg (spun polyester sewing thread) | US $3.58-6.85 / kg (100% nylon thread) |
| Typical uses | Garments, jeans, knitwear, shirts, bags, shoes, home textiles | Sports shoes, sportswear, elastic fabrics, outdoor gear, luggage |
Prices are the FOB China reference ranges of ANDYARN for bulk orders; the exact quotation depends on count, color and quantity. Contact us for a live price.
When should you choose polyester sewing thread?
Polyester sewing thread is the most popular thread in the world because it delivers dependable strength, good elasticity, low shrinkage and stable chemical properties at a much lower price than nylon. It is made from spun or filament polyester yarn and works on cotton, chemical-fiber and blended fabrics, as well as knitted outerwear.
For jeans, sportswear, leather goods, shoes and general garments, polyester thread is the standard recommendation. A 20/3 or 30/3 count handles heavy denim seams, while 40/2 and 50/2 suits lighter fabrics such as T-shirts and silk. Our polyester sewing thread range covers 20s/2 to 60s/3 with a MOQ of 100 kg per color and supply ability of 2,000 tons per month.
When should you choose nylon sewing thread?
Nylon (polyamide) sewing thread is chosen when the seam must survive repeated stretching and heavy abrasion: sport shoes, high-elastic fabrics, luggage and outdoor equipment. Its elastic recovery is superior to polyester, so seams hold up where the material constantly flexes.
The two main drawbacks are heat and light. Nylon melts at a lower temperature than polyester, so it requires slower sewing speeds and cooler ironing, and it yellows and weakens after long sun exposure. It also costs more - at ANDYARN roughly 60% more per kilogram than polyester thread - so use it only where its elasticity justifies the price.
How to choose by application
| Application | Recommended thread | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans and heavy garments | Polyester 20/3, 30/3 | High strength at low cost; withstands washing and abrasion |
| T-shirts, shirts, light fabrics | Polyester 40/2, 50/2, 60/2 | Fine seam, low bulk, good sewing performance |
| Sportswear and elastic fabrics | Nylon thread (high-stretch) | Elastic recovery keeps seams from breaking during stretch |
| Sports shoes and shoe uppers | Nylon thread; polyester for non-flex areas | Nylon absorbs flexing; polyester is economical for static seams |
| Bags, luggage, outdoor gear | Nylon thread | Best abrasion resistance for heavy use |
| Home textiles, quilts, sheets | Polyester thread | Balanced performance at the best price |
Frequently asked questions
Yes, nylon (polyamide) thread has higher tenacity than polyester, especially when wet. It also returns to shape after stretching better than polyester. The trade-off is that nylon melts at a lower temperature, degrades faster under sunlight, and costs roughly 60% more per kilogram than polyester sewing thread.
Nylon raw material is more expensive to produce and nylon thread needs more careful processing. At ANDYARN, polyester sewing thread is priced around US $2.25-2.85 per kilogram while nylon sewing thread is around US $3.58-6.85 per kilogram, so polyester offers significantly lower cost for most garment applications.
For most garments, bags and shoes, yes: polyester thread is a reliable and cheaper substitute. Switch to nylon thread only when the seam must absorb repeated stretching (sportswear, elastic fabrics, shoe uppers) or face heavy abrasion (outdoor gear), where nylon's elasticity and abrasion resistance justify the higher price.
Polyester sewing thread is the standard choice for jeans. A 20/3 or 30/3 polyester thread provides the strength and abrasion resistance needed for heavy denim seams at a much lower cost than nylon. We supply 20s/3, 30s/3, 40s/2 and other counts with a MOQ of 100 kg per color.
Get a quotation for your thread
ANDYARN manufactures polyester sewing thread (20s/2-60s/3), nylon sewing thread and polyester high-strength filament thread with full in-house dyeing and OEM private-label service. Send us your count, color, quantity and destination port for an exact FOB price, or see our polyester sewing thread, nylon sewing thread and high-strength thread pages for full specifications.
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