How to Find the Best Yoga Mat Manufacturer

As more people are getting into Yoga, Pilates and exercising at home, there are a lot of options to choose from. To get the best manufacturer you’ll need to know what exactly you want. Finding a  yoga mat manufacturer who can provide you with high quality bespoke mats will help to grow your business!

Know What You Want

To get the best manufacturer, you’ll need to know what you want! Consider who you are selling to. Some manufacturers will offer low quality mats, others will provide high quality mats with great grip.

When you know what you want from your mats, the manufacturer will be easier to work with. If you’re selling to retailers they’ll likely want bright, cheap mats to buy in bulk. However if you’re selling to professionals you’ll want them to be high quality, durable and hygienic.

Also consider how many you need, size, thickness, packaging and branding.

Evaluating Yoga Mat Materials

This will impact how comfortable, flexible, grippy, lightweight and durable your mats will be.

PVC/TPE

There are more affordable mats available using PVC. There are many options for sizes, thickness and designs. Just consider the quality and durability.

Thermoplastic Elastomers can be lightweight, flexible and easy to handle depending on the material. We’d recommend asking your manufacturer.

Natural Rubber

If you want high quality mats with great grip and even surface then natural rubber would be a good option. They can be quite heavy and may not be suitable for those with a latex allergy. Other materials are available such as cork and specialist foams.

A good quality manufacturer will be able to give you advice on the differences between the materials. They will also be able to send you samples so you can see how textured, padded, smelly, flexible and structured they are.

Quality

The quality of your mats will affect how happy your customers are and your brand. If they are warped, unattractive and not grippy your clients will be unhappy and return them.

Are they all the same? Same thickness, smooth, high quality edges, right size, same material and durable?

Ask them how they ensure their mats are high quality. They may have quality checks through the manufacturing process. When preparing the materials, during manufacturing and at the end when packaging. Ask them what their processes are and if they have any reports/specifications.

If it’s your first order, ask for a sample to ensure they are producing the right product.

Branding

Branding your product will make it stand out from your competitors. Your manufacturer will have lots of options. Depending on their capabilities they’ll be able to provide certain colours, designs, logos, size, thickness, texture and packaging.

If you’re a wellness brand you may want simple designs and eco friendly packaging. However if you’re selling to retailers they may want bright colours and clear information.

Ask for a sample/proof to see how the design, logos, print quality and packaging look. Consider how much you’ll need to order as you’ll often need more of the product.

Price

Price is an important factor to consider. Don’t always go for the cheapest.

Consider how much per unit, branding, packaging, postage and import tax (if applicable). If you’re importing, consider currency fluctuations and how long it will take to receive. This will affect how much stock you have.

Consider lead times. If they’re providing great prices but the product isn’t great it may not be the best option.

Ask for a written quote. This should include the specs, how many units, payment terms, delivery times and when they’ll deliver.

Good Communication

Ensure they can answer any questions you have. They should know about the materials, capacity, delivery and branding.

They should know what you want and be able to explain any technical issues. Having a written confirmation of the spec will help to prevent any mistakes, especially if there is branding or specialist packaging.

Ordering a sample run will help you to understand the quality, delivery times and communication.

Having a reliable partner means you can order more when demand increases, new designs and a consistent range. Ensure they can confirm they have capacity and will deliver.

Packaging, Storage & Delivery

Ensure they can package your mats. Depending on the material and delivery they may not package them correctly and they’ll get damaged.

Ask them how they’ll deliver your mats. Will they be rolled up, folded, individually wrapped or in cartons? How big are the cartons and how many? This will affect how much it will cost to deliver and how much space they’ll take up in your warehouse.

If you’re ordering internationally, ensure you know who will deliver, how long it will take, what documents are required and what they’ll do if anything gets damaged.

Plan this out if you’re launching your products seasonally.

Conclusion

Considering all factors such as materials, quality, branding, price, communication and logistics will help you find the perfect manufacturer.

Knowing what you want and seeing samples will help you make informed decisions.

Consider their capabilities if you’re selling to retailers/wellness brands.