I remember the first time I saw it. I was scrolling through a collector's group on Facebook and someone posted a picture of a tote bag they had made. It was covered in the iconic faces of Labubu, Zimomo, and Tycoco from The Monsters series. My first thought was, "Wait, did Pop Mart release fabric? How did I miss this drop?"
It took me a minute of confused searching to realize what was going on. Pop Mart hadn't released fabric. This was something else entirely. This was the beginning of the "Labubu fabric" phenomenon, a search term that now leads to two completely different, and often confusing, destinations. As a seller and a long-time collector, I feel like I need to clear the air on this. Because what you're looking for, and what you actually get, can be worlds apart.
So, let's break down the two realities of this query.
First, there's the question of the labubu material itself, what are the official toys made of? This is what I handle every single day packing orders for PopNya. For the standard blind box figures, like the recent "Fall in Wild" or "Sweets" series, the primary material is PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). It's a type of plastic that gives the figures their satisfying weight, smooth finish, and durability. When you hold a real Labubu, it has a certain heft and a cool, almost silky feel. The paint application is (usually) crisp and vibrant, sealed with a matte or glossy finish depending on the design.
Then you have the plush figures, like the super popular "Time to Chill" vinyl plush dolls. These are a hybrid. The head is still that high-quality, heavy vinyl, but the body is made of a soft, low-pile plush fabric. It's incredibly soft to the touch, almost like a minky fabric but with a shorter, denser feel. The stitching is tight and the quality is what you'd expect from an official Pop Mart product. This is the only "official" labubu fabric that exists, the material used on an actual product. You can't buy it separately.
And that brings us to the second, much wilder world of Labubu fabric. The stuff people are making tote bags, scrunchies, and even custom outfits with.
This is the world of custom-printed fabric, and it has exploded in popularity. If you search for "labubu fabric by the yard" on Etsy or specialty fabric sites, you'll be flooded with options. These are small, independent shops that take digital patterns, often featuring Kasing Lung's art, and print them onto different types of fabric for sale.
Why does this market even exist? Simple. Demand. The Labubu community is one of the most passionate and creative fanbases I've ever seen. People don't just want to collect the figures; they want to integrate them into their lives. They want to carry a Labubu bag, wear a Labubu shirt, and even sew tiny, custom-fit outfits for their figures. Pop Mart, for a variety of reasons, hasn't stepped in to fill this niche with official merchandise. So, the fans did it themselves.
If you're looking to dive into a DIY project, you'll find these custom prints on a few common types of material:
Cotton Woven: This is a standard, non-stretchy cotton. Think quilting fabric. It's great for making structured items like tote bags, pencil cases, or even face masks. It holds its shape well, but it's not ideal for clothing unless it's a very specific, structured piece.
Cotton Lycra (or Cotton Spandex): This is the stuff t-shirts are made of. It's a soft, stretchy knit fabric that's perfect for making clothing, headbands, or scrunchies. I've even seen people use it to make little hoodies for their vinyl figures, which is an incredibly dedicated level of crafting. If you're looking to make doll clothes, this is probably what you want.
Minky: This is a super soft, plush polyester fabric. It's the closest you'll get to the feel of the official plush dolls, though usually with a slightly longer pile. It's perfect for making small pillows, plushie accessories, or the lining of a bag.
Canvas: A heavier, more durable version of cotton woven. This is for heavy-duty projects like backpacks or dopp kits where you need the fabric to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
The process is usually "print-on-demand." A shop will offer a design, and you'll choose your fabric base. They print it, ship it, and you get your very own, very unofficial labubu fabric. Prices typically range from $25 to $35 per yard, which is on the higher end for custom fabric, reflecting the niche demand.
Our Take: The Real Talk on Custom Fabric
Okay, so here's the part that the Etsy sellers won't tell you. As someone who runs a business that relies on official licensing and partnerships, I have to be honest about this side of the community.
First, the quality is a total gamble. I've seen some custom prints that are gorgeous, crisp lines, perfect color matching, and high-resolution art. I've also seen some that are… not. We're talking blurry images that look like a low-res JPEG was stretched too far, colors that are completely off (a common issue is Labubu's signature brown appearing muddy or too reddish), and patterns that are scaled so large that you only get one or two faces per square foot. Since these are small-run operations, there's very little consistency. You are rolling the dice. My advice: always look for customer photos in the reviews, not just the digital mockups.
Second, and this is the big one: this is almost certainly copyright infringement. Kasing Lung's art and the Labubu characters are the intellectual property of the artist and Pop Mart. These small fabric shops are using this IP without a license, and none of the money you spend goes back to the creator you love.
Look, I get it. I'm not here to shame anyone. The desire for this stuff comes from a place of pure love for the characters. It's a creative outlet. But it's something you need to be aware of when you buy. It exists in a legal gray area that, so far, Pop Mart seems to be turning a blind eye to, likely because it's a small-scale fan activity. But that could change at any time.
It also creates a strange precedent. While you're making a cute bag, someone else might be using that same fabric to create counterfeit-style merchandise to sell at a markup, further muddying the waters for new collectors. It's a slippery slope.
So, if you're a DIY-er dying to make something custom, my advice is to go in with open eyes. Understand that the quality might be variable and that you're participating in the unofficial, unlicensed side of the fandom. If you're comfortable with that, then by all means, create something that brings you joy. The community has made some truly amazing things.
For those who are a bit wary of the unofficial route, there are so many other ways to get creative. I've seen collectors do incredible things with official products. They buy plain doll clothes and customize them with patches or paint. They create intricate dioramas for their figures to live in. They take the official Labubu keychain and load it up with unique, personal charms. The entire world of Labubu accessories is a rabbit hole of customization that lets you make your collection truly your own without stepping into that gray area.
And if you're specifically looking to dress up your figures, you don't even need to sew from scratch.Knowing what to look for is key, and we've actually put together a whole guide on buying Labubu clothes that can help you navigate that space safely.
Ultimately, the existence of a search for "Labubu fabric" is a testament to the character's impact. The love for Labubu is so strong that it has spilled out of the collector's cabinet and into every corner of our lives. It's a passion that demands to be worn, carried, and shared.
While we at PopNya stick to the official releases, we see and appreciate the creativity that drives this trend. It's born from a genuine love for Kasing Lung's world. If you're looking to dive into that world, we'd love for you to browse our LABUBU collection to see the official figures and plushes that started it all. Holding the real thing, feeling the specific labubu material and seeing the quality up close, is an experience that no custom fabric can truly replicate. It's the source of the magic.
Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
