Swim Trunks
Custom swim trunks designed for swimwear brands with flexible options for fabrics, prints, colors, and private labels.
View Details →Custom OEM / ODM · MOQ 50 pcs
Custom Board Shorts Manufacturer
Custom board shorts for surf and beachwear brands, featuring custom prints, functional details, and OEM support.
| MOQ | 50 pcs per style per color |
| LEAD TIME | 18-25 days for bulk production |
| SAMPLE TIME | 10-14 business days |
| FABRIC | Four-way stretch woven polyester, recycled options available |
| SIZE RANGE | 28-40 waist, or S-3XL |
| FUNCTIONS | Four-way stretch - Water repellent finish - Abrasion resistant |
Board shorts are a technical product and should not be confused with printed swim trunks. They are built from woven four-way stretch fabric, use a fly or lace closure rather than a full elastic waist, and are engineered for the abrasion and impact of actual surfing. Brands selling into surf retail need this construction, because surf buyers recognise the difference immediately and a knit trunk marketed as a board short will not get shelf space.
Styles We Manufacture
Classic lace-up board shorts with a front tie closure and velcro fly. Fixed-waist styles with a snap and velcro closure and an internal drawcord. Scalloped-hem shorts in the traditional surf silhouette. Longer 20-21 inch outseam styles for competitive surfing. Shorter 17-18 inch outseams for the lifestyle market. Hybrid walk-short cuts with a cleaner finish for wear off the beach. Panel and yoke constructions that allow contrast fabric blocking without additional print cost.
Fabric Options
Four-way stretch woven polyester is the core fabric, typically in a 90/10 or 88/12 polyester elastane blend with a DWR water-repellent finish so the short sheds water rather than absorbing it. Recycled polyester woven with the same performance profile is available with GRS documentation. For premium ranges we run a lighter, higher-density weave that dries faster and packs smaller. All fabrics are tested for abrasion resistance and colorfastness under saltwater and UV exposure.
Construction & Craftsmanship Details
Seam construction is what defines a real board short. Standard builds use flatlock or double-needle seams; premium builds use welded or bonded seams that eliminate stitch holes entirely, reducing chafe and improving water shedding. The gusset is a critical component — a diamond or triangular gusset at the crotch allows full range of motion during paddling and prevents the seam blowout that occurs on straight-seamed shorts. The fly uses marine-grade velcro with a soft backing tape. Lace closures use a flat woven cord with sealed tips through metal-reinforced eyelets. Back pockets include drainage eyelets and, on higher-spec builds, a corrosion-resistant zip with a storm flap. Hems are bar-tacked at every stress point.
Customization & Branding
Sublimation printing works on polyester woven bases and covers the full short including waistband facing. Engineered placement prints along the leg or yoke are common in surf design. Contrast panelling and color-blocked yokes deliver a technical look without print cost. Branding applies as rubber or silicone patches at the hem, heat-transfer logos, embroidery at the back pocket or waistband, woven labels at the center back, and custom velcro or eyelet hardware at volume. Surf brands frequently specify a printed inner waistband facing as a hidden brand detail.
Sizing & Fit Development
Board shorts are typically sold in numeric waist sizes from 28 to 40, which is the convention in surf retail, though alpha sizing S-3XL is also supported. Outseam length is the defining fit dimension and should be specified per size — a fixed outseam across the range means the short sits at a different point on the leg for different customers. Rise and gusset placement need in-water testing rather than static fitting, since paddling position reveals fit issues that standing does not.
Packaging & Shipping
Board shorts are folded and poly bagged with hangtags, typically attached at the belt loop or waistband. Because the woven fabric is less compressible than knit, carton planning matters for freight efficiency. Numeric size runs are packed to your specified ratio. All freight modes available with full export documentation.
Customization Options
- Outseam lengths from 17" to 21"
- Lace-up, velcro fly, or snap closures with internal drawcord
- Welded or bonded seam construction for premium builds
- Diamond or triangular crotch gusset for paddling range
- Marine-grade velcro with soft backing tape
- Zip back pocket with storm flap and drainage eyelets
- Scalloped or straight hem finishes
- Contrast yoke and panel color blocking
- Printed inner waistband facing as hidden brand detail
Want to take it further? Read our custom bikini manufacturing guide or see all custom swimwear options.
Who Is This For
Surf and boardsport brands · Technical beachwear labels · Action sport retailers · Coastal lifestyle brands
Sampling & Pricing Policy
| Sample fee | $50 per style (1 pc) — shipping prepaid |
| Special fabrics / complex techniques | Price on request |
| Sample fee refund | Fully refunded when bulk order ≥ 100 sets per style |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between board shorts and swim trunks?
Board shorts use woven four-way stretch fabric with a fly or lace closure and are built for surfing. Trunks use knit fabric with a full elastic waist and are built for casual swimming.
Do you offer welded seams?
Yes. Welded and bonded seam construction eliminates stitch holes for reduced chafe and better water shedding. It carries a higher unit cost than stitched construction.
Is a gusset included?
Yes on all our board short blocks. A diamond or triangular gusset is essential for paddling range of motion and prevents crotch seam failure.
Can you produce numeric waist sizing?
Yes — 28 to 40 waist is the surf retail standard, and we grade outseam length proportionally rather than fixing it across the range.
Is the fabric water repellent?
Standard fabric carries a DWR finish so the short sheds water rather than absorbing it, which keeps weight down when exiting the water.
Why is the lead time longer than trunks?
18-25 days versus 15-20, because woven construction with gussets, fly closures, and hardware involves more operations than a simple knit trunk.
Factory-direct pricing, sampling in 7–10 days, and photo updates at every production stage.
Get a Quote for Board Shorts