Most new clothing brands spend weeks emailing factories that never reply, or get quotes they can't compare. The process is much easier when you know which kind of partner you need and arrive prepared. Here's a practical route from idea to first order.
Step 1: Decide what kind of partner you need
- Domestic factory: faster sampling and small runs, usually at a higher unit price.
- Overseas factory direct: lower unit prices, but you manage communication, quality and shipping yourself, often across time zones.
- Sourcing agent or full-package supplier: one partner manages overseas factories for you, from development to shipping. Read full-package manufacturing explained.
Step 2: Prepare before you contact anyone
- A brief or tech pack: drawings, measurements, fabric and trims. See how to write a tech pack.
- A reference garment if you don't have a tech pack yet.
- Target retail price and cost. Work backwards from your selling price to the most you can pay per unit.
- Quantity per style and color. Minimums are usually set per style and color.
- Delivery date for when you need stock in hand.
Step 3: Know where to look
- Industry directories such as Thomasnet, Kompass and ApparelSearch.
- Trade shows such as Apparel Sourcing New York City and FIT's CitySource.
- Referrals from other brand founders, fabric suppliers and pattern makers.
- Sourcing agents who already have vetted factory relationships.
Step 4: Compare quotes properly
Make sure every quote covers the same things: fabric and weight, trims, labels, packaging, sampling costs, and which shipping terms apply. A low price that excludes labels and freight can end up costing more than a complete one.
Step 5: Check before you commit
- Ask for current factory audits (WRAP, BSCI or Sedex/SMETA). See what each covers.
- Approve a pre-production sample before bulk starts.
- Agree in writing what will be inspected and what happens if goods fail.
- Pay only the company named on your contract. See ten questions to ask a sourcing agent.
First-order mistakes to avoid
- Too many styles and colors in the first drop, which raises minimums and risk.
- Skipping the fit sample to save time.
- Forgetting labels: US garments need fiber content, country of origin and care instructions.
- Not allowing time for ocean freight and customs.
How Dragon Charm helps startups
We take new brands from idea or tech pack to finished, labeled stock, with one US contact and audited factories in Bangladesh, China and Pakistan. See private label manufacturing for startups or tell us what you're making.