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Apparel Search How To
How many to make, in which sizes and colors, and what it will cost, before you place your first order with a factory.
The first order is the one most brands feel least sure about. Order too few and you lose sales, and order too many and you carry unsold stock and tied-up cash. This guide walks through the decisions in order, with free tools to turn your assumptions into numbers. It follows on from how to start a clothing line and how to compare factory quotes.
Is it a test to learn what sells, or a full launch? A smaller first order limits risk and teaches you about fit and demand. A larger one may lower your unit cost but ties up more money. Be clear about your goal before you pick quantities.
Base your estimate on real signals, such as pre-orders, your audience, retailer commitments and what similar styles have sold. Be cautious. It is easier to reorder a style that sells than to clear one that does not.
Ask each factory about minimums per style and per color, and whether prices drop at higher quantities. Minimums may push you to fewer colors or styles.
Compare quantity tiers, including unsold inventory, with the Price Break Calculator.
Turn the total into units for each color and size using a size scale or size ratio, such as 1-2-2-1 for small, medium, large and extra large. Base the ratio on your own sales and fit data, and round to whole cartons or packs.
Build the grid with the Size Curve & Order Splitter. For how to size your styles, see how to create a size chart.
Find the landed cost per unit, the total you must pay and when. Then work out how much you need to sell at full price to cover everything.
Use the Landed Cost Calculator, the Import Cash Flow Planner and the Collection Break-Even Planner.
Decide in advance what you will do if a style sells out, and what you will do with units that do not sell. Track sell-through from the first week so you can reorder early or mark down in time.
Track results with the Merchandising Metrics Calculator and plan purchases with the Open-to-Buy Planner.
Put the order on a written purchase order or order confirmation: styles, quantities by size and color, prices, price terms, delivery date, packing and payment terms, with approved samples as the reference. Contract and legal terms are a matter for a qualified professional, so check them before you commit.
It depends on your demand, your budget and the factory's minimums. Estimate demand from real signals, check minimums and price breaks, and work out cash needs before choosing a quantity.
A size scale, also called a size ratio or size curve, shows how many units of each size you buy, for example 1-2-2-1 for small, medium, large and extra large.
It is the smallest amount a factory will produce, often per style or color. Ask what flexibility each factory offers.
Not automatically. A bigger order lowers the price per unit but raises the risk of unsold stock and ties up more cash. Compare the cost per unit you can actually sell.
A written order that records styles, quantities, prices, terms and dates avoids misunderstandings. For legal terms, speak with a qualified professional.