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Rows of industrial sewing machines with garments in production in a bright clothing factory

For Founders Sourcing Production

Finding and working with clothing manufacturers.

The right factory is a business partner, not just a vendor. This guide walks through the founder's actual decisions: preparing a brief factories can quote from, comparing supplier models, vetting the real facility, and managing the relationship through production.

Start with a quote-ready brief

Factories cannot quote — and should not be asked to quote — from a sketch and enthusiasm. Before contacting anyone, prepare a brief that lets different factories price the same work:

Product

Specifications

Sketches or tech pack, materials and trims, construction details, quality expectations, and size range. The more complete this is, the more comparable your quotes will be.

Quantity

Volumes

Units per style, broken down by size and colorway. Factories price runs, not concepts — be honest about your real first quantities.

Logistics

Delivery & destination

Target dates and where goods must land. Importing changes the quote, the timeline, and the paperwork.

Not sure what a tech pack should contain? Read the design-phase steps in our guide for new designers first.

Compare supplier models

"Manufacturer" covers very different arrangements. Scope varies between factories and must be confirmed in writing — never assume.

CMT (cut, make, trim)

You supply the fabric, trims, and often the patterns; the factory cuts and sews. More control and sometimes lower unit cost — but you carry sourcing responsibility and minimums on every component. See our CMT factories reference for more on this model.

Full-package production (FPP)

The factory sources materials and handles the whole process from your tech pack to packed goods. Simpler for a first-time founder — but you must verify what "full package" includes at each factory you talk to.

Domestic vs. overseas

Domestic production usually means easier communication, faster samples, and simpler logistics; overseas often means different pricing structures and longer lead times. Neither is universally "better" — the right answer depends on your product, quantities, and cash cycle. For a detailed comparison, see the manufacturing guides.

Agents and intermediaries

Sourcing agents connect you with factories for a fee or margin. They can open doors — but you should still know exactly which factory will make your goods and who is responsible when something goes wrong.

Vet the actual facility

A directory listing is a research lead, not an endorsement. Our apparel manufacturers directory is a good place to build a shortlist — then verify the factory itself:

  • Category experience. A factory that excels at knit tops may be wrong for tailored outerwear. Ask for products they have made that resemble yours.
  • Samples of their work — and references from other brands at your scale.
  • Capacity and schedule. Who else is in their production calendar, and where does your run fit?
  • Subcontracting. Ask directly whether any part of the work will be done elsewhere; undisclosed subcontracting is a common source of quality surprises.
  • Communication. Slow, vague replies during courtship rarely improve after the deposit is paid.

Compare quotes on the same basis

The lowest number is often the least comparable one. Line up every quote against the same checklist:

  • What materials are included — and who sources them?
  • Are sampling costs and tooling included or separate?
  • Testing, packaging, and labeling (see our apparel labeling rules guide — someone has to sew in those labels).
  • Freight, duties, and delivery terms (where do your costs start and theirs end?).
  • Payment milestones and terms.
"A directory listing is a research lead, not an endorsement."

Manage the relationship

  • Approve samples in writing. Keep dated sign-offs on every prototype and pre-production sample — they are the reference point when bulk goods differ.
  • Lock the specification. Changes after production starts cost money and goodwill. If something must change, document it and re-price it.
  • Set inspection criteria before production — what you will check, what tolerance is acceptable, and what happens with defects.
  • Visit or hire an inspector. For overseas production, a third-party inspection before shipment is inexpensive relative to a container of unsellable goods.
  • Pay milestones, not everything upfront. A structure tied to sampling, production, and delivery protects both sides.

For costing fundamentals before you commit to a run, review Fashion Business Basics, and research materials in our fabric directory.