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How to find a clothing manufacturer
Write down what you need first: the product, the fabric, the quantity and the date. Then shortlist three to five factories that make that product at your quantity, and ask each one the same questions. Order a paid sample before you pay for bulk. Pick the factory whose sample, terms and answers you trust.
- Where to look
- Questions to ask
- Red flags to watch
Eight steps to the right factory
- Write down what you need. The product, the fabric, the decoration, the quantity per style and color, your target price and the date you need it.
- Make a tech pack, or start with a sketch. A tech pack tells a factory how to make the piece. Many factories can also start from a sketch or a photo.
- Search where factories list. Manufacturer directories, trade shows, search engines, LinkedIn and referrals from other brands.
- Shortlist three to five. Keep the factories that make your product now, at your quantity.
- Ask every factory the same questions. Then compare the answers side by side.
- Order a paid sample. A sample shows the fabric, the fit, the stitching and how the factory handles changes.
- Agree the terms in writing. The price, the payment split, the lead time, the quality checks, the shipping terms and what happens with defects.
- Start with one style. A first order shows you how the factory works before you add more styles.
Where to find clothing manufacturers
Most brands use more than one of these.
- Manufacturer directories and business-to-business marketplaces list factories by product, country and minimum order.
- Trade shows let you meet factories and feel their samples in person.
- Search engines and LinkedIn: search for your product and the word manufacturer, such as hoodie manufacturer.
- Referrals from other brand owners are often the best leads. Ask who makes their clothes.
- Labels on clothes you like: in the US, a label can carry an RN (registered identification number). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) keeps a database of the company behind each one. That is often the brand or the importer, not the factory, but it is a start.
Ask every factory these questions
Send the same list to each factory, then compare the answers.
- Do you make this product now? Can I see pieces you have made?
- What is your minimum per style and color, and can I mix sizes?
- What does a sample cost, and how long does it take?
- How long does bulk take for my quantity, after I approve the sample?
- What are your payment terms?
- How do you check quality, and what happens with defects?
- Do you quote FOB (free on board) or DDP (delivered duty paid)?
- Can you source the fabric and trims, or do I send them?
- Can I send my own inspector, or visit?
- Who will I talk to, and how fast do you reply?
When to walk away
- No physical sample before bulk, or a sample that looks nothing like the photos.
- All the money up front on a first bulk order, with nothing held back until after the final inspection.
- A price far below the rest with no clear reason. Ask what fabric and what weight it includes.
- Vague answers about where the factory is and who makes your order.
- Slow or careless replies before you have paid. They rarely get better after.
- No terms in writing for delays, defects and remakes.
What a good sample round looks like
For Saint Parma, a client, we drew the track jacket first, then made one sample to check before bulk.
How Sharknits answers these questions
If you are shortlisting us, here are our answers in one place.
- Products13 product families, from hoodies and jackets to team uniforms, gloves and leather goods
- MinimumUsually 25 pieces per style and color, with sizes mixed
- SampleOne physical sample, $150 to $500 depending on the design, plus shipping
- TimingPlan about 4 months ahead if you need several sample rounds
- PaymentIn full when the order is ready to ship. On 500 pieces or more, 30% when you order and 70% after the final inspection
- QualityEvery piece is checked against your approved sample. Your own inspector is welcome
- ShippingBy air or sea, FOB Karachi or DDP to your door
- FactoriesLahore and Sialkot, Pakistan, with a U.S. corporate office near Chicago
Check a company yourself
Two free US government tools that help when you vet a manufacturer.
- RN numbers. The FTC database shows which company holds the RN on a clothing label. FTC: search the RN database
- Duty rates. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule lists the US duty for each product code, so you can estimate your landed cost. U.S. International Trade Commission: Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Questions buyers ask
How do I find a clothing manufacturer for my brand?
Write down the product, the fabric, the quantity and the date you need it. Search directories, trade shows, search engines and referrals. Shortlist three to five factories that make that product, and order a paid sample before bulk.
How many manufacturers should I contact?
Three to five is a good shortlist. Fewer gives you little to compare. More takes a lot of time to follow up.
Should I pay for a sample?
Yes. A paid sample is normal, and it is the best test of a factory. Ours costs $150 to $500, depending on the design, plus shipping.
What is a normal minimum order for a new brand?
It varies a lot. Large factories often ask for hundreds or thousands of pieces per style. Small-run makers start much lower. At Sharknits it is usually 25 pieces per style and color, with sizes mixed.
What payment terms are normal?
For bulk orders, a deposit of about 30% to 50% when you order, and the balance before shipping, is common. We take a 30% deposit on 500 pieces or more, and the 70% balance after the final inspection, before the goods ship.
Should I visit the factory?
If you can, yes. If not, ask for photos of your order in production and the final inspection result. You can also hire an inspection firm to check the order before you pay the balance.
Should I choose a domestic manufacturer or one abroad?
A factory near you is quicker to reach and to ship from, at a higher price per piece. An overseas factory usually costs less per piece, with longer shipping. Compare the landed cost, the minimums and the lead times.
Do I need a tech pack before I contact a factory?
It helps, but many factories can start without one. We can start from a sketch or a photo and make the tech pack for you. Our free template shows what goes in one.
Your request is ready
Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to contact@sharknits.com.
Want to talk sooner? Book a 15-minute call on Google Meet.
What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a U.S. corporate office near Chicago.