1. Assess Your Needs

• Type of Manufacturer: Do you need a CMT (cut, make, trim), FPP (Full Package Production), ODM, or OEM Manufacturer? Here’s the difference.
• Garment Type: Are you making women’s woven dresses or knit activewear? Many manufacturers specialize. Don’t send a legging tech pack to a denim factory.
• Location: Domestic = easier communication + faster turnaround. Overseas = lower production cost, higher minimums (and there could be additional importing costs). Think about your budget and what matters most to you.
• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): Can they meet your order quantity? Or do you want to commit to their volume?
• Capabilities: Need help with sourcing, dyeing, or embroidery? Make sure they can handle the extras.

2. List Down Potential Clothing Manufacturers

Start by listing at least 10 potential manufacturers. I guarantee – half won’t even respond or won’t be a fit right away.

Where to Find Clothing Manufacturers

Online Platforms

• Google is still great. Just beware of old or low-quality listings.
• Alibaba = mostly overseas (Asia) options. Tons of choices, but vet carefully.
• Maker’s Row = mostly U.S.-based. Better for domestic startups.

Be specific with your searches – include the material, type of garment, and location:

Don’t assume because they’re listed that they’re good. Check reviews. Ask questions. Look for red flags (more below).

Fashion Industry Trade Shows

If you can attend one – it’s worth it. You can see samples IRL, ask questions, and get a feel for who’s legit. Here’s a list of the top fashion trade shows.

Listen to this pod interview with Andreu David (LinkedIn), Vice President of Sourcing at MAGIC, for more trade show sourcing tips:

🎧 Sourcing Secrets: How to Find the Perfect Factory and Avoid Expensive Mistakes

Referrals & Online Communities

Ask other designers or brand owners for referrals – they’re your best source for reliable manufacturers. You can also find leads by joining fashion startup forums and Facebook groups (I usually search “[location] + clothing manufacturer” on Google or social media). My FAST students regularly swap factory contacts, suppliers, and resources in our private chat group.

Pro Tip: Manufacturers have specific types of garments (or materials) they specialize in – one might specialize in denim, while another is great with activewear. Don’t fall for “we can do it all” type of manufacturers. While it’s convenient to work with just one factory, you’ll often get better results by choosing partners who have extensive experience in your garment type.

3. Vet and Compare Your Top Picks

Once you’ve got a shortlist of manufacturers, start reaching out. Be clear about your requirements and send a tech pack – factories will take you more seriously if you show you’re prepared. If you’re not ready to share the full tech pack yet, you can start with a spec sheet or a reference image to protect your designs.

List of Questions to Ask a Clothing Manufacturer

You don’t have to ask everything to start; pick out what matters to your brand:

1. Capabilities and Specialization:
   • What type of service/s do you offer (CMT/FPP/ODM/OEM)?
   • What types of products do you specialize in?
   • Could you send some samples of similar products you’ve done before?
   • What customization options do you offer? (i.e., embroidery, printing, dyeing)
   • Are there any additional services you offer, such as textile sourcing, fabric dyeing?
2. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and Pricing:
   • What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?
   • How much does it cost to make one sample? 
   • How much is the bulk production cost per unit?
3. Production Capacity and Lead Times:
   • What is the lead time for sample production?
   • What is the lead time for bulk production?
4. Quality Control Measures:
   • What quality control processes do you have in place?
   • How do you ensure that the finished products meet our quality standards?
5. Certifications and References:
   • Do you have any relevant certifications, such as ISO or other industry standards?
   • What are some brands you’ve previously worked with?
   • Can you provide references from previous clients you’ve worked with?
6. Payment Terms and Contracts:
   • What are your payment terms and methods? 
   • Do you require upfront payments or staggered payments throughout production?
7. Penalties and Non-Compliance:
   • What happens if the finished products don’t meet the agreed-upon standards?
   • What are the penalties for delays or non-compliance with delivery schedules?

Reach Out to Manufacturers Using a Template

Here’s a sample message:

I recommend creating a supplier questionnaire in a simple doc or spreadsheet. This makes it easier for you to send the same set of questions to multiple factories – and easier for them to respond clearly.

Dig Into Credentials and Customer Reviews

Check for credentials, certifications, customer reviews, and references. While online reviews are easy to find, they’re not always reliable – especially if they’re filtered on the manufacturer’s own website.

Many factories also list the brands they’ve worked with – try reaching out to a few. If no brands are listed, you can ask the manufacturer directly for client references. Independent or startup brands are usually more open to sharing honest feedback and more likely to respond.

Pro Tip: The cheapest option is rarely the best. Poor communication (or even ghosting), too many protos, mistakes in production, and overall bad quality. What you save upfront, you’ll spend fixing mistakes.

Red Flags to Watch Out For in Clothing Manufacturers

If they’re flaky before money’s involved, it won’t get better after. Trust your gut.

🚩 Lack of Transparency: Vague about pricing, processes, or company info? That’s a red flag.

🚩 Unrealistic Promises: Super cheap prices or lightning-fast timelines usually come with cut corners.

🚩 Poor Communication: If it’s hard to get clear, timely replies now, expect worse later.

🚩 No Quality Control: A good factory should have clear QC steps in place.

🚩 Says “Yes” to Everything: The best manufacturers specialize – they don’t do everything.

🚩 Overly Pushy Sales Tactics: Pressure to sign quickly is a bad sign.

🚩 No Credentials or Certifications: They should be able to prove their legitimacy.

🚩 No Physical Address or Visit Option: Be cautious if they avoid sharing this.

🚩 No References or Bad Reviews: A lack of good client feedback is worth questioning.

4. Optional: Visit the Factory (or Hire Someone Who Can)

A visit isn’t always necessary – but if you can, it helps. This is also a great opportunity to form a good relationship with your clothing manufacturer.

If your manufacturer is overseas or you’re remote, consider hiring a third-party inspector to audit the factory. 

What they check:

• Factory legitimacy (does it actually exist?)
• Working conditions & compliance (child labor, safety, cleanliness)
• Quality control systems
• Equipment & production capabilities
• Sample/product quality

How to find them:

Google: Search “clothing factory inspection [country]” or  “third-party factory audit [country]”

5. Ask for Garment Samples and Quotes

Send over a completed tech pack and request your first proto. This step lets you see and feel the quality firsthand before committing. If the budget allows, I ask the top three manufacturers from my list to create and send garments samples.

This is also a great time to ask for more structured quotations. Ask them how much both small-scale and large-scale runs would cost based on various quantities (i.e., 100 units / 500 units / 1,000 units). The cost per unit can vary greatly depending on your order quantity. Use this to your advantage, but also don’t order more just because it’s cheaper!

6. Negotiate Terms & Conditions

Before you sign off on anything, get clear on:

• Pricing: Aim for a fair price that balances cost with quality. Don’t undercut – investing in good manufacturing protects your brand’s reputation.
• Payment Terms: Clarify when payments are due (upfront, staggered, or after delivery). Choose terms that work with your cash flow.
• Delivery Timelines: Set realistic deadlines based on order size and complexity, and agree on what happens if delays occur.
• Quality Control & Penalties: Ask about their QC process and what happens if production doesn’t meet your standards. It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard.
• Contingency Plan: Discuss what happens if something goes wrong – miscommunication, defects, delays. A solid plan protects both sides.

Negotiation isn’t about squeezing them – it’s about finding a #win-win setup that protects you and makes production easier for them.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Rush This Step

Your manufacturer will be one of the most important relationships in your business. Take the time to get it right. Vet properly. Ask smart questions. Trust your gut.

And remember – what will matter most won’t be just the price. It’s communication, consistency, and quality.