Manufacturing with Mike Apparel runs in five steps: brief, sample, approve, produce, ship. From first message to product at your door is typically five to six weeks, with a 50-piece minimum per design and full private label throughout.
This page walks through each step in the order it happens, what we need from you, what you get back and how long it takes. It is written for first-time brand founders as much as for buyers who have run production before; if a term is unfamiliar, it is linked to a guide.
- BriefProduct, quantity, reference. Quote in 24 hours.
- SamplePre-production piece in 7–10 days, one revision included.
- ApproveSign off spec, 50% deposit, slot reserved.
- Produce2–3 weeks: cut, sew, wash, decorate, label, QC.
- Ship DDP4–7 days by air, duties paid, to your door.
Step 1 — The brief (day 0)
Send the product, quantity per design and colour, and any reference you have: a tech pack, a sketch, a photo of a similar piece or a garment in the post. Tell us the market and the retail price point, because a $45 tee and a $90 tee are built differently. Within 24 hours you get a written quote with fabric options and per-piece pricing at your quantity and the next two quantity bands, plus a sample plan.
Step 2 — Pre-production sample (7–10 days)
Once you pick a fabric and confirm the spec, we draft or check the pattern, source or knit the fabric, produce labels and make one complete garment exactly as bulk will be made, including wash and decoration. We photograph it on a form and ship it to you with fabric swatches and a measurement sheet. The sample fee is 2–3x the bulk unit price and is credited back on the bulk order. Read more on the sampling process.
Step 3 — Approval and deposit (day 12–15)
You wear it, wash it, measure it and tell us what to change. One revision is included. When the sample is signed off, we issue the final spec sheet and invoice a 50% deposit, which reserves fabric and a production slot. Size breakdown is confirmed at this point.
Step 4 — Bulk production (2–3 weeks)
Fabric is relaxed and cut; panels go through print or embroidery where placement requires it; garments are sewn, washed or dyed, decorated, labelled and inspected. You receive photo updates at cutting, mid-sewing and final QC. Leather and heavily constructed outerwear run a week longer; see how long manufacturing takes for the timeline by product type.
Step 5 — QC, packing and DDP delivery (4–7 days by air)
Every piece is checked against the approved sample for measurements, fabric, colour, stitch quality and decoration. Goods are folded, poly-bagged, size-stickered and cartoned to your spec. The balance is invoiced, and the order ships DDP: duties, taxes and customs are paid by us, and the consignment is delivered to your door, your 3PL or your printer. Details on our shipping page.
What happens next
Your block, lab dips, labels and artwork stay on file. Reorders skip sampling unless something changes, so a repeat run is quoted the same day and produced in 2–3 weeks. Most clients move from a 50-piece test to a 200–500 piece reorder within a season.
Start with step one. Send the product and quantity, and we will send back real numbers within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a tech pack to start?
No. A tech pack speeds things up, but a sketch, a reference garment or a clear description with photos is enough for us to quote and build a sample. We draft the tech pack during sampling and you approve it.
How many sample rounds are included?
One pre-production sample and one revision are included in the sample fee. Further revisions are charged at cost. Most styles are approved on the first or second sample.
What happens if bulk does not match the sample?
It will not ship. Every run is inspected against the approved sample for measurements, fabric, colour and decoration before packing. If something is off, we fix it before it leaves the factory.
Can I change the order after the deposit?
Quantity and size breakdown can be adjusted until cutting starts, usually two to three days after deposit. Design changes after cutting require a new sample.
Related: MOQ, pricing and lead times, private label options, how to start a streetwear brand.
Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.