Before placing an order, ask a clothing manufacturer twelve things: minimum per design and colour, whether they sample first, what is done in-house, fabric specs and sourcing, lead times by stage, itemised pricing and shipping terms, payment terms, how quality is checked, how records are kept for reorders, who your contact is, whether they will show the factory live, and what happens when something goes wrong. The answers, and how quickly they arrive, tell you whether you are dealing with a factory or a trader.
This is the checklist we would use to vet ourselves. Each question has the answer a serious factory should give and the answer that should make you walk away. Ask them in the first email or call; a factory that handles them well will handle your order well.
The twelve questions
| Question | Good answer | Walk away if |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is your minimum per design and colour, in stock fabric, with a sample first? | A number, stated plainly (ours: 50) | ‘Depends’ or a number that changes at quote |
| 2. Do you make a pre-production sample before bulk, and what does it cost? | Yes, 2–3x unit price, credited on bulk | No sample, or ‘we send a stock sample’ |
| 3. Which processes are in-house: cutting, sewing, wash, print, embroidery, labels? | All, or a clear list with named subcontractors | Vague, or ‘we have partners’ |
| 4. What exactly is the fabric: fibre, GSM, construction, finish? Can I have a swatch? | A spec sheet and a swatch with the sample | ‘Premium cotton’ with no numbers |
| 5. What are the lead times for sample, bulk and shipping, separately? | 7–10 days, 2–3 weeks, 4–7 days (ours) | One number for everything |
| 6. Is the quote itemised, and is shipping quoted DDP to my address? | Yes, line by line, with DDP air and sea | A single price and ‘freight extra’ |
| 7. What are the payment terms? | Deposit at approval, balance before shipment, 50/50 | 100% upfront, or payment to a personal account |
| 8. How is quality checked, and against what? | Every piece against the sealed sample and spec | ‘We have a QC team’ |
| 9. Do you keep my pattern, lab dips and label files for reorders? | Yes, under your brand, exclusive to you | No, or they charge to re-develop |
| 10. Who is my single point of contact and what hours do they keep? | A named merchandiser, your time zone covered | A shared inbox |
| 11. Can you show me the factory floor on a live video call this week? | Yes, name a time | A recorded video, or ‘visit us next month’ |
| 12. What happens if bulk does not match the sample, or arrives damaged? | Replaced or credited within 14 days of a claim | Silence, or ‘that never happens’ |
Why does each question matter?
Minimums decide whether you can order at all; the detail on how they stack is in MOQ explained. Sampling is the only control you have before money is committed; see the sampling process. In-house processes decide lead time and accountability: every hand-off between a factory and a subcontractor adds a week and a place to shift blame. Fabric specs are where substitutions hide; a factory that will not write down GSM will not deliver it. Separate lead times tell you the real calendar; see how long manufacturing takes. DDP reveals the landed cost, which FOB quotes hide by 30–40%; see DDP shipping explained.
What should you tell the manufacturer in return?
Product, quantity per design and colour, market and price point, fabric weight or feel, decoration, labels, delivery city and a reference. A factory can only answer well if the question is well posed. The first-message template is in how to find a clothing manufacturer.
What are the red flags beyond the answers?
- Prices far below the market range for the spec: see the hoodie and t-shirt cost guides for what is realistic.
- A website with renders and stock photos instead of production garments.
- No physical address, or an address that is an office rather than a factory.
- Pressure to pay in full before sampling.
- Reluctance to put anything in writing.
Our answers
For the record: 50 pieces per design and colour; yes, sample first at 2–3x unit price, credited; everything in-house in Sialkot; fabric specs on every product page and swatches with every sample; 7–10 days, 2–3 weeks, 4–7 days; itemised quotes with DDP; 50/50 by bank transfer; every piece inspected against the sealed sample; records kept under your brand; a named merchandiser on US hours; video walkthroughs on request; defects replaced or credited within 14 days. The terms are on MOQ, pricing and lead times and the full offer on the private label clothing manufacturer page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask a clothing manufacturer?
‘Can you show me your cutting and sewing floor on a live video call?’ It separates factories from traders in one step.
Should I ask for references?
Yes, but expect confidentiality; many brands do not want their factory named. A sample tells you more than a reference.
How do I ask about MOQ without being quoted a high number?
Ask ‘what is your minimum per design and colour, in stock fabric, with a sample first?’ The precise question gets a precise answer.
Is it rude to ask a factory for a sample before committing?
No. Any factory that expects to be paid for bulk expects to be tested on a sample.
Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.