Apparel Suppliers: What Buyers Should Know Before Ordering

Choosing apparel suppliers initially might seem straightforward. You see a handful of companies with merchandise that seem suitable and get pricing and try to move into samples and orders. But every time you dig into fabric, sizing, quality, lead times, and subsequent production you realize the importance of making the correct supplier decision.

The First Quote Doesn’t Tell You Enough

A quote is normally one of the first things a buyer will get to see. There are also a very easy thing to compare.

However, the two suppliers, which are quoting widely different prices, are perhaps not providing exactly the same product. The ingredients of the fabric, weight, construction, finishing, packaging, labels, order sizes, etc, will all influence the final price.

A lower price can be useful, but it should raise another question:

What exactly am I receiving for that fee?

Compare specs first; no use in comparing numbers.

Look at What the Supplier Actually Produces

The range of products offered by an apparel supplier can tell you a great deal about the competency of the supplier.

If you are planning heavy weight hoodies, say, it does make sense to source from a manufacturer experienced in such fabrics/constructions.

The same is true for denim, knitwear, outerwear, activewear, T-shirts etc.

You doesn‘t have to make it all. Many times, he is more advantageous to work with a supplier that understands you directly as a type of product that would work with anyone that propagates an immense catalog.

Samples Reveal the Details Photos Hide

Product photos are useful to help you identify options. Images, however, don‘t tell you everything about a garment.

A sample also allows you to verify the details that matter once you have the product in your hands.

Take a moment to examine the fabric.

Revisar la costura.

Measured the garment.

Attempt the fit.

Look at the finishing.

If the product has printing, embroidery, labels, zippers and other details, check those too.

The sample stage is also a good indicator of the supplier itself. A manufacturer who is easy to deal with during sampling will certainly ease the development process.

Ask What Happens After You Place the Order

Some sourcing conversations are all about getting the first order.

For a business in growth phase, the more relevant question might be what is the next step.

What if, for example, a style is selling very successfully.

Can you order it again?

Will the fabric be available?

Is the same measurement and construction still possible?

What about printing other colors?

The company which is good for one buy may not stay the best for long term.

Consistency Becomes Important on Repeat Orders

A first production run might be very good.

It might be some time before we know the true score.

Reiterating the same style of a garment of a brand,is a mostly favorable for the customers,however it should be recognizable to the buyers,If the fabric feels different,measurements will not be the same or the finish is A little different then it can cause an issue.

Hence the importance of production records, specifications, management of materials, quality control.

Good sourcing is not about producing one good garment. Good sourcing is about the production of the same garment over and over again.

Not Every Supplier Works the Same Way

‘Apparel supplier’ is a generic term that can refer to a variety of different business types.

A supplier might sell off the peg garments.

Another might sell wholesale inventory.

Manufacture garments to the specifications of a brand.

Some OEM/private label partners can assist with custom items, labels, packaging and development.

Different models may intersect, but they are not the same.

If you know what model you will actually be needing, this can be quite time saving when contacting potential suppliers.

When Ready-Made Apparel Is Enough

Pre-made apparel if you want products rapidly and do not require your own designs.

Ability to choose from ready made varieties, colors & sizes, so you have more time to sell and less to explore.

Can work extremely well for stores trying out new categories or company that needs inventory without a long development cycle.

This is the price you pay in return for the best prices, availability etc.. However, the other side of the coin is that, the products could be supplied to other stores as well.

When Your Brand Needs Custom Production

More and more companies start to have desires beyond what is offered in a catalog.

Perhaps the fit has to be changed.

Perhaps, you‘re seeking a specific fabric weight.

Maybe you require customized packaging or labels, or perhaps you have a particular design that has to turn into a finished garment.

At this stage, it is probably more applicable to work with the clothing manufacturer directly.

It requires more planning to manufacture on behalf of a sponsor, but it does allow for a brand to have more control of the end product.

Price Makes the Conversation Start, Not End

Cost will always be relevant when buying apparel.

The cheapest supplier is not necessarily the best business result.

Think about what might occur if a less costly item with variations in sizing. This could increase the amount of time you spend processing customer feedback and deliveries.

Imagine if the production is delayed several times. The stock is coming after the season it was made for.

Now think about what happens if the communication is not good. Little alterations take days to fix.

The finer comparison is the worth of the whole relationship with the supplier and not just the individual price.

Communication Is Part of the Product

Cloth making has details.

A measurement morphs.

There is no fabric to be used.

Is the color approved.

My sample needs another revision.

It‘s easier to deal with these types of things when both parties maintain open and honest communication.

Notice what the supplier reply before you buy. Understand technical information? Give you a reply to targeted questions? Mention a problem?

A willing to talk honestly about limitations even a little bit is in some times more useful than a promising everything.

Your Order Size Should Influence Your Choice

A small fashion brand and an established retailer might require entirely different sources.

A new brand might have concerns about manageable MOQs and flexibility in development.

A heavier buyer might be more concerned with production capacity, delivery times, and consistency of repeat orders.

Neither method is automatically superior.

The right supplier is the one that has a production strategy that is congruent to your current business and expects that business to go next.

Think About the Relationship, Not Just the Order

When you do not always design a product from scratch, sourcing becomes simpler:

When a supplier has all the measurements, fabrics you always use, details for construction, labels, and quality expectations, work may go more quickly in the future.

That‘s one of the biggest benefits of establishing a sound manufacturing relationship.

It‘s no longer about just purchasing clothes.

You are constructing a production system for your brand.

A Manufacturer Can Become Part of the Product Development Process

For brands designing their collections, collaboration can also extend beyond production.

The manufacturer could be affiected by fabric picking, sampling, alteration in pattern shape and the decision of construction and production planning.

Particularly if a design seems OK on paper but requires corrections prior to being produced in an efficient manner.

Good production feedback is dependent on feedback from the manufacturing team, which can actually enhance the final garment, or not copy exactly the original idea.

Working With JiuvelWear

In addition to finalizing ready-to-wear purchasing, JiuvelWear, by Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd., supplies custom apparel development and garment production for brands seeking higher degree of inputs.

The company provides sampling, private label projects and custom apparel manufacturing services to brands. This applies to the various clothing categories.

What really matters, when building a partnership with an apparel supplier, is not to find the supplier who promises the most. But the one who is able to understand the product, communicate while developing it, keep a steady production and follow the brand as it evolves.

That transforms a supplier from a supplier of clothing into a good and useful production partner over time.