Best Clothing Dropshipping Suppliers: Who Can You Rely On?

The best clothing dropshipping suppliers isn‘t just a matter of lowest product price.

Opening a clothing business with dropshipping is easy. You do not have to purchase huge amounts of stock or rent storage until you are sure they will sell.

However, clothing is just as problematic:

The customer pays attention to the fit, fabric, quality, packing, the delivery time and the actual look of the item on the end. However the shy looking supplier on the website may not be giving the experience that your customer wants.

What Makes a Good Clothing Dropshipping Supplier?

A good supplier needs to provide a lot more than just a list of exciting products.

Here the result quality should be maintained. Size should be reasonably accurate, fabric should be accurate to description, and ordering should be accurate.

Inventory counts too.

It is of no use searching for a product that sells well if the supplier tends to run out of stock.

For a running clothing business, it would be wise to find out whether the supplier is able to support the business as it grows rather than just having the capacity to supply your orders.

Product Quality Matters More Than Product Photos

Clothing is hard to get right on screen.

Until the customer actually receives the product, it may seem perfect in professional photographs, yet feel totally different.

The fabric feels lighter than expected. The fit may be different from the size chart. Embroidering or printing may not be as expected.

That‘s why it can be useful to request samples before selling a product.

With a sample, you can examine the fabric, measurements, fit, stitching, color, labels and overall finishing.

0Finding out what your customer will be actually getting.

Branding Can Be More Difficult With Dropshipping

One of the largest distinctions between selling clothing and clothing branding; control.

A simple dropshipping supplier may just fold and send an in-stock garment to your client.

That may work when the main purpose is product testing.

And as the brand develops, customers might expect something even more unique.

You might want your own neck labels, hang tags, packaging, logo, or even a totally different garment.

Then, you‘re limited if you want to add more to your dropshipping.

Shipping and Fulfillment Matter

The customer is unaware of your supplier.

They see your brand.

If an order arrives after its due date, the packaging is not very well, or the order cannot be tracked properly, the usual assumption is that it was the store the order has been taken.

Before dealing with a supplier it is, however, useful to know how orders are executed by the company.

Think about the where the products are stored, how orders are taken, what shipping options the store offers, how you track your order, and what occurs if your order is damaged or is returned.

A cheap product isn‘t much good if the delivery process gives your customers a headache.

Is Dropshipping Right for Every Clothing Brand?

Dropship can be a helpful way for testing out a new clothing store, if you are not prepared to investing much money into stock.

It can help a brand test:

• (Puir aka). New ideas for products (markets) are easier for the company to develop because they have little or no experience with the market. However, there is usually less knowledge about the existing product and the company therefore faces greater uncertainty.
• Different styles
• Different markets
• Customer demand

(but it also has people limitations)

You may have less control over the product, packaging, inventory and fulfillment process.

Margins may go even lower because the supplier is doing more of the work.

In the case of the other brand, which already has steady demand, purchasing or producing the product directly is probably a more appropriate approach.

Dropshipping vs. Private Label

Dropshipping and private label are both defensive butnot interchangeable.

In dropshipping, the supplier will normally keep inventory and send each order straight to customer.

Private label manufacturing provides the brand with greater control over the product.

Thebrand willbe able to detail the fabric, size, color, labels, packaging…etc before the manufacture.

Dropshipping is often useful for testing.

The private label route is more appropriate for those who wish to develop products customers can attribute to the company‘s name

Both are not necessarily equal. It depends where the business is at and how much the brand needs to control.

When Should a Brand Move Beyond Dropshipping?

Most of the time, there is no proper sales figure to indicate when it is the right time for a brand to switch its production type.

However certain signs stand out quite clearly.

Your products could be selling well.

You, perhaps, on-going margin is not enough.

Consider designing off-the-shelf items that are not currently available from merchandise providers.

You may have your own labels and packaging.

Alternatively you may just want a little more control over the product your customers get.

If you have reached this stage, then it is into private label or tailored production.

What We Do at JiuvelWear

But JiuvelWear is actually in clothing manufacture direction, not a dropship process, as a big marketplace style.

We also collaborate with brands for OEM/ODM/custom clothing line/private label manufacturing.

Small trial orders are a good way forward with one that still has a test market.

As the product gets more established we can also help develop custom garments that can include fabric selection, measurements, branding, packaging, sampling and bulk production.

This creates a way for brands to go beyond re-selling packs of pre-made clothes.

Not forever having to select from an existing product list, a good product eventually can be a product built for your own brand.

What Should You Ask a Dropshipping Supplier?

Inquire about your potential supplier before you buy them. Find out things other than price.

Is it possible to have a sample?

Does the actual product match the appearance of the product photos and description?

Although we may be bouncing around in fear, we‘re not precisely gettin’ that right.

Hoy, donde se procesan los pedidos?

How long does it take for processing?

Who can follow their order?

What is the result when it is not working properly?

3. Can the supplier offer private labeling?

Yes, there is the ability to supply increased quantities if the product proves to be successful.

The responses can indicate as to whether the supplier is appropriate for a one off product test or even for a business expansion.

The Best Supplier Depends on Your Business Stage

A new store has a high level of risk and a flexible fulfilling strategy.

A well-established clothing brand might be more concerned with production, margins, quality control, identity of the brand etc.

Hence, it cannot be said that one supplier is the best option for all companies.

The right partner is someone who meets your current requirements but offers a credible means of progressing further in the future.

That might be Dropshipping others might like to start selling through Amazon.com.

In other circumstances, being able to move straight into the private label production now might be preferable.

From Dropshipping to Your Own Clothing Line

Dropshipping can help you discover what customers really want at a minimal risk in terms of inventory investment.

But as soon as you‘ve got a successful product, the next move is often to take more control.

Enhance the fabric, modify the shape and fit, include your own labels, create your own design, and make packaging for your line.

That is where manufacturing is more than order fulfillment.

At JiuvelWear, we cooperate with fashion brands that want to move from product testing to their own private label and custom garments manufacturing.

If you‘re testing clothing products by dropshipping. And want to have higher control of your products. Please send us your product idea, reference sample or requirements. And we will consider private label or custom made as the next step for your brand.