Address
Rm 204, 22 Waguangwei E District 2nd St, Humen, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
Clothing Brand Suppliers: What to Ask Before Your First Order
Team up with clothing brand suppliers? At first, it seems quite easy when not the development of the product has just started. A few photos of products and a simple amount, usually are enough to start a discussion. But actually wouldn‘t be enough to clarify both side perceive the same product.
Regarding a clothing brand, the first order is a good way to discover the communication ways of your supplier, how he works on samples, the way he manages the details and the manufacturing. If you ask appropriate questions from the beginning you can avoid lots of troubles.
What Information Should You Send First?
Begin by communicating to the supplier the kind of product you are looking to develop.
You are able to send through photographs or illustrations of products, a tech pack, specifications/ measurements, selection of fabrics and colours, quantitative estimates, artwork/images and branding needs to be included.
There‘s no need to have every T crossed and I dotted before approaching a potential supplier. If something isn‘t decided yet or sure, tell us what you do know and what you‘re still stuck on developing.
Hows to be specific. The objective here is to provide the correct information to the supplier so they have an idea of what it is we want, instead of the well-known phrase of, “I want a hoodie”.
What Should the Supplier Ask You?
The good supplier will doubt be by asking questions.
Depending on your product, they may need to know:
- Which fabric are you interested in?
- How comfortable are you looking to be?
- Which dimensions are measured?
- Do you have an idea of how many pieces you will generate?
- Custom labels, yes?:
- Is there any printing or embroidery needed?
- Are you looking for a particular wash or finish?
- Would (is it) available before?
These interrogatives demonstrate that the supplier is studying the real process of manufacturing.
If the supplier offers a typified answer to you and does not make the effort to understand the product, you may require further information before expressing a view on whether they are a potential source.
Confirm the Fabric Before Sampling
The descriptions of the fabric can be somewhat inaccurate than I expect.
The labels “cotton”, “heavyweight”, or “premium fabric” don‘t give enough information to re-make a particular piece of clothing.
For custom apparel, consider confirming:
- Fiber composition
- Fabric weight
- Construction
- Stretch
- Texture
- Color
- Shrinkage
- Finishing
If you have a reference garment, you may also request that the supplier assesses it and offer an equivalent fabric.
Fabric this needs confirming prior to the final sample being approved. A change of fabric could alter the look and fit of the final product.
Ask How Sampling Works
Learn about the sample development procedure before placing any first production orders.
Querythe supplier to ask what information they require and what their process is to make changes after the first sample.
Upon receipt of the sample, you will need to juxtapose it with your specified standards.
Check:
- Measurements
- Fit
- Fabric
- Stitching
- Construction
- Colors
- Artwork
- Labels
- Finishing
If there are any deviations from what needs to be done, be as detailed as possible.
For example, rather than” the fit is too big ”, give the number of measurements to be altered. Precise recommendations offers the manufacturer a stronger reference point for the newly produced sample.
Clarify Your Branding Requirements
The branding may be more than just the logos the branding is more complex.
A clothing brand might require: custom neck labels, woven labels, hangtags, embroidery, printed graphics, packaging, or other detailing.
Before production, confirm:
- Artwork format
- Logo placement
- Label dimensions
- Label materials
- Printing method
- Packaging requirements
It would be interesting to find out if the processes are managed by the manufacturer themselves or instead by their production.
Ask About Quality Control
In my opinion, once the finished order has arrived, there should be no starting discussion about quality control. It should be formed and concluded before production.
How does the supplier check its garments during manufacture? And what action is taken if a problem is found?
Important areas may include:
- Measurements
- Fabric consistency
- Stitching
- Color
- Printing
- Embroidery
- Garment finishing
- Packaging
When you have a repeat order however, this is where repetition becomes really important. Your next run should be identical to your approved product and not something entirely new.
Make Sure Production Details Are Written Down
After sample approval, a few of the key specifications should be re-confirmed before a production run.
Such as the approved sample, measurements, fabric, colors, artwork, labels, package, amount and any other product requirements.
While having these details is clearly documented provides a point of common reference for the brand as well as the supplier.
It also facilitates future re-ordering by using the same approved specifications.
How Should You Compare Supplier Responses?
In case there are multiple suppliers submitting offers in reply, do not alone compare the offered price.
Pay close attention to the way each supplier is handling your project.
Consider:
Knowledge of the item→ communication→ sample development→ developmentsof the product tailoring→ quality control→ production capacity
One vendor can give a quick reply; the other one might have a number of questions and go into detail and explain possible production problems.
With the second the reply may be slightly more elaborative but it may also show a better grip on the project.
What Are Good Signs During the First Order?
First order can speak a lot for a supplier.
Positives are communication, samples, questions, production informations and ability to react.
Should be costumer friendly, checking if the provider ‘keeps the details of what has been established by himself’?
The relationship with the manufacturer is not just established by one good first quotation, but created by continuous contact.
When Should You Move Forward?
When the sample has been checked, production details verified and communication confirmed, this is the time you can make a decision if the supplier is suitable for the 1 st order.
No rushes. Do not just do something because the manufacturer is ready to start the production.
The crucial issue is whether this can be identified and whether you know what it is that can be produced and whether both parties have already agreed to these core requirements.
A longer period should be permitted before GPD is moved into the bulk production stage. It is generally far easier to bear with a delay at this stage if there are misunderstandings than it is to resolve problems after.
Think About the Relationship Beyond One Order
A clothing brand can begin with a single item and then grow up to be a complete line of other groups of products.
If the supplier does a good job, then the next time an order needs to be placed, it can be much more streamlined because the manufacturer will already know your preferred fabrics, fits, construction, branding and quality.
That is why you could also regard test 1 as a test for the working relationship.
It‘s not just of the finished garments that you are evaluating. You are evaluating about the way in which the supplier works with your brand.
Choosing the Right Supplier for Your Brand
The optimum clothing brand suppliers are not those which perform most quickly and deliver the most attractive early quotation.
Observe how they grasp your product, manage sampling, explain technical aspects, address customization, and control quality during production.
Make sure the critical specifications are clearly defined and fully understood by both parties, prior to completion of the first order.
JiuvelWear is the apparel manufacturing business of Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd., which is headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong, for brands who are building their own custom apparel in China. Its team caters to brands by offering product development, sampling, customization and production as a direct manufacturing option to those who want to build their collections.
A good first order should not only be able to deliver your finished garments. It should also be allowing you to assess if this supplier is a person you can grow with your brand.