How to find a clothing manufacturer
A practical checklist for new and growing brands: the types of manufacturers, USA vs overseas, where to look, how to check a factory and the red flags to walk away from.
- No minimum order
- Sample made in 1 week
- Bulk in 7–12 days for up to 300 pcs
- Air freight to the USA in 8–10 days
Made to your design, in any color
Every piece below is cut and sewn to order with your colors, fabric, print and labels. Tap the middle one to see the back.
The short answer
To find a clothing manufacturer, first decide what you need made and how many pieces, then shortlist factories that already make that product every day. Ask each one for its minimum order, sample time, bulk lead time and price including shipping. Order a sample of your own design from your top two or three, and choose the one whose sample, communication and timeline you trust most. Never place a bulk order without approving a sample first.
We are a manufacturer ourselves, so read this knowing which side we are on. The checklist works for any factory, including us.
Types of clothing manufacturers
| Type | What they do | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cut and sew / full package | Make the garment from fabric to finished piece: patterns, cutting, sewing, decoration, labels and packing. | Brands that want their own fits, fabrics and details. More on cut and sew. |
| Private label | Make garments to your spec and put your labels on them, so they sell as your brand. | Most clothing brands. More on private label. |
| Blank decorators and print shops | Print or embroider your logo on ready-made blank garments. | Merch and quick tests, but every brand using the same blank looks similar. |
| Print on demand | Print one piece at a time after each sale. | Zero inventory, but low margins and little control over the garment. |
USA vs overseas manufacturers
| Factor | US factory | Overseas factory |
|---|---|---|
| Price per piece | Usually higher, mainly because of labor costs. | Usually lower, even after shipping. |
| Where they ship | Usually within the USA. | Often worldwide. We ship to brands in every country, including all 50 US states. |
| Shipping time | Days, by ground. | About 8–10 days by air from Pakistan; longer by sea. |
| Minimum order | Varies widely. | Varies widely; some, like us, have no minimum. |
| Product range | Often specialized. | Large factories often cover knits, sportswear, outerwear and leather under one roof. |
| Communication | Same time zone. | Time difference; good factories reply within a working day. |
Where to look
- Search engines. Search for the product plus “manufacturer”, for example “custom hoodie manufacturer”, and read the factory’s own site, not just ads.
- Instagram and LinkedIn. Many factories post production videos; look for real footage of their own floor.
- B2B marketplaces and directories. Useful for a long list, but always contact the factory directly before ordering.
- Trade shows. Meet factories face to face and handle their work.
- Referrals. Ask other founders whose products you like who makes them.
How to vet a factory
- They already make your product type every day.
- They show their own factory: photos or videos of cutting, sewing and quality checks.
- They answer clearly about minimums, lead times and price, in writing.
- They make a sample of your design before bulk.
- They explain what happens if bulk does not match the approved sample.
- They can send photos or videos of your order during production.
- They add the labels your market requires: for the USA, fiber content, country of origin, RN and care.
Questions to ask any manufacturer
- What is your minimum order per style, per color and per size?
- How long for a sample, and how long for bulk?
- Is shipping included in your price? Do you ship to my country? Which couriers do you use?
- Which fabrics and weights (GSM) do you recommend for my product?
- Can you do my decoration: embroidery, screen print, puff print, washes?
- Which payment methods do you accept, and can I pay in stages?
- Who owns my designs and patterns?
Red flags
- A price far below everyone else’s with no sample offered.
- No photos or videos of their own production.
- Vague answers about lead times or minimums.
- Pressure to pay everything up front before you see a sample.
- Stock photos copied from other brands.
What to send a manufacturer
The clearer your brief, the more accurate your quote. Send a design (a free mockup works), your fabric and weight (see our fabric & GSM guide), sizes (our size chart builder makes graded US sizes), artwork and placement, quantities and your deadline. A tech pack puts all of this in one place; our free tech pack generator builds one for you.
No minimum order. Send your design, approve a sample made in 1 week, then decide.
Quick answers
Still have a question?
Ask usHow do I find a clothing manufacturer for a small brand?
Should I use a US or overseas clothing manufacturer?
What is a good minimum order for a new clothing brand?
How much does a clothing sample cost?
Do I need a tech pack before contacting a manufacturer?
Keep reading
How we produce your order
All 8 steps from idea to delivery, with timelines.
Learn more →ExploreHow to start a clothing brand
From first idea to first drop.
Learn more →ExploreNo minimum order
Launch your clothing brand with any quantity.
Learn more →ExploreWhat is a tech pack?
What a factory needs from you.
Learn more →ExplorePakistan vs China
An honest comparison for US brands.
Learn more →ExploreFor USA brands
Time zones, samples, payment and delivery.
Learn more →Ready to make it?
Tell us what you want to make. We reply by email with pricing and a timeline, usually within one working day.
- Reply within one working day
- No minimum order
- Sample made in 1 week
- No tech pack? We help you build one
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