Questions You MUST Ask Your Clothing Manufacturer (Before You Trust Them With Your Brand)

Have you ever held a sample in your hand and felt your stomach drop because…
it looked nothing like what you imagined?
Or waited weeks—sometimes months—for a reply from a manufacturer who once promised, “We deliver on time, always”?
If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone. Every clothing founder—big or small—has lived this painful moment.

And almost always, the problem starts before production even begins:
Not asking the right questions.

This article is your behind-the-scenes guide to choosing the right manufacturer, avoiding costly mistakes, and building a long-term partnership that helps your brand grow—not break your bank or your heart.

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters More Than Ever

The global fashion supply chain has changed.

Factories are overloaded. MOQ expectations vary wildly. Material prices jump every month.
And new founders often fall into traps because they don’t know what to ask.

A great manufacturer can turn your idea into a best-selling product.
A wrong one can destroy your cash flow, timelines, and customer trust.

So let’s break it down.
Here are the essential questions every fashion brand must ask—no matter the country, category, or scale.

1. “What Are Your Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)?”

Keyword: clothing manufacturer MOQs, low MOQ clothing suppliers

MOQs decide if you can even work with a factory.

Many new brands assume MOQs are fixed. They’re not.

Good manufacturers offer:

• flexible MOQs
• sample MOQs separate from bulk
• category-based variations (e.g., 100 pcs for t-shirts, 30 pcs for hoodies)

Example (Global):
Manufacturers in Dhaka often require 500+ pieces per style,
while boutique manufacturers in Turkey or India offer as low as 50 per style.

Ask follow-up questions:

• Can you do size-assorted MOQs?
• Can I mix colors within the same MOQ?
• Is MOQ negotiable for repeat orders?

2. “Can You Share Your Previous Work, Client List, or Portfolio?”

Keyword: how to verify clothing manufacturers

A legitimate manufacturer always has proof.

Look for:

• videos from their factory floor
• clear images of products
• brand tags they’ve produced for (even if unnamed)
• testimonials or case studies
• Instagram pages showing work-in-progress

Red flag:
If they say “We can’t share anything” — walk away.

Example:
At Tech Pack Genius, many clients come to us after losing money to manufacturers with zero proof. The first thing we ask is: “Did you see their past work?”
Most say no.

3. “What Is Your Sample Development Process?”

Keyword: sample development for clothing brands

Sampling is where 80% of misunderstandings begin.

You need clarity on:

• sample cost
• sample timeline
• how many revisions are allowed
• whether sample cost is adjusted in bulk order
• fabric/trim availability for sampling

Example:
In Bali, manufacturers often require clients to source their own prints first.
In India, most factories already have strong print suppliers and include this in sampling.

Pro tip:

Never approve a bulk order until the sample is 100% correct.
Small mistakes in sampling become big disasters in mass production.

4. “Who Creates the Tech Pack — You or Us?”

Keyword: tech pack importance for clothing manufacturing

A manufacturer using your tech pack is very different from one creating it themselves.

If they create it they may:

• miss details
• change measurements
• choose lower-cost finishes
• simplify construction

If YOU create it (especially with Tech Pack Genius), you control:

• stitching details
• exact measurements
• trims
• materials
• artwork placement
• finishing
• wash care
• packaging

Result: fewer mistakes, fewer delays, and fewer arguments.

Always ask:

• Will you follow the tech pack exactly?
• Will you notify me before changing anything?

5. “What Fabrics and Trims Are Readily Available in Your Market?”

Keyword: garment fabric sourcing questions

Every manufacturing region specializes in certain materials.

Examples:

• China → synthetic fabrics, activewear, performance textiles
• India → cotton, rayons, viscose, embroideries
• Bangladesh → sweaters, knitwear
• Turkey → luxury knits, denim
• Vietnam → outerwear, technical garments

If your design requires a fabric that’s not locally available, you will face:

• long lead times
• import duties
• unpredictable prices
• matching inconsistency between sample & bulk

Simple test:

Ask them to send you fabric swatches with GSM, composition, and cost before sampling.

6. “What Is Your Production Timeline?”

Keyword: clothing production timeline expectations

Timelines vary by:

• season
• fabric sourcing
• factory load
• category (hoodies take longer than t-shirts)

A reliable manufacturer gives a clear timeline like:

Sampling: 10–14 days
Bulk production: 25–45 days
Finishing & QC: 7–10 days

Ask also:

• What causes delays in your factory?
• What is your peak season?
• Can you do rush orders?
• How often will you update me?

7. “How Do You Handle Quality Control (QC)?”

Keyword: garment QC checklist

Quality control can make or break your brand reputation.

Ask them:

• Do you have a QC team?
• How many QC stages do you follow?
• Can you share your QC checklist?
• How do you check measurements?
• Do you offer third-party QC options?

Example:
Factories in Guangzhou often allow buyers to bring their own QC inspectors before dispatch.
High-end Indian manufacturers send videos/photos from every stage.

Instant tip:

Ask for a final QC video before paying the remaining balance.

8. “What Are Your Packaging and Labeling Options?”

Keyword: clothing packaging options, private label apparel

Small brands often forget this — until the courier charges shock them.

Ask for:

• poly bag thickness
• custom tags, labels, size labels
• fold method
• barcodes
• bulk packaging vs. individual packaging
• eco-friendly options

Example:
US-based ecommerce stores prefer polybags with suffocation warnings for compliance.
European brands often choose recycled or biodegradable packaging.

Cost-saving tip:

Order custom labels separately and send them to the manufacturer if their price is too high.

9. “What Are Your Payment Terms?”

Keyword: safe payment methods for clothing production

Common terms globally:

• 50% advance + 50% before dispatch
• 30-40% advance for larger orders

Avoid factories demanding:

• 100% upfront
• full bulk payment before sampling

Ask about:

• accepted payment methods
• invoice + GST/VAT availability
• refund policy for failed samples
• currency conversion practices

Safe method:
Keep all payments documented and linked to deliverables.

10. “Do You Provide Shipping & Logistics Support?”

Keyword: shipping clothing internationally

Good manufacturers help you with:

• courier shipping (DHL, FedEx)
• bulk sea freight
• export documentation
• HS codes
• packaging measurement for carton calculation

Ask them:

• What’s the cost per kg for air shipping?
• Can you assist with customs?
• Can you pack by size ratio to save shipping charges?

Example:
Clothing brands in the US often prefer sea freight from India/Vietnam for bulk orders because air shipping eats profit margins.

11. “What Happens If There Is a Mistake?”

Keyword: manufacturer dispute resolution

No factory is perfect.

But responsible manufacturers:

• remake the product
• refund partial amount
• correct measurements
• replace defective stitching

Ask:

• Do you cover remake costs?
• How many defective pieces do you allow?
• What is your shrinkage tolerance?
• How do you handle color mismatch?

This separates real professionals from casual traders.

12. “Can You Scale with My Brand?”

Keyword: scalable clothing manufacturing partners

As your brand grows, you’ll need:

• more capacity
• faster production
• stronger QC
• dedicated account managers

Many boutique factories can’t scale.

Ask:

• What is your monthly production capacity?
• Can you handle 10x my current orders?
• How many styles can you manage per month?

Example:
A US athleisure brand moved from a small factory in Thailand to a larger one in Vietnam because they needed 20,000 pcs/month.

Practical Tips to Apply Immediately

1. Never choose a manufacturer without a tech pack.

It prevents 90% of mistakes.

2. Start with one style — test their communication.

If they disappear during sampling, they will vanish during bulk.

3. Always ask for a video call.

See the factory floor.
See the machines.
See their people.

4. Maintain a shared Google Sheet for updates.

Track everything: sampling, approvals, QC, shipping.

5. Order extra trims and labels.

Factories often run short mid-production.

6. Keep WhatsApp + Email communication.

WhatsApp for quick replies,
Email for documentation.

Real-Life Scenario (So You Don’t Repeat This Mistake)

A Berlin-based streetwear founder approached us for a tech pack.
He had already invested $3,000 with a manufacturer in Guangzhou.

The manufacturer promised:

• premium fabric
• perfect fit
• 25-day delivery

What he received was:

• incorrect sizing
• a lower GSM fabric
• crooked prints
• delivery after 60 days

The cause?

He didn’t ask about:

• QC procedure
• fabric sourcing
• sample approval rules
• shrinkage
• printing method

One set of questions could have saved his money, time, and brand reputation.

Conclusion: Your Manufacturer Should Feel Like a Partner — Not a Gamble

When you ask the right questions, you:

• avoid supply-chain risks
• save thousands of dollars
• protect your timelines
• build a reliable long-term partnership

Remember:
A great factory won’t be offended when you ask questions.
They will appreciate that you’re serious about your brand.

If you want to minimize mistakes, protect your money, and give your manufacturer clear instructions, start with a professional tech pack.

A tech pack is your blueprint.
It speaks to manufacturers in their language.
And it ensures your vision stays consistent from sample to bulk.

FAQs (Short & Clear)

1. Why are questions so important before choosing a clothing manufacturer?

They help you avoid surprises, reduce risks, and make sure you’re working with a trustworthy supplier.

2. Are MOQs negotiable?

Yes, many factories offer flexible MOQs—especially if you prove long-term potential.

3. What is the #1 thing to check before production?

A complete and approved tech pack + final sample.

4. How do I verify a manufacturer is legit?

Ask for past work, factory videos, certifications, and do a video call.

5. Should small brands choose big factories?

No. Big factories may ignore small orders. Choose factories that match your scale.

6. How many samples should I request?

At least 2–3 samples before bulk production.

7. What if the manufacturer makes a mistake?

A reliable factory will correct or replace defective pieces. Clarify this beforehand.