Are you planning to import clothing products from China? In this guide, we will help you know “What are the mainstream things to look for in order to select the right manufacturer, selecting the materials, getting the samples and a lot more. We are going to elaborate on “two phases” of “Clothing Manufacturers in China” and you can read the “Headlines” below.

Initial Part (How to find a good clothing manufacturer in China)

  • Scope of the product
  • Minimum Order Requirement
  • Fabric Quality
  • BSCI and Sedex Audit Report

Final Part (How to get the best clothing designs made in China)

  • Creating your techpack
  • Garment sample production
  • Creating a production manual
  • Book a quality inspection
  • Lab testing
  • Shipping the garments

So, let’s get started!

How to find a clothing manufacturer in China

We all know there are thousands of “Clothing” factories that are providing different qualities product. But, finding the perfect fit for your needs is always a daunting task. If you make a plan, and work on the below given factors, we assure you that you won’t face any disaster.

Making random factory selection and start to work with them “Without knowing the odds” might lead you towards catastrophe. So, follow the instructions below and help yourself find a “Second to none” Clothing Manufacturer in China.

Scope of the product

All the suppliers or factories are specialized in providing “Certain Categories” and “Material” sometimes. For instance, if you want to import “Cotton t-shirts,” then you’ll have to look for the suppliers manufacturing “GOTS Certified Organic Cotton T-Shirts” to make sure that you get the “Excellent Quality.”

If you choose a factory that deals with “Clothing” but aren’t good with “Cotton T-Shirts,” then they won’t be able to meet your requirements. In short* if you’re planning to import only “Designed T-shirts,” then make sure to shortlist those suppliers that deal with “DTG Printing.”

Minimum Order Requirement (MOR)

All the suppliers/factories have MOR (Minimum Order Requirement). For example, if the factory has set the minimum order requirement to 500pcs, then you must purchase at least 500 pieces- or they will ignore your order.

In the clothing industry, there are three different MOR to look for:

  • MOR per order: 500-1000 Pieces
  • MOR per fabric: 250-500 Pieces
  • MOR per color and size: 100-500 Pieces

But, if you’ve great relation with the supplier, then you can negotiate on Minimum Order but the first order should meet the Minimum requirements of the factory. Or else, they won’t let you sign the contract.

Fabric Quality

In 2011, a client imported “Polo Shirts” for a European Brand. They selected a new supplier to manufacture their “Polo Shirt” new design.

The company was prestigious one and they were famous for providing the quality products. But, when the client received the order and testing begin, they get to know that the “Fabric color has started to fade away right after two-three” wash.

It was clear that the material was far below the expectations of the client and the factory didn’t fulfill the promise of “providing quality.” And the client ended up putting his “Hand on the head” because of the disaster happened to him.

The aim of writing the story above is that, you should investigate the factory before you place the order. It’s always better to ask the company for the sample of the product “You need.”

This will help you to judge the product and you won’t be facing any “trust issues” at the time of “Importing the product from the factory.”

Note* They won’t provide you samples free of cost, and if you want to know “How to get free samples,” then we have already shared a blog post related to “How to communicate with Suppliers.” You can check this out and can get free samples from “Manufactures in China.”

BSCI and Sedex Audit Report

BSCI and Sedex are membership organizations specially made for manufacturers, performing regular social compliance audits in factories throughout China and the rest of the world. They implement their protocols on the basis of the following core principles:

  • The rights of freedom of association and communal bargaining
  • Fair remuneration
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Special protection for young workers
  • No bonded labor
  • Ethical business behavior
  • Decent working hours
  • No child labor
  • No precarious employment
  • Protection of the environment

All the factories that are linked with BSCI and Sendex Audit, tend to be better managed and provide you best quality than those that lack such audit reports.

So, asking for a BSCI and Sendex Audit Report is a must thing when you book your order for your product.

How to get the best clothing designs (Made in China)

If you’ve followed the steps given above, you’ll end up finding the right factory for you. Now, you’ve to follow step by step guide to making sure that you get “Quality Product” from the factory. These steps will help you know “How to create a tech pack, order product samples, and a lot of other related things.”

Creating your Techpack

Creating your techpack is the combination of following things:

  • Design Drawing
  • Sewing Patterns
  • Bill of Materials
  • Size Chart

More things to follow:

  • Printing Techniques
  • Screen Painting
  • Digital Textile Printing
  • Block Printing
  • Health/Thermal Transfer Printing

As mentioned above, selecting the material is important and Chinese companies are dealing with the following material.

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Wool
  • Bamboo Rayon
  • Organic Cotton
  • Nylon
  • Spandex

So, these are the things that you need to keep in your mind when making your “Techpack.”

Note* Planning is the key. Without preparation, you’ll always end up facing a disaster.

Garment Sample Production

Now then, the “Techpack” is ready, and it’s time to ask the factory for a “Sample.” The purpose of this step is to ensure the quality of the “product” that supplier is providing and which material are they going to use.

Note* You won’t get free samples and you’ll have to pay for the samples. We would recommend you to get samples from 3-4 suppliers in order to judge the quality of the factories.

Creating a production manual

Now, it’s time to place your first order. You may have selected the factory for your product, and you’re now all set to place your first order.

We are listing down the requirements that you might need at the time of placing the order.

  • Techpack Attachment List
  • Compliance requirements
  • Shipping terms
  • Export packaging
  • Payment terms
  • Quality control terms
  • Lab testing terms
  • Brand usage terms

The purpose of this step is to “Standardize Overall Process” of placing your first order. The above list will help you to make things easier for you.

Book a Quality Inspection

As you’ve placed your first order, it’s time for the quality inspection. You can hire third party to perform “Quality Inspection” or go to the factory by yourself to check if they are “Producing according to the plan” or not.

Following are the defects that you might experience if “you’re not going for quality inspection.”

  • Poor seams (e.g. not straight, loose threads)
  • Discoloration
  • Skewed embroidery
  • Incorrect dimensions
  • Loose buttons and zippers
  • Dust and dirt

Material Lab Testing

You can book a “Lab Testing” to verify compliance with a “Certain Regulation or Standard.” You can also book “Lab Testing” to ensure if your product has all the substances that you “Asked the supplier” or written in the requirement spreadsheet.

Lab testing can help you identify:

  • REACH
  • OEKO text standard 100
  • California Proposition 65
  • Heavy metals
  • Chemicals

 Note* Lab testing is always important because it will ensure “If the garment is compatible with your Country’s Standard.”

Shipping Garments from China

Once you’re done with the quality check and lab testing, you can now head towards the “Shipping” step. Before wrapping up everything, you’ve to deposit 70% of the money to the supplier’s bank account and remaining 30% can be sent after the verification of your “Shipment.”

Following are the things that you must keep in your mind when heading towards “Shipping Garments from China.”

  • Balance Payment Checklist
  • Book Shipping
  • Air Freight or Sea Freight
  • Shipping Insurance
  • Incoterms
  • Export Packaging
  • Shipping Process
  • Textile import licenses

Keeping all these things in mind will help you “Not indulging yourself in trouble.” So, that’s all from the topic “Clothing Manufacturers in China: How to Find the Right Factory” and if you’ve any questions in mind, then feel free to comment down below. We will answer them ASAP!