The apparel business is one of the most popular niches for startups at this time. By 2026, the apparel market will reach $77.6 billion U.S. dollars. So, the potentiality of this sector is vast. But if you are also thinking about starting a clothing business, then the first thing you will need to ensure is finding a reliable clothing manufacturer for startups.
But where can you find one? Well, in this article we are going to discuss in detail just about that. Even after you manage to find a company, there are many facts that you should consider before selecting a manufacturing company for your startup business. And we will discuss those as well.
So, keep on reading till the end to get a complete idea on finding a good clothing manufacturing company for your startup business.
About Custom Clothing Manufacturers
A custom clothing manufacturer is a company that manufactures clothes according to order or ready-made garments. Most of the time, these industries can design, produce, and ship apparel based on what their customers want.
There are many different types of custom clothing manufacturers, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some may focus on sportswear or outerwear, while others may be more generalist.
Some companies that make custom clothes only work with businesses, while others serve individual customers. Before you start your search, it is better to know the difference between these two types of suppliers.
Why Custom Manufacturers?
As a new clothing startup company, it might not be a good idea to start producing clothes in your facilities, and producing clothes on your own takes so much investment at the beginning. And it is not possible either. Most world-famous fashion brands run their clothing empire based on this custom manufacturing.
But suppose you’re just started with your business. In that case, it’s essential to know that working with a clothing manufacturer can be a financial and time-consuming risk.
There can also be huge payoffs. But make sure you think about your options before making a choice.
Type of Custom Clothing Manufacturers
When looking for a clothing supplier, you’ll first need to decide if you want to work with local manufacturers in the country you live in. The other option is to get your products from countries like China, Bangladesh, Thailand, or India with good apparel production.
When we say “domestic,” we mainly talk about clothing companies in the U.S. and Europe. When we say “overseas manufacturers,” we mean companies in places like China, Bangladesh.
Both of these preferences have pros and cons that differ from one another. It’s up to you to select which option is best for you in financial terms, quality, and how you run your business. Let’s look at some pros and cons of working with clothing manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad.
Domestic Custom Manufacturers
When you work with clothing made in the U.S. domestically, you’re more likely to get higher-quality items made under relatively strict labor laws, but they’ll come costly. With a domestic supplier, it will cost more to manufacture clothes than an overseas supplier. Still, dealing with domestic manufacturers has a lot of great advantages.
The best thing about working with clothing manufacturers in your own country is that you rely on them to comply with all applicable laws. These rules ensure that workers are given proper working conditions and are not taken advantage of. Shipping will be much faster and cheaper than if you were working with apparel manufacturers from overseas.
If you work with manufacturers in your own country, it is inevitable that they follow these labor standards. Still, we will always suggest you check in person if you can.
Working with local clothing manufacturers also allows you to build relationships, which can help you ensure that orders get to you on time and that you can talk about what you need and expect. When you work with a supplier from another country, more connections can be required, which can cause problems later on.
Overseas Custom Manufacturers
There are several international garment manufacturers that may assist you in producing products for your business, typically at a significantly lesser price than local manufacturers. China, Bangladesh, India, Taiwan, and many other Asian nations are the most prominent offshore apparel makers.
China has been the most popular country for customized clothing manufacturers for many years, with corporations generating all types of clothes for dropshipping and online resale.
But when you are looking for a clothing manufacturer, it’s essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of coordinating with domestic and international suppliers. Most of the time, domestic companies produce the best quality products but charge more than suppliers from other countries.
In contrast, offshore manufacturers usually have lower production costs. However, their product quality isn’t always up to the standard. It’s also crucial to note that many overseas garment companies have lower standards for their workers and that clothes have been made with children’s help.
There are a lot of great businesses that manufacture clothing items, especially in Europe. However, do perform your research and choose a credible supplier before taking a decision on which one to work with. It’s essential to consider all the factors. Explore different suppliers thoroughly, be bold, and ask for suggestions from others.
Pros and Cons Between Domestic and Overseas Manufacturers For Startups
Before you make up your mind about choosing domestic or overseas manufacturers, it is better to have a clear idea of the pros and cons of both choices. Because both domestic and overseas manufacturers have some advantages or disadvantages.
Here are the pros and cons of choosing domestic and overseas clothing manufacturers for the startup. These sums up will help you in your selection process.
Domestic Clothing Manufacturers For Startups
Pros
- Less production times
- Low-cost shipping
- Real-time communication
- Flexible order process
Cons
- High production cost
- More competitive market
- Strict rules
Overseas Clothing Manufacturers For Startups
Pros
- Lower production cost
- More options to work with
- fewer rules to follow
- New market opportunities
Cons
- Higher production time
- Extra shipping cost
- Hard to communicate
- Less flexibility with minimum order
How to Find Startup-friendly Clothing Manufacturers For Startups?
As a new apparel businessman, it can take time to find a suitable manufacturer.
But if you do your research according to your preference, it is expected that you will get a better deal.
The clothing business is a piece of cake for some. But yes, it can be a little bit tricky after all. However, there are a few tips that may help you to ease your research.
Google can be an excellent tool for discovering custom clothing manufacturers for your startups. With the help of the internet, you can find any specific clothing company near you or your preferred area. But it would be best to discuss your expected product quality, budget, and delivery time. Also, do ask direct questions and never forget to compare multiple sources.
Directories
Numerous European web directories feature garment manufacturers, including the sourcing platform provided by Manufy.
These fashion directories can facilitate the rapid identification and engagement with potential suppliers. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to conduct research before choosing a manufacturer. Before choosing which one to work with, it is advisable to read reviews and assess numerous alternatives.
Groups In Facebook
There are a lot of great Facebook groups full of entrepreneurs willing to help each other and give something to the startup community.
Joining communities like Shopify, the latest trends, Entrepreneurs, and fashion enthusiasts, and employing other tools might help you locate a reliable garment manufacturer for your company.
Go through the group’s rules and ask for suggestions about getting start your clothing line. With the help of other business owners who have been in your shoes, you can learn valuable information.
Business Meetups
Industry meetups can be a great way to find the proper clothing manufacturer for your business. You can meet many people with connections to clothing manufacturers if you go to events on a local and national scale.
Recommendation
The most effective method for locating clothing suppliers is to solicit referrals. If you know someone in the sector, ask them for recommendations; there’s a good chance these businesses will offer expert services and high-quality merchandise at reasonable pricing!
Compare Between Companies
After you’ve found some probable clothing manufacturers, it’s crucial to evaluate prices and quality. Keep in mind to compare the prices of more than one company. Ask how long it will take to get your order and what the minimum order number is. When considering a manufacturer, it’s vital to consider these factors.
Check Online Reviews
Always make sure to check reviews when trying to decide between two or more companies. These reviews are available on multiple sites. Moreover, you can ask individuals you already know for suggestions.
You can get a decent concept of what it’s like to work with a specific supplier by reading reviews. Always carefully go through the reviews and mark if there are any warning signs. If there are a lot of negative reviews, it’s best to stay away from that vendor.
In practice, we advise you to observe how the clothes are made by going to the factory. We know that this is only sometimes possible, but if you can, ask the supplier if you can visit before placing your order.
Considering this thing will help you up off the floor your decision to deal with distributing companies. Ultimately, it will build a long-term partnership.
How to Know If a Clothing Manufacturer For Startups Is a Good Fit for You?
A manufacturer should meet your requirements end to end. Nonetheless, the partnership will only become fruitful in the short run. There are also a few essential facts that you need to recheck before making an order.
As a startup company, you may have some ideas about this fact. That’s the reason we are adding them all in a single place so that it becomes a helpful guide for you.
Clothing Types: The first thing you’ll need to decide is what type of apparel you want to produce. Are you looking for active sportswear? Or formal outfits, which are designed for more formal events?
You might be interested in casual attire, which people can wear for everyday activities. No matter what clothes you choose, ask the manufacturing company if they can provide the same type of clothes as you expect. You can even ask for the demo products too.
Quantity: It is imperative to ask about your desired amount from your manufacturers. Sometimes you might need help to accept your bulk orders.
However, there may also be times when their minimum order quantity will be much higher than your estimated one. So, always prefer the company which meets your needs.
Price and Quality: Pick the producer who can supply the best products at a reasonable cost for your company. Because, as a startup business, the budget can be a very crucial factor for you.
Shipping times: Pick the manufacturer who can ship your product according to your requirement. Because if your products come to you in the expected time, you can start the management or marketing process, which may cause you a significant loss.
Experience: Always go for an experienced apparel company for your clothing startups. A good garments company should have produced many ready-made garments in the past.
You want to find a supplier with a distinctive identity and a reputation for creating quality products. Look for a corporation that has been around for a while and has a lot of experience and resources. So, you can be sure they can make the best clothes for your business.
I’ve written a more detailed blog that is a guide on how startups can find the right custom clothing manufacturer.
Wrapping Up
That’s all you need to know about how to find clothing manufacturers for startups. We have discussed every aspect of choosing your perfect apparel company and how you should approach it while choosing your first custom garments vendor.
We want to thank you for reading this article till the end. Hope this article was helpful to you. If you have any further queries, remember to comment below. We will get back to you as soon as possible with your answer.