Garment Manufacturer FAQ — Archive 2

What is your minimum order quantity?

30–50 pieces per style per colour. The sweet spot is 50–150 pieces per style. Below 50 there's a per-unit premium, because setup costs get spread over fewer garments.

Can I really order just 30 pieces?

Yes. That's our entry point, not a marketing number. Expect to pay roughly 25–40% more per piece than you would at 150 pieces.

Why is low MOQ more expensive per piece?

Fixed costs don't shrink: pattern making, marker, machine setup, sampling. A $1,500 setup is $50 per piece at 30 units and $3 per piece at 500.

How much does it cost to manufacture a dress?

For brands retailing at $250–$1,000, production runs about 22–30% of retail. A beaded silk dress retailing at $900 costs roughly $200–$270 to make at 50 pieces.

What's included in your quote?

Fabric, labour, trims, sampling, and shipping — itemised line by line. You see every number before you commit, not a single total.

How fast do you quote?

Within 24 hours of receiving a tech pack. If you send sketches instead of a tech pack, allow a day or two more.

Do I need a tech pack to get a quote?

No. Send reference images, sketches, and measurements and we'll build the tech pack. If you already have one, we quote immediately.

Is sampling charged separately?

Yes — it covers 2–3 mock-up rounds and one final sample in the correct fabric. Sampling is deducted from your production invoice when you proceed.

Are there hidden costs I should plan for?

Three, mainly: fabric MOQ surcharges when you buy under the mill minimum, re-dye fees if a lab dip fails, and import duties on arrival. We flag all three before you commit.

Do you offer discounts for larger orders?

Yes. The per-piece price drops at 150, 300, and 500 pieces. Ask for the tier breakdown and you'll see exactly where the savings are.

Can I mix sizes and colours within one MOQ?

Yes. The 30–50 minimum is per style per colour, and you can spread that across your full size range.

What if I only want 20 pieces?

We'll quote it, but it's usually poor value — setup costs dominate and you'll pay close to the 30-piece price for fewer garments.

Do you charge for revisions after sampling?

Mock-up rounds beyond the included 2–3 are charged at cost. You'll know the price before we run the round.

Is there a minimum order value?

No fixed minimum. But below roughly 50 pieces the per-unit premium gets steep, and we'll say so rather than let you find out on the invoice.

How many mock-up rounds are included?

Two to three, using similar fabric to refine fit and construction. Then one final sample in your actual fabric.

How long does sampling take?

14–21 days for mock-ups, 28–42 days for the final sample. Fabric availability can extend both.

Do you make samples before I commit to production?

Yes. That's the only way we work. You approve the final sample in writing before any production begins.

Can you work from a sketch?

Yes. Send reference images, sketches, and measurements and we'll build the tech pack ourselves. Most of our clients start this way.

What if the sample doesn't meet my expectations?

We refine through additional rounds until it meets your standard. Our first-sample approval rate is 98%, so most clients are happy on the first final sample.

What is a sealed sample?

The approved sample, signed and dated by both sides, with one kept by each. It's the reference if there's ever a dispute about what was approved.

Do you check the size extremes or just the sample size?

We recommend a size set — base size plus both extremes. A single sample in one size tells you nothing about how the run grades.

Why does my size 14 not fit when size 8 does?

Almost always grading, not sewing. Bodies don't scale proportionally, so a grade table that applies one rule across all points drifts at the extremes.

Can I change the design after sampling?

Yes — but changes after cutting starts mean re-ordering fabric and re-booking the line. It's a re-order, not a tweak.

Do you keep my patterns?

Yes. Your patterns and tech pack belong to you and stay on file, so reorders don't start from scratch.

What is a first-piece check?

We pull the first garment off the line and check it against the sealed sample before running the rest. It's the cheapest quality gate that exists.

Can you replicate a garment I already have?

Usually. Send the physical sample and we'll assess it. Complex embellishment is the main thing that can't always be reproduced exactly.

Do you inspect every garment or just a sample?

Every garment, three times. No spot-checking, whether your order is 50 pieces or 1,000.

What is AQL and which level do you use?

AQL means Acceptable Quality Level — the defect rate accepted in a random sample. We run 1.0–2.0. Most factories use 2.5, which allows roughly double the defects.

What does AQL 1.0 mean in practice?

At most 1 defect per 100 units. On a 500-piece order the sample is 50 pieces. On a run retailing at $500+, that gap between 1.0 and 2.5 is thousands in returns.

How can I verify my QC report is real?

Two checks. The sample size must match the standard AQL table for your order quantity, and you should be able to get the raw measurement sheet, not just a pass/fail.