Knowledge Base

Your questions.
Thoroughly answered.

Everything you need to know before starting a garment production project — MOQ, sampling, quality control, fabric, pricing, delivery, and more.

MOQ & Pricing

What is the minimum order quantity?

30-50 pieces per style per color. Optimal volume is 50-150 pieces per style. Orders below 50 pieces carry a per-unit premium. This keeps small-batch production economically viable while giving you the same QC and service as larger orders.

How much does garment production cost?

Production cost depends on fabric, complexity, and volume. As a reference, our clients produce garments for retail at $500-$2,000. We provide itemized quotes within 24 hours of receiving your tech pack, including fabric, labor, trims, sampling, and shipping.

Do you charge for sampling?

Yes, sampling is charged separately. The cost covers 2-3 mock-up rounds and 1 final sample in the correct fabric. Sampling fees are deducted from your production invoice when you proceed with the order.

How do I get a quote?

Send your tech pack — or sketches with measurements — to [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 17675622913. We provide an itemized quote within 24 hours: sampling cost, per-piece production cost, fabric estimate, and timeline.

Sampling & Development

How does the sampling process work?

We begin with 2-3 mock-up rounds using similar fabrics to refine fit and construction. You receive progress photos at every milestone. The final sample is made in your actual fabric. Mock-ups take 14-21 days; the final sample takes 28-42 days.

Can I get a sample before committing to production?

Yes, that's exactly how we work. We produce 2-3 mock-ups and one final sample before any production begins. You only proceed when the sample meets your approval in writing.

What if the sample doesn't meet my expectations?

We refine through additional mock-up rounds until the garment meets your standards. Our 98% first-sample approval rate means most clients are satisfied on the first final sample. If revisions are needed, we adjust, re-sample, and you only pay for the additional round.

Can you work with designers who have no tech pack?

Yes. Send reference images, sketches, and measurements — we build the tech pack from scratch. Our pattern team creates digital patterns with full size grading across your collection. If you already have a tech pack, we quote within 24 hours.

Quality Control

What quality control do you perform?

Every order receives identical QC regardless of volume: 3 inspections per garment (cutting, assembly, finishing), size-by-size measurement verification, live model try-on, mannequin form fit check, AQL 1.0-2.0 standard. Each shipment is video-documented.

What is AQL and why does it matter?

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is the international standard for quality inspection. AQL 1.0 means we inspect every garment and accept at most 1 defect per 100 units. Most factories use AQL 2.5-4.0. At $500-$2,000 retail, your customer expects AQL 1.0.

Do you inspect every garment or just a sample?

Every single garment. No spot-checking. Whether your order is 50 pieces or 1,000, each piece goes through 3 checkpoints: cutting verification, assembly QC, and finishing inspection with measurement verification.

What happens if a defect is found?

We catch it before you do. Defects found at any QC checkpoint are reworked or remade immediately within the production timeline. Our zero-defect track record on cases since 2016 means multiple inspections work.

Fabrics & Materials

What fabrics do you work with?

We specialize in silk blends, wool blends (Super 120s), cupro, sequins, cotton-linen, and premium satin. Our wool comes from Biella, Italy; silk from Suzhou, China; cupro from Osaka, Japan. We also work with client-nominated fabric suppliers.

Can I supply my own fabric?

Yes. Many clients nominate their own suppliers. We handle fabric receipt, quality inspection, dye-lot matching, and inventory management. If your supplier fails, we activate our Guangzhou textile network as backup — as demonstrated in our Toronto case study.

What happens if a dye lot doesn't match?

We spectrophotometer-test every dye lot against the approved lab dip before cutting. If a batch fails — as happened with a Toronto client's midnight navy cupro — we source alternatives from our textile network within 72 hours while pre-cutting non-fabric components to save time.

What is the minimum fabric order?

This depends on the mill. Most require 50-100 meters minimum per color. For your 30-50 piece MOQ, you typically purchase 2-3 bolts. We advise on exact consumption per style to minimize waste and optimize fabric utilization.

Production & Delivery

How long does production take?

Typical timeline from tech pack to shipment: sampling 6-9 weeks, production 6-10 weeks depending on volume and complexity. Rush orders available at a premium. We deliver on time — 100% on-time track record since 2016.

How do you handle size grading across multiple sizes?

We grade every size independently — not by multiplying a base pattern. For bias-cut and draped garments, we adjust seam angles and drape points per size increment. This is why our Dubai client's 12-size statement collection maintained identical silhouette at every size.

Where is your factory and can I visit?

Guangzhou, China. We welcome client visits. Factory tours include your production floor, QC stations, fabric storage, and a meeting with your dedicated production cell lead. Video call walkthroughs are available.

How do you handle shipping and logistics?

We ship worldwide via DHL/FedEx/UPS air freight (5-7 days to Europe and North America) or sea freight (25-35 days). We handle all export documentation, customs clearance, and provide real-time tracking.

MOQ & Pricing

What is the MOQ for small batch luxury garment production by a Guangzhou manufacturer?

30–50 pieces per style per color at our Guangzhou fashion factory. Our minimum order quantity is designed for independent clothing manufacturer partners and boutique garment production brands. Ideal production volume for small batch clothing manufacturer efficiency is 50–150 pieces per style. Orders below 50 pieces carry a per-unit premium because cutting and setup costs don't scale down linearly for custom clothing manufacturing.

How much does garment production cost for luxury ready-to-wear?

Production cost depends on fabric complexity, technique requirements, and order volume. Our clients produce garments for retail at $500–$2,000. Typical production cost ranges from $25–$80 per piece for dresses, $40–$120 for blazers and tailored jackets. For reference, a silk dress with French seams and hand-rolled hem at 100 pieces may cost $38/piece, while a wool-blend blazer with semi-canvas construction at 50 pieces may cost $72/piece. Our garment manufacturer pricing includes 2–3 mock-up rounds plus 1 final sample.

Can you work with emerging fashion designers on small orders?

Yes. As a small batch garment manufacturer, we specialize in serving independent designers and emerging fashion brands. Minimum 30–50 pieces per style per color. Our production process is optimized for 1–50 person fashion companies—most large factories won't even return your email at 50 pieces. We treat every order with identical QC, whether 50 pieces or 1,000.

Is there a minimum spend for a production order?

No minimum spend, only a minimum quantity of 30–50 pieces per style per color. For example, one style at 30 pieces is a valid order for our small batch clothing manufacturer service. Sampling fees are charged separately and deducted from the production invoice when you proceed. There is no hidden setup fee or minimum dollar commitment.

What payment terms do you offer for luxury garment production?

50% deposit to begin production, 50% before shipment. For clients placing repeat orders, we offer net-30 terms after the third order. All payments via bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) or Wise transfer. Invoices are issued in USD with detailed line items for transparency.

Do I get a price break if I order more pieces?

Yes, per-unit cost decreases as volume increases. At 30 pieces you pay a small-batch premium (because pattern cutting and setup time are fixed). At 100 pieces, efficiency improves. At 200+ pieces, costs level off. As your garment manufacturer, we recommend starting small, testing your market, then scaling—many of our clients grow from 30 to 150 pieces per style within two seasons.

Sampling & Development

How does the garment sampling process work for a custom clothing manufacturer?

Our 4-stage garment sampling process at our Guangzhou fashion factory: Stage 1—Tech Pack Review (3-5 days), we audit your design file for missing info. Stage 2—Mock-up Rounds, 2-3 mock-ups using similar-weight fabric to refine fit and construction, with progress photos at every milestone. Stage 3—Final Sample, crafted in the correct fabric with all finishing details. Stage 4—Client Approval, you review, wear-test, and sign off before production begins. Typical total sampling timeline: 6-9 weeks from tech pack to approved final sample.

What if I don't have a tech pack?

Send reference images, sketches, and measurements—we build the tech pack for you. If your existing tech pack has missing details, our pattern team fills the gaps. A complete tech pack should include: flat sketches (front + back), measurement chart per size, fabric composition, trim list, construction details, and label placement. Building a tech pack adds 5-7 days to the timeline.

How many mock-up rounds do you provide?

2–3 mock-up rounds included in sampling, plus 1 final sample in the correct fabric. Mock-up rounds are unlimited for fit refinement—we will not stop until the fit is right. This is the approach that earned us a 98% first-final-sample approval rate among our garment manufacturing clients since 2016.

What fabric is used for mock-ups?

We use fabric with similar weight, drape, and hand-feel to the production fabric. For silk garments: we use a similar-weight silk or cupro. For wool blazers: a wool-blend with comparable structure. Using a similar fabric is essential because fit and drape translate directly from mock-up to production—approximation at this stage causes expensive rework later in the garment production timeline.

Can I make changes after seeing the mock-up?

Yes—that is exactly what the mock-up process is for. Each round, you review progress photos, provide feedback, and we adjust in the next round. Changes can include fit modifications, seam adjustments, pocket repositioning, lining changes, and detail refinements. The sampling process is iterative. Our 2-3 mock-up rounds exist specifically so you can refine without production pressure.

How long does the final sample take?

28–42 days for the final sample in correct fabric, after mock-up rounds are complete and approved. This timeline accounts for fabric procurement, pattern finalization, cutting, assembly, and finishing. Rush sampling available at a 30% premium, reducing final sample time to 14–21 days at our Guangzhou garment manufacturing facility.

Is sampling cost separate from production?

Yes, garment sampling cost is charged separately. Sampling covers 2–3 mock-up rounds + 1 final sample. The sampling fee is deducted in full from your production invoice if you proceed with the order. For example: $850 sampling fee, $12,000 production order → you pay $11,150 for production. This makes sampling a zero-cost investment once you commit to production at our fashion factory.

What if the sample fails to meet my quality expectations?

We refine through additional mock-up rounds at our cost until the garment matches your design intent. Our 98% first-final-sample approval rate for garment production means this scenario is rare. If revisions are needed, we adjust and re-sample without extra charge. The sampling guarantee: you never pay for production until the final sample meets your approval.

Do you provide digital progress updates during sampling?

Yes, at every milestone you receive progress photos: pattern laying, first mock-up assembly, mock-up on mannequin, mock-up on live model, and final sample completion. Updates are sent via WhatsApp or email—your preference. This transparency is standard for our small batch clothing manufacturer service and eliminates the "black box" problem many designers experience with offshore garment production.

Quality Control

What AQL standard does your garment factory use?

We use AQL 1.0 for normal inspection and AQL 2.0 for minor inspection. In practice, this means we accept at most 1 defect per 100 units inspected. Most garment manufacturers use AQL 2.5–4.0. At $500–$2,000 retail per piece, your customer expects AQL 1.0 garment production quality. Our zero-defect track record since 2016 proves this standard is achievable.

Do you inspect every garment or only a sample from the production run?

Every single garment, 100% inspection. Not spot-checking. Not batch sampling. Every piece goes through 3 QC checkpoints at our fashion factory: cutting accuracy verification, in-line assembly quality control, and final finishing inspection with measurement verification. Whether your production order is 50 pieces or 1,000, no garment ships without passing all three gates.

How do you verify color consistency across a production run?

We use a spectrophotometer to verify fabric color under 3 light sources: D65 (daylight), TL84 (store fluorescent), and A (warm incandescent). Delta E tolerance is 0.8—well below the industry standard of 1.5. Each dye lot is measured before cutting. This is how our garment manufacturing resolved a New York client's champagne silk crisis where the arriving bulk fabric was 2.5 shades darker than the approved lab dip.

What happens if a defect is found during garment production?

Stopped at the checkpoint. Reworked or remade immediately within the production timeline. The garment is re-inspected at all downstream QC stations. At $500–$2,000 retail, your customer should never see a defect—and our 3-stage QC system ensures they won't. Garment defects found post-shipping: return for repair or remake at our cost, including shipping.

Do you do fit testing on live models?

Yes, every garment production run includes live model fit testing. We test at 3 sizes: the smallest (0 or 2), the middle (6 or 8), and the largest (12 or 14) in your size range. Live model testing catches issues that mannequin testing misses—how the garment moves, sits, stretches, and photographs. This is standard in luxury garment manufacturing but rare in mass-market production.

What is your post-production QC documentation?

Every shipment includes: QC inspection report per garment, measurement chart with actuals vs specs, photo documentation of inspected pieces, video walkthrough of packed shipment before sealing, and AQL 1.0 certification. This documentation package is included at no extra charge for all garment production orders.

Fabrics & Materials

Where does your fabric come from?

We maintain direct relationships with textile mills across the supply chain: wool from Biella, Italy; silk from Suzhou, China; cupro from Osaka, Japan; cotton-linen blends from our Guangzhou textile network. We can also work with client-nominated fabric suppliers—you ship the fabric to us, we handle the rest of the garment production.

Can you source custom-dyed or specialty fabrics for luxury garment production?

Yes, custom dyeing available. Our Guangzhou fabric network includes mills that can match any Pantone reference. Custom dye minimums: 50 meters for silk and cupro, 80 meters for wool blends and cotton-linen. Turnaround for custom dye: 10-14 days. Our spectrophotometer QC process ensures the custom dye matches your approved lab dip exactly before entering garment production.

What fabrics do you work with most?

Silk blends (charmeuse, crepe de chine, satin, organza), wool blends (worsted, flannel, tweed, gabardine), cupro (vegan silk alternative), cotton-linen, sequined fabrics, premium satin, and stretch fabrics for structured garments. We do not work with PVC, neoprene, or hand-beading fabrics. Our fashion factory is equipped for delicate fabric garment production: bias-cut, French seam, hand-rolled hem, and invisible zip techniques.

Can you help me source sustainable or eco-friendly fabrics?

Yes, we can source GOTS-certified organic cotton, FSC-certified viscose, recycled polyester (rPET), and Tencel/Lyocell. Cupro is our recommended sustainable silk alternative—it's made from cotton linter (a byproduct), biodegrades, and drapes identically to silk at 40% lower cost. Our garment manufacturing team can advise on the best eco-friendly fabric for your design intent and retail price point.

Do you stock fabric or do I need to supply it?

We source all fabric through our textile mill network. You do not need to purchase or ship fabric—we handle everything from fabric procurement to final garment production. If you have a preferred mill or nominated supplier, we will work with them directly. Our fabric sourcing team reads your tech pack, identifies the right mill, requests swatches, and presents 2–3 fabric options before sampling begins.

Production & Delivery

What is the typical timeline for small batch garment production from tech pack to delivery?

Total timeline: 14-19 weeks for a new garment production order from tech pack to delivery. Sampling phase: 6-9 weeks (2-3 mock-up rounds + final sample). Production phase: 6-10 weeks (depending on volume and complexity). Shipping: 5-7 days air freight, 25-35 days sea freight. Rush orders available at 20-30% premium, reducing production to 4-6 weeks for small batch garment manufacturing.

How do you handle international shipping and customs for garment production exports?

We ship worldwide via DHL/FedEx/UPS air freight (5-7 days to Europe and North America, 3-5 days to Asia) or sea freight (25-35 days). Our garment manufacturer export service includes: commercial invoice preparation, certificate of origin, packing list, air waybill or bill of lading, customs clearance documentation. All taxes and duties are the client's responsibility and calculated at destination.

Can you handle rush orders or tight deadlines for fashion production?

Yes, rush garment production orders are accommodated at a 20-30% premium. Rush availability depends on current production schedule and fabric procurement timeline. Example: a standard 8-week production order can be reduced to 4-5 weeks. Rush orders receive a dedicated production cell, overtime QC, and priority shipping. Contact us with your deadline for a feasibility assessment.

What happens if my garment production order is delayed?

We have a 100% on-time delivery track record since 2016 for all garment manufacturing orders. In the rare event of a delay (fabric supply chain issue, customs hold, force majeure), we communicate immediately, provide a revised timeline, and absorb the air freight upgrade cost to recover lost transit time. You are never charged for delays outside your control.

Can I reorder the same style later?

Yes—reorders are faster and cheaper. We retain your pattern, grading matrix, QC specifications, and production notes indefinitely. A reorder skips the sampling phase entirely: we go straight to cutting and production at the original per-unit cost. Reorder timeline: 4-6 weeks (vs 14-19 weeks for a new style). Minimum reorder: same 30–50 pieces per style per color. Many of our garment manufacturing clients reorder 3-5 times per style across multiple seasons.

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Deng
Deng
Project Manager & Sales
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Kiki
Kiki
Designer & Merchandiser
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