Apparel manufacturing help centre

Answers for your next apparel order.

Buyer-first guidance on MOQ, samples, custom clothing, private label, quality control and international shipping—connected back to the decisions your quotation needs.

24 practical answers · reviewed September 5, 2026

01

MOQ & quotations

Start with the order structure. A useful quotation separates the style, colour, size range, branding and destination instead of hiding them behind one unit price.

01What is your minimum order quantity for custom apparel?

For standard styles, the confirmed MOQ starts at 100 pieces. A logo can be added and sizes can be mixed. Fully custom development starts at 300–500+ pieces, depending on the style and development route. The quotation confirms how the minimum applies before you commit.

02Can I mix sizes and colours within the MOQ?

Mixed sizes are supported for standard-style orders. Colour splits can affect fabric and production minimums, so tell us the quantity by colour and size. We confirm the workable breakdown in writing rather than assuming every colour can share one MOQ.

03What do you need to prepare an accurate clothing quotation?

Send the product type, quantity by colour and size, target market, fabric or GSM direction, fit, logo method, packaging needs, destination and target date. A tech pack is useful, but clear reference photos and measurements can start the feasibility conversation.

04Why does custom clothing pricing change by quantity and specification?

Fabric consumption, colour development, trims, decoration setup, labels, testing, packing and order quantity all affect cost. Compare quotations against the same written specification; a lower price is not comparable if material, construction or approvals are different.

02

Sampling & approvals

The sample is a decision tool. It should turn subjective comments into an approved reference for material, fit, construction, decoration and repeatability in production.

01How long does an apparel sample take?

Standard samples take 3–4 days. Custom samples take 3–7 days. These are sample periods, not shipping times, and begin after the sample direction and required inputs are confirmed. Complex materials, trims or decoration may need separate timing.

02Should I order a sample before bulk production?

Yes for a new style, material, fit or decoration. Review the physical garment before bulk so measurements, handfeel, colour direction, stitching, branding and packaging decisions can be recorded together as the approved production reference.

03What should I check when approving a garment sample?

Check fabric composition and weight, colour against a physical swatch, garment measurements and tolerances, movement and fit, seams, pockets, zips, decoration position, labels, wash expectations and packing. Mark every change on one consolidated approval record.

04Will bulk production match the approved sample?

The approved sample and written specification become the production reference. Repeatability still depends on confirmed materials, tolerances and quality checks, so changes after approval should be documented and re-approved before production continues.

03

Products & materials

Choose material around the wearer and end use. GSM matters, but fibre, knit structure, stretch, recovery, finishing and garment construction shape the final result.

01What apparel products do you manufacture?

Our focus includes performance T-shirts and long sleeves, short- and long-sleeve polos, training shorts and pants, sweatpants, heavyweight hoodies, fleece midlayers and coordinated training or hoodie sets. Each route supports product-specific sampling and specification review.

02What fabric, weight and sizes are confirmed for your performance apparel?

Our confirmed performance short sleeves, long sleeves, shorts, pants and training sets use 80–90% polyester or polyamide (nylon) as the principal fibre, with elastane according to style. The lightweight solid-colour fabric range is 180 g/m² inclusive to below 250 g/m², with breathable, high-stretch and moisture-wicking positioning for sports. Sizes are S–5XL and the garment measurement tolerance is 1–2 cm.

03What fabric, GSM and sizes are confirmed for performance polos?

Our short- and long-sleeve performance polos use nylon/polyamide (锦纶/尼龙/聚酰胺纤维) and/or polyester (涤纶), with 70–85% of the selected principal fibre, at 250–350 g/m². The lightweight solid-colour ready-stock direction is breathable, high stretch and moisture wicking for business, smart teamwear and everyday movement. Sizes are M–5XL; exact fabric, colour, size inventory and garment tolerance are confirmed in the quotation and size chart.

04What fabrics, GSM and sizes are confirmed for hoodies and sweatpants?

Our confirmed hoodies, sweatpants, hoodie sets and fleece outer layers use pure cotton, Huamian cotton (华棉) or polyester with 96% or more of the selected principal fibre. Relaxed solid-colour ready-stock styles cover 200–400 g/m², S–5XL and a 1–3 cm garment measurement tolerance. Summer, spring and all-season options depend on the selected fabric; exact stock is reconfirmed in the quotation.

05Are your performance styles ready stock in solid colours?

Ready-stock solid-colour styles are available for performance short sleeves, long sleeves, shorts, pants, sets and polos. Exact inventory varies by product, colour and size: core performance styles run S–5XL, while polos run M–5XL. The quotation reconfirms the available breakdown. The ten website colours remain illustrative colour directions until the physical fabric shade and inventory are confirmed.

04

Branding & private label

Branding works best when artwork, material and placement are developed together. The right route depends on whether you bring a finished specification or need an adaptable product base.

01Do you offer OEM, ODM and private-label clothing manufacturing?

Yes. OEM follows your completed product specification; ODM adapts a developed product direction to your brief; private label adds approved brand elements such as labels, trims, decoration and packaging. The final scope is listed in the quotation.

02Can you add our logo to hoodies, polos and performance apparel?

Logo customization is supported. Share vector artwork, colour references, dimensions and placement. Printing, transfer and embroidery behave differently on technical knits, piqué and fleece, so the method and result should be sampled on the intended fabric.

03Can I DIY a logo or print on the front and back?

Yes. Core performance apparel supports front chest, back, or both; performance polos and confirmed fleece styles support front chest or back. The selection is added to the enquiry brief. Final artwork dimensions, colour and production method are approved on the selected fabric before production.

04Can you make custom labels, packaging and cartons?

All products support custom individual packaging and custom cartons. The confirmed ready-stock fleece direction is supplied without hangtags; custom labels or hangtags can be discussed separately when specified and quoted. Provide brand files, dimensions, carton marks, pack ratios and destination-market requirements early.

05Who is responsible for apparel labelling compliance?

The brand or importer should confirm the rules for each destination market. For example, U.S. guidance covers fibre content, country of origin, business identity and care instructions, while EU textile rules address fibre-composition labelling and language requirements. We can manufacture to confirmed artwork, but we do not replace market-specific legal review.

05

Production & quality

Quality control starts before sewing. Clear specifications, approved references and defined acceptance criteria are more useful than a quality promise without records.

01How long does bulk apparel production take?

Standard-style production is 15 working days. Custom production is 20–25 working days. Timing follows confirmation of the order, material route, artwork and approved sample; shipping transit is quoted separately and seasonal capacity is reconfirmed before payment.

02How do you control garment quality?

The working route covers material and trim confirmation, sample approval, in-process workmanship checks, measurement review and final packing checks. Product-specific tolerances, inspection method and any required reports must be agreed in writing before bulk.

03Do you use AQL inspection?

We do not publish a blanket AQL level on this site. If sampling inspection is required, confirm the standard, inspection level, AQL, lot definition and defect classifications in the order agreement. ISO 2859-1 explains how AQL-indexed sampling plans set sample sizes and acceptance thresholds.

04How can I reduce mistakes during custom apparel production?

Use one controlled tech pack, one approved sample and one revision log. Define owners and due dates for fabric, colour, fit, artwork, labels and packing. Consolidate feedback instead of sending conflicting comments across separate messages.

06

Shipping & reorders

Production time and transit time are separate. The shipping method, destination, carton details and trade term should all appear on the quotation.

01Do you ship custom clothing internationally?

We support sea freight, air freight and express courier. The practical route depends on destination, order size, carton volume, urgency and the agreed trade term. Freight and transit time are confirmed for the specific shipment.

02Which shipping method is best for an apparel order?

Express courier is often considered for samples or smaller urgent shipments; air freight for faster bulk movement; and sea freight for larger, less time-sensitive orders. Compare landed cost, transit time, customs handling and delivery point before choosing.

03What do Incoterms mean for my order?

Incoterms allocate transport tasks, costs and risk between buyer and seller; they are not payment terms. Put the selected Incoterms 2020 rule and named place or port on the quotation so both sides understand freight, insurance and customs responsibilities.

04How do I make a repeat apparel order consistent?

Reference the approved style, measurement chart, material, colour standard, trims, artwork and packing specification from the previous order. Reconfirm material availability and any requested changes; a repeat order should not rely only on an old product name or photograph.

05How are apparel freight charges calculated?

Freight is quoted for the actual shipment using the destination, carton count, actual or volumetric weight, selected sea, air or express route, and agreed trade term. Production time does not include transit, customs clearance, duties or destination taxes unless the quotation expressly says so.

06Can I return or exchange a custom apparel order?

Custom and B2B goods are not automatically returnable because of preference or unsold stock. Inspect promptly, preserve packaging and count records, and report any issue against the approved specification with photographs. Reporting deadlines, rework, replacement, credit and return freight must be agreed in the written order terms.

Research & source trail

Popular questions, checked against useful sources.

Search results and community discussions helped identify recurring buyer questions. Commercial answers use SenLin’s confirmed terms; regulatory and inspection notes link to primary sources. This is manufacturing guidance, not market-specific legal advice.

  1. 01
    Shopify — questions to ask a private-label manufacturer

    Buyer due-diligence topics: MOQ, samples, lead times, QC and defects.

  2. 02
    ClothingStartups community — first manufacturer meeting

    Recurring first-order questions; community experience, not a technical standard.

  3. 03
    FTC — clothing and textile labelling guidance

    Official U.S. guidance on fibre content, country of origin, business identity and care.

  4. 04
    Your Europe — textile labels

    Official EU overview of textile fibre labelling and language requirements.

  5. 05
    ICC — Incoterms rules and responsibilities

    Official explanation of transport, risk, insurance and customs responsibilities.

  6. 06
    ISO 2859-1:2026

    Official overview of AQL-indexed sampling inspection.

Bring the question back to the garment

A stronger answer ends with a clearer production decision.

SenLin is built for brands, wholesalers, teamwear suppliers and corporate programmes that value direct factory communication, disciplined approvals and practical order planning.

Owned factoryProduct and production questions stay connected.Clear baselinesMOQ, sampling and production periods are stated upfront.Professional supportSpecific, efficient and warm communication from brief to shipment.

Still deciding?

Ask about your actual product.

Send the product, quantity, target market and required date. We will bring the conversation back to feasibility, sampling and the next useful decision.Contact us on WhatsApp