Choosing the right clothing manufacturer can make or break your brand. But knowing the right questions to ask before sampling or production is what separates amateurs from strategic founders. Whether you’re a fashion start-up or scaling label, your questions help define quality, timelines, and trust.

You should ask questions about MOQs, lead times, sample policies, pricing, quality control, fabric sourcing, and communication standards before working with any clothing manufacturer.

At Xzapparel, we appreciate when clients come prepared—it speeds up onboarding and ensures smooth production.

What are your minimum order quantities (MOQs)?

Understanding MOQs early prevents surprise costs.

Ask about MOQs per style, per color, and per size. Some factories have flexibility, others are firm.

Follow-up Questions

• Can you offer lower MOQs for first-time clients?
• Do trims and labels affect MOQ?
• Is there a surcharge for small runs?

Knowing this helps align production with your budget and inventory strategy.

What is your lead time for samples and production?

Lead time shapes your entire launch calendar.

Ask for specific timelines for each phase: sampling, revisions, bulk production, and shipping.

Follow-up Questions

• How long does a first sample take?
• What’s your average bulk lead time?
• Do holidays or seasons impact speed?

We provide visual production timelines so clients can plan drops precisely.

What kind of products do you specialize in?

Not every factory is a good fit.

Ask about their core expertise—whether it’s activewear, casual knits, eveningwear, or denim—and request samples of similar work.

Follow-up Questions

• What percentage of your orders are in my category?
• Can you show recent production photos?
• Do you have clients with similar branding to mine?

This ensures their strengths match your vision.

What is your sampling process and cost?

Sampling sets the stage for quality.

Ask about the steps involved, the timeline, and whether costs are refundable upon production.

Follow-up Questions

• How many revisions are included?
• Can I get multiple sizes or colorways?
• What is the courier method and tracking protocol?

At Xzapparel, we offer tiered sampling plans based on client volume.

Do you help with fabric and trim sourcing?

Many clients rely on manufacturers to locate materials.

Ask about their sourcing network, lead times for swatches, and minimums for specialty fabrics.

Follow-up Questions

• Can I choose from your fabric library?
• Do you offer sustainable options?
• How are fabric delays communicated?

Our fabric catalog includes over 500 stock-supported bases.

How do you ensure consistent quality control (QC)?

Quality problems can destroy customer trust.

Ask about their QC standards, how they inspect goods, and whether they allow third-party checks.

Follow-up Questions

• Is QC done in-house or externally?
• Can I see a QC report example?
• What’s your defect resolution policy?

We provide detailed QC reports with photos before shipment.

What are your payment terms and methods?

Financial clarity prevents tension.

Ask about deposit requirements, accepted currencies, and policies for reorders or balance payments.

Follow-up Questions

• Do you offer PayPal or bank transfer?
• What’s your typical deposit/balance split?
• Is there a late payment fee?

Most of our clients pay 30% upfront and 70% post-inspection.

How do you communicate during production?

Daily updates may not be feasible, but consistency is key.

Ask about who your point of contact is and how often you’ll receive updates.

Follow-up Questions

• Do you use WhatsApp, WeChat, email?
• Can I schedule video calls?
• Do you provide progress images?

Our account managers update clients weekly with images.

Can you help with packaging and branding?

Presentation adds value.

Ask if they handle polybags, hangtags, woven labels, and custom packaging.

Follow-up Questions

• What packaging options are available?
• Do you charge setup fees for label insertion?
• Can I provide my own packaging?

We support both stock and custom branding requests.

What are your logistics and shipping options?

Production isn’t over until delivery.

Ask whether they help with freight booking, customs support, and how goods are packed.

Follow-up Questions

• Do you offer FOB, DDP, or EXW terms?
• Can you ship partial orders?
• Who covers damaged goods in transit?

We offer both FOB China and DDP for international clients.

Conclusion

The more thoughtful your questions, the more confident your manufacturing journey. At Xzapparel, we welcome brands who know what to ask—it helps us deliver better results. Use these questions as your factory interview guide.

Want answers to all your manufacturing questions? Let’s start the conversation.