When our clients ask this question, they are really asking how to pick a factory partner they can trust. As an overseas clothing manufacturer based in China, we have seen brands grow fast when they choose a direct, capable factory—and struggle when they rely on intermediaries with limited control.
Choose a real factory with proven capacity, transparent quality control, and clear communication. Validate with samples, audits, and pilot runs. This is exactly how we at Xzapparel work with buyers.
We wrote this guide from our factory floor perspective so you can evaluate partners efficiently and set up a smooth, low-risk start.
Why work directly with a factory like Xzapparel?
Direct cooperation reduces layers, cuts cost, and speeds decisions.
A factory partner provides engineering of garments, fabric sourcing, line planning, and on-site quality control. This gives you control over fit, cost, and lead time.
Factory vs trading company (quick view)
| Dimension | Direct Factory (Xzapparel) | Trading Company |
|---|---|---|
| Control of production | Full, in-house lines | Outsourced to third parties |
| Price transparency | BOM-level cost breakdown | Aggregated pricing |
| Speed to resolve issues | Same-day on-site action | Delayed, relayed communications |
| QC accountability | Internal QC + buyer visibility | Depends on subcontractors |
| IP security | Centralized patterns and markers | Wider vendor exposure |
If you must scale fast or protect brand IP, direct factory engagement is the safer path.
What should a qualified overseas factory prove first?
Ask for evidence before you send a PO.
- Legal entity + factory address (geo-tagged photos or live video tour)
- Capacity by product category and lines per day
- Recent styles similar to your target product
- Process flow charts for cutting → sewing → finishing → packing
- Social and quality certificates (e.g., BSCI, WRAP, ISO) or audit reports
- Fabric supplier list and dye house compliance status
How we present proof at Xzapparel
| Proof Item | What we share |
|---|---|
| Factory capability deck | Lines, operators, machines, specialties (dresses, tops, denim, swimwear) |
| Live video tour | Cutting room, sewing lines, finishing, warehouse |
| Style portfolio | By season, fabric, construction complexity |
| QC framework | Inline AQL plan, defect library, TOP sample protocol |
| Compliance | Current audit summaries, eco fabric options |
How to validate fit and workmanship fast?
Start small and measure.
Run a structured sampling path before the first bulk order.
Sampling roadmap
| Stage | Purpose | Typical turnaround | What you receive from us |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proto (1st) | Check silhouette and construction feasibility | 5–7 days | Sample + feasibility notes |
| Fit (2nd) | Confirm measurements on body/dress form | 5–7 days | Fit sample + graded spec updates |
| Pre‑production (PP) | Lock trims, stitch class, finishing | 5–10 days | PP sample + sealed swatches |
| TOP (pre‑shipment) | Verify bulk equals PP standard | Aligns with shipment | TOP sample + inspection report |
We document each round with annotated photos and measurement sheets so your team can approve quickly.
What lead times and MOQs should you expect?
Lead time depends on fabric, trims, and complexity.
Typical ranges we plan against
| Category | MOQ (per color) | Bulk Lead Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Fast fashion poly/viscose dresses | 200–500 | 25–35 days |
| Denim (jeans, jackets) | 300–600 | 40–55 days |
| Sweaters/knits | 200–500 | 35–45 days |
| Swimwear (with prints) | 200–400 | 30–40 days |
| Outerwear (lined) | 300–600 | 45–60 days |
*Lead time after PP approval and fabric in-house. Rush plans available during off-peak.
If your brand needs lower test volumes, we can run pilot batches with consolidated colors to reach MOQ efficiently.
How to brief a factory so you get the sample you imagined?
A precise tech pack saves time and revisions.
Tech pack checklist
- Style overview: front/back sketches, reference photos
- Measurements: graded spec with tolerance
- Fabric: composition, GSM, finish, shrinkage target
- Trims: zippers, buttons, labels, care tags
- Stitching: SPI, seam types, bartack locations
- Construction notes: interfacing, lining, boning, cups
- Wash/finish: enzyme, stone, press, heat-set
- Color: Pantone codes, lab dips, print scale
- Fit standard: model measurements or dress form size
- Packaging: fold method, polybag, hangtag, carton
We can build or refine your tech pack if you only have sketches.
What does transparent costing look like?
You should see how each decision affects price.
Sample BOM-based costing (illustrative)
| Cost Block | Includes | % of FOB |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Greige + dye/print + loss | 45–60% |
| Trims | Zips, buttons, thread, labels | 5–10% |
| CMT | Cutting, sewing, finishing, QA | 20–30% |
| Overheads | Compliance, utilities, admin | 5–8% |
| Margin | Factory margin | 5–12% |
We also provide cost scenarios (e.g., shell swap from 100% viscose to viscose/poly blend) so you can pick the balance of handfeel, drape, and target cost.
How do we run quality control end‑to‑end?
Quality must be designed into the process, not inspected in at the end.
QC checkpoints we use
| Stage | What we check | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric intake | Shade banding, GSM, defects, shrinkage | 4‑point system, lab dips, wash tests |
| Cutting | Grain, marker efficiency, notch accuracy | CAD markers, fabric relax time |
| Inline sewing | Critical seams, SPI, defects trend | AQL sampling, red tag board |
| Finishing | Pressing, measurements, stains | Measurement lab, metal detection if needed |
| Final | Carton drop test, TOP match | AQL 2.5/4.0, golden sample |
We share inline reports and photo logs so your QA team has real‑time visibility.
How to communicate efficiently across time zones?
Clear cadence prevents surprises.
- One window owner on each side (PM ↔ merchandiser)
- Shared tracker for styles, dates, status, risks
- Weekly call + daily updates during critical paths (PP, cutting start, ship week)
- Red/amber/green flags to escalate early
We work in English with response SLA targets during your business hours in North America, Australia, UK/EU.
What about materials, print, and color control?
Color sells. Consistency keeps customers.
- Lab dips in three cuts (light/standard/dark) for selection
- Bulk shade grouping and continuity control on reorders
- Print strike‑offs at 100% scale for approval
- Wash test standards by fabric (e.g., dimensional change, colorfastness)
For complex fabrics (e.g., satin, taffeta, brocade), we pre‑test seam slippage and puckering so production runs clean.
How to manage risk before it becomes a delay?
Plan for the “what ifs.”
Common risks and how we mitigate
| Risk | Mitigation at Xzapparel |
|---|---|
| Fabric delay | Dual mill options, early greige booking |
| Print issues | Early strike‑off, backup screens |
| Fit changes | Buffer days between fit and PP, in‑house pattern team |
| QC spikes | Inline audits with rapid containment team |
| Logistics | Flexible Incoterms and forwarder bench |
We log risks in your tracker and update status daily during critical milestones.
Which Incoterms make sense for your stage?
Choose the shipping model that fits your ops.
| Incoterm | We handle | You handle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Production only | All logistics | Experienced buyers with own forwarders |
| FOB | Export clearance, port delivery | Ocean/air freight, import | Standard wholesale flows |
| CIF/CFR | Ocean freight to destination | Import, local fees | Teams that want landed cost visibility |
| DDP | Door‑to‑door | — | Small teams needing simplicity |
We quote across Incoterms so you can compare true landed costs.
How to decide if a factory is the right fit in 14 days?
Use a focused, two‑week validation sprint.
Day 1–2: Intro call, NDA, share tech packs → we return questions and preliminary costing.
Day 3–5: Live video tour + capability deck → align on timelines and sampling plan.
Day 6–10: Proto sample + cost scenario matrix → you review fit and construction.
Day 11–14: PP plan, QC framework sign‑off, pilot batch slot booking.
At the end of this sprint, you have hard data to green‑light a pilot.
What does a smooth first PO look like?
- Approved PP sample sealed
- Bulk fabric in‑house and tested
- Line loading plan with daily output targets
- Inline QC schedule and reporting windows
- Booking with forwarder and carton spec confirmed
We provide a single dashboard so your team can track every milestone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you mix sizes or colors to hit MOQ?
Yes. We plan color consolidation and shared fabric to reach MOQ without excess inventory.
Do you support plus sizes and tall/petite?
Yes. We grade across ranges and can build new blocks for your customer base.
Can you source eco fabrics?
Yes. We offer recycled poly, organic cotton, and viscose from certified suppliers.
Do you sign NDAs and protect patterns?
Yes. We keep patterns and markers on a restricted server and limit access to project teams.
Conclusion
Finding an overseas clothing manufacturer is really about confirming capability, control, and communication. As a direct factory with six production lines, Xzapparel provides the proof upfront: video tours, structured sampling, BOM‑level costing, and transparent QC.
Start with a two‑week validation sprint, lock your PP sample, and scale with confidence—while we handle the heavy lifting on the factory floor.
