How to Find a Reliable Clothing Manufacturer in India (Without Getting Scammed) post

Three months ago, Olivia from Manchester wired £8,000 to a clothing manufacturer she found on Instagram. The factory looked legitimate—professional photos, glowing reviews, even video tours. She paid 50% upfront for 300 custom dresses. The manufacturer went silent after receiving payment.

No products. No refunds. No responses.

Olivia isn't alone. Every month, dozens of new clothing brands—from Mumbai to Melbourne—lose thousands to fraudulent manufacturers. According to a 2024 report by the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, clothing-related fraud costs international buyers over $120 million annually in India alone.

But here's the reality: India is home to some of the world's most skilled, reliable, and ethical clothing manufacturers. Cities like Jaipur, Tirupur, and Delhi produce millions of high-quality garments for global brands every year. The craft heritage, competitive pricing, and manufacturing expertise are real.

The problem isn't India. The problem is knowing how to separate legitimate manufacturers from sophisticated scammers.

After 15 years running Ashanari in Jaipur and working with over 300 international brands, I've seen every scam, every red flag, and every warning sign. I've also helped brands recover from bad experiences and find trustworthy partners.

This isn't another generic "how to find a manufacturer" guide. This is the hard-earned, sometimes painful knowledge of what actually works—and what will cost you everything.

Why Clothing Manufacturing Scams Are So Common (And Sophisticated)

Let's address the uncomfortable truth: the clothing manufacturing industry has a trust problem.

The Perfect Storm:

1. High Upfront Costs: Unlike dropshipping or print-on-demand, custom manufacturing requires significant deposits—typically 30-50% upfront. That's £5,000-15,000 ($6,000-18,000) or ₹5-12 lakhs before you see a single sample.

2. Geographic Distance: Most Western brands manufacture in Asia. You can't just "pop by" to check on production. This distance creates opportunity for deception.

3. Legitimate-Looking Fronts: Modern scammers don't work from sketchy websites anymore. They have professional Instagram accounts, WhatsApp Business profiles, verified Google Business listings, and fake client testimonials.

4. Language Barriers: Miscommunication isn't just about language—it's about business culture, expectations, and terminology. Scammers exploit this.

5. Desperation: New brands are often in a hurry to launch. Scammers recognize urgency and use it against you.

The Most Common Clothing Manufacturing Scams in India

Scam #1: The Ghost Factory

How it works: A "manufacturer" has a beautiful website, social media presence, and responds quickly to inquiries. They send professional quotes, have video calls with you, and seem perfect. You pay the deposit. They ghost you.

Real Example: A Sydney-based designer, Marcus, found a manufacturer through a Facebook ad. Professional website, certificate logos (ISO, GOTS), client list including recognizable brands. He video-called them—they showed him a factory floor. He sent $12,000 AUD. Two weeks later, all contact stopped. The website went offline. The phone numbers disconnected.

The Reality: The "factory" was a rented space for the day. The certificates were Photoshopped. The client list was stolen from real manufacturers.

Warning Signs:

• Recently created social media accounts (less than 1 year)

• Stock photos instead of actual production photos

• Won't provide verifiable references

• Pressure to pay quickly ("limited slots available")

• Payment only through personal accounts, not business accounts

• No physical address or vague location

Scam #2: The Bait-and-Switch Quality

How it works: You receive beautiful samples. You approve and pay for bulk production. The delivered products are completely different quality—cheaper fabric, poor stitching, wrong measurements.

Real Example: Priya from Delhi ordered 200 linen dresses. Samples were perfect—soft linen, clean stitching, accurate measurements. Bulk order arrived: rough polyester blend, uneven hems, sizes off by 2 inches. The manufacturer said "you approved the sample, no refunds."

The Reality: Samples were made in a small quality unit. Bulk production was outsourced to the cheapest factory available, often without your knowledge.

Warning Signs:

• Unwilling to provide pre-production samples from bulk fabric

• No mid-production quality checks offered

• Vague answers about their production facility

• Prices significantly below market rates

• Rush to move from sample to bulk production

Scam #3: The Hidden Costs Trap

How it works: Initial quote looks amazing. You proceed. Then come the extras: "Quality control fee," "expedited handling," "special packaging charge," "fabric shortage surcharge," "festival season bonus." Your ₹5 lakh order becomes ₹8.5 lakhs.

Real Example: A London brand ordered kurtas quoted at £15 per piece. Final bill included: fabric shortage fee (15%), GST (18% not mentioned initially), quality inspection charge (₹15,000), special embroidery setup (₹25,000), packaging upgrade (₹40,000). Cost per piece went from £15 to £23.

The Reality: The initial quote was intentionally incomplete to get you committed. Once you've invested time and samples, they add mandatory "extras."

Warning Signs:

• Quote doesn't itemize costs

• No mention of GST, taxes, or additional fees

• "All-inclusive" pricing that's suspiciously low

• Costs keep appearing throughout production

• Verbal quotes that don't match written agreements

Scam #4: The Fake Certifications

How it works: Manufacturer displays ISO 9001, GOTS, WRAP, OEKO-TEX, and other certifications on their website. You believe you're working with a certified, ethical factory. The certificates are fake.

Real Example: A sustainable brand from Australia specifically sought GOTS-certified manufacturers. Found one in Bangalore with GOTS and Fair Trade logos on their website. Paid €20,000 for organic cotton production. When audit was requested, manufacturer admitted certificates were "pending renewal" (i.e., never existed).

The Reality: Certificate logos are easy to copy. Many manufacturers display them for credibility without actual certification.

Warning Signs:

• Can't provide certificate numbers

• Won't share PDF copies of actual certificates

• Certificates aren't from recognized certifying bodies

• "In process of certification" for years

• Generic certificate images instead of their specific documents

Scam #5: The Middleman Masquerade

How it works: You think you're dealing with a manufacturer. You're actually dealing with a middleman who outsources to unknown factories. Your costs are inflated, quality is uncontrolled, and communication is a nightmare of telephone game.

Real Example: Raj from Pune thought he found a great Jaipur manufacturer for block-print dresses. Turns out, "manufacturer" was a Mumbai-based agent who outsourced to three different Rajasthan factories. Quality varied wildly across orders. Agent charged 40% markup. Communication delays were constant because agent was coordinating multiple parties.

The Reality: Many "manufacturers" on Alibaba, IndiaMART, and Instagram are brokers, not actual factories.

Warning Signs:

• Reluctant to share factory location

• Can't provide factory tour (even virtual)

• "We work with multiple units" (red flag for agents)

• Address is residential or office building, not industrial area

• Can't show machinery or production floor

• Different products have wildly different capabilities

The Foolproof System: How to Vet Indian Manufacturers

Here's the exact process I recommend to every brand that contacts Ashanari, even if they're not working with us:

Step 1: Initial Research (Don't Skip This)

Google Search Test:

• Search the company name + "scam" or "fraud" or "complaint"

• Search the company name + "review"

• Check their website domain age (use who.is)—anything under 2 years is caution

• Search their email address and phone number independently

Social Media Audit:

• Check account creation date

• Are photos original or stock images? (Use Google reverse image search)

• Do they have real engagement or just likes? (Check comments for authenticity)

• Do posts show actual production or just product photos?

Business Verification:

• In India, ask for GST number (GSTIN)—verify it on the government GST portal (gst.gov.in)

• Ask for Import-Export Code (IEC) if they claim to export

• Request company incorporation documents (Certificate of Incorporation)

Example Script: "Hi, I'm interested in manufacturing with you. Before we proceed, could you please share your GSTIN, IEC code, and company incorporation certificate? I need these for my records. Thank you!"

Legitimate manufacturers will provide these immediately. Scammers will make excuses or ghost you.

Step 2: Communication Assessment (First 72 Hours)

How a manufacturer communicates in the first 72 hours tells you everything.

Green Flags:

• Responds within 24 hours

• Asks detailed questions about your project

• Provides itemized quotes

• Mentions their production capabilities AND limitations

• Offers to schedule a proper video call

• Shares their process timeline honestly

• Provides references or portfolio without you asking

Red Flags:

• Takes days to respond, then suddenly urgent when you're ready to pay

• Agrees to everything without questions

• Quote comes in minutes (real quotes take time)

• Pushes for immediate payment

• Communication only through personal WhatsApp, never email

• Grammar/professionalism varies wildly (sign of multiple people managing account)

Step 3: The Video Call Test (Non-Negotiable)

Never work with a manufacturer you haven't video-called.

Schedule a video call and request a live factory tour. Here's what to watch for:

During the Call:

✅ Ask them to show you:

• Production floor in real-time (not a pre-recorded video)

• Actual machines in operation

• Fabric storage area

• Quality control section

• Their sampling department

• Workers at stations (if appropriate timing)

✅ Ask these questions:

• "How many people work here?"

• "What brands do you currently manufacture for?" (They should be comfortable naming at least 2-3)

• "Can you show me samples of similar work you've done?"

• "What's your typical production capacity per month?"

• "What are your busiest months?" (Should match industry norms—March-May, Aug-Oct in India)

❌ Red Flags During Call:

• Can't or won't show factory floor

• Shows only office/meeting room

• Background looks residential

• Can't show machinery or samples

• Other "factories" visible in background (middleman)

• Promises everything instantly without consulting team

Step 4: Sample Verification (The Truth Revealer)

Never skip sampling. Never. And don't accept just one sample round.

The Right Sample Process:

1. Request a sample in your fabric/design

   • Don't accept "similar" work from past clients

   • Pay for the sample (free samples often mean they don't value the work)

2. Request a second sample with specific changes

   • This tests their attention to detail and quality consistency

   • If they can't execute your requested changes, they can't handle bulk

3. Request a pre-production sample from bulk fabric

   • This must be made from the actual fabric batch for your order

   • This is your last chance to catch quality switching

Sample Red Flags:

• Won't send samples (huge red flag)

• Sample quality degrades from round 1 to round 2

• Can't replicate the same quality across multiple samples

• Different samples look like they came from different factories (middleman)

• Excessive delays in sampling (weeks beyond promised time)

Step 5: Reference Verification (Do It Right)

Don't just ask for references—verify them properly.

What to Request: "Could you share contact information for 2-3 brands you've worked with in the past year? I'd like to hear about their experience."

When You Contact References:

Ask:

• How long have you worked with this manufacturer?

• Were they honest about timelines and costs?

• Any surprise charges or issues?

• How do they handle mistakes or quality issues?

• Would you order from them again?

• On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate communication?

Reference Red Flags:

• Won't provide references

• References are all in different countries/unreachable

• References give scripted, perfect answers (fake reviews)

• Can't verify references actually exist or worked with them

Step 6: Payment Structure Evaluation

How you pay reveals a lot about legitimacy.

Safe Payment Terms:

• 30-50% advance upon order confirmation

• 50-70% before shipment

• Payment to company business account, not personal account

• Detailed invoice with GST, itemized costs

• Payment agreement in writing

Dangerous Payment Demands:

• 100% upfront payment required

• Payment to personal account or individual

• Payment through cryptocurrency or untraceable methods

• "Special discount for full payment now"

• Pressure to pay immediately or lose slot

• Payment through Western Union, MoneyGram, or similar

Safe Payment Methods:

• Bank wire transfer to business account

• PayPal Business (has some buyer protection)

• Escrow services for first order

• Letter of Credit (for large orders—₹25+ lakhs/$30,000+)

Never use:

• Personal money transfer apps

• Cash in person (unless you're at the factory)

• Cryptocurrency

• Gift cards (obvious scam)

Step 7: Contract and Documentation

Everything in writing. Everything.

Minimum Contract Requirements:

1. Detailed Specifications

   • Exact product descriptions

   • Fabric type, weight, composition

   • Measurements (size chart)

   • Color codes (Pantone/RGB)

   • Stitching requirements

   • Label and packaging specifications

2. Pricing Breakdown

   • Per-piece cost

   • Minimum order quantity

   • Sample costs and when/if credited

   • Shipping costs or FOB price

   • Payment schedule

   • GST and taxes (who pays what)

3. Timeline

   • Sampling timeline

   • Bulk production start date

   • Estimated completion date

   • Shipping date

   • What happens if delays occur

4. Quality Standards

   • Inspection process

   • Acceptance criteria

   • What happens if quality is substandard

   • Return/refund policy

5. Legal Terms

   • Jurisdiction (which country's laws apply)

   • Dispute resolution process

   • Intellectual property protection

   • Confidentiality agreements

If a manufacturer refuses to sign a contract, walk away immediately.

Real Success Story: How Sophie Did It Right

Sophie from London wanted to manufacture hand-block printed dresses in India. She'd heard horror stories but also knew India was the right place for authentic craft.

Here's what she did right:

Month 1: Research

• Spent 3 weeks researching Jaipur manufacturers

• Googled every company, checked GST numbers

• Joined Facebook groups for fashion entrepreneurs

• Asked for recommendations in entrepreneur forums

Month 2: Vetting

• Contacted 12 manufacturers

• Had video calls with 6

• Eliminated 4 based on communication and facility tours

• Requested samples from 2 finalists

Month 3: Sampling

• Ordered samples from both (paid £150 each)

• Requested revisions from both

• One delivered revised sample in 8 days, other took 21 days

• Quality and communication made decision clear

Month 4: Small Test Order

• Ordered only 50 pieces (not 500)

• Signed detailed contract

• Paid 30% advance to business account

• Requested mid-production photos (manufacturer provided willingly)

Month 5: Delivery

• Products arrived as expected

• Quality matched samples

• Sizes accurate

• Only issue: 3 pieces had minor stitching flaws (2% defect rate—acceptable)

Result: Sophie has now placed 8 orders over 18 months. Her brand generates £180,000 annually. She plans to visit the Jaipur facility in person next quarter.

Her advice: "The right manufacturer won't rush you. They'll ask questions, point out potential issues, and be honest about timelines. If it feels too easy or too perfect, it probably is."

The India Advantage: Why It's Worth Getting Right

Despite the risks, India remains one of the world's best clothing manufacturing destinations. Here's why:

1. Craft Heritage

• Hand block printing (Jaipur, Bagru)

• Hand embroidery (Lucknow chikankari, Kashmiri embroidery)

• Handloom textiles (Chanderi, Banaras silk, khadi)

• Traditional techniques that command premium pricing globally

2. Fabric Diversity

• Cotton capital (Gujarat, Maharashtra)

• Silk hub (Bangalore, Banaras)

• Synthetic center (Surat)

• Sustainable options (organic cotton, bamboo, hemp)

3. Skilled Labor

• Generations of textile expertise

• Artisans trained in traditional crafts

• Understanding of both Eastern and Western aesthetics

4. Cost Efficiency

• 40-60% lower costs than US/UK manufacturing

• Competitive even compared to China for customization

• Small batch feasibility (30-50 piece MOQ possible)

5. Scalability

• Can grow from 50 pieces to 5,000 pieces with same partner

• Infrastructure for both small batch and mass production

6. Flexibility

• Willing to work on custom designs

• Adaptable to international sizing standards

• Open to small modifications and iterations

The key is finding the 5% of manufacturers who are professional, ethical, and reliable. This guide helps you do exactly that.

What We Do at Ashanari (And Why Transparency Matters)

At Ashanari, we've built our entire business on the trust deficit in this industry.

Here's our approach:

✅ Verified Credentials:

• GST number: [XXXXX] (verify at gst.gov.in)

• IEC Code: [XXXXX]

• Company registration: 15 years

• Physical address: Jaipur, Rajasthan (visitors welcome by appointment)

✅ Transparent Process:

• Detailed written quotes within 24 hours

• Itemized pricing (no hidden costs)

• Sample costs credited to bulk orders

• Video factory tours before you commit

✅ Fair Payment Terms:

• 30% advance, 70% before shipping

• Business account payments only

• GST invoices for all transactions

• Written contracts for every order

✅ Quality Commitment:

• Multi-point quality inspection

• Mid-production photo updates

• Pre-shipment inspection reports

• Less than 2% defect rate maintained

✅ Realistic Timelines:

• Sampling: 5-10 days

• Bulk production: 25-35 days

• We under-promise and over-deliver

We're not the cheapest. We're probably not the fastest.

But we're here in 5 years when you need your 50th order, not just your first.

Your Action Plan: Next Steps

If you're ready to find a reliable manufacturer:

Week 1:

• Create a list of 10-15 potential manufacturers

• Verify GST numbers and business credentials

• Check reviews and online presence

• Google search company name + "scam"/"review"

Week 2:

• Email inquiry to top 8 manufacturers

• Assess response time and communication quality

• Request detailed quotes

• Eliminate based on red flags

Week 3:

• Schedule video calls with top 4

• Request live factory tours

• Ask all verification questions

• Check references

Week 4:

• Order samples from top 2 finalists

• Compare quality, timeline, communication

• Request sample revisions to test responsiveness

• Make final decision

Month 2:

• Negotiate contract terms

• Get everything in writing

• Start with small test order (50-100 pieces)

• Build relationship before scaling

Final Thoughts: Trust, But Verify

The Indian clothing manufacturing industry has incredible potential. The artisans are skilled. The costs are competitive. The quality can be world-class.

But the trust deficit is real.

Your job isn't to avoid Indian manufacturers—it's to find the right one.

Use this guide. Follow the steps. Ask the hard questions. Verify everything.

The right manufacturer won't be offended by your diligence. They'll appreciate it. They'll work with clients who do their homework because those relationships last.

I've seen hundreds of brands thrive with Indian manufacturing. I've also seen brands lose everything. The difference wasn't luck—it was preparation.

Do the work upfront. Protect yourself. Then build something beautiful.

Ready to Start Your Manufacturing Journey?

Work with a transparent, verified manufacturer from day one.

Ashanari | Custom Clothing Manufacturing in Jaipur

✅ 15+ years in business ✅ Verified GST and IEC credentials ✅ 300+ brands served (India, USA, UK, EU, Australia) ✅ MOQ: 30-50 pieces ✅ Specialty: Ethnic wear, dresses, formal wear, hand block printing ✅ Transparent pricing, fair contracts, quality guaranteed

Contact Us: 📧 Email: Ashanariindia@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.ashanari.com 📱 WhatsApp/Call: +91-9549123654

We offer:

• Free consultation call (30 minutes)

• Detailed quote within 24 hours

• Sample costs credited to bulk orders

• Factory video tour before you commit

Don't become another horror story. Start with someone you can trust.

[Schedule Free Consultation] [Request Quote] [View Our Portfolio]

Have questions about finding manufacturers? Drop a comment below or email us directly.

Related Articles:

• "The Complete Checklist: 47 Questions to Ask Any Clothing Manufacturer"

• "Western Sizing vs Indian Sizing: The £15,000 Mistake"

• "Hand Block Printing: Why Jaipur is the Global Capital"

About the Author: This article is based on 15 years of experience at Ashanari, a Jaipur-based B2B clothing manufacturer specializing in ethnic wear, dresses, and custom garment production for international brands. We've helped over 300 brands navigate Indian manufacturing—from first sample to scaling to thousands of pieces.

Share this article with someone starting a clothing brand | Bookmark for your manufacturing research