Question 3: Can I Order a Sample Before Committing to Bulk Production?

Why it matters: This is non-negotiable. Any manufacturer who resists sample orders is either not confident in their quality or is trying to avoid the accountability that a sample comparison creates.

✓ Good answer: "Absolutely. We always do PP samples before bulk — it's standard practice for us. Sample cost is £X per style, which we credit against your bulk order once approved."

⚠ Red flag: "Our quality is guaranteed, you don't need to sample." Or: a sample fee that won't be credited against bulk production.

Question 4: What Is Your Lead Time From Order Confirmation to Shipment?

Why it matters: Unrealistic lead time promises are the most common cause of first-order disappointment. A manufacturer who tells you 15 days for a complex embroidered garment is either lying or hasn't thought through their production schedule.

✓ Good answer: "For a garment like yours, assuming fabric is in stock, our standard timeline is 25–35 days for bulk production after sample approval. We build in a quality check before dispatch. We'll give you a production tracker so you always know where your order is."

⚠ Red flag: Promises under 15 days for custom garments without explanation. Or refusal to give a specific timeline.

Question 5: Can You Show Me Examples of Previous Work for Similar Brands?

Why it matters: A manufacturer who has produced garments similar to yours — in style, technique, and quality tier — is far more likely to deliver what you're expecting. Request actual samples of previous work, not just photos.

✓ Good answer: "Yes — here are three examples of block-printed dress collections we've produced for brands in the UK and Australia. We can send you physical samples if you'd like to feel the fabric quality."

⚠ Red flag: Only showing professional product photography (which can be misleading about actual production quality) without offering physical samples or references.

Question 6: What Are Your Payment Terms?

Why it matters: Standard industry terms are 30–50% deposit upfront, balance before shipment. Understanding this upfront helps you plan cash flow. Be cautious of demands for 100% payment upfront before any sample is provided.

✓ Good answer: "We take a 40% deposit to start production, and the remaining 60% before we dispatch your goods. We send production photos at each stage so you can see progress before the balance is due."

⚠ Red flag: 100% payment demanded upfront before any sample or before production begins — especially from a manufacturer you haven't worked with before.

Question 7: How Do You Handle Quality Issues or Production Defects?

Why it matters: Every manufacturer makes mistakes occasionally. The differentiator isn't perfection — it's how they respond when something goes wrong. A manufacturer who has a clear quality guarantee and escalation process is a professional. One who deflects responsibility is not.

✓ Good answer: "We have an in-line and end-of-line quality check process. If we identify defects above our AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) threshold, we reprocess before dispatch. If quality issues reach you post-shipment, we'll discuss remedies — typically reproductions or credit on the next order."

⚠ Red flag: "Once we ship, it's your responsibility" — or blame attribution to the design/tech pack rather than taking accountability for execution.

Question 8: What Certifications Do You Hold?

Why it matters: Especially relevant for sustainable and ethical brands. GOTS, OEKO-TEX, SA8000, and BSCI certifications mean something — but their absence doesn't necessarily mean poor practices. Ask about certifications and, for non-certified manufacturers, ask how they demonstrate their standards.

✓ Good answer: "We use GOTS-certified organic cotton on request and our dyes are all AZO-free. We're working toward formal GOTS certification — in the meantime, here's our dye test documentation and we're happy to arrange a virtual factory tour."

⚠ Red flag: Claims of sustainability with no documentation, test reports, or third-party verification.

Question 9: Do You Have Experience Shipping to My Target Market?

Why it matters: UK, US, Australian, and EU customs requirements, labelling standards, and import documentation differ significantly. A manufacturer experienced in exporting to your market will handle this smoothly. An inexperienced one may create delays or compliance issues.

✓ Good answer: "Yes, we regularly ship to the UK. We handle all export documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and shipping marks. We can ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) if you'd prefer customs handled at our end."

⚠ Red flag: "We can ship anywhere" without any specifics about export documentation capability or experience in your market.

Question 10: Who Will Be My Point of Contact During Production?

Why it matters: Many manufacturers have excellent sales teams and poor production communication. Once your order is placed, who answers your questions? Who sends production updates? The answer tells you a great deal about how your experience will unfold.

✓ Good answer: "You'll have a dedicated account manager who handles your order from receipt to dispatch. They'll send you production photos at the cutting, sewing, finishing, and packing stages. Response time commitment is within 24 hours."

⚠ Red flag: Vague answer like "our team will take care of you" without naming a person or defining a communication process.

10 Questions to Ask a Clothing Manufacturer Before You Place Your First Order

The due diligence you do before placing your first manufacturing order is the most valuable time you will spend in your brand's early life. Ask the right questions, understand what good answers look like, and you dramatically reduce the risk of the most common — and most expensive — first-order disasters.

Here are the ten questions that separate founders who build successful long-term manufacturing partnerships from those who spend months recovering from a first order gone wrong. For each question, we'll tell you what a strong answer looks like and what a red flag sounds like.

Question 1: Do You Manufacture In-House, or Do You Subcontract?

Why it matters: Subcontracting is common in the garment industry and not inherently problematic — but undisclosed subcontracting is a serious issue. When your order is handed off to an unknown third party, your quality control, lead time, and ethical standards become impossible to verify.

✓ Good answer: "We manufacture all garments in our own facility. For certain specialist techniques like embroidery, we work with a longstanding partner unit we audit regularly — and can arrange for you to see their facility if you'd like."

⚠ Red flag: Vague deflection. "We work with a network of partners" without further detail.

Question 2: What Is Your Actual Minimum Order Quantity?

Why it matters: Many manufacturers list a low MOQ on their website to attract inquiries, then reveal higher minimums once you're engaged. Get the real number early — and understand whether the MOQ is per style, per colour, or per total order.

✓ Good answer: "Our MOQ is 50 units per style, in a single colourway. If you want two colours of the same style, that's 50 units per colour. We're transparent about this from the start because it avoids wasted time for both of us."

⚠ Red flag: "It depends on the style." (Without further specifics) — this usually means the actual MOQ is higher than what was advertised.

Ask Ashanari These Questions

We'd be happy to answer every one of these questions in detail — on a call, by email, or however works best for you. We believe that founders who ask the right questions build the best brands, and we want to be the manufacturer they choose after they've done their homework.

Put Us to the Test →

Once you've found the right manufacturer, the next steps are to understand how to structure your first private label order and make sure you're prepared with our complete guide to finding and vetting a clothing manufacturer.