So you’re thinking about launching a swimwear line. Or maybe you’ve already got one, and you’re tired of getting burned by factories that promise the moon but deliver… well, let’s just say damp towels and late shipments.
I’ve been in this game for over a decade—first as a sourcing agent for a European brand, then as a consultant for startups, and now, honestly, mostly helping small brands like yours avoid the same mistakes I made early on. I’ve walked factory floors in Guangdong, argued with QC inspectors over seam slippage, and sat through endless Zoom calls where someone said, “But the sample looked perfect!”
Let me tell you: swimwear is not just another category. It’s high-stakes. You’ve got stretch, recovery, chlorine resistance, UV protection, fit across body types, and let’s not forget—people wear this stuff in water. One bad batch can kill your brand before it even gets out of the pool.
That’s why I put this list together—not as some glossy brochure, but as field notes. Real talk. What works. What doesn’t. Who delivers. Who ghosts you after payment.
And if you’re serious about doing this right, start by checking out Fexwear —we’ve helped over 5,000 small brands get their activewear and swim lines off the ground, and yeah, we know what it takes to scale without sacrificing quality.
Now, let’s dive in.
Fexwear – The Full-Service Partner for Startups and Scaling Brands
Look, I’m not gonna pretend I’m objective here. I work with Fexwear now. But I didn’t start there. I used to think “full-service manufacturer” was just marketing fluff—until I actually worked with one that was full-service.
Fexwear isn’t just another factory name on Alibaba. They’ve been around for years, and they’ve built a network that covers everything: design, fabric sourcing, prototyping, bulk production, QC, logistics. And—this is key—they actually care about small brands.
I had a client last year, a yoga influencer with 80K followers, wanted to launch a swim line. No team, no experience, just passion. Fexwear walked her through every step. Free design help? Check. MOQs under 100 units per style? Check. Samples in two weeks? Done.
They specialize in swimwear and underwear, which means they understand the technical demands: four-way stretch, chlorine resistance, quick-dry finishes. Their in-house team tests every fabric batch for stretch recovery—anything below 95% gets rejected.
And yeah, they’ve got certifications: BSCI, WRAP, OEKO-TEX, ISO. Not just for show—actual audits. I’ve seen the reports.
Here’s what most brands don’t realize: it’s not about finding the cheapest factory. It’s about finding the one that won’t make you lose sleep.
Fexwear runs its own factory in Wuhan, which means they control the process from start to finish. No middlemen. No “Oh, that’s handled by our partner.” When something goes wrong, you know who to call.
And if you’re worried about fabric choices—especially sustainable ones—check out their fabric recommendations for sportswear . It’s not just a list. It’s a guide with real data on GSM, stretch, durability, and eco-certifications.
Bottom line: If you’re a startup or a small brand that wants to scale without hiring a full production team, Fexwear should be your first call.
Unijoy – Innovation-Focused, But Pick Your Niche
Unijoy’s been around since 2008, and they’ve carved out a solid reputation in activewear and swimwear innovation. They were early adopters of UV-protective fabrics and started pushing yoga wear integration back in 2012, which was smart—athleisure was about to explode.
I toured their facility two years ago. What stood out? Their R&D lab. Most factories don’t have one. They had stretch testers, colorfastness machines, even a mini wind tunnel for breathability checks.
They’re strong on UV-resistant swimwear—think rash guards, surf leggings, kids’ swim sets. Their fabric blends use high-tenacity nylon and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), which holds up better in chlorinated pools than standard spandex.
But here’s the catch: they’re not great for fashion-forward or minimalist lines. Their strength is performance. If you’re launching a luxury resort brand with delicate lace details, Unijoy might not be your fit.
One brand I consulted for tried to do a sheer mesh collection with them. The fabric kept snagging on the machines. Took three rounds of tooling adjustments. Wasted time and money.
So yes, they’re innovative. But only if your brand aligns with function-first design.
They’re also one of the few factories that offer free pre-production samples—but only if you commit to bulk. Smart move on their part, but it weeds out tire-kickers.
If you’re building a performance-driven brand—especially for surf, swim training, or active moms—Unijoy’s worth a look.
Just don’t expect couture-level detailing.
Enjoy Apparel Co., Ltd. – Fast, Trend-Responsive, But Not for Classics
Enjoy Apparel? These guys are fast. They’ve got a 3000-square-meter facility, over 300 machines, and they crank out swimwear like it’s going out of style—ironic, since they’re all about staying on trend.
Founded in 2008, they specialize in bikinis, one-pieces, and yoga wear—but their real edge is speed. They can go from sketch to shipment in under 5 weeks if you’re doing 1,000+ units.
I worked with a Shopify brand last summer that needed a limited-edition Pride collection. We gave Enjoy the designs on a Monday. Samples by the following Friday. Bulk shipped in 22 days.
But—and this is a big but—they’re not for brands that want timeless pieces. Their design team is always chasing the next TikTok trend: cut-outs, crisscross backs, metallic finishes. If you’re going for “classic black one-piece,” they’ll push you toward something with a plunging back and mesh panels.
And quality? It’s good—but only if you’re specific. I’ve seen inconsistent stitching on high-stretch seams when the order wasn’t supervised. You have to do third-party QC if you’re not on-site.
Still, for fast-moving brands that want to test new designs monthly, Enjoy’s a solid option. Just don’t expect them to care about “heritage” or “minimalism.”
Wisrise Garment Co., Ltd. – For Big Orders and Western Markets
Wisrise, based in Dongguan, is the kind of factory that brands turn to when they’re ready to scale.
They’ve been around since 2008, and their client list includes big names in the USA, UK, Canada, Italy—markets that demand consistency, fit accuracy, and compliance.
What sets them apart? Technology integration. They use automated cutting machines, digital pattern grading, and laser seam welding for high-stretch fabrics. That means less waste, tighter tolerances, and better fit consistency across sizes.
But here’s the reality: they’re not for startups. Their MOQ is usually 1,000 units per style, and they don’t do rush orders unless you’re a repeat client.
I had a brand try to place a 500-unit order last year. Got a polite “We’ll keep your details on file” email. No follow-up.
So if you’re still testing the waters, Wisrise isn’t your starting point. But if you’re hitting 5K+ units per season and need reliability, they’re one of the best.
And yes, they handle Western sizing well. I’ve audited their size charts—they actually measure mannequins, not just go by industry averages. That’s rare.
Topper Swimwear Co., Ltd. – The After-Sales Machine
Topper Swimwear (founded 2003) has one of the best after-sales systems I’ve seen in China.
98% positive feedback? That’s not luck. They have a dedicated team that follows up on every shipment—tracking delays, handling returns, even helping with customs clearance.
They specialize in versatility: bikinis, tankinis, swim-dresses, modest swimwear. Their catalog is massive. Maybe too massive.
I’ve seen brands get overwhelmed by the options. “Do we go high-cut or mid-rise? Ruffle or ruched? Solid or print?”
They’re great if you want choice. Less great if you want curation.
But their quality control process is tight. Three-stage inspection: pre-production, in-line, final. And they provide video reports—no more guessing what your order looks like before it ships.
Downside? They’re not the cheapest. But you’re paying for reliability.
Pokeek Zimo Garment Limited – Global Reach, Wide Range
Pokeek Zimo, based in Guangdong, supplies to Europe, Asia, Americas, Australia. They know regional preferences.
Their strength? Variety. Kids’ swimwear with UPF 50+, men’s board shorts with mesh liners, women’s tummy-control bikinis.
But they’re not specialists. You won’t get deep technical innovation here. It’s more about breadth than depth.
Still, if you’re launching in multiple markets and need one factory to handle it all, they’re a solid option.
Just make sure you lock down fit standards early. I’ve seen inconsistent grading between EU and US sizes in the same batch.
Appareify – Quality-Focused, But Broad
Appareify (2017) markets itself as a quality apparel leader, and they’re not wrong. Their swimwear is clean, well-stitched, and consistent.
But they also make blazers. And suits. Which tells you they’re not swimwear-dedicated.
That’s not a dealbreaker, but it means swimwear isn’t their core focus. Their R&D is split.
Good for brands that want efficiency and decent quality without niche specialization.
Yteng Sport Co., Ltd. – Value-Added Service
Yteng (2008) stands out for personalized service. They assign a dedicated rep to each client. Want a custom hangtag? Done. Need a specific polybag thickness? No problem.
They use high-quality spandex, polyester, Lycra—and they test for chlorine resistance.
But their broad range means they’re not the best for niche markets. If you’re doing competitive swimwear, look elsewhere.
Yotex Apparel – Customization Experts
Yotex (2015, Shanghai) is strong on OEM/ODM. Their designers are good—really good. They’ll tweak your sketches, suggest better seam placements, even advise on fabric weight.
But they do everything—biker shorts, swimwear, athleisure. So swimwear isn’t their only focus.
Best for brands that want custom designs but don’t need swimwear-only expertise.
Yongdian Clothing Co., Ltd. – High-Quality OEM/ODM
Yongdian (2007, Dongguan) makes high-end swimwear and underwear for European and US brands.
Their QC is tight. Their MOQs are high. Not for budget brands.
But if you want luxury-level quality, they’re worth the investment.
Geno Enterprise Co., Limited – Eco-Friendly Leader
Geno (1993, Shenzhen) is one of the few factories pushing sustainable swimwear.
They use recycled nylon, ECONYL®, and OEKO-TEX certified dyes. Their eco-fabrics actually perform—stretch recovery is 94%+, which is rare for recycled content.
But yes, it costs more. And their style range is narrower.
If sustainability is core to your brand, Geno’s your best bet in China.
Wrap-up
Alright, I’m beat. It’s 11:30 PM, and I’ve got a call with a client in Sydney at 6 AM. But before I go—just remember: choosing a swimwear manufacturer isn’t about finding the cheapest quote. It’s about finding someone who won’t screw you on quality, timing, or communication.
And if you’re still not sure where to start, just get in touch with us . We’ll help you figure it out.
FAQs
Which factory has the lowest MOQ?
Fexwear and Unijoy both do sub-100 MOQs for first orders. We saw this work for 12 startups last year.
Who’s best for sustainable fabrics?
Geno Enterprise. They’ve got GRS and OEKO-TEX certs, and their ECONYL® performs like virgin nylon.
Do any of these do rush production?
Fexwear can do 1-week turnaround for rush orders. We’ve used it three times—saved a launch each time.
How do I avoid fit issues?
Always request a fit sample on a mannequin. Enjoy Apparel and Wisrise provide size spec sheets with actual measurements.
Who handles international shipping best?
Fexwear and Topper both have in-house logistics teams. No third-party markups.
What if the quality is bad?
Fexwear offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If there’s a defect, they’ll refund or remake it—no arguments.
Let’s Talk
So—what’s your biggest worry when it comes to manufacturing swimwear? Is it cost? Quality? Finding a factory that actually responds to your emails?
Drop a comment. I read every one.