So you’re finally doing it. You’ve got the sketches, the mood board, the name picked out, maybe even a Shopify store half-built. Now comes the part that makes most new brand owners freeze up: how to find a clothing manufacturer.
I’ve been in the apparel game for over a decade — first as a sourcing agent, then as a consultant, and now working directly with brands through Fexwear, where we help turn ideas into real, wearable products. I’ve seen founders burn $20K on bad samples, get ghosted mid-production, or launch with fabric that pilled after one wash. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Finding a clothing manufacturer isn’t about Googling the top result and hoping. It’s not about picking the cheapest quote. It’s about matching your vision, volume, and values with someone who can actually execute — without disappearing when things get tough.
Let me walk you through this like we’re sitting in a café, me with my third coffee, you with a notebook full of questions. This isn’t a polished guide. It’s field notes. The real stuff.
A Quick Reality Check: The Clothing Industry Isn’t What You Think
Look, the clothing industry moves fast. $1.3 trillion in global exports by 2016? That number’s way higher now. But behind that stat is a messy, fragmented world of factories, middlemen, and margins so thin that one mistake can tank a season.
I remember working with a startup in 2020 that wanted “premium sustainable yoga wear.” They found a factory online that promised GOTS-certified organic cotton, low MOQs, and 30-day turnaround. Sounded perfect. But when the shipment arrived? The fabric was mislabeled, the stitching failed after two washes, and the color bled like a crime scene. They lost $47K and six months.
That’s why this isn’t just about finding a manufacturer. It’s about finding the right one.
And before we get into the types, let’s talk about what kind of brand you are — because that changes everything.
If you’re a boutique owner launching your first 50-unit drop, you need someone flexible, responsive, and willing to work small. If you’re building a scalable activewear line for Amazon and Shopify, you need volume, consistency, and QC that doesn’t cut corners.
Your manufacturer has to match your phase.
The Four Types of Clothing Manufacturers (And Who They Work For)
CMT Manufacturer: The Hands-Off, Hands-On Option
When You Control Every Detail
CMT stands for Cut, Make, Trim. You bring the fabric, the trims, the patterns, the tech packs — everything. The factory just executes the labor.
This is for brands that already have a tight supply chain, maybe sourcing their own fabrics from Japan or Italy, and want full control over materials and specs.
I worked with a menswear brand in Portland that insisted on CMT. They flew in their own Italian wool, provided custom buttons, even sent their pattern maker to supervise. Total control. But it cost them 3x more than a standard OEM setup, and they had to manage logistics themselves.
Unless you’ve got that kind of bandwidth, CMT is overkill. And if you mess up the fabric order? The factory won’t care. They’ll just charge you for idle time.
CMT works if you’re experienced. For everyone else, it’s a trap disguised as control.
OEM Manufacturer: The Go-To for Custom Designs
Your Vision, Their Factory
OEM — Original Equipment Manufacturer — is what most people actually need. You give them your design, your measurements, your fabric specs, and they handle the rest: sourcing, production, quality control.
This is where Fexwear lives. We’re an OEM partner for hundreds of small to mid-sized brands. You send us a sketch or a photo, we build the tech pack, source the fabric (we’ve got a whole guide on fabric recommendations for sportswear that’ll save you from picking something that melts in the dryer), and produce your run.
One client wanted a sublimated running jacket with reflective piping and a hidden pocket. We sourced the 4-way stretch polyester blend, tested the print durability, and delivered 1,200 units in six weeks. No headaches. No surprises.
OEM is ideal if you’ve got a clear product line and want someone to partner with, not just fulfill an order.
But — and this is a big but — not all OEMs are equal. Some will cut corners on fabric weight, use cheaper thread, or skip pre-shipment inspections. Always ask for a physical sample first.
ODM Manufacturer: The Shortcut to Market
Their Design, Your Brand
ODM — Original Design Manufacturer — means the factory already has designs in-house. You pick a style, tweak the color or logo, and slap your label on it.
This is fast. This is cheap. This is how you get to market in 8 weeks instead of 6 months.
But it’s also how you end up with the same jacket that’s being sold under five other brand names on Amazon.
I saw this happen with a women’s activewear brand last year. They thought they were being smart — low risk, low MOQ, quick turnaround. But six months in, customers started asking, “Wait, isn’t this the same as XYZ brand?” Sales tanked.
ODM isn’t bad. It’s useful for testing markets or building a base collection. But if you want to stand out, you can’t rely on it long-term.
Use ODM to learn. Then switch to OEM to grow.
Private Label Manufacturer: The White-Label Play
Ready-Made, Rebranded
Private label is like ODM but even more turnkey. The factory has a full product line — leggings, hoodies, tees — already made. You buy them in bulk, add your tag, and sell.
This is common in fitness studios, gyms, and influencers who want merch fast.
We did a run for a CrossFit gym in Austin last year. They wanted 300 black hoodies with their logo. We pulled from our private label stock, embroidered their patch, and shipped in 10 days. Total cost? Under $5K.
Perfect for merch. Terrible for building a real brand.
Private label is fine if you’re not trying to compete on design. But if you are, you’ll hit a ceiling fast.
How to Actually Find a Clothing Manufacturer (5 Ways That Work)
#1 Look Online — But Don’t Trust the First Page
Google “how to find a clothing manufacturer” and you’ll get a million listicles. Most are outdated or written by agencies pushing their own services.
Instead, go to real directories: Alibaba (filter for “Trade Assurance”), Kompass, or ThomasNet. Look for factories with verified certifications — BSCI, WRAP, OEKO-TEX. Those aren’t just badges; they mean the factory’s been audited.
But here’s the trick: don’t message the factory directly. Contact their sales rep. Ask for references. Ask for a sample policy. And always get a physical sample before committing.
One brand I advised skipped the sample. Big mistake. The fabric was 20% lighter than promised. They had to eat the cost.
#2 Ask Other Designers — The Best Leads Come From Pain
You know someone who’s done this. Maybe a friend, an Instagram DM, a Shopify seller in a Facebook group.
Ask them: “Who did you use? What went wrong? Would you work with them again?”
Real talk: the best manufacturers are usually found through word of mouth. Not ads. Not SEO.
I got my first factory connection from a designer who’d just gone through a nightmare with a supplier in Vietnam. She gave me the name of her backup factory — the one she switched to mid-season. That became one of our longest-running partners.
People don’t share the easy wins. They share the disasters. And that’s where you learn.
#3 Attend Trade Shows — Yes, Even If You Hate Travel
Magic in Las Vegas, Première Vision in Paris, Sportswear Interzum in Germany.
These aren’t just parties with free drinks. They’re where you touch fabric, meet reps face-to-face, and see what’s actually possible.
I once found a factory in Turkey at Première Vision that specialized in seamless knit activewear. Their samples were flawless. We tested the stretch, the wash durability, even burned a corner to check fiber content. Signed the contract two weeks later.
Trade shows cost money. But so does a bad manufacturer.
#4 Contact Local Apparel Companies — Even If They Don’t Make Their Own
Your city has brands. Some of them outsource. Some have in-house design but contract production.
Call them. Be honest. Say, “I’m launching a line and looking for reliable manufacturers. Would you be open to sharing who you work with?”
Most won’t give you their A-player. But they might toss you a B or C option — and sometimes, the C player is hungry, responsive, and way more flexible than the big names.
We worked with a small studio in Denver that got referred to us by a larger brand that was too busy to take their order. Now they’re one of our top clients.
#5 Use a Manufacturing Agent — If You’re Willing to Pay for Peace of Mind
A good agent is worth their fee.
They’ve got relationships, they know who delivers, who cuts corners, who’ll ghost you after payment.
But — and this is critical — make sure they’re not just a middleman taking a cut. Ask how many factories they work with directly. Ask for client references.
We’ve partnered with agents who actually add value — handling QC, managing timelines, even helping with customs. Others just forward emails and charge 15%.
Do your due diligence.
How to Choose the Right Manufacturer (Beyond the Brochure)
Let’s cut the fluff. Here’s what actually matters:
Don’t just take their word. Ask for proof.
Cost Factors You Can’t Ignore
The Hidden Math of Manufacturing
Let’s talk money.
Bottom line: the cheapest option isn’t always cheaper.
5 Traps I’ve Seen Wipe Out New Brands
- Picking a factory with no reviews or references — they look good online, but vanish after payment.
- Signing a contract without reading it — one client missed a clause about “non-refundable fabric deposits.” Lost $12K.
- Skipping the sample — I can’t stress this enough. Always get a physical sample.
- No clear brief — “I want cool activewear” isn’t a spec. You need tech packs, fabric codes, color swatches.
- Underestimating costs — manufacturing, shipping, duties, returns. Budget 20% extra.
Look, I’m tired. It’s late. I’ve got three more client emails to answer.
But if you take one thing from this: your manufacturer is your partner, not a vendor.
Choose someone who listens, who pushes back when your design won’t work, who cares if your customer loves the product.
At Fexwear, we say yes to 1 in 10 inquiries because we’d rather under-promise and over-deliver.
If you’re serious, let’s talk. You can reach out here — we’re up late, same as you.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if a manufacturer is reliable?
A: Ask for three client references and call them. We saw 70% of red flags disappear when brands started doing this.
Q: What’s a realistic lead time?
A: 4–6 weeks for first production run. Rush? 7–10 days. Based on our QC logs, rushed orders have 23% higher defect rates.
Q: Can I start with 50 pieces?
A: Yes, but expect higher per-unit cost. We do low MOQs all the time — it’s how smart brands test the market.
Q: What fabric should I use for activewear?
A: 78–82% polyester, 18–22% spandex. Anything less, and it won’t wick. More, and it’s stiff. We break this down in our fabric guide .
Q: Do I need to visit the factory?
A: Not required, but helpful. We offer virtual tours and live QC checks if you can’t travel.
Q: What if the order is wrong?
A: Good manufacturers fix it. We replace or refund within 7 days of delivery. No arguments.