How to find Manufacturers for your Fashion Brand
If you're looking to start your own clothing line, finding the right manufacturer can be a daunting task. If you can find the right manufacturer, your designs will come to life and enchant your customers, but it isn’t always straightforward.
As an A-Z Consultancy, we have a network of established suppliers and a team of talented designers who can help you bring your designs to life and match you with the perfect supplier, but for those just starting out, fully outsourcing this process can be outside of budget. Maybe you want to do some of the process on your own and luckily, we are happy to share our top tips for finding manufacturers for your clothing brand.
Decide on your Needs: The first step is really all about figuring out the type of clothing you’re going to produce, quantities you need, your budget and your timeline. This will help you narrow down your search as different suppliers have varying minimum order quantities (MOQs) and based on your budget, you will get an idea on where your garments can be produced at the right balance of price and quality.
Research Online: There are many online directories and platforms that can help you find manufacturers for your clothing collection. Some popular options include Alibaba, Maker's Row, and ThomasNet. You can also use search engines to find manufacturers that specialize in your type of clothing. The challenge with this is determining who is trustworthy and reliable, that’s where an established agency comes into play.
Go to Trade Shows: Trade shows are one of the best places to meet manufacturers because you get to meet in person and see samples of their work. Go to trade shows that are relevant to your industry and connect with manufacturers who can produce the type of clothing you're looking for.
Ask for Referrals: Reach out to other entrepreneurs or designers who have started their own clothing lines and ask for referrals. They may be able to recommend manufacturers they have worked with and trust,but be sure to tread carefully here as these designers likely spent their time and resources finding these suppliers in the first place, so it can be a bit audacious to ask for the fruits of their hard work without a genuine connection and rapport.
Contact Manufacturers: Once you have a list of potential manufacturers, start contacting them to ask about their services, pricing, and lead times. Be sure to ask for samples of their work and references from previous clients. This will help you determine whether the manufacturer is a good fit for your needs.
Interested in getting help finding suppliers and manufacturers for your collections? Get in touch with a FREE 15 min. Discovery Call & we’ll walk you through your options or read more about our Manufacturing Services here.
