Apparel sourcing from China is less about finding a factory than about controlling the details that decide whether garments arrive saleable. Fabric weight, sizing consistency, colour matching across dye lots and label compliance cause more rejected shipments in this category than price disputes ever do. We source garments for brands, retailers and marketplace sellers, and manage specification, sampling and inspection from tech pack to container.
Product Areas
- Adult clothing including knitwear, jersey, woven shirting, outerwear, activewear and denim
- Kids clothing, which carries additional safety regulation covering drawstrings, small parts and chemical limits
- Shoes and footwear across casual, sports, formal and seasonal ranges
- Jewellery and accessories including bags, belts, scarves and hats
- Uniforms and workwear for corporate, hospitality and industrial clients
- Home and lifestyle textiles where fabric sourcing overlaps with apparel manufacturing
How Apparel Production Actually Works
Garment manufacturing follows a sequence, and problems are cheap to fix early and expensive to fix late.
Tech Pack and Specification
A tech pack defines measurements, construction, stitch type, fabric, trims and tolerances. Without one you are relying on a factory’s interpretation, and interpretations vary. If you do not have a tech pack we can develop one from samples or sketches.
Fabric Selection and Sourcing
Fabric is usually the largest cost component and the largest quality variable. We confirm composition, weight in GSM, shrinkage, pilling resistance and colourfastness before bulk fabric is committed, because fabric problems cannot be corrected at the sewing stage.
Sampling
Proto sample, fit sample, then pre-production sample. The pre-production sample is your contractual reference for the entire order and should be sealed and retained by both parties.
Grading and Size Sets
Sizing must be graded to your market. Chinese standard sizing runs smaller than European or North American equivalents, and size complaints are among the most common causes of marketplace returns.
Bulk Production and Inline Checks
Inline inspection during production catches systemic faults while they can still be corrected, rather than discovering them across the whole order at final inspection.
Compliance, Testing and Labelling
Textile regulation is market-specific and covers both what the garment is made of and what the label says about it.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for textiles tested against harmful substances
- REACH restrictions covering AZO dyes, formaldehyde and restricted chemicals in the EU
- Fibre composition labelling which must be accurate and is routinely checked at customs
- Care labelling and country of origin in the required language for your market
- Flammability standards where they apply, particularly nightwear and childrenswear
- amfori BSCI or Sedex social audits if you supply retailers with ethical sourcing requirements
Where Garments Are Made in China
| Region | Specialisation |
|---|---|
| Guangzhou and Humen, Guangdong | Fashion, fast turnaround, small runs |
| Shishi and Jinjiang, Fujian | Casualwear, sportswear, knitwear |
| Zhili, Huzhou | Childrenswear |
| Keqiao, Shaoxing | Fabric sourcing and textile trading |
| Datang, Zhuji | Socks and hosiery |
| Haining, Zhejiang | Leather goods and outerwear |
Minimum Order Quantities
Apparel minimums are usually quoted per style per colourway, not per order, which surprises first-time buyers. A 300-piece minimum across three colours means 900 pieces, not 300. Fabric minimums drive this, since mills will not dye small quantities economically. Where volumes are low we work with factories holding stock fabric, which reduces minimums at the cost of colour choice.
Inspection Before Shipment
- Measurement checks against the tech pack across the size range
- Colour matching against approved lab dips, including across dye lots
- Fabric weight, composition and hand feel verified against the sealed sample
- Stitching, seam strength and finishing quality
- Label accuracy, care instructions and barcode verification
- Packing, folding, polybag and carton presentation
Factories are audited through our factory visit and QA process before we recommend them, and inspection reports with photographs are issued before dispatch.
Private Label and Own-Brand Development
Own-brand apparel involves more than a printed logo. We manage woven labels, hang tags, custom packaging, care label compliance and consistent sizing across a range through our custom production service, so a collection looks and fits like a collection.
Shipping
Apparel ships well by sea and is a common candidate for air freight when a season is at risk. We consolidate multi-factory orders through our China warehouse and arrange freight via our cargo and shipping service. Incoterms are explained in our guide to trading and shipping terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
I do not have a tech pack. Can you still help?
Yes. We can build a tech pack from a reference garment, sketches or a detailed description. It is worth doing properly, because the tech pack is what you hold the factory to.
How long does apparel production take?
Sampling typically takes two to four weeks, with bulk production usually thirty to sixty days after sample approval depending on fabric availability and order size. Custom-dyed or woven fabric extends this.
How do you prevent colour variation between shipments?
By approving lab dips before bulk dyeing, ordering fabric for the full quantity in one dye lot where possible, and checking colour against the approved standard at inspection rather than by eye.
Can you arrange OEKO-TEX or social audit certification?
We prioritise factories that already hold current certification, and can arrange testing or audits where a specific buyer requirement demands it.
Do you work with small or start-up brands?
Yes. Lower volumes mean working with factories suited to smaller runs and often stock fabric, and we will be direct about what is realistic at your quantity rather than quoting a price you cannot actually get.
Start Your Apparel Project
Send your tech pack or reference samples, target quantities and destination market. We will return a factory shortlist, indicative costing and a realistic production timeline at no cost. Contact our sourcing team to begin.