What to send a clothing manufacturer to get a faster, more accurate quote.
Many buyers ask for a price before the product is clear enough to quote. This checklist helps online brands, boutiques, and startup labels prepare the details a factory needs: style, fabric, quantity, sizing, branding, destination, and deadline.
For custom OEM/ODM
Send a tech pack, sketch, reference photo, or sample. Include fabric, construction, size range, label, and packaging expectations.
For Shopify or DTC brands
Include launch date, warehouse country, packaging plan, barcode/FBA needs, and how many colors or SKUs you want to start with.
For boutique testing
Tell the factory whether you want stock wholesale first, a low-risk test order, or a private-label reorder path after validation.
Send these 8 details before asking for price
Activewear, dresses, swimwear, loungewear, plus-size apparel, two-piece sets, or mixed collection.
Photos, product links, sketches, CADs, tech packs, or a sample garment. Clear references reduce guessing.
Stretch, compression, cotton handfeel, rib, terry, satin, recycled material, lining, GSM, or “match this sample”.
Pieces per style, color, and size. If unsure, say whether you are thinking 100, 300, 500, or 1,000+ pieces.
Standard XS–XL, extended XXL, plus XL–5XL, or your own brand size chart.
Logo print, embroidery, woven neck label, care label, hangtag, barcode, branded poly bag, or retail packaging.
United States, Canada, UK, Germany, France, EU warehouse, Amazon FBA, 3PL warehouse, or boutique address.
Sample deadline, photo-shoot date, launch date, event date, or target delivery week.
A better enquiry gets a better factory answer
| Weak enquiry | Better enquiry | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| “How much for leggings?” | “High-waist leggings, 75% nylon / 25% spandex feel, 300 pcs, black and sage, XS–XL, logo on waistband, ship to California.” | The factory can estimate fabric, cutting, logo, size breakdown, and logistics. |
| “Can you make this dress?” | “Midi dress from reference photo, lined bodice, satin feel, 100 pcs per color, S–XL, woven label and hangtag, launch in 10 weeks.” | The factory can assess complexity, fabric sourcing, sample route, and schedule risk. |
| “Need cheap activewear.” | “Startup activewear brand, first capsule of leggings and sports bras, target 100–300 pcs/style, need sample-first route and MOQ advice.” | The factory can recommend a safer launch plan instead of guessing only by price. |
If you do not have all details yet, use the sourcing brief template and send what you know.
Common questions before requesting a clothing factory quote
Can I get a quote without a tech pack?
Yes. A tech pack is helpful, but an early quote discussion can start from reference photos, product links, sketches, or a physical sample. The more complete the details, the more accurate the price.
Why do factories ask for quantity first?
Quantity changes fabric MOQ, cutting efficiency, trim ordering, labor planning, packaging, and shipping. A 100-piece test run and a 1,000-piece reorder are planned differently.
Should I ask for FOB, DDP, or landed cost?
If you are comparing factories, FOB pricing is useful. If you want to understand your final cost to the US or Europe, ask for DDP or destination logistics options as well.
What if I am not ready for custom production?
You can start with stock wholesale or a low-risk test route, then move winning styles into private-label or custom production after validation.
Ready to ask for a real factory quote?
Send your product idea, quantity, market, and timeline. Shanlinyang will reply with practical next steps for sample development, MOQ, fabric direction, and production feasibility.