Starting a new business is definitely not an easy job. Take clothing business as an example, in order to make it work, you have to take a lot of things into consideration. Choosing a clothing manufacturer is one of the most crucial things. This article will guide you through the process of finding a clothing manufacturer.
Why is finding a clothing manufacturer so important?
You might be wondering, why is it so important to find a clothing manufacturer? The reasons are as follows. To begin with, a good clothing manufacturer can help you cut down the expenses of making clothes, thus help you get more profits. Besides, a qualified clothing manufacturer would improve work efficiency, you can have your work done in a much shorter time. Finally, an excellent clothing manufacturer will improve the quality of your products, thus attracts customers to buy clothes.
Different types of clothing manufactures.
There are mainly two types of clothing manufacturers. One is domestic manufacturer, the other is oversea manufacturer. If you choose domestic manufacturers, you can get your products a lot quicker because the shipping distance is a lot shorter than oversea manufacturers. Besides, you can get high quality products with regulated labor standards. However, domestic manufacturers have their disadvantages, that is, it if often more expensive working with them. Oversea manufacturers also have their disadvantages. The shipping time might be longer than you expected. But it will be much cheaper working with oversea manufacturers. If you are cautious about money and doesn’t care about the shipping time, then oversea manufacturer definitely is your first choice.
Steps for finding clothing manufacturers.
Step 1: Identifying your needs.
Before you start, you must know your needs clearly. You cannot do things blindly. What is your brand image? What is your budget? What are your expectations. These are the questions you need to consider carefully. Before all the things begin, you have to identify your needs.
Step 2: Researching.
After you know your needs, you have to do a lot of researches relating to clothing manufacturers. You need to search for information about different manufacturers and make comparisons. The Internet is a great tool to do researches, but be careful, there are a lot of false information on it too.
Here are some ways to do researches:
Search engines.
Search engines are widely used for researches. There are different search engines, such as Google, Baidu, Microsoft Bing, etc. The results are often different, you can make comparisons and select which information is useful for you.
Social software
Besides search engines, social software is also a great tool for researches. You can get what you need on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You can follow the official account of your ideal manufacturer and ask questions by sending social media site messages.
Industry meetups
There is still another way to do researches, that is industry meetups. You get to meet plenty of people connecting to the business face to face. You can ask them questions and get the information you need for your research.
Step 3: Asking for quotes and making comparisons.
When you have your options, the next thing to do is ask them for quotes. You can tell the manufacturers your ideal price and they will give you the lowest price they can offer. You compare those prices and take other things into consideration, then you will find the ones which suit you the most.
Step 4: Evaluating and Communicating
The next thing you should do is making evaluations. You have to consider the size, qualifications and projects of your manufacturers. After that, you should let them know your needs and concerns. Through communication, both sides can get a result they are all looking for.
Step 5: Asking for samples.
The next thing to do is asking your manufacturers for samples. Once you receive the samples, you should carefully check the appearance and quality of the samples. If you find any problems during the process, do not hesitate to tell your manufacturers so that they can make adjustments according to your requirements.
Step 6: Visiting the production site (if possible).
Visiting the production site is the one thing you must do before signing contracts. By doing this, you will be able to know whether the chosen manufacturer can meet your requirements or not. If you find any problems during your visit, you can raise the questions and ask the manufacturer to solve them.
Step 7: Negotiating terms and signing contracts.
Congratulations! You have come to the final step. But don’t be happy yet, you still have an important thing to do. After you choose a clothing manufacturer, it is really important to negotiate terms with it, because the terms relate to the rights of both sides. After that, both sides should sign contracts to guarantee their rights.
How to cooperate with clothing manufacturers?
Cooperation is very important in any business. Clothing business is no exception. Before you work with your manufacturer, you have to conduct thorough research on your manufacturer. You can request references from pervious buyers. Once you selected your manufacturer, communication is the key to a successful cooperation. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to ask your manufacturer. It is always helpful to give suggestions. Your manufacturer can adjust according to your advice and you can build your own brand easier.
How to avoid traps in the process of finding clothing manufacturers.
Examine their official websites
Today, not all the information on the Internet is true. You must have the ability to distinguish right from wrong. That means, you have to examine their official websites carefully. Don’t let the false information on the Internet blinds you. For example, you can use different search engines to check whether the information is true or not.
Request feedbacks from previous customers
You cannot be naïve enough to believe every word your manufacturer says. In order to get more accurate information, you should request feedbacks from previous buyers. By doing this, you will know whether your manufacturer is telling you the truth or not. By doing researches on its previous projects, you will the ability of your manufacturer better and see if your manufacturer meets your requirements or not.
Be careful when it comes to terms on the contract.
Remember, pay attention to every word on the contract, this is extremely important. Sometimes there will be traps hidden in the terms. If you cannot understand the contract yourself, find a lawyer to check it for you. Contracts are very important in cooperation. If you misunderstand the terms, you might end up paying more than you should.
In conclusion, it is difficult to find a suitable clothing manufacturer for your business. But I believe if you read this article thoroughly, you will find it easier to find a satisfying clothing manufacturer.
