What are the most important questions to ask a custom clothing supplier when starting a new clothing brand? – A deep dive into the right questions to ask and the answers you should be looking for from suppliers.
Starting a clothing brand is one of the most popular choices when it comes to building a business, with fashion continuing to dominate e-commerce with a $781 billion market value.
The advent of technologies like DTG Printing, has meant that you can literally print T-shirts one at a time, allowing almost anyone to be able to start a clothing brand.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a fashion brand or an influencer looking to offer your audience merchandise, you’re likely wondering what you should be asking custom clothing suppliers when trying to source your products.
There are numerous articles out there, produced by fashion writers and enthusiasts; but, they often miss the mark with generic and borderline irrelevant questions for suppliers like “what’s your USP” and “can you source any fabric”.
Let’s be real, a supplier’s USP is usually plastered all over their website, if you have to ask, you probably haven’t done enough research.
As for “ can you source any fabric”, unless you’re buying tens of thousands of products you’ll be using what we call off-the-shelf products, these are pre-made products you can add your designs too. Sure, a supplier might technically get their hands on any fabric on earth, but it would be useless to you as you can only use their off-the-shelf products. If all you need is a basic T-shirt in organic cotton with your design, just check their online store to see if they stock it.
The point I’m getting at is to make sure the questions you’re asking actually matter to your stage of business. Buying custom-printed T-shirts is worlds apart from commissioning a bespoke suit. So, skip the fluff questions that are irrelevant to your needs, and focus on thinking about questions that provide meaningful and useful answers to your needs.
In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into the questions you should be asking, why they matter and what to look out for. It’ll take you a fair bit longer to read than other surface-level articles, but it’ll leave you fully prepared to start your brand without falling at the same hurdles others do.
Key questions to ask a custom clothing supplier
As a clothing supplier to brands big and small, we know the questions that matter, so below you’ll find the questions we think are going to be most important to you, and more importantly, why they are useful to you. Most of these questions will be answered on a supplier’s product page, or website, so save yourself some time waiting on email replies and do a bit of research first before firing off that email with questions.
What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
The minimum order quantity (MOQ) is just the smallest batch a supplier will let you order. Some have no minimum order quantity allowing you to buy one product at a time, others have larger volumes, for example, 25 T-shirts per design. Typically those who process things manually will have higher MOQs compared to those with online stores, who are likely to have no MOQ. This is because it takes just as much admin work to process 500 custom T-shirts as it does one unless it’s all automated. The minimum order quantity of a supplier will normally be displayed on product pages or quotation forms.
Why MOQ matters:
This is important to you because if you have a smaller budget, or want to test different designs with minimal risk, a low MOQ would be helpful, compared to being bound to suppliers with MOQs of 25 or more per design. If you’re an established bigger brand this is likely less of a barrier as you’ll already be ordering in larger volumes.
What are your lead times and production schedule?
Lead times essentially tell you how long it will take to get your order. While many suppliers offer next-day delivery, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the order the next day, it just means once it’s been processed and dispatched they’ll use a next-day courier. So you need to understand your supplier’s process and what the total lead time is, including any processes that rely on a fast response from you like digital mockup sign-offs.
Why lead times matter:
If you have a tight deadline then a fast lead time is important, as is understanding when that lead time starts, is it from the point you place your order, or is there another point at which the lead time starts?
Remember short lead times aren’t always a good metric for deciding who is best, those with longer lead times might have more customers, or be geared more towards quality, compared to those with faster outputs.
What is the total price and what are the payment terms?
There are a few elements to consider when it comes to pricing and payment terms.
Firstly, look out for hidden costs, some suppliers will add setup fees and print/embroidery fees at the checkout, while others will have prices that are inclusive of these fees from the off. Check that you understand the total cost at the checkout for the suppliers you’re considering. Some suppliers will also have tiered pricing, which means the price for a single product might be very different to the price for 50, if you’re thinking long term, the price for larger quantities should be the one that matters, not the cost of sampling. Lastly, if you’re making a bulk order you may be able to get credit allowing you to pay later, this can be helpful if you’re a larger organisation.
Why pricing matters:
There is a balance to be made between getting the best deal, and not being so cheap that you end up with a low-quality product or print. But what is important here is to understand the full price so you know exactly how much you have to pay. If your audience has disposable income, you can charge more and thus have a bigger production budget. If they’re price-sensitive, look for a supplier with budget options. And if you’re not buying online, clarify your requirements before asking for a quote.
Do you offer sample products?
A sample product is essentially a prototype. This allows you to test the product and printing before you commit to a bulk order. Most suppliers have similar products, where things really differ is print technology they use. You can pick up a DTG printer for as little as £4000, or you can buy them for as much as £500,000 (we use the latter), there is a huge difference in quality between those two machines – sampling helps you spot this before the bulk order. You’ll often need to pay for samples, but in some instances, you may be able to get credit against your bulk order if you go on to make one (that’s our samples policy).
Why samples matter:
It’s a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to why samples are important, in short, they allow you to test things out with minimal risk, if your supplier has no minimum order, then you can likely consider a single product order a ‘sample’. Just remember, don’t let the sample price dictate the supplier of choice if you’re placing a bulk order to follow, as it’s the bulk order price that will ultimately matter, not the price of the sample.
Can I get more details about the fabric available?
Now earlier in the article, I called a question about fabric irrelevant, and it is in most circumstances. But if you get a quote for a T-shirt, or you see something you like online, look for the fabric weight (in gsm) and the composition (or ask your supplier for it). If you’re looking for a heavy T-shirt, as that is your metric for quality and buy something that is 145gsm, you’re going to be sorely disappointed, you likely need something at least 180gsm, for that thick T-shirt feeling. On the other side of the spectrum if you’re ordering custom hoodies and need something soft and fleecy but opt for a hoodie made from terry cotton (rather than brushed fleece cotton) again you’re going to feel let down.
Why does fabric matter?
Understanding fabric weights to a standard where you know what constitutes as lightweight and what is heavy is really important, in order to make an informed decision over what is best for your needs. The same applies to fabric composition. Be clear with your supplier on what your metrics are for a quality products, as they differ greatly from person to person, and if that is a heavier weight, or a soft brushed cotton finish, then make sure the product you choose has those characteristics. To revert back to the beginning of this article, it’s not about asking whether a supplier can get any fabric, it’s about ensuring the products you select are made from a fabric that has the properties you’re looking for.
What sustainability certifications does this product have?
Many suppliers plaster their websites with claims about sustainability and have various logos across their pages. But it’s not always a true reflection of the standards upheld. A damning example we’ve seen in our industry was a brand that put the certifications of their most certified products on every single product page, including non-certified products. If you have a standard you need your products to be at, always double-check that you’ve been quoted on products that adhere to it.
Why do sustainability certifications matter?
Asking questions about sustainability certifications is crucial in ensuring you get a product that aligns with your values. One frequent example is when customers request a quote for Fairtrade T-shirts, then mention receiving a cheaper quote elsewhere. In most cases, that lower quote is for a non-certified, lower-quality product. We can only assume the other supplier either overlooked or disregarded the Fairtrade requirement, or intentionally misled the customer, hoping the reduced price would secure the order. To make things even more complex, many will call products ‘Fair Trade’ or ‘Fairly Traded’, as they’re somewhat ethical in some way, despite those products not necessarily being certified by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Why choosing the right supplier matters
Assuming you’re successful with your brand, choosing a supplier that can help you now and in the future is important. While Print On Demand may be appealing for the short-term benefits of not holding stock, is it going to be what you need to build a clothing brand empire later down the line…? It’s questions like this that are important to think about before you jump down the rabbit hole of building your brand.
Finding the right supplier is ultimately about finding the company that both fits your needs now and in the longer term, with values that align with your own. Combine this with a good reputation having worked with other companies and brands (not just individuals) and you’ve likely found a great partner for your brand.
Summary of the most important questions to ask when starting your clothing brand?
Ultimately, there’s no magic list of questions that works for everyone. If your goal is to sell a handful of organic cotton tees, don’t waste time asking if a supplier can source Himalayan yak wool. Stick to what actually matters for your brand, MOQs, lead times, total costs, sample options, and any sustainability certifications you truly care about. That way, you’ll find a supplier who fits both your immediate needs and your future plans as you build your clothing empire.
If you found this article helpful and are ready to start your brand, we’d love to hear from you. Please do get in touch, or order online.
