How to Choose a Suitable Clothing Manufacturer for Your Clothing Brand?

The apparel industry is one of the most popular markets for startups today, and according to research, the global market is expected to continue growing to $1.79 trillion. With more and more startups choosing to join the industry due to its popularity, choosing the right apparel manufacturer upfront is important.

Touches Dark is a streetwear manufacturer that specializes in dark vintage styles, and we're happy to work with brands that want to create a style that's unique to them, whether they're a startup brand that's just getting off the ground or a designer who wants to build their own brand, we'll provide you with the highest quality of custom apparel services.

Therefore, we will tell you how to choose a suitable clothing manufacturer and the cooperation process as a starting brand, a good cooperation process can reflect the professionalism of a company, and at the same time can avoid unnecessary consumption of resources and improve efficiency.

I. Defining Needs & Positioning

Clear needs and positioning are the cornerstones of success for a start-up brand. We aim to explore a unique path that blends the essence of vintage with modern trends, neither following the rebellious hipster style of Balenciaga nor simply embedding sporty elements into vintage designs. We plan to create nostalgic yet stylish pieces through subtle vintage craftsmanship and color palettes, combined with current trends. At the same time, we will introduce reflective materials or exaggerated design elements for specific occasions, such as parties, to emphasize the brand's avant-garde attitude and individuality.

Touches Dark, as a branding partner with extensive experience in the industry, will provide us with valuable insights on how to position our brand in the market and make our brand's story stick to the hearts of consumers.

II. Choosing the Right Clothing Manufacturer for Your Brand

Internet Search:

Use search engines to collect industry information, especially visit professional websites such as Touches Dark, where a wealth of industry news and manufacturer resources are gathered. Through careful screening, you can initially understand the manufacturer's qualification, product line, production capacity, and customer evaluation, laying a solid foundation for subsequent decision-making.

Attend Trade Shows:

Touches Dark actively participates in renowned domestic and international apparel trade shows, such as the MAGIC Show in the US, IATF in Dubai, CCTAE in Sydney, and CPM in Russia, where the world's leading apparel manufacturers are represented. At the show, you can meet manufacturers face-to-face and visualize their product design concepts, technical strengths, and production capabilities. At the same time, it is also an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends and expand your network.

Consult with Industry Insiders:

With the power of industry insiders, consult with peers, and senior suppliers, or join industry associations, their experience and advice will provide an important reference for your choice. It is worth mentioning that our brand has won wide recognition for its excellent product quality and service, and many new customers come to us through word of mouth from old customers. This fully proves the importance of brand reputation and market word-of-mouth when choosing a partner.

III. Assessing the Strength of the Manufacturer

Production Scale and Capacity:

Production scale is one of the most important indicators of a manufacturer's strength and Touches Dark's apparel factory will be able to consistently produce up to 165,000 pieces per month from 2023 onwards, a figure that highlights its strong production capacity and ability to respond quickly to market demand. For a start-up brand, this means that no matter how big or small an order is, Touches Dark can guarantee that it will be completed on time and in quantity, providing solid backing for the brand's development.

Exploring Technology and Innovation:

Technological innovation is the driving force behind a manufacturer's sustainable development and Touches Dark possesses not only advanced production technology and equipment but also demonstrates strong innovative capabilities in product development. The monthly sampling of up to 900 new products not only reflects the creative energy of the design team but also ensures that the brand can keep up with the market trend and launch trend-setting products. For start-up brands, cooperation with such a manufacturer will greatly shorten the product launch cycle and enhance market competitiveness.

Quality Control System in-depth:

Quality is the lifeblood of a product, and Touches Dark, as a streetwear manufacturer specializing in vintage and dark styles, has almost harsh requirements for product quality. Touches Dark's washed fabrics have passed the 5kg breaking force test, a standard that far exceeds the industry average, ensuring the durability and wearing comfort of the products. In addition, Touches Dark also has a perfect quality control process and advanced testing equipment, from raw material purchasing to finished products out of the warehouse, each link is strictly controlled to ensure that each product can meet the brand's high quality standards.

Credibility and Reputation Verification:

Credibility and reputation are the embodiment of a manufacturer's soft power, and Touches Dark has won wide market recognition and customer praise for its outstanding product quality and service. Startup brands can visit Touches Dark's official website to learn more about the many cases of famous brands we have worked with. These successful cooperation experiences are undoubtedly the best proof of Touches Dark's strength and reputation. At the same time, brands can also refer to reviews and word-of-mouth in the industry to further validate the credibility and market position of the manufacturer.

IV. Communication and Inspection

Send RFQ:

Startup brands can send a detailed Request for Quotation (RFQ) to potential manufacturers that clearly articulates their needs. This document should include, but is not limited to, the following key information: style details of the desired garment, fabric requirements (material, color, grammage, etc.), quantity to be ordered, desired delivery time, and any special craftsmanship or customization requirements. A clear and accurate description of the requirements will help the manufacturer to respond quickly and provide a more targeted quotation and service program.

Telephone/Video Conference:

After sending the RFQ, it is recommended to arrange a phone or video conference with the manufacturer. This not only deepens the understanding between the two parties, but also allows for an in-depth discussion on details such as service content, price composition, and delivery time. Through real-time communication, startup brands can more intuitively feel the manufacturer's professionalism and service attitude, while providing immediate answers to any questions or ambiguities, laying a solid foundation for subsequent cooperation.

Site Visit:

If conditions permit, a site visit to the manufacturer's production plant is an indispensable part. This not only allows startup brands to witness the production process but also provides insight into the manufacturer's production environment, staff quality, management level, and actual production capacity. Touches Dark's garment factory is located in Humen Town, Guangdong Province, Dongguan City, Chigang Community, Chima all the way to the 12th floor of the Junma A1 building, room 1206, welcome to the aspiring person to visit. During the tour, please pay attention to the overall layout of the factory, the condition of the equipment, the production process, and the quality control system, which will directly affect the final quality of the products.

V. Sample Testing and Evaluation

Request for samples:

Request the manufacturer to provide samples or proofing services in order to evaluate the product quality, style and pattern.

Sample test:

Conduct a comprehensive test on the samples, including fabric quality, workmanship details, wearing comfort and so on.

Feedback and Adjustment:

Provide feedback to the manufacturer based on the test results and negotiate an adjustment program.

VI. Contract Signing and Follow-up

Signing Contract:

After both parties reach an agreement, sign a detailed contract to clarify the rights and obligations of both parties, product specifications, price, delivery time, after-sales service and so on.

Production Follow-up:

Maintain close communication with the manufacturer during the production process to understand the production progress and product quality.

Quality inspection and acceptance:

carry out quality inspection on the products before delivery to ensure that the product quality meets the contract requirements before acceptance.

VII. After-sales service and long-term cooperation

After-sales service:
Understand the manufacturer's after-sales service policy and service quality to ensure that problems can be solved in a timely and effective manner.

Long-term cooperation:

If the cooperation is smooth and the quality of the products is stable and reliable, you can consider establishing a long-term cooperation relationship with the manufacturer in order to reduce costs, ensure quality and stable supply.

Startup brands usually have to deal with everything from marketing to design, which can be a huge headache. This makes it especially important to choose a streetwear manufacturer that is reliable and offers low MOQs.

Startups can produce unrivaled streetwear when they partner with Touches Dark. Our tailored solutions, flexible supply chain and commitment to excellence will propel your brand forward. Our tailored solutions, flexible supply chain and commitment to excellence propel your brand forward.

Under the trend of personalization and differentiation, customization is not only a means of attracting consumers but also a bond of emotional resonance with them. Touches Dark, as a customization expert in the field of dark streetwear, focuses on serving those brands that are brave enough to express themselves, are not willing to be ordinary, and advocate the aesthetics of the niche. From the carefully crafted design sketches to the seamless production process to the one-of-a-kind packaging, we prioritize the customer experience and ensure that every aspect of the process touches the heart. Combining cutting-edge technology with industry insights, Touches Dark helps brands exceed market expectations and create a compelling and unique identity.

Our vintage washed T-shirt sales reached 260,000 pieces in June, our fabrics are all customizable and all custom fabrics are tested for top breaking strength before they will be produced, and our monthly production capacity of light panel washed sweatshirts is also at 50,000 pieces, with a monthly production capacity of 165,000 pieces in 2023 and a monthly sales capacity of 200,000 pieces in 2024!