How to Find Clothing Manufacturers For Your Business?

Many of us aspire to be a part of the fashion industry. Some like to work in it, but the more ambitious ones like to set up a clothing business. Now, to succeed in this line of business, one must have access to all the best resources possible.

It doesn’t matter whether you are starting a large clothing brand or a small boutique; finding the right manufacturer for your business is the most important factor that can determine the success of your business. 

If you are new to this industry, this task can be quite tricky without proper guidance. Luckily, this post can help you as we bring you the top places where you can find clothing manufacturers for your business, along with the different factors you need to consider before finalizing one. 

Where to find Clothing Manufacturers for your Business?

Setting out to find a clothing manufacturer for your business can be time-consuming if you have no idea where to look for them. To cut you some slack, we have listed down the best places to find clothing manufacturers – 

#1 Google

Who isn’t familiar with Google? Google has answers to all your problems, including where to find your clothing manufacturers. Try to search for keywords like – 

• ‘Apparel manufacturers’ 
• ‘Clothing manufacturer’ 
• ‘Textile manufacturer near me‘
• ‘Dress manufacturer in Mumbai’

However, Google will come up with hundreds of results for these search terms. The only way to determine who is the best manufacturer for you is by visiting individual manufacturers’ websites and expressing your interest there. 

However, there is a flip side to it. A vast majority of these garment manufacturers in India usually fail to update their websites and might not have the most recent information.

So it is best to call and talk to them regarding rates, minimum order quantities, and other factors. With patience and time, you will undoubtedly find the right manufacturer for your business. If you want to know how you can start a garment business in an easy way, please check out my blog.

#2 Facebook

Social media is arguably the #1 platform for anyone starting a business. Facebook, in particular, is one of the best platforms for managing local businesses.

Many groups on Facebook are full of supportive entrepreneurs who are eager to assist you and share their knowledge on any subject.

Talk to them and find out about the best local clothing manufacturers. You will find your answers in no time.

#3 Online Directories

Online directories will provide you with a wealth of information that you need to start a business. This includes finding manufacturers for your textile business.

Some directories even provide contact numbers, email addresses, and websites to visitors so that they can be contacted instantly.

A really popular online directory is IndiaMart which is perfect for finding manufacturers within India. However, if you require an international manufacturer for your clothing line, Kompass can be a great choice.

#4 Tradeshows 

Tradeshows in the fashion industry are a treasure trove of information for expanding your business. By attending these exhibitions, you will have the opportunity to meet with the most successful entrepreneurs and dealers and the top manufacturers in the industry.

It is also the best place to get raw materials for your business. Thankfully, there is no shortage of these tradeshows in the apparel industry, with many of them taking place throughout the year. There are various event platforms on the internet where you can find a list of all fashion-related tradeshows in your area.

#5 LinkedIn

Like Facebook, LinkedIn is yet another powerful social media platform that can assist you in your search. You will find CXOs of different factories and clothing manufacturing businesses on LinkedIn. More importantly, they are very active on the platform.

This means you can effortlessly look them up and get their profiles by using the right keywords. Also, you can message them directly and ask your questions.

Since the information is coming from the CXOs or the manufacturer’s employees, it will be legitimate and accurate. You can also use LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator, which is a paid service to find clothing manufacturers in your area. 

#6 Online Marketplaces

Most of you would have visited Amazon or Flipkart. These are nothing but online marketplaces. Apart from purchasing products there, it is also a great place to find sellers or manufacturers of a product, including clothes.

The good thing is most of the sellers on these platforms are already verified by the marketplace, so trust is guaranteed. Once you find the name of the business, you can reach out to them asking for a quotation. 

#7 Agencies and Consultants

All the agencies and consultants of the textile industry will have a huge repository of leads and connections, including the names of manufacturers. If you don’t know the things to know before starting a textile business then you can read all the information in my blog.

Not only will they provide you with the names, but they will also act as a bridge between you and the manufacturer, helping both of you in various aspects of the business.

Since they have extensive experience in the apparel industry, they can connect you with the best clothing manufacturers in the country.

What Factors to Consider While Picking a Clothing Manufacturer?

Now that you know how to identify manufacturers for your clothing business, it’s time for shortlisting. In this, you should carefully consider your specific needs and align them with the manufacturer. When you are looking for top manufacturers in the country, you should know about the top textile companies in India. And before you pick one, you must consider a number of factors. Here are the top ones – 

#1 Overseas or Domestic Manufacturer

Both domestic and international manufacturers have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. You need to conduct your research and find out who is ideal for your business. For example, if you are dealing with domestic manufacturers, you can visit them in person to negotiate deals.

You will also be able to inspect the conditions at the factory in person. The drawback of domestic manufacturers is that they are slightly more expensive than international options.

International manufacturers, on the other hand, have the distinct advantage of being more cost-effective. You might already know that products imported from China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Srilanka are very cheap.

The downside of them is that you cannot be certain of the quality of the products you will receive. The delivery time is also longer, and selecting the right material necessitates a thorough inspection.

#2 Can you Afford the MOQ set by The Manufacturer?

This is possibly the most important thing to consider when dealing with clothing manufacturers. MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity, and it refers to the minimum number of items that must be purchased in a single order.

Some suppliers may not have a minimum order quantity, which is ideal for newcomers in the industry. However, some might say you should at least buy 2000 units of clothes per order.

Now, you should be able to afford it, especially if the manufacturer is perfect for your business and you don’t have a better choice. More importantly, you should be able to sell all 2000 of them. 

#3 Will the Manufacturer be Able to Provide Samples of Your Finished Product?

Making a sample of your design before signing a contract is a great way to eliminate risks.  By getting a sample of your design, you will not only be able to gauge the manufacturer, but you will also be able to rectify any errors that have arisen due to any forms of miscommunication.

Don’t forget to check the quality of the material, the detailing in the embroidery, the inside seams, the stitching, and the sleeve lengths.

Imagine a scenario where you place a 2000 items order, and it doesn’t come out the way you want. This means you are stuck with 2000 items that will be impossible to sell. 

#4 Are they a Specialist in your Type of Product?

We know that most manufacturers create an array of products in a wide range of categories. However, every manufacturer will have that one category that is their specialty.

It would be the one that makes them unique from their competitors in the market. They will also have a lot of experience in manufacturing such products.

Ensure that the manufacturer you select is a specialist in your product type. This way, you will get products that are of the highest quality. They will also have the most advanced technologies in the industry for this specialized niche in which they excel.

Also Read

Industrial Textiles and Their Applications
Textile markets in Surat

#5 Can you Afford their Manufacturing Cost?

When you first start your own business, you may be in a state of euphoria and accept any offer from a manufacturer, especially if you like all other aspects.

Despite your confidence in your abilities and your business, you will be unable to predict the outcome of your product’s sales once it hits the market.

If you are in a bad situation, you should be able to deal with the financial loss. So it’s critical to find a manufacturer who can produce your product at a reasonable price that you can afford to face any unforeseen circumstances later.

Ensure to inquire about all aspects of pricing, including shipping costs, any hidden fees, the cost of the sample, etc.

How Lio can be Used in Business?

Lio is a mobile-based business purpose software that can help you in tracking the details of your business.

You can track the details like how many orders you have received on a daily basis, and how many orders have been delivered to the customers.

You can maintain a review column to understand your food quality based on the customer’s ratings and reviews.

You can also check the monthly data of your business, you can check profit details, and loss details if any. You can add baking items that can be sold on special days.

So, if you are finding an application that will help in business tracking, you can trust Lio easily, Lio has a strong security policy. So, don’t worry about data breaching, or any personal data losses.

Lio is definitely for the win and using it for your business is only going to make your journey smooth and easy to track.

Step 1: Select the Language you want to work on. Lio on Android

Step 2: Create your account using your Phone Number or Email Id.

Verify the OTP and you are good to go.

Step 3: Select a template in which you want to add your data.

Add your Data with our Free Cloud Storage.

Step 4: All Done? Share and Collaborate with your contacts.

Conclusion

If you’ve reached here, then it means you have all the necessary information to find a manufacturer for your clothing business.

Remember – knowing your manufacturer really well is extremely important for your business to succeed. Make sure you get all the information about your manufacturer from different sources.

And it’s fine if it takes time. Ultimately, your manufacturer is your business partner, someone who will travel with you in your business journey. So selecting the right one is critical.