What to expect
Ask ten factories on Alibaba if they can make your hoodie and eight will say yes — most of them are trading offices with no cutting table, subcontracting the order to a workshop you'll never see. That gap between what's advertised and what's actually on the production floor is a bigger risk in apparel sourcing than fabric quality or price. Guangzhou anchors the volume end of the market, with Hangzhou and Quanzhou stronger for technical and performance fabrics; pricing spans $1.20 for a basic printed tee to $85 for structured outerwear, with lead times of 30 to 75 days depending on complexity.
The buyers who do this well treat MOQ, fabric weight and colour consistency as negotiable only within limits — a factory willing to drop GSM below spec to hit a price target will usually do the same on stitch density and shrinkage control. What's harder to see from a distance is social and chemical compliance: OEKO-TEX and GOTS certification matter for anything sold into North America or the EU, and the factories that hold these properly tend to be the same ones that don't need chasing on AQL standards either.
Typical specifications & MOQs
| Typical MOQ | 100–5,000 units |
|---|---|
| Price range (per unit) | $1.20–$85.00 |
| Lead time | 30–75 days |
| Common materials | 100% cotton (combed, ringspun), Polyester, Cotton-poly blends, Bamboo viscose, Modal, Spandex/elastane, Recycled polyester, Organic cotton (GOTS), Linen, Performance fabrics (moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial) |
Top manufacturing regions
Common quality issues to watch for
Fabric weight (GSM) under-specified
Very commonHow to catch it: GSM cutter test on production sample
Shrinkage exceeding 5% after wash
Very commonHow to catch it: Wash test on samples before production
Color fastness failure (bleeding/fading)
CommonHow to catch it: ISO 105 wash, light, and rub fastness tests
Stitch count below specification
CommonHow to catch it: Visual SPI count, AQL inspection
Sizing inconsistency across batches
Very commonHow to catch it: Pattern grading verification, sample-to-bulk measurements
Print/embroidery quality issues
CommonHow to catch it: Crockmeter rub test, wash test, visual inspection
Trim/label compliance issues (US/EU)
CommonHow to catch it: Country of origin, fiber content, care label review
Required certifications & compliance
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (chemical safety)
- GOTS (organic cotton)
- BCI (Better Cotton Initiative)
- BSCI/SEDEX (social compliance)
- GRS (recycled materials)
- California Prop 65
- CPSIA (US children's apparel)
- REACH (EU chemical compliance)
How we help
1. Brief
You tell us the product, target spec, quantity, and budget.
2. Source
We shortlist 3–5 verified factories and benchmark pricing.
3. Sample
We pull samples, run them through QC, and ship to you.
4. Produce
We supervise production with in-line and pre-shipment QC.
5. Ship
We handle customs, freight, and door-to-door delivery.
FAQs about sourcing Custom Apparel
What's the realistic minimum MOQ for custom apparel?
Per color/size combination: 100-300 pieces typical, 500+ for printed designs. Total order minimum: most quality factories want 500-1,000 pieces minimum to engage. For lower MOQs (50-200 pieces), expect 30-80% price premiums and to work with smaller workshops rather than tier-1 factories. Print-on-demand alternatives exist but quality is variable.
How do I avoid the trading company vs factory trap?
Visit (or have us visit) the location. Real factories have: cutting tables, multiple sewing lines visible, fabric warehouses, finishing equipment, and 50+ workers on production floor. Trading companies have: nice offices, sample rooms, but no production. Ask for the factory business license (营业执照) — it specifies the registered business scope. Trading companies have 贸易 (trade), factories have 制造/加工 (manufacturing/processing).
What's the price breakdown for a typical t-shirt?
For a 180gsm cotton tee FOB Shanghai: fabric ($1.20-1.80), cut and sew ($0.80-1.40), trims and labels ($0.20-0.40), print/embroidery if any ($0.30-1.20), packaging ($0.10-0.30), factory margin ($0.40-0.80). Total: $3.00-6.00. Prices below $2.50 mean compromised fabric, labor, or quality control — sometimes all three.
How do I prevent shrinkage problems?
Demand pre-shrunk fabric (sanforized cotton, heat-set synthetics). Spec maximum shrinkage in your contract: typically 3-5% for cotton, 1-2% for synthetics. Always wash test 5-10 pieces from sample order before approving bulk: 3 cycles cold wash, 1 cycle hot wash, tumble dry. Measure key dimensions before/after.
What's an AQL inspection and what level should I use?
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) is a statistical sampling standard. AQL 2.5 for major defects, 4.0 for minor — the standard for general apparel. AQL 1.5 for premium/luxury, 1.0 for medical/safety apparel. We coordinate AQL inspections at the factory before shipment — typical cost $250-450 per factory inspection.
How long does apparel production really take?
Realistic timeline: sample development (15-30 days), fabric sourcing/dyeing (15-30 days), bulk cutting and sewing (20-40 days depending on quantity and complexity), QC and finishing (5-10 days). Total: 55-110 days from PO to shipment. Anyone promising 30 days for custom production from scratch is either lying or using existing stock fabric.
Do I need OEKO-TEX certification?
Strongly recommended for any apparel sold to North America/EU markets — most major retailers require it. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 verifies the finished product has no harmful chemicals. Per-item certification costs vary; factory-level certification is cheaper if you place repeat orders. Children's apparel: OEKO-TEX is effectively mandatory.
What about ethical/social compliance audits?
BSCI, SEDEX SMETA, WRAP, and SA8000 are common social compliance standards. If you sell to large retailers (Walmart, Target, H&M, Marks & Spencer), these are required. Even for DTC brands, claims of ethical production should be backed by audit reports. Factory-level audits cost $1,500-4,000 and last 1-2 years.