15 Questions to Ask a Clothing Factory Before Your First Bulk Order

The short answer

Ask the fifteen questions below across four groups: production and MOQ, quality and sampling, communication and transparency, commercial and risk. The answers tell you whether the factory can execute your program consistently — not just whether it can make one garment.

Group the questions into a single brief and send them before ordering. A supplier that answers specifically, with numbers and process steps, is far easier to work with than one that answers in generalities.

Production and MOQ

1. What is your MOQ per style, and does it apply per style, per colour or across the order? 2. What happens if my target quantity is below the MOQ — is sampling and development a practical first step? 3. Which fabrics and GSM ranges do you actually produce, and which require custom development? 4. What is your sample target timeline after specification approval? 5. What is your bulk production lead time for my quantity and product type?

The answers define your planning envelope. For reference, SHENGDE programs can start from 50 units per style where fabric, colour and decoration allow, with sample development targeted within 15 days and monthly capacity up to 10,000 units; the bulk schedule is confirmed with the quotation and approved sample.

Quality and sampling

6. When does bulk production begin — only after my sample approval? 7. Which quality checkpoints do you run during bulk, and what is checked at each (materials, cutting, sewing, measurements, decoration, packing)? 8. Which measurements are audited, and what tolerances apply? 9. What happens if bulk deviates from the approved sample — who detects it, and how is it corrected before packing? 10. Can you share a sample or QC record from a completed program?

Sample discipline is the strongest quality signal. A factory that gates bulk on an approved physical sample, and checks garments against that sample rather than against a new interpretation, removes the most common failure point in apparel sourcing.

Communication and transparency

11. Who is my single accountable contact, and how fast do you reply on inquiries? 12. Do you share photo or video updates at production milestones? 13. Is your quotation itemized — fabric, trims, decoration, labels, packaging and delivery separately?

Bulk programs run on information flow. Milestone updates and an itemized quote let you track cost drivers and catch issues before they become shipment problems.

Commercial and risk

14. How do payment stages work, and what happens with sample costs on a confirmed order? 15. Do you offer DDP or DDU delivery, and what is included in the landed cost?

Also confirm the confidentiality commitment before sharing artwork: designs should remain confidential and not be displayed or shared without permission, with an NDA available on request. Define the failure path — how defects are reported and rework handled — before you order, not after a problem appears.

Frequently asked questions

Should I visit the factory before ordering? For first bulk orders, a video factory check or a visit is reasonable; milestone photo and video updates cover ongoing orders. How fast should a factory reply? One business day on inquiries is a practical benchmark. What if I do not have a tech pack? Reference garments and clear drawings can begin development; the factory should list what is missing before quoting. Can I start below the MOQ? Below 50 units, sampling and development is the practical first step for SHENGDE programs. Is an NDA available? Yes, on request — confirm before sending reference garments or artwork.

Sources and verification

MOQ, sampling, capacity and delivery figures reflect SHENGDE production programs and planning ranges published on shengdeclothing.com (2026). Final terms are confirmed after specification review.