Most apparel factories require 500–1,000 pieces per style, which blocks new brands from testing designs. A small-batch factory model with 100 pieces per style — allowing up to 5 mixed sizes — lets a brand launch a 4–5 style capsule for $6,000–$10,000 instead of $30,000+. Confirm the MOQ applies to custom specs, not just stock items. 

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) means the factory produces garments to your complete designs and tech packs; ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) means the factory develops the base design and you customize fabric, colors, washes, and branding. A factory offering both lets you start with ODM samples if you lack tech packs, then transition to OEM once your designs are finalized.

A 5-style capsule launch (e.g., 3 tee styles at ~$12.80/piece and 2 hoodie styles at ~$18.80/piece, 100 pieces each) costs approximately $7,600 in production. Add $100–$200 for sample fees (refundable at bulk) and $500–$2,000 for shipping depending on method. Total first-order budget: $8,500–$10,000 for a market-ready drop. (Source: published unit prices, xsclothes.com, 2026)

 Yes, most factories charge a per-design sample fee covering fabric sourcing, pattern-making, and labor. At reputable factories, this fee is fully refunded once your bulk order reaches the MOQ threshold — typically 100 pieces per design. Confirm refund terms in writing before paying, and expect 7–10 days for custom sample production after all design details are confirmed.

For premium streetwear hoodies, 400–450 GSM cotton or cotton-poly French terry provides the heavyweight feel and structure customers associate with quality. For t-shirts, 200–260 GSM combed cotton balances durability and breathability. Below 180 GSM feels thin and translucent; above 260 GSM for tees risks stiffness. Request fabric swatches before confirming your spec.

Yes — but not at every factory. Custom washes require in-house washing facilities and experienced technicians, which many trading companies lack. Factories with dedicated wash lines can offer acid wash, enzyme wash, garment dyeing, and stone wash even at 100-piece MOQs, letting small brands achieve the distressed, vintage aesthetics that define streetwear. Ask whether the factory washes in-house or outsources.

A realistic timeline is 7–10 days for custom sampling plus 25–30 days for bulk production after sample approval, totaling 5–6 weeks before shipping. Add 3–7 days for express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) or 15–35 days for sea freight. Promises of significantly faster turnaround usually mean skipped pre-production samples or rushed quality control steps.

Provide vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) for logos, labels, and hang tags, plus Pantone color codes for accurate matching. For placement prints, include a dimensioned mockup showing logo size and position on the garment. Raster images (JPG/PNG) below 300 DPI are not production-ready and will produce blurry or pixelated prints on fabric.

Three standard options: express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS, 3–7 days, best for samples or small orders under 50 kg), air freight (7–14 days, cost-effective for 50–200 kg), and sea freight (15–35 days, most economical for bulk orders over 100 kg). Your factory should provide quotes across all three based on actual order weight, carton volume, and destination port.

A credible factory runs three QC stages: incoming fabric inspection (weight, shrinkage, colorfastness), in-line inspection during sewing, and final random inspection before packing (typically AQL 2.5 standard). For defects exceeding the agreed tolerance, the factory should offer rework, replacement, or refund. Get the defect threshold and remedy terms in writing before production begins.