Once your Initial samples has been delivered & commented on you will be ready to place your bulk production order.

We will formalise a formal Sales Order for you which will outline all the products you are ordering, alongside the order quantities per style (split into the size ratio’s) & unit costs. The Sales Order will formally set out what you are ordering alongside the order Terms & Conditions. We will require you to check & sign your order.

Upon signing your order, we will issue any deposit invoices. Once any deposits are paid, your order can commence.

Committing to your bulk order does not mean the physical production necessary starts, what it means is you’ve made an order commitment which will allow your bulk fabrics to be ordered & dyed, your labels & trims developed, & your subsequent Pre-Production sampling to commence.

Due to there being an order commitment no further sample charges will apply; all future Pre-Production sampling will be free of charge as included inside the order value.

Pre-Production sampling can therefore commence & start to refine your products to seek all the approvals required to start the physical bulk production.

Your Pre-Production samples will be far closer to your final product than the previous Initial sampling as they will be produced in every style, in every colour, with branded labels & trims attached & with all comments actioned from your Initial samples; they will be a representation of your final production.

We will work with you through the Pre-Production sampling process to help comment & secure all the approvals needed to move into the physical bulk production.

In most cases only x1 Pre-Production sample is require before proceeding into the physical bulk production but depending on the product, depending on its complexities and depending on the comments, multiple Pre-Production samples may be required to seek all the approvals necessary.

Once all approvals have been sought, your physical bulk production can start.

At this stage production planning will be undertaken and a likely timeline & lead times can be ascertained for when your products are likely to be finished & shipped.

As a general rule of thumb, from the point we have all approvals required to start the physical bulk production, the production process usually takes 3-6 weeks (subject to product type, fabrics or any special requirements).

Ultimately the bulk production will conclude & your products will be put through quality control procedures before packing & boxing ready for shipment.

Once your products are ready for shipment a final sample will be sent to you called a Shipment sample.

A Shipment sample cannot have comments or changes made, it is pulled from your bulk production and a representation of the finished products. The purpose of the Shipment sample is solely to ensure the final bulk production matches your requirements & to seek approval to ship.

Once shipment approval has been given any final production invoices will be raised.

Upon payment of the final production invoices, the shipment of your goods can be arranged ready for delivery.

Minimum Order Quantities are often referred to as MOQs.

The MOQs are highly dependent on the product type, fabric & country of manufacture.

It goes without saying, the more you produce the cheaper the unit price will be (economies of scale)

Do not let us scare you when we say this (please read on), but factory MOQs tend to start, on average, from 300pcs per style per colour. This does not mean you have to produce 300pcs per style per colour!

What it means is that at 300pcs per style per colour the unit prices will achieve full mark-up & margin to RRP.

Effectively if you produce less than 300pcs per style per colour, you’re effectively being sur-charged. If you produce more than 300pcs per style per colour, you’re effectively receiving a discount.

Therefore, you can produce 200pcs, or even 100pcs per style per colour, if you choose to do so, it will just effect the unit cost.

When production quantities go below 100pcs per style per colour, the unit cost tends to jump up considerably.

This is because the products can no longer be produced in the factory stitching lines (they need to be stitched in the sampling rooms), the fabrics can no longer be table lazer cut (they have to be hand cut), the fabrics have to be dyed in small sample dye drums, etc. When you go below 100pcs per style per colour, the unit cost jumps up as effectively it’s considered a large sampling run, rather than a production run.

Therefore, when you cost the production budget, we tend to find most people start at 100pcs per style per colour as below this quantity the unit costs makes it unworkable & it’s better to produce 100pcs at a lower cost price than 50pcs at a higher cost price (you’ll get more product for your money).

The reality therefore is that, in most cases (unless the product is specialist in some way, i.e. seamless rotary knitting), that the MOQs start from 100pcs per style per colour.

Inside the total quantity per product, we can separate this into different sizes however there are limitations, see “What size breakdown ratio should my order include” below.

When we talk about production quantities, we always refer to them as “per style, per colour”.

Even if you had exactly the same t-shirt in two different colours, they are considered two separate styles.

Even if you had exactly the same t-shirt in the same colour but with two different prints, they are considered two separate styles.

The reason is there are lots on MOQs during the production run. There are MOQs on ordering fabrics, dying fabrics, cutting minimums, stitching minimums, printing minimums.

This is why products are quoted on a per style per colour basis as each product (no matter how similar, if there’s any difference at all between them), they are considered a different style.

Subject to your total order quantity per style per colour you can split this quantity into different sizes however there are limitations.

Do not let us scare you when we say this (please read on), but factory MOQs tend to start, on average, from 300pcs per style per colour. This does not mean you have to produce 300pcs per style per colour!

At 300pcs per style per colour, generally no limitations apply. Normally any fabric is available, any print or embroidery technique is available (bar some specialist products such as seamless rotary knitting). At 300pcs per style per colour any size ratio split is possible (you can generally have as many sizes as you’d like, within reason).

Below 300pcs per style per colour limitations start to occur due to hitting cutting minimums. For example;

At 200pcs per style per colour you can generally have a maximum of 5 sizes.

At 100pcs per style per colour to can generally have a maximum of 4 sizes.

You can have any sizes you want XS:S:M:L or S:M:L:XL but you are limited to a maximum of 4 sizes.

You are not limited to the quantity per size, they do not need to be equal.

For example; you can weight the production quantities to the most popular sizes.

You may wish to produce a quantity of S20:M40:L30:XL10:TOTAL100pcs, this is a ratio of S2:M4:L3:XL1 (basically this means that for every x1XL that is produced, x2S, x4M & x3L will be produced)

Not necessarily, when an order is placed a factory will always over-produce by 5-10%.

This is to allow for the quality control procedure to remove faulty products prior to shipment.

When it comes to packing of your goods, any 2nd qualities will have been removed.

In some cases this leaves either a surplus or shortage against the original order quantity.

This is industry standard & to be expected. As an industry standard the tolerance for over or under shipping is;

Order qty 100-299pcs per style per colour = 15%

Order qty 300-999pcs per style per colour = 10%

Order qty +1000pcs per style per colour = 5%

Therefore, subject to the original order quantity, your final shipment quantity may vary from between +/- 5-15%.

After the quality control procedure, should the shipment quantity tolerance exceed or fall short we will ask you if you wish to accept the additional quantity or re-make the shortfall. You have the option to refuse a re-make shortfall or refuse the excess quantity over and above the industry standard tolerances.

You will be billed based on the final shipment quantities, not the original order quantities & therefore you’ll only ever pay for the quantity you receive.

Unit costs are based on your bespoke design, each product will have its own unique unit cost.

In the early stages of design, we can give you a likely indication of an average product unit cost. This is not specific to your design, it’s just an average unit cost based on the product type.

Later, once your ‘Tech Packs’ are complete & prior to moving into sampling we can give you a more accurate unit cost based on your bespoke design, however;

It is not until your first Initial sample is produced & we have received comments & are ready to place a bulk production order, that we can formalise your final unit costs.

This is because we cannot formalise unit prices until the first Initial samples are produced in order to check fabric usage & workmanship, as well as formalise any comments you may have (if there’s a considerable change in comments this may affect the unit cost).

Therefore, at this stage we can only provide rough average general unit costs of different product types.

Unit costs are also highly affected by production quantity (economies of scale).

For more information on likely unit costs, please visit our ‘rates’ section.

An FOB unit cost stands for ‘Freight on Board’, it is the cost of the product including the product itself, all it’s labels & trims, prints & embroideries. It is the entire cost of the product up to the point of shipping (it includes all the Pre-Production sampling as well as our fees in managing the entire production process)

In some cases, specialist labels & trims or packaging may be required. If this is the case this will be costed separately but generally an FOB unit cost for a product is the entire cost price (no other additional hidden costs for the product itself).

In addition to the FOB unit cost you also need to consider freight, duties & import taxes to bring your products into the country (we can organise this all for you or you can arrange your own freight, but this is an additional cost over & above the product FOB unit cost).

Depending on the product type & country of origin (CoO); then different freight, duty or taxes may apply. For example;

CoO China;

Freight (by sea) = C.8% of the order value; or,

Freight (by air) = C.15% of the order value; and,

Duties = 12% (different product types carry different duty rates); and,

Taxes = 20% VAT (please note, children’s wear is 0% VAT)

CoO Turkey;

Freight (by land) = C.6% of the order value; or,

Freight (by air) = C.12% of the order value; and,

Duties = 0% (no duties to import from Turkey); and,

Taxes = 20% VAT (please note, children’s wear is 0% VAT)

CoO India;

Freight (by sea) = C.6% of the order value; or,

Freight (by air) = C.12% of the order value; and,

Duties = 8% (different product types carry different duty rates); and,

Taxes = 20% VAT (please note, children’s wear is 0% VAT)

Do not worry, when we cost your products, we will estimate the additional likely Freight, Duties & Taxes which may be applicable to give you an overall likely cost including the import & delivery of your products.

Therefore, at the time of placing your bulk production order, you will have knowledge & sight of the entire cost not just for producing your products but shipping & delivering them also.

For your information there are other abbreviations for different costs. See below a list;

EXW = Ex-Works. This is the cost of the product up to the point of shipping but doesn’t include delivery to the export port (it’s the cost of the garment up to the point it leaves the factory door).

FOB = Freight on Board. As above, this is the cost of the product up to the point of shipping and does include delivery to the export port but does not include and shipping, duties or taxes to import the goods.

CIF = Customs, Insurance & Freight. This is the cost of the product including shipping, insurance & freight to the import port. It does not include duties or taxes to be paid to import the goods.

DDP = Delivery, Duties Paid. This is the cost of the product including shipping, insurance, freight & duties to the import port. It does not include taxes to be paid to import the goods.

LND = Landed. This is the cost of the product including shipping, insurance, freight, duties & taxes to the import port.

We always quote prices based on FOB however if you are seeking counter costing with an alternative supplier it’s always good to check what terms they are quoting to ensure you’re comparing “apples with apples”.

Production lead times are highly depending on the product type, fabrics, complexities & sample approvals we may need to go through.

You will need to go through Pre-Production sampling to ensure we have all the approvals required to move into the physical bulk production. Please see the section “Sampling FAQ – How long does the sampling process take?” for more information on the sample development lead times.

Once we have secured all the approvals we require, the physical bulk production can start.

At this stage production planning can be actioned and a more accurate idea of the production lead time can be ascertained as to when your products might likely ship.

As a general rule of thumb, from the point we’ve secured all approvals needed and are ready to move into the physical bulk production, the production lead times are roughly 3-6 weeks.

Therefore, as an example, for an average total order lead time from sample development through to the physical bulk production we would estimate, on average;

x3 sample rounds (x1 Initial + x2 Pre-Production samples).

Each sample round is C.4 weeks + 1 weeks for sample shipping & comments.

Therefore, a total sampling lead time of x3 sample rounds @ (4+1) x5 weeks per sample round = 15 weeks total sample development lead time.

Once all the approvals have been obtained the bulk production can start @ C.4 weeks physical bulk production

Therefore, a total order lead time from sample placement through to bulk production = 15 weeks sample development + 4 weeks physical production = 19 weeks total lead time.

Of course, some orders can be manufactured much quicker (less weeks per sample round, less sample rounds needed) but on average, C.19 weeks (or 4-5 months) is roughly the time it will take from placing your products into Initial sampling though to shipment.

Please note however, lead time is not the essence of any order. The essence of the order is to ensure we seek all the approvals required to proceed into the physical bulk production. The essence of the order is to ensure correct & quality products are produced in the end. We are sure you would agree, that it is better to ensure the products are correct, rather than cut corners or risk the final production by going too fast.

We will always endeavour to ensure orders are shipped as fast as possible however our primary job is to ensure they are shipped correctly rather than to a specific date.

There are multiple quality control procedures to ensure your products are produced not only correctly but also to the highest quality.

Our factories have their own internal quality control procedures & it is not in their interest to ship poor quality goods.

In addition to the factories own procedures we also have our own controls. We have in-line & end-of line quality control checks.

In-Line checks are checks performed during the production. QC’s roam the production units continually checking production as it’s happening. The purpose of in-line QC checks is to try to pick up errors as they happen (rather than trying to fix an issue after the event). These QC’s will check fabrics, cutting tables, stitching lines, printing machines to try to weed out & fix issues before the occur.

End-of-Line checks are checks performed once the production is complete. Once the goods have been QC’d by the factory, packed & boxed ready for shipment, our end-of-line QC’s will open the shipment boxes at random to check the goods. On average 5-10% of the total production quantity is checked at this stage (it’s impossible to check 100%). If the end-of-line random 5-10% check passes, the goods are approved to ship. Should the QC check fail for any reason a larger % of the goods will be checked (up to 100% if required). Should any faulty goods be found they will either be re-processed or removed from the shipment. Only once the end-of-line QC checks are satisfied, will the goods be approved to ship.

In addition to the factory’s quality control procedures and our own quality control procedures we welcome any customer who might wish to perform their own independent quality control checks. There are independent internationally renowned quality control companies we can put you in contact with. These companies will QC the goods on your behalf and are answerable directly to you. Their reputation hinges on their strict procedures & therefore you can rest assured of their independence.

We have strict ethical trading policies, we do not and will not work with any ‘sweat-shops’!

Each and every factory we work with has been independently audited and ISO accredited.

All of our factories comply with local laws surrounding wages & fair pay.

None of our factories employ children under the age of 16.

None of our factories allow hazardous materials handled by anyone under the age of 18.

All of our factories dispose of hazardous waste properly.

All of our factories comply with health & safety as well fire safety measures.

Most people would be shocked how clean & sophisticated modern-day factories are.

For example, most have x-ray machines & metal detectors to check garments to ensure any broken needles are removed from the stitching lines.

For example, most have large canteen areas for staff for lunch & break periods.

For example, most have sophisticated timetable shifts for employees.

For example, most have employee incentives and bonus schemes.

Modern-day factories resemble hospitals with the cleanliness rather than visions you might have of dark dingy places.

All of our factories are independently audited & accreditations are available upon request.

Yes” we have specialist factories specifically dealing in sustainable production.

Organic cottons, bamboo’s, re-cycled polyesters, rPET fabrics, faux/vegan leathers & furs; are all the norm these days.

Did you know 6/10 requests we received have some element of sustainability included in the project? We get more requests for sustainability than ever before & the industry & factories are responding to it. The industry is moving in the right direction!

This said, there are x3 types of sustainable fashion;

Sustainable fabrics (ensuring fabrics are sustainable)

Low carbon (ensuring everything is produced locally)

Fair Trade (ensuring you can trace everything from the grown cotton to the retail store & ensuring everyone in the supply chain is paid fairly)

Currently, we are afraid, there is no combination of all three. Currently you have to pick what’s most important to you. For example;

Sustainable fabrics tend to come from Asia. Therefore, you can have sustainable fabrics, but it can’t be Low carbon.

If you produced locally, the likelihood is the fabrics would have been imported from Asia in the first place. Therefore, you can produce locally & Low Carbon but wouldn’t be able to use Sustainable fabrics.

Fair trade tends to lean more towards Indian production. Cotton growers, hand beading or embroidery work. Fair Trade is not the same as Ethical Trading (See “What ethical trading policies do you have?” above). Fair Trade is ensuring the entire supply chain is certificated so you can track a garment all the way back to the field the cotton was grown in to the shop floor its sold on.

Therefore, whilst all these three options are available, currently there’s no real combination of all three, or even two. You have to choose which one is most important to you.

Unfortunately not. The reality is the skill sets required for garment production were widely lost in the UK back in the 1980’s.

There are still some small pockets of production left in areas like Leicester however, in general, these units don’t tend to be the cleanest or most ethical of companies. For this reason, we won’t work with these types of factories.

Furthermore, even if production was available in the UK, due to local labour costs, the unit prices for production generally cost out the UK as a manufacturing country.

All our clothing manufacturing & footwear sourcing is produced offshore.

We have factories worldwide, examples include; Turkey, Portugal, Italy, India, Pakistan & China.

We are a management company between customer & factory. We help customers design their collections & sourcing their production.

We have years of experience in the fashion supply chain industry from an existing established factory base.

Due to the volume of business we have across our customers we are a very important customer to our factories & therefore can command better unit costs & lead times from our suppliers.

We are often told by customers when they’ve tried direct factory sourcing;

They are often ‘stabbing in the dark’ trying to find a factory & may possibly not stumble across a good one.

They are possibly individual brands with low order quantities so struggle to command authority, unit costs or lead times.

They are possibly in-experienced with the processes, stages & industry standard terms & acronyms.

They are possibly juggling multiple product types across different factories and countries.

They need to concentrate on the marketing & sales for their company, not the backward supply chain.

They are dealing with factories hundreds of miles away, in different time zones & languages.

They likely have no quality control procedures.

For all these reasons & more, is where our value add comes from.

Due to our volumes & the unit costs we can command, we often find it doesn’t end up costing any more to use our services than trying to source directly & you get the added advantage of our team, our knowledge & our experience.

No matter what the product type, quantity or fabric; we are a one-stop-shop for sourcing your products.

Each bulk production order placed is subject to our Sales of Goods Terms & Conditions.

Each Sales Order we raise includes these terms & conditions.

If you would like to read these Terms & Conditions in advance, you can find links in our footer.