How do I contact a clothing manufacturer?

When contacting a clothing manufacturer for the first time, it is important to be professionally to lay the foundation for a good collaboration.
In the following blog, I will show you step by step how to contact a manufacturer and what mistakes you should avoid.

In your first message

When contacting a manufacturer for the first time, you should introduce yourself at the beginning. Write who you are, what you do, and how much experience you have in textile production.

Always remember that a good manufacturer receives dozens of messages every day. You are probably not their top priority. Therefore, in your first message, provide as much information as possible so that they can quickly decide whether they want to work with you. Specifically, write what you want to produce and the quantity in which your product should be manufactured.

Contact the right manufacturers

If you contact a manufacturer specialized in the production of leather handbags and ask if they can produce T-shirts, you should not be surprised if you do not receive a response. Also, make sure that the quantity in which you want to produce your product does not fall below the minimum order quantity (MOQ) of the manufacturer. Therefore, be precise in selecting your potential manufacturers and make sure that they can produce what you want.

Ask the right questions

Especially when contacting a manufacturer, it is useful to ask the right questions so that you can quickly filter out manufacturers that do not meet your requirements. Below are some key questions you should definitely ask the manufacturer. In some cases, it makes sense to ask these questions in your first message. (However, some manufacturers can only answer certain questions if they already have more detailed information about your product.)

What is your minimum order quantity?

This question is particularly important because your desired quantity should not fall below the minimum order quantity of the manufacturer. If you do not have this information yet, ask this question in your first message.

How long does it take to make a sample?

Before you place a large order, you should have a sample made so you can see what the final product will look like and ensure that the manufacturer is implementing your wishes correctly. The duration of the sampling process is extremely important for planning your collection. You can find this information in the profiles of the manufacturers on suplify.

Was sind eure Payment Terms?

Before you place a large order, you should have a sample made so you can see what the final product will look like and ensure that the manufacturer is implementing your wishes correctly. The duration of the sampling process is extremely important for planning your collection. You can find this information in the profiles of the manufacturers on suplify.

How much does sample production cost?

This can also vary from product to product.

What are your payment terms?

The payment terms provide information on how your payment is divided. This means what portion of the total amount you must pay before the start of production and what portion before delivery. This information is particularly important because if you pay the entire amount before the start of production, you take a different risk than if you only pay 30 percent before the start of production. You can also find this information in the profiles of the manufacturers on suplify.

How long does the production process take?

The manufacturer can only give you a precise answer to this question once they have detailed product information and know your quantity.

Send tech pack

To accurately implement your production wishes, it is important to use a tech pack to explain to the manufacturer exactly how the product should look later. Without a tech pack, a manufacturer will find it difficult to tell you whether they can produce your product and at what unit price production is possible. Here you will find a detailed step-by-step guide on how to create a detailed tech pack. On this page, you will find a free tech pack template in which you only need to enter your exact production information. If you wish, you can also attach your tech pack to your first contact email with the manufacturer. This way, the manufacturer can more easily decide whether your inquiry is valuable to them or not.

Summary

Contacting a manufacturer should be well planned. As you probably know, first impressions count. Therefore, be precise and direct. Always remember, good communication is the basis for successful collaboration.