How to Find a Garment Factory: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding the right garment factory is the single most important decision you will make as an apparel brand. Get it right, and you have a reliable partner who helps you scale. Get it wrong, and you face missed deadlines, quality failures, and wasted capital.

This guide walks you through every step — from defining your product requirements to signing your first contract.

Step 1: Define Your Product Requirements

Before you contact a single factory, you need a clear product brief. Factories evaluate buyers based on how prepared they are. A vague inquiry will receive a vague response — or no response at all.

Your product brief should include:

Requirement	Details to Include
Product type	T-shirt, outerwear, denim, knitwear, etc.
Fabric	Composition, weight (GSM), finish
Construction	Seam type, stitch count, hardware specs
Quantity	Units per style, total order volume
Target price	FOB or ex-factory cost target
Timeline	Sample deadline, bulk production date
Certifications	GOTS, OEKO-TEX, BSCI, etc. if required

The more specific you are, the more credible you appear to a factory.

Step 2: Understand Factory Types

Not all factories are the same. There are three main types you will encounter:

Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) factories handle production only. You supply the fabric, trims, and patterns. These are best for brands with established supply chain relationships.

Full-Package (FPP) factories handle everything from fabric sourcing to finished goods. Ideal for emerging brands that want a single point of accountability.

Specialty factories focus on a specific product category — denim, outerwear, knitwear. If your product requires specialized machinery or expertise, a specialty factory is worth the extra effort to find.

Step 3: Source Factory Leads

There are several ways to build a list of potential factories:

Trade shows such as Magic Las Vegas, Première Vision Paris, and Texworld USA are excellent for meeting vetted suppliers face-to-face.

B2B platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, and Maker's Row provide searchable directories. Use them to shortlist candidates, but always verify independently.

Sourcing agents like loomlink maintain pre-vetted factory networks and can match you with the right partner based on your product and volume. This is the fastest route for most emerging brands.

Referrals from other brand founders are the highest-trust source. Industry communities and accelerator networks are good places to ask.

Step 4: Evaluate and Shortlist

Once you have a list of 10–20 factories, narrow it down using these criteria:

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Does it match your current volume?
• Product specialization: Do they have experience with your specific product type?
• Certifications: Do they hold the compliance certifications your market requires?
• Capacity: Can they handle your order without being your only customer?
• Communication: Are they responsive and clear in their replies?

Request a factory profile, compliance audit report, and client references before proceeding.

Step 5: Request Samples

Never commit to a factory without reviewing samples. A standard sampling process looks like this:

1. Proto sample — confirms construction and fit
2. Fit sample — refined based on your feedback
3. Pre-production (PP) sample — final approval before bulk

Budget 4–8 weeks for sampling and expect to pay sample fees. A factory that waives sample fees entirely may be cutting corners elsewhere.

Step 6: Negotiate Terms

Once you are satisfied with samples, negotiate the following before signing:

• Unit price and payment terms (typically 30% deposit, 70% before shipment)
• Lead time and production schedule
• Quality inspection protocol (AQL standard)
• Defect rate tolerance and remediation policy
• IP protection and exclusivity clauses if applicable

Step 7: Place Your First Order

Start with a smaller test order — even if the factory offers a lower price for higher volume. A test order lets you validate quality, communication, and delivery reliability before committing to a larger run.

Document everything in writing. A purchase order (PO) with clear specifications is your primary protection if disputes arise.

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Work With a Sourcing Partner

If this process feels overwhelming, a sourcing partner can compress a 6-month search into a few weeks. At loomlink, we match Canadian brands with pre-vetted factories across Bangladesh, Vietnam, Portugal, and beyond — handling everything from factory selection to quality inspection.

Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your sourcing needs.