Clothing Manufacturer for Founders · Low MOQ

First-drop decisions: cash, risk and a partner that can reorder.

Brand-Friendly MOQStandard 150 pcs per style / colour · selected library trial from 100 · custom fabric typically 500m–1300m+ / colour (mill MCQ).

Cost clarityLibrary samples US$50–100 / garment piece, depending on construction and fabric · Sample fees may be credited after the bulk production order is confirmed. Courier is not credited.

SpeedSamples in 7–9 working days · bulk typically ~25–30 days after PPS (swim often 30–40).

Risk controlMutual NDA · deposit after signed PPS · AQL fail reworked at our cost · open floor visits.

QualityInline QC 20/50/80% · final AQL · QC protocol · third-party inspectors welcome.

ScalingSame programme hand and colourways stay reorderable — one desk from first drop to repeat.

Cash, gates and a 90-day path — not a brochure.

Founders lose money on vague MOQs and verbal changes. Use this as a working model before you open a brief.

Cost model for a first colourway

Library path: sample fee US$50–100 / garment piece, depending on construction and fabric · courier billed separately · Sample fees may be credited after the bulk production order is confirmed. Courier is not credited.

Selected library trial from 100 pcs is for qualifying styles only. Standard bulk stays 150 pcs / style / colour. Custom fabric usually needs ~500 m MCQ before cut.

Cash out before deposit: samples + courier + (optional) lab dips.
Deposit only after signed PPS — not against an open sketch.
Tail 70% after AQL — fail lots reworked at our cost.

NDA portal · Low MOQ manufacturer · Private-label path · Deal sheet

90-day critical path (typical)

Week 0–1: NDA + brief + library shortlist. Week 1–2: samples. Week 2–4: fit / colour lock. Week 4+: PPS → deposit → bulk clock (~25–30 days; swim often 30–40).

Do not parallelise five exclusive fabrics on drop one.
Lock silhouette on library blocks when speed matters more than exclusivity.
Keep SKU count honest: fewer styles × clearer colourways beats a wide thin line.

Browse library · Named bases · Start founder brief

Risk checklist before you wire

We put gates in writing so a first brand is not managing a trading desk by WhatsApp.

Mutual NDA before sketches / tech packs move.
Deposit after signed PPS only.
Inline QC 20/50/80% · final AQL · QC protocol.
Open floor visits — bring your production partner if you have one.

What we put in writing · Founder rules

Cash out before deposit — then model the first colourway.

Founders need a working P&L, not another MOQ poster. This is the cash sequence we use on a first library colourway.

Cash stage	Typical	When it hits	Founder note
Sample fee	US$50–100 / garment piece · construction & fabric	Before fit lock	One published range — not two prices. Sample fees may be credited after the bulk production order is confirmed. Courier is not credited.
Courier / dips	Billed separately	With sample / colour rounds	Budget as sunk cost on drop one
Trial cut	From 100 pcs	Selected library only	Not a blanket MOQ — qualifying styles + fabric stock
Below 100 pcs	+15% combined	Written confirmation	Extra fabric scattered-cut + generation fees · subject to stock
Standard MOQ	150 pcs / style / colour	First bulk colourway	Plan P&L on 150 unless trial is confirmed in writing
Custom fabric MCQ	typically 500m–1300m+ / colour	Before exclusive cut	Avoid five exclusive fabrics on drop one
Deposit	30% after signed PPS	PPS approved	Never against an open sketch
Balance	70% after AQL	AQL clear	Fail lots reworked at our cost
Bulk clock	~25–30 days · swim 30–40	After PPS + deposit	Calendar starts when gates clear — not when you “feel ready”

Working model for a first colourway · full commercial terms on the deal sheet · NDA before file share · start a founder brief.

Questions founders usually ask first.

Is ZIESHINE a good activewear manufacturer in China for emerging brands?

Yes — this desk is written for emerging brands. Standard MOQ is 150 pcs per style per colour; selected library trial from 100. ZIESHINE is the export brand of DONGGUAN ZIESHINE APPAREL CO.,LTD., an in-house cut-and-sew OEM/ODM in Dongguan — not a retailer, not a trading desk, and not an open-stock supplier.

What MOQ should a founder plan for?

Standard is 150 pcs / style / colour. Selected library styles may trial from 100. Custom fabric programmes typically need 500m–1300m+ / colour (mill MCQ).

Do sample fees credit on bulk?

Sample fees may be credited after the bulk production order is confirmed. Courier is not credited.

When is the deposit due?

After PPS is signed — not against an unsigned sketch or open tech pack.

How fast can a first drop move?

Samples usually 7–9 working days. Bulk typically ~25–30 days after PPS (swim often 30–40).

Build your first collection with less supplier risk.