How to Vet Overseas Clothing Suppliers Without Getting Burned [start a clothing brand]

If you’re planning to start a clothing brand and you’re eyeing overseas manufacturers, it’s not just about who can make your product cheapest. It’s about who can do it right—on time, with quality, and without ghosting you after you send payment.

We’ve seen too many startups get burned because they didn’t know how to properly vet their suppliers. And that’s exactly why we created Garment Sourcing 101—a no-fluff, step-by-step course to help you build supplier relationships that last and launch your brand the right way.

In this blog, we’re going to walk you through the exact process we use to vet overseas manufacturers—so you don’t end up with empty promises, late deliveries, or unsellable stock.

Why Vetting Matters More Than Ever

In the world of garment manufacturing, especially overseas, the stakes are high. A few wrong assumptions or skipped questions can set your brand back months—or kill your first launch entirely.

Choosing the wrong supplier is like choosing the wrong business partner. It will cost you money, time, and your reputation.

If you’re serious about starting a clothing brand that lasts, learning how to properly vet your factory partners is absolutely essential.

1. Start with Proof, Not Promises

Don’t get hypnotised by a slick website or a well-worded email. Start by asking this:

“Can you send me photos of past work, client references, or sample products?”

Ideally, they should have:

• Clear product images (not Google stock photos)

• Examples of products similar to yours

• References from real brands (ask if you can contact them)

If they get cagey, vague, or only send generic portfolio shots—walk away.

2. Validate the Factory—Not Just the Sales Rep

Many startup founders deal only with an agent or sales contact. That’s fine, but you also need to know:

“Where is your factory located? What is the name of the legal entity?”

Use tools like:

• Google Maps (verify the address)

• LinkedIn or Alibaba business verification

• Ask for a video call or short video walk-through of the workspace

This step alone filters out 50% of sketchy “middlemen” posing as factories.

3. Understand Their Production Capacity

You’re not just checking if they can make your product—you’re checking if they can make it on time.

Ask this:

“How many units can you produce per month?”

“What’s your maximum order size for a 30-day window?”

Compare this to your launch needs. If they’re running at full tilt and you’re a small new client, delays are almost guaranteed.

4. Clarify Their Sample Process

Any factory worth working with will have a formal sampling process.

Ask:

“What’s your sampling fee and what does it include?”

“How many revisions are allowed?”

“How long does a sample typically take?”

Your sample experience is usually a clear preview of your production experience. If it’s sloppy, slow, or confusing—don’t scale it.

5. Check Their Specialty

Not all garment factories are created equal. A manufacturer who’s great at gymwear may completely mess up a satin dress.

So ask:

“What are your top three product categories?”

“Can you show me similar products you’ve made in [your fabric/style]?”

If their speciality doesn’t align with your vision, it’s not a fit—no matter how tempting the pricing might be.

6. Look for Small Brand Experience

If you’re starting a clothing brand, you want a factory that’s used to working with new or small-scale businesses. Otherwise, your order gets bumped for bigger clients.

Ask:

“What percentage of your clients are small or emerging brands?”

“Do you have experience working with startups?”

Bonus points if they offer services tailored to small brands—like low MOQs, flexible sampling, and handholding through the process.

7. Ask About Their QC (Quality Control)

You’d be shocked how many startups skip this part.

Ask:

“What’s your quality control process?”

“Will I receive photos or videos during production?”

“Do you offer third-party inspection, or can I send someone to check?”

A solid factory will walk you through their internal QC procedures and be happy for you to validate the work.

8. Test Communication

Here’s a big one. If they can’t communicate well in the quoting phase, they won’t suddenly get better during production.

Ask:

“How do you prefer to communicate—email, WhatsApp, WeChat?”

“What timezone are you in and what’s your typical response time?”

A simple test: ask three questions in one email. If they only answer one or two, that’s a red flag.

9. Confirm Payment Terms

Before you send a deposit, clarify:

“What’s your payment structure—deposit, balance, and shipping?”

“Do you accept PayPal for samples or initial payments?”

Factories that only accept 100% upfront and offer no traceability? Be cautious.

10. Ask the Hard Question

Finally, ask this:

“What happens if the quality isn’t right, or delivery is delayed?”

You’ll learn more about their values from how they answer this than anything else. Look for honesty—not perfection.

Bonus: Start Small and Observe Everything

One of the best ways to vet a factory is by working with them. Start with a small sample order. Watch how they:

• Communicate

• Handle revisions

• Stick to (or miss) timelines

• Package and ship

You’re not just testing product—you’re testing partnership.

Why IdealabGZ Gets It Right

At IdealabGZ, we’ve been working with small brands since 2009. We’ve helped dozens of founders start a clothing brandand scale without getting burned by shady factories or missed deadlines.

We’re not here to give you empty promises. We walk you through the entire process, from first contact to final shipment. And if you’re serious about doing this right, Garment Sourcing 101 is the course you need to cut through the noise.

You’ll learn:

• How to vet factories the way pros do

• What documents and designs to prepare

• How to negotiate and structure production

• How to keep control of your brand and avoid drama

Summary

If you’re serious about starting a clothing brand, vetting overseas suppliers isn’t optional—it’s essential. Get it wrong, and you risk your launch, your money, and your reputation. Get it right, and you set your brand up for success from day one.

And if you need help navigating that process—Garment Sourcing 101 is your go-to roadmap.

For questions, sample requests, or just to see if we’re the right fit—email us at enquiry@idealabgz.com. We’re here to help.