The right manufacturer saves you money you never see: fewer remakes, fewer surprises, faster approvals. Ask these ten questions before you order from anyone, including us. Each comes with the reason it matters and what a good answer sounds like.
1. What is the minimum per style, and what does it include?
Ask whether the minimum covers sizes, colours and washes together. A low headline number can hide separate minimums for each colour or wash. At NovoStitches the minimum is 50 pieces per style, with exact minimums by size and colour confirmed in your quotation. See low MOQ manufacturing. A good answer is specific and written down.
2. How does sampling work?
Ask who approves the sample, what it costs and what happens if it is not right. We make a paid sample for your approval and production follows that approved sample: our sampling process. Be wary of any supplier who is vague about revisions or who pushes you to approve quickly.
3. How will I see quality before shipping?
Ask what proof you get before goods leave. We send QC photos and video before shipping, see quality control. A good answer names what is checked and what you will receive, not just a promise that quality is high.
4. Will my designs stay confidential?
If your design is your edge, raise it first. Tell us when you enquire and we will discuss an agreement before you send anything sensitive. A trustworthy supplier treats this as a normal request, not an awkward one.
5. Which fabrics and washes can you source for my style?
Ask for options per garment and what changes cost. Learn the basics in the denim fabric weight guide and washes and finishes. Ask to see physical swatches or samples of the fabric, not only photos, and confirm that the fabric in the sample is the fabric that will be used in bulk.
6. What do you need from me to quote accurately?
A good partner asks for a tech pack, reference or sketch. See how to prepare a tech pack. If a supplier quotes instantly without asking anything, the quotation probably does not describe your actual product. Projects can start from a sketch, a tech pack or a reference sample, but the supplier should ask the right questions either way.
7. How are labels, trims and packaging handled?
Your branding should be on the finished product, not an afterthought: private label explains how your own labels and packaging are used. Ask who sources them, when they are needed and how they are checked on the finished goods.
8. How are lead times and payment terms agreed?
Ask for both in writing in the quotation. Price depends on materials, construction, finish, hardware, branding, packaging and quantity: what affects product pricing. Be cautious of timings given only in conversation, and make sure the quotation says what the dates depend on, such as sample approval.
9. What happens if bulk differs from the sample?
The approved sample is the reference. Check it against the sample approval checklist so that any difference is clear to both sides. Ask how the supplier handles a difference found at inspection and how it is communicated to you.
10. Who will I talk to, and how quickly do they reply?
You will message often. Choose a team that answers clearly by email or WhatsApp. Judge the quality of replies during enquiry: clear, specific and polite answers are an early sign of how problems will be handled later.
What else should I check beyond the ten questions?
- Does the supplier make the product type you want, or only something close to it?
- Can they handle both denim and leather if your range needs both? We make them under one roof.
- Do they explain risks honestly, or only say yes?
- Do they put commitments in writing?
What are the warning signs when choosing a manufacturer?
- Very low prices with no specification behind them.
- No clear answer on sampling or revisions.
- Unwillingness to discuss confidentiality.
- Reluctance to share photos or video of work in progress.
- Pressure to commit before you have seen a sample.
How do I compare two or three suppliers fairly?
Send each the same brief and the same tech pack, and ask the same ten questions. Put the answers side by side in a simple table of your own. Compare what is included, how clearly each reply was written, and how well each supplier understood your product. The cheapest quotation is not always the lowest cost once remakes and delays are counted.
Where do I start?
The best test is a quotation for your own styles. Browse the denim range to see what we make, read how to start a denim brand if you are new to all this, and see how a private label order works for the full process.
How do I use these answers to make a decision?
Score each supplier on a simple scale for each question, then look at the pattern rather than the total. A supplier who is strong on sampling and communication but slightly less flexible on minimums may suit you better than one who promises everything and answers nothing clearly. Weigh the questions by what matters most to your brand: a startup may care most about minimums and sampling, while an established label may care more about consistency across repeat orders. Write down your reasons so you can revisit them when the first order is under way.
Ready to compare a real quote?
Send your brief and judge us by the answers. Request a quote to compare with other suppliers. It is free to request and there is no obligation.