Ask clear questions up front, or deal with the mess later
Finding the right factory is like finding the right supplier in any industry. The more you clarify before placing an order, the fewer surprises you deal with after. But most first-time buyers do not know what to ask. Or they worry that asking too many questions makes them look difficult. The truth is that most factories prefer you to lay everything out early. It saves both sides from realizing mid-production that expectations were never aligned.
These six questions come from working with hundreds of new activewear brands. They are the ones that separate smooth projects from messy ones.
1. What does your sampling process look like
Most factories will say "we can make samples." But what that actually means varies a lot. Some need a full tech pack with graded specs. Others can start from a reference photo and a size chart.
Ask specifically: what do you need from me to start sampling? How many days for the first sample? Is there a charge for revisions? If the fabric does not work and we need to remake the sample, how is that handled?
A factory with a clear process will give you straight answers. If you get "it depends" more than once, that is a sign the process is loose.
2. How is MOQ actually calculated
"100 pieces minimum" is very different from "100 pieces per style per color." The first means 100 pieces total. The second means one color of one style needs 100 pieces on its own. If you have three styles with two colors each, you are looking at 600 pieces.
Also ask: is there an additional MOQ for custom fabric or special trims? If I need custom woven labels or special packaging, do those have their own minimums? Does the MOQ drop on reorders? Some factories require higher MOQ on the first run but will go as low as 50 pieces on reorders.
3. Will the reorder price and lead time stay the same
This question is rarely asked by new buyers and it matters more than most. The first order price includes sampling, pattern development, and fabric sourcing costs that do not repeat. The reorder should theoretically be cheaper.
Same for lead time. A repeat style does not need new samples or new fabric trials. The production line runs smoother. If a factory tells you the reorder lead time is the same as the first order, their scheduling may not be very flexible.
4. How do you control color consistency
Color mismatch between the sample and the bulk shipment is one of the most common complaints in B2B apparel. The sample looks right. The bulk arrives and the shade is off — not enough to reject, but enough to notice.
Ask: do you do lab dips? What light source do you use for color checking (D65, TL84)? What shade tolerance do you work to? How do you handle it if the bulk color falls outside that tolerance?
A factory with a real color management process answers with specifics. "We handle it carefully" means there is no process.
5. What does your QC cover
Every factory has some kind of quality check. What they actually check varies enormously. Some look for loose threads. Others check measurements, fabric defects, logo placement, and shade consistency.
Ask: is QC done by your own team or a third party? What specific points do you inspect? Do you use AQL sampling? Can you share QC photos or video before shipment? And the last-mile question: if something fails QC, do you fix and resend, or do you check with the buyer first?
6. What are the payment terms and how do you handle defects
Typical terms are 30% deposit, 70% against copy of B/L or before shipment. But not every factory has the same flexibility.
Ask: is the deposit refundable? If sampling cannot produce a workable result, how is the deposit handled? If bulk has a quality issue, what is the factory’s remedy process?
None of these questions are about distrust. They are about putting expectations on the table before money changes hands.
A simpler way to look at it
Send these six questions to any factory you are considering. See how they answer. Vague answers mean the factory either lacks experience or prefers not to commit. Specific answers with actual numbers mean the factory has been through this before and knows what matters.
The best factory is not always the biggest one. It is the one that can tell you clearly how it works.