Getting from concept to a finished production run typically takes four to six months. Most of that time is not spent at the factory - it goes into preparation: concept work, design, tech pack development, and sample approvals. Get the preparation right, and everything else follows a predictable schedule.
Here are seven steps every new clothing brand goes through before the first order lands in the warehouse.
Step 1. Concept: Niche and Product
Starting with a wide range is the most common mistake. The more precisely you define your niche, the easier it is to brief a factory - and the easier it is to explain to customers why your product is worth choosing.
A few questions to sharpen your focus:
- Who is this clothing for - your exact buyer?
- What does your product do better than what is already on the market?
- How many styles do you actually need to launch?
A small, focused line works well for a first launch: three to five styles instead of twenty. Fewer SKUs mean fewer sample variations, simpler inventory management, and an easier fit with a factory's MOQ.
Step 2. Design and Tech Pack
A tech pack is the technical specification document a factory uses to produce your garment. Without one, any production inquiry is essentially guesswork: the factory cannot give you an accurate quote, and the sample is unlikely to match what you had in mind.
A standard tech pack covers:
- flat sketches (front, back, detail views);
- a measurement specification: a grade chart for each size;
- material description: fiber content, fabric weight (GSM), construction;
- colors in Pantone;
- print, embroidery, and trim placement;
- labeling and packaging requirements.
For a detailed breakdown of what goes into a tech pack, see What Is a Tech Pack.
If you have a design but no finished tech pack, a factory working in ODM mode can help develop it. In OEM mode, you arrive with fully completed documentation. The difference between the two formats is covered in OEM vs ODM Clothing Manufacturing.
Step 3. Choosing a Factory
Once your tech pack is ready, the search for a manufacturing partner begins. Key parameters to compare:
Specialization. A factory that primarily makes sportswear may not be the best fit for outerwear. Always ask what the factory produces most regularly.
Minimum order quantity. MOQ sets the floor for your order size. It varies between factories - from a few dozen to several hundred units per colorway. How MOQ affects your planning and what to do with it at launch is explained in How MOQ Actually Works.
Experience with your segment. Ask to see examples of similar projects or photos of current production.
Certifications. For international markets, ISO 9001, GRS (recycled materials), and Sedex (labor conditions) can matter. These certifications confirm that the factory undergoes regular independent audits.
A full guide on finding and vetting factories: How to Find a Clothing Manufacturer.
Step 4. Samples
Sampling is the working stage where construction, fit, and materials are refined. Two to three rounds of samples before production is typical.
The process usually goes: initial samples show you how the construction and fit translate from the tech pack to the actual garment - you mark corrections. The factory makes changes, and the cycle repeats. The final sample (PP, pre-production) is approved as the production standard for the full run. A detailed look at each sample type is in Garment Sampling Explained.
Plan for the full sampling cycle to take anywhere from a few weeks to two months, accounting for sample delivery time and your own review process.
Step 5. Production: MOQ and Lead Times
Once the sample is approved, the factory starts bulk production. The standard lead time from production confirmation to finished goods is 25-30 days. This does not include shipping time.
The clock starts from the moment you confirm the production launch - not from when you placed the order. The faster you finalize decisions on the approved sample and confirm details (colorways, size breakdown, labeling), the sooner the order ships.
A full breakdown of the production calendar: Production Timeline: From Sample to Shipment.
Step 6. Quality Control
Quality control spans several checkpoints throughout the production process, not just a final inspection at the end.
Key stages:
- Incoming materials inspection. Fabric, trims, and labels are checked before cutting.
- Inline inspection. Random checks during production on the line.
- Final inspection. Finished garments are checked before packing.
The AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) system is used to agree on acceptable defect thresholds before production starts. How to read AQL tables and set up inspection criteria: Quality Control at Every Stage.
Step 7. Logistics: Getting Your Order Home
Once the order is packed and ready, logistics begins. A few key concepts:
Incoterms define who bears responsibility and cost at each point in the supply chain. The most common terms for China-based manufacturing are FOB, EXW, and DDP. What each means and how to choose: Incoterms: FOB, EXW and DDP. How all those costs add up to the total landed cost of your order: True Landed Cost of Imported Garments.
Labeling and documentation. Import requirements vary by destination market. Check with a customs broker for the current requirements in your country before production starts.
Cargo insurance. A modest additional cost that protects your order against loss or damage in transit.
Quick Checklist: Before Your First Order
| Stage | What needs to be ready |
|---|---|
| Concept | Niche, target buyer, 3-5 styles |
| Design | Tech pack with sketches, measurements, materials, and Pantone |
| Factory | Specialization, MOQ, certifications, sample work |
| Samples | Final approved PP sample |
| Production | Confirmed size breakdown, labeling, packaging |
| Quality | Agreed AQL level and final inspection process |
| Logistics | Selected Incoterms, import documentation, customs broker |
TYX Manufacturing has been producing OEM and ODM clothing since 2007, with eight factories across China and Cambodia, over 3,000 employees, and ISO 9001:2015, GRS and Sedex 4P certifications. Standard MOQ is 200 pieces per color, sample lead time is 5-7 days, and bulk production runs 25-30 days from confirmation.
If your tech pack is ready or you want to discuss your first production run - contact us. We respond within four business hours.