How to Choose the Right Custom Sportswear Manufacturer

Choosing the right Custom Sportswear manufacturer is one of the most important decisions you can make for your clothing brand. The manufacturer you work with directly impacts quality, production timeframes, consistency, costs and ultimately the experience your customers receive. Leopard Apparels is a well-known custom sportswear manufacturer.

If you are starting a new collection or looking for a long term production partner, you need to look beyond the quoted manufacturing prices.

Understand Your Requirements

Before you approach sportswear manufacturers you need to define what you actually need. Consider the garment styles you want to produce, the quantities you expect to order, the target markets, the fabrics you will use, your sizing requirements, customization, packaging, labeling and the production timeframes you expect. Having these details available will make it easier for you to compare manufacturers and get more accurate quotes.

Manufacturing Experience

In terms of judging a custom sportswear manufacturer, experience is a key factor, a manufacturer who regularly produces different types of sportswear may be more familiar with fabric selection, pattern development, construction techniques, finishing and quality control. Evaluate the current capabilities of the manufacturer and see if they fit the needs of your clothing line.

A professional production process

• Review Design & Specification


• Patterns


• Selection of fabric


• Development of prototype


• Sample production


• Fit and alterations


• Pre-production approval


• Bulk Production


• Quality check


• Packaging and label

Having a structured development process can help solve problems before they become costly production problems.

Fabrics and Material:

Fabric is the most important part in custom sportswear appearance, comfort, durability and performance of a garment. Depending on the product, brands may require materials such as cotton, organic cotton, polyester, fleece, nylon, spandex blends, technical fabrics or other specialty materials.

Ask potential manufacturers what fabric sourcing and development options they have and if they can help match materials to your product specs.

Quality Control:

Quality should be built in throughout the production process, not simply appended to the end. Leopard Apparels offer 5 times inspection policy from fabric inspection, cutting accuracy, stitching quality, measurements, printing or embroidery, finishing, labeling and final garment inspection.

Production Capacity

If you’re looking for a long term manufacturing relationship, determine if the manufacturer can support your brand as production volume grows so the sportswear manufacturing factory should be able to produce in flexible MOQs in the start and have the ability to cater larger quantities.

Customization:

• Custom Patterns


• Custom sizing and Grading


• Choice of fabric


• Dying and washing


• Printing


• Embroidery


• Tags, labels


• Custom packaging

The more of your needs that can be met by one manufacturing partner, the easier the production process can be, and choosing a manufacturer with a variety of customization options can help facilitate that.

Private Label & OEM Production

For brands that want to develop a distinct identity, they may require private label or OEM manufacturing services. With private-label manufacturing, businesses can create clothing with their own brand name, labels, packaging and specifications. OEM manufacturing can also be helpful for brands that have specific product requirements and need a manufacturing partner that can produce garments to those specifications.

Communication and Timelines:

Sometimes manufacturing is not the cause of production problems. Miscommunication can also cause delays and inconsistencies in the product. Specifications should be clear and documented before production begins and timelines should be set and agreed upon by both parties.

Leopard Apparels is an experienced and well-known custom sportswear manufacturer for brands looking for an apparel manufacturing partner, Leopard Apparels provides custom apparel manufacturing and production services for brands looking to develop and manufacture clothing according to their specifications.

A strong manufacturing relationship is built on product quality, straightforward communication, reliable production processes, customization capabilities and the ability to support a brand as it develops.

Considering these factors before placing an order can help clothing brands make better decisions about manufacturing, and build a production process that is built for the long term.