15 questions to ask before signing with any manufacturer

Most production disasters aren't caused by bad factories. They're caused by missing questions in the first conversation. This checklist comes from designers and production teams who've worked with hundreds of manufacturers across France, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, China, and the US. Use it on every new factory before you send a deposit.

Section 1: Capability & Fit

1. What categories do you specialize in, and what do you avoid?
Why it matters: A factory that says "we do everything" usually does nothing well. The best factories will tell you what they don't take on. If they hedge, that's your answer.

2. Can you share 3 recent clients in my product category?
Why it matters: Specialization in your category, not just garments broadly. A great denim factory will struggle with silk eveningwear. Ask to see actual production samples, not lookbook shots.

3. What's the smallest order you've successfully produced in the last 6 months? Why it matters: "Our MOQ is 300" and "we've actually run 80" are different answers. Stated MOQs are often negotiable if you ask the right way.

4. Do you own your machines, or are you brokering to another facility?
Why it matters: Brokers add a markup and a layer of communication risk. Not always a dealbreaker, but you need to know who's actually cutting and sewing your product.

Section 2: Pricing & Quotes

5. Can you break down the quote line by line - fabric, trim, labor, packaging?
Why it matters: A vague "all-in $24 per unit" quote hides where the markup is and makes it impossible to negotiate. Real factories itemize.

6. What's included in the sample fee, and what isn't?
Why it matters: Some factories charge $80 for a sample, others $400 — and "sample" can mean a fitting, a proto, a salesman sample, or all three. Get specifics in writing.

7. What's your payment structure — deposit, mid-production, final?
Why it matters: Standard is 30/40/30 or 50/50. Anyone asking for 100% upfront is a red flag. Anyone asking for less than 30% upfront may be a broker.

8. What happens to the price if my order quantity changes by ±20%?
Why it matters: Tests whether their pricing is genuinely scaled or whether they're quoting tight margins to win the bid and will renegotiate later.

Section 3: Quality & Process

9. Walk me through your QC process. What happens at cutting, mid-production, and pre-shipment?
Why it matters: Real factories have a system. Vague answers like "we check everything" mean they don't.

10. Who is my day-to-day contact, and what's their English level (or my language)? Why it matters: You'll be communicating with this person for months. If the sales lead is fluent but your production contact isn't, expect translation errors that cost real money.

11. What's your acceptable defect rate, and what's the policy if I receive bad units? Why it matters: Industry standard is 2-3%. Get the policy in writing - replacement, credit, or refund - before signing.

12. Can I visit, or get a live video walkthrough of the facility?
Why it matters: In 2026 every legitimate factory can do a 15-minute video walkthrough. Refusal is a major red flag.

Section 4: Timeline & Risk

13. What's your realistic lead time, sampling and bulk, from PO to shipment?
Why it matters: "Realistic" is the keyword. Factories underquote lead times to win bids. Ask for the last three orders' actual delivery dates vs. promised dates.

14. What's your backup plan if my fabric arrives late or short?
Why it matters: Fabric delays are the #1 cause of late deliveries. A good factory has contingencies; a bad one will just delay your order and blame the mill.

15. What's your policy if I need to cancel mid-production?
Why it matters: Markets change, brands pivot. Know the exit cost before you commit.

Want to skip the vetting?
Atelier matches you to pre-vetted manufacturers who've already answered these questions, by garment type, MOQ, lead time, and price range.

No more 40-email threads with factories that can't actually make your product.

Go to makewithatelier.com to get started now!

All of your production needs in one place

Click Below to Access the Tool

Tested With:

Watch a Tutorial (coming soon)

Reach Out for Early Access