Send the same range brief to each manufacturer
Begin with a dated list of garments and a style code for each shirt, trouser, skirt or PE item. Give each factory the same drawings, measurements and material requirements. Include the school colour reference and crest artwork rather than asking for a standard school shirt with a logo. If one supplier proposes a different fabric or construction, record that as an alternative quotation. It should not silently replace the specification used to compare the other offers.
Compare garment quantities, not just the total order
Check whether the minimum applies to the complete order, a style or a colour. At Yiwu Nai Shi Clothing Factory, the minimum is 100 pieces per style and colour, with a mix of four sizes. For example, 100 white shirts, 100 blue shirts and 100 navy trousers make a 300-piece order across three style-colour combinations. Ten schools sharing those same combinations do not create ten different garments, but different crests or packing instructions still need quotation review. This is a planning example, not a quoted order.
Resolve what the fabric description leaves open
A fibre composition alone does not identify the finished garment. Ask for the fabric construction, weight or physical reference, colour reference and intended care routine. Compare the collar, waistband, pocket and seam details against the same drawings. If durability, shrinkage or colourfastness matters to your customers, identify the evidence and acceptance requirements you need before approval. Do not interpret an untested word such as premium or durable as a measurable specification or a certification.
Put decoration and packing on separate lines
Check the crest method, artwork dimensions, number of placements and whether the quoted price includes the relevant setup. A shirt-pocket crest and a blazer badge can have different construction and attachment requirements. Compare the garment size label, brand label, care information, barcode, bag and carton instructions as well. Ask which charges are one-off and which recur with each order. Do not assume a photographed branded sample includes every decoration or packaging component shown.
Separate development time from delivery time
Ask when the sample clock starts, what it covers and how revisions are handled. Our published development ranges are 7–12 days for simple styles and 15–20 days for complex styles. They are not delivery guarantees. Bulk timing depends on the style and quantity; approval time, inspection and freight need separate allowances. Provide the required arrival date at your destination, rather than treating an estimated factory completion date as the day the school can distribute garments.
Use a written comparison and close the open points
For each supplier, mark every requested item included, excluded or awaiting confirmation. Compare currency and delivery scope consistently, including who arranges freight and what happens before shipment release. At our factory, sample fees are paid in full, bulk payment is 70% deposit and 30% before shipment after photos or video, or inspection, and freight is paid by the customer. Retain the agreed quotation with the approved sample and specification. A reorder should refer to those versions and recheck material availability, price and timing.
| Compare | Ask the supplier | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Garment | Is this the same material, fit and construction? | Style and revision |
| Quantity | What is the minimum for each style and colour? | Four-size breakdown |
| Branding | Which placements and setup charges are included? | Artwork revision |
| Delivery | What is included in the quoted delivery scope? | Destination and exclusions |
Buyer worksheet
Download and complete the worksheet, then send it with your enquiry. Downloading does not submit your details.