Updated October 2026. This is the same list we ask every new brand for before we give a price.
Most first quotes come back slow, or wrong, because the brief was incomplete. A manufacturer can only price what it can see. Send a shape with no fabric, no sizes and no quantity, and any number that comes back is a guess — which is why a vague enquiry either gets ignored or gets padded.
This page is the list. It is what we work from at Imily Clothing, a clothing manufacturer in Guangzhou serving brands since 2012. Send these seven things and you will get a real price, usually within 24 hours. If you are building your first collection, our clothing manufacturer for startups page covers the whole process from idea to delivery.
A tech pack is the document that tells a manufacturer how to make a garment: the drawing, the measurements, the fabric, the trims and the construction. Buyers often assume they need a designer to produce one before they can talk to anyone. You do not.
For a first order we can work from far less — a sketch, a reference photo, or an existing garment sent to us. Our development team turns that into a pattern and a full specification on our side. What we genuinely need from you is the seven points below. Everything else we can build together.
A hand sketch, a photo of a similar garment, a page torn from a magazine, or an actual sample. Note what you like about it and what you would change. If you already have a full tech pack from a designer, send it and we will quote from it. If you have nothing but an idea, describe the idea — we have started many projects from a photo and a paragraph.
Tell us the composition and weight if you know them, for example "180 gsm cotton jersey" or "wool blend, medium weight". If you do not know, that is normal. Describe how it should feel and what it is for, and we will source options and send you swatches — our team buys fabric and trims directly in the Guangzhou markets, so you are not limited to a catalogue. Our clothing fabric guide explains the main families if you want to narrow it down first, and you can read more about our fabric and trim sourcing service.
For colour, a Pantone reference is ideal. Otherwise a photograph taken in daylight is workable. If colour accuracy matters, ask for a lab dip before production starts.
Send a size chart or a measurement sheet — the key body measurements for each size you want to sell, such as chest, waist, length and sleeve. If you are copying an existing garment, lay it flat and measure it; that is often the most accurate brief you can give. Here is how to measure a t-shirt as an example. If you are starting from scratch, tell us the market you are selling into and we will suggest a base size chart.
This covers everything that is not the main fabric: your woven label, care label, size label, hangtag, buttons, zips, drawcords, and the packaging the garment ships in. If you want your own name on the garment with nothing about us on it, this is where private label clothing manufacturing begins — send your logo files and any brand guidelines.
Give us the number of pieces per style, and how they split across colours and sizes. Also tell us whether this is a first order or a repeat, and roughly what you expect to reorder. Quantity is the single biggest driver of unit price, so the more honest the number, the more useful the quote. Our minimum is 100 pieces per style, and you can mix sizes and colours inside a style.
If you have a target cost, say it. We would rather tell you straight away whether it is realistic for the fabric and construction you want than send a number that does not fit your plan. On timing, tell us when you need the goods — in hand, or on the water. Samples take 7 to 10 days; bulk production runs 20 to 45 days depending on style and quantity.
Where will these garments be sold, and to whom? This shapes the fit, the labelling and the sizing. If your market has specific rules — children's safety, fibre content labels, care instructions in a given language — tell us up front so we build compliance in rather than fixing it later.
You do not need a professional tech pack, technical drawings, or a factory-ready spec sheet to get started. You do not need fabric already lined up, and you do not need to know the industry terms. If you are unsure what any point above means for your product, send what you have and ask — we would rather answer a question than quote the wrong thing.
Send your brief through our contact form or by email. Within 24 hours you get a price and a timeline, with no obligation. If the numbers work, we move to samples: a sample fee of RMB 300 for a T-shirt and RMB 500 for other styles, credited back against the order once you reach 100 pieces. Samples take 7 to 10 days. Bulk production follows in 20 to 45 days.
We ship DDP to the United States, Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East, and we can sign an NDA before you share any designs. Payment is 50% deposit by T/T, with the balance against the bill of lading.
Before you send, run down this list:
No. A sketch, a photo or an existing garment is enough for us to quote and to start sampling. A full tech pack speeds things up, but it is not a requirement for a first order.
We source fabric and trims for clients. Tell us the look, the feel and the budget, and our team will buy samples in the Guangzhou markets and send you the options with prices.
100 pieces per style. You can mix sizes and colours within a style, and you can start with as little as 1 to 5 pieces as a sample before committing to production.
Within 24 hours of sending your brief, by email. There is no obligation, and we will tell you clearly if your target price is not achievable.
Yes. We are happy to sign an NDA before you send drawings, samples or brand files.
You do not need everything on this list to start. Send what you have, tell us what you are trying to make and who it is for, and we will tell you what it takes to produce it. If you are new to manufacturing, start with our guide for startups, or read the manufacturing FAQ for the questions we hear most.
Email sales@imilyclothing.com or use the contact form, and you will have a reply within 24 hours.