Sourcing&SwitchingManufacturers

The 12-point vetting checklist

Before you send a tech pack, confirm:

1. Valid audit report from a credible body, dated in the last 12 months
2. Certifications aligned to your label claims (GOTS if you're selling organic, Fair Trade if you're claiming fair-trade, etc.)
3. MOQ and per-piece cost in writing, with quantity breaks
4. Lead times including sampling, revisions, and bulk
5. Payment terms — deposit, milestone, balance on shipment
6. Factory-of-record clarity — are they making your garment or subbing it out?
7. Sample turnaround committed in writing
8. Communication cadence — who's your point of contact, how fast do they reply?
9. Reference clients — ideally in your category and size bracket
10. Quality control process — inline, end-of-line, AQL level
11. Compliance with destination regulations — California Prop 65, EU REACH, US CPSC if children's wear
12. Exit terms — what happens if you pull your order mid-run?

When to switch

Switch when you've outgrown the MOQ floor, the certifications no longer match your brand claims, quality has drifted, or communication has broken down. Don't switch because one shipment had issues — fix it with the current factory first.

How to switch without losing a season

Move one style at a time, not the whole catalog. Overlap the old and new factory for at least one full production cycle. Keep your tech packs current (most brands can't find their own tech packs when they need them most). Plan for 8-12 weeks of onboarding with the new factory before they ship in bulk.

Who this pillar is for

Brand founders evaluating their first factory, ops leads considering a switch, and sourcing teams building a formal vendor-vetting process.