Why Free Apparel Samples Are So Important In Custom Clothing Business?

Running a custom clothing brand is a total hassle, and it becomes even more challenging when you have to pay twice, and sometimes even thrice, the amount just for samples. Just imagine the amount of money and time you can save with manufacturers who provide free apparel samples.

But are these samples just as good as the ones you pay for? Why don’t you take just 5 minutes off and read this blog till the very end to know everything about free apparel samples and how they are linked to made to order clothing?

Introduction: What Exactly Are Free Apparel Samples?

Most of the custom clothing manufacturers work on paid samples, but there are some vendors in the market who provide free-of-charge samples of their work. They are not as good as you might expect paid samples to be and are just good enough to tell you about the manufacturer’s capabilities. 

Suppose you want to make a custom printed hoodies collection, then chances are, you won’t be getting exactly what you want, but why is it so? Well, the immediate reason is that if they begin to provide exactly what you described, then they would lose money in the long run, just imagine how many people would abuse that system. 

Free apparel samples tell you whether a manufacturing facility is even capable of making your clothes or not. These samples will tell you about basics such as fabric quality, stitching techniques, and whether they can even follow your design layouts or not.

But how exactly are they linked to made to order clothing manufacturers?

Made to order clothing manufacturers are those who only make garments when someone places an order; they don’t mass-produce garments like traditional manufacturers, and are known for their willingness to work with custom orders. You would find that the majority of free samples are provided by such makers.

You can also request them for full-fledged samples, but then again, due to numerous complexities, I reckon that would involve a little bit of spending from your side.

05 Custom Clothing Manufacturers For Made to Order Dresses

Finding made to order clothing manufacturers with free apparel samples is a challenge on its own. This venture is like, you can either have this but would have to sacrifice the other part, and honestly speaking, without proper guidance, you can easily make a wrong decision that instead of making your brand successful can sign its downfall. 

This is why I took some time off to mention some of the manufacturers I personally worked with before. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about this. You can choose just about any manufacturer from this list for ordering custom suits online and be worry-free.

Here are my top five picks:

1- Mega Apparel:

Mega Apparel is one of those well-established apparel manufacturers in the USA, serving over 2000 brands. Their services range from designing, making, and even private labelling various garments such as t-shirts and hoodies. They also provide quick turnaround times and offer rebates on sample costs, effectively making them free sampling manufacturers.

Note: Mega Apparel functions here in the USA but has facilities in Asian countries, which raises concerns regarding quality control and ethical practices.

2- PLCM: 

PLCM or Private Label Clothing Manufacturers are go-to vendors for many startups. Although based out of Pakistan, their quality and production are on par with any stateside facility. They are a one-stop service solution for all of your custom clothing needs and offer plenty of free initial services such as design consultation, fabric guide, and even free samples. 

All in all, if you are new in the fashion industry and need a high-capacity manufacturing partner for activewear collection or even high-quality, affordable tees, then you should consider this option. Then PLCM is the way to go.

Note: Since PLCM works on startup-friendly policies, they are busy most of the time. So instead of writing an email for a quotation, give them a call directly.

3- Zega Apparel: 

Zega Apparel is hailed as one of the top custom clothing manufacturers in the USA, with extensive customization options. They cater to many brands and offer options for variance in bulk orders with different colors and designs. Their services also include various printing and embroidery options for casual wear and activewear.

Note: Zega Apparel, just like other affordable manufacturers, has maintained its prices due to operating facilities in 3rd world countries. They have been able to instate a QC management program so streamlined that they rarely get any complaints at all.

4- Fite Fashion:

Fite Fashion is a popular made to order dresses manufacturer that gives flexibility of design and manufacturing to its customers. Their key selling attribute is their use of sustainable fabrics to make wedding dresses and formal wear. For those in the USA, Fite Fashion also provides free shipping with 14-day purchase protection.

Note: Fite Fashion is only suitable for brands that go by eco-friendly marketing or those wanting to make a premium statement by making formal dresses. You can try asking them for a custom design in other garments, but according to my knowledge, they would rather stick to their own niche.

5- Steve Apparel:

Steve Apparel is a full-service custom manufacturer with decades of experience. Their business philosophy relies on providing end-to-end solutions from concept design to final products for various garment lines. Their unique selling proposition is to guide brands to success. In fact, they are more of a brand consultants that manufactures clothes as well.

Note: Steve Apparel makes just about any garments, and this has proven to be a flaw on their end. As no matter how big and well-named you are, you can’t do everything perfectly. But do go for their sportswear line-up, as they put extra care into it.

What Should You Consider When Ordering Samples?

Since you are playing around with free apparel samples, there is not much that you can ask for. So, make a list of the following, prioritize them according to your needs, and order your samples.

• Detailed Tech Pack:

These are absolutely crucial, as this will tell manufacturers all about the fabric’s specs, color combinations, and stitching details, along with embroidery, printing, and pocket placements. This is the ultimate blueprint of your clothes.

• Reference Garment:

Also, remember to send a physical garment you like, either for its fit or feel. This will help clear out misinterpretations.

• Clear Communication:

Ensure manufacturers understand your designs and expectations before starting on your samples. You can try hosting a video conference call for ease.

• Shipping Costs:

Clarify with your manufacturers about the payment policy for shipments. Is it from their side also, or from you? Also, ask them for an estimated delivery cost.

• Production Timeline:

Ask them for the expected lead time for sample production and shipping. It will tell you how committed they are.

Once you receive your sample, evaluate it by:

• Overall Appearance:

Does it match your vision and tech pack? Also, make sure to check for symmetry, general shape, and silhouette.

• Fabric & Material:

Look out for any defects and inconsistencies in fabric, along with color consistency. Also, feel the fabric by wearing it and see if it’s exactly what you asked for.

• Construction & Stichting:

Check seams if they are straight and flat, also make a note of loose threads, skipped stitches, and if necklines are neatly finished or not.

• Fit & Sizing:

Either try it on yourself for an entire day or ask someone to do it. This will tell you if everything measures against tech pack specs, but remember this: +/- 0.5 inches tolerance is reasonable.

If you follow all of the above steps, then even with free apparel samples, you can make a sound judgment of manufacturers. Just remember to make note of small, intricate details as they tell you about their commitment to craft.

Related-Read: Unleash Your Vision: How to Start a Private Label Clothing Brand

Conclusion: Samples Tell The Entire Manufacturing Story!

Free samples and made to order clothing manufacturing are great for the fashion industry. Just imagine how helpful these practices are for new startups and even our planet. 

Unlike traditional manufacturing, where there is mass production of clothes along with immeasurable wastage, made to order manufacturing is all about saving resources and only making use of industrial machines when there is a need. 

Additionally, if you play soundly, then you can make an accurate depiction of the manufacturer’s skill set with free samples. Yes! You won’t be able to actualize 100% of your envisioned garments with this approach, but it’s still better than paying to unknown manufacturers, right?

However, there is a huge caveat in this whole free sample thing: they are not completely free at all. Most companies only offer them with a contingency being that if you place a bulk order, then they will either refund it or turn it into on-board credit, whereas there are also custom clothing manufacturers that offer free samples, but only if you agree to pay shipping. 

Ultimately, if you navigate through these hurdles, then you can make informed decisions for your brand, promising its success.

Regularly Asked Questions Regarding Made To Order Suits.

What is the difference between made to order and mass-produced clothes?

Made to order clothes are custom-made only after an order has been placed and often focus on individual fit, design, and higher qualities, whereas mass-produced clothes are made in larger quantities in different sizes before orders, prioritizing cost efficiency and availability.

What does a rebate of samples mean?

A sample rebate means you pay for the initial sample, and that cost is then deducted from your wholesale bulk order or credited towards your future deal with the manufacturer. It’s a way for manufacturers to cover development costs while attracting serious buyers.

Why don’t manufacturers provide exactly what I described for free samples?

If manufacturers start providing precisely what you want, then they would incur substantial losses in the long run. Many people could abuse such a system, making it difficult for manufacturers even to provide these free sample services.