FAQ
Manufacturing FAQ
Direct answers from an activewear OEM factory in Xiamen: MOQ, sampling, QC, shipping, fabrics, compliance and scaling.
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How to start working with us and what to send first.
Send us a reference image, your logo (AI or PNG), and a rough quantity idea. You don't need a tech pack — we can guide you through fabric selection, sizing and construction details. We'll reply with fabric options, pricing and a sample timeline within 24 hours on weekdays.
No. Many of our clients are new brands who only have reference photos or Pinterest boards. We can build the tech pack with you based on your references, our stock style library and your fit preferences. Tech pack creation is included in the development process — no extra charge.
Four things help us reply faster: (1) reference photos or a style name you like, (2) quantity estimate, (3) your target market (for compliance and fabric suggestions), and (4) your logo file if you already have one. Even one or two of these is enough to get started.
Yes. Our clients are based in 30+ countries across Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. We handle all export documentation under our own license and can ship to any port worldwide.
Real MOQ, what affects pricing, and how mixed orders work.
It depends on the order type. Stock styles with your logo: MOQ from 100 sets, mixed colors and sizes allowed. Full custom development: 300–500 pcs per style per color. Custom Pantone color: 500 pcs per color. Samples: 1–2 pcs with sample fee refundable against bulk.
For stock styles: yes, mixed sizes and colors are fine within the 100-set minimum. For custom development: the MOQ applies per style per color, so if you want 3 colors you need 300–500 pcs per color. Sizes within the same color can always be mixed freely.
Yes. Unit price drops meaningfully at 500, 1000, 3000 and 5000+ pcs tiers. Send us your target quantity and we'll quote all applicable tiers so you can see the price curve before deciding. Repeat clients get additional 2–5% loyalty pricing.
We can send a product catalog PDF with SKU codes and specifications. Pricing is quoted per inquiry because it depends on fabric choice, logo method, quantity and packaging — a static price list would be misleading. Share your target specs and we'll quote within 24 hours.
Lead time, cost, revisions, and reference-garment matching.
Stock style samples with your logo: 7 days. Custom OEM/ODM development samples: 10–15 days depending on fabric availability. Sample fee is charged upfront and refundable against your bulk order. Revisions are free until you approve.
Stock style samples typically run USD 30–80 per piece depending on fabric and logo method. Custom development samples are USD 80–150 per piece. Sample fees are fully refundable against your first bulk order — treat them as a deposit, not a cost.
Revisions are free. We keep iterating — new fabric, adjusted fit, different logo placement, whatever you need — until you approve. You only commit to bulk production after you're satisfied. Most orders take 1–2 sample rounds; complex custom orders may take 3.
Yes. If you send us a physical sample or high-quality photos of a reference garment, we can match the fabric, construction and fit. This is one of the fastest development paths — typically 10 days to first sample, with 2–3 fabric options to compare.
Bulk lead time, updates, AQL standards, and defect handling.
30–50 days from deposit to shipment, depending on quantity, fabric lead time and seasonality. Chinese New Year (late January–February) and Golden Week (early October) add 10–15 days if your production window overlaps with these holidays. We flag this in the PI.
Yes. Once your bulk order is in production, you get photo updates every 7 days — covering cutting, sewing, printing, QC, and packing stages. You always know where your order stands. No radio silence between deposit and shipment.
Every order passes through a three-stage QC: in-line inspection during sewing, final inspection at the factory, and re-inspection at our Xiamen warehouse before shipping. Defect rate target is under 2%. If you want AQL 2.5 or stricter inspection, we can arrange third-party QC (SGS, Intertek) at your cost.
We ship photos of any defective units found during QC before loading, and we either replace them or deduct from the balance payment. If defects are discovered after arrival at your warehouse, send photos within 30 days of receipt and we'll credit the affected units against your next order.
Logo methods, custom Pantone, packaging, and fabric development.
Heat transfer, silicone 3D print, embroidery, sublimation print, jacquard weave (for seamless), woven labels and hangtag branding. Different fabrics work better with different methods — we recommend the best one for your chosen fabric during sampling. Free logo mockups provided before sample production.
Yes. Custom Pantone color matching requires a separate dye batch, so MOQ is 500 pcs per color. We typically ask for your Pantone TCX or TPG code. If you only have a reference image, we can send you color strike-offs (dyed fabric swatches) for approval before production.
Yes. Custom hangtags, woven labels, wash labels, branded poly bags, tissue paper, boxes, and outer cartons with your markings. Everything your product needs to be retail-ready or e-commerce-ready. Packaging samples included in the sample stage if requested.
Both options available. We stock 40+ fabric qualities for fast turnarounds. For custom fabric development, we can source specific yarns, weights or finishes — this adds 2–3 weeks to the sampling timeline and typically requires a 500 kg minimum from the mill.
Payment terms, worldwide shipping, customs, and certifications.
Samples: 100% T/T upfront. Bulk (new clients): 30% deposit with PI confirmation, 70% balance before shipment. Bulk (repeat clients): 30% deposit, 70% against BL copy. We accept T/T, L/C at sight (for orders over USD 30,000), PayPal (for samples and small orders), and Western Union.
Yes. We ship from Xiamen port (primary) or Shenzhen port if needed. Air freight and sea freight both available. FOB, EXW, CIF, DDP — all Incoterms supported. For DDP we handle customs clearance at destination; for FOB you arrange your own freight forwarder.
For DDP orders, yes — we work with forwarders who handle door-to-door delivery including destination customs. For FOB orders, we provide all required export documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, BL) and you handle import clearance. We're happy to share document samples upfront so your broker can pre-review.
BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) for ethical sourcing and labour standards, Azo-Free compliance for EU exports, and REACH compliance for EU chemical safety. Full audit documentation is available on request during the quotation stage.
How to verify a factory is real, schedule a visit, and handle disputes.
Ask for a live production-floor video call, direct export paperwork under Xiamen Mega Garment Co., Ltd., and named client references such as Goosgym Sports, Powercut Clothing, Grazi Marotti Sportswear, Motivelli and KRAG. A trader can usually show a polished video, but cannot walk through cutting, sewing, QC and packing live while matching export documents to the factory. See How to Vet a Premium Activewear Factory for the full checklist.
Yes. A standard visit is 1-2 days at our Xiamen HQ for cutting, sewing, QC, packing and showroom review. With notice we can add a Yiwu seamless floor review; Xiamen remains the main cut-and-sew, QC, packaging and export site. Two weeks notice is ideal, one week is the minimum. Motivelli visited Xiamen and signed within 48 hours; see Case 14: Motivelli Factory Visit.
A Gold Supplier badge verifies paid Alibaba membership and trade history, not factory ownership. Direct with YOUMEGA means your account team speaks to production, export documents use our own license, AQL 2.5 inspection is handled in-house, and there is no 15-25% trader margin layer. The trade-off is that you work inside our process and 100-set starter minimum rather than a trader's flexible promises.
Yes. We share unedited factory-floor photos and can schedule live video walk-throughs. BSCI and OEKO-TEX documentation can be reviewed under NDA before sampling. If your brand requires SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek, we host third-party audit teams; we only protect other clients' production details.
We guide first-time founders through Incoterms, tech-pack interpretation, reference-photo development, customs documents and shipping options. Goosgym Sports started with no prior factory relationship and moved from first conversation to a 40-foot container in 12 weeks; see Case 10: Goosgym Netherlands.
We document where the issue happened, share photo evidence, propose rework, replacement or credit, and update the QC checklist so the same issue does not repeat. The goal is to catch issues during fabric receiving, mid-production or final packing, not after shipment. If a defect rate exceeds AQL 2.5 threshold, we do not ship until it is resolved.
For new clients, the 70% balance is paid only after shipment-ready goods pass inspection. If goods fail our AQL 2.5 final inspection, they are held and corrected before shipment. If a verified arrival issue appears, critical defects are replaced, major defects usually receive credit or replacement in the next run, and minor defects are reviewed against the AQL tolerance.
What is in FOB, hidden costs, payment methods, and refund policies.
FOB Xiamen includes fabric, trim, labor, AQL 2.5 inspection, basic polybag and carton packing, factory loading and China export documentation. It does not include international freight, destination duties, VAT, last-mile delivery, custom hangtags, woven labels or courier sample shipping. For shipping terms, see our FOB CIF DDP guide.
Budget for sample fees, revision samples, courier shipping, custom packaging, Pantone lab-dips, possible pattern adjustment, and destination customs duties/VAT. A realistic first capsule budget includes the garment cost plus these support costs so the unit price does not become a surprise later.
A $5 FOB garment usually means basic polyester-spandex, simple cut-and-sew construction, stock colors and looser inspection. A $15 FOB garment can include 94/6 polyamide-elastane, seamless or fully-fashioned construction, Pantone approval, AQL 2.5 inspection and stronger pattern engineering. Fabric quality and QC explain most of the gap.
For sample charges under $500, we can accept PayPal with fee added or Wise. Bulk deposits and balances are normally paid by bank transfer because they are commercial-volume payments. Many new clients start with a PayPal sample payment, then move to TT for bulk.
Standard new-client terms are 30% deposit before fabric procurement and 70% balance before shipment after inspection passes. Established clients can discuss adjusted terms after several successful seasons. We do not offer net-30 on first orders because fabric and trim are purchased upfront.
It depends on production stage. Before fabric cutting, we refund what has not been spent on fabric or trim. After cutting or bulk start, the deposit covers committed material and labor, but we try to roll usable value into a future order where possible. We treat this as cost recovery, not punishment.
Ask your customs broker to confirm HS code and duty rate before shipment, then choose FOB, CIF or DDP intentionally. FOB gives the lowest factory invoice but you manage import costs. DDP costs more upfront but gives more predictability for small Shopify or first-time importers.
Rush production, realistic timelines, fabric holding, and reorder speed.
Yes, but only within technical limits. Stock-fabric and logo programs can sometimes be rushed to around 4-6 weeks with a surcharge; custom Pantone or complex fit programs should not be rushed below 6 weeks. Rushing may remove lab-dip revision time or reduce schedule buffer, so we state the risk clearly before accepting.
Many quotes count bulk production only and exclude sampling, Pantone lab-dip revisions, export paperwork, inspection and shipping preparation. Our realistic PO-to-FOB window is usually 8-12 weeks because it includes sampling, fabric approval, bulk production and final AQL inspection. Unrealistic timeline marketing is common in sourcing.
With held fabric and approved pattern, reorder lead time can be 25-35 days. A cold-start reorder that requires new fabric procurement and color matching is closer to 8-10 weeks. Holding the fabric lot helps Shopify brands keep drop schedules without color drift.
For Black Friday or holiday delivery by sea freight, the safe window is usually PO by late July or mid-August at the latest, depending on destination. After that, air freight may be required and adds cost. We map production and freight backwards from your sales date instead of giving a generic promise.
Yes for qualifying bulk orders. Holding the same dye lot shortens reorders and reduces color-drift risk. For 1,000-piece-plus runs we can hold fabric for a limited period at no extra charge, with longer holding discussed case by case.
Why activewear pills, squat-proof specs, color drift, logo durability.
Pilling comes from short fibers, low yarn quality, poor finishing and abrasion. We reduce it with long-staple yarn choices, heat-setting, finishing control and rub-test checks before bulk. For a full factory explanation, see Why Activewear Pills.
All three matter. Squat-proof leggings usually need sufficient GSM, tight knit density and pattern placement that protects the seat area under stretch. Our default premium range is 230-280 GSM with daylight squat testing before bulk. See Legging Fabric Weight Guide.
Usually color drift. Each dye lot can vary unless the factory locks the lot, archives approved swatches and rechecks under a daylight box. We archive swatches and, for larger orders, hold fabric to make reorders more consistent. See Pantone Color Matching Workflow.
Silicone 3D is the best stretch-zone option and survives repeated washing when cured correctly. Heat transfer is cost-efficient for capsules but can peel sooner at edges. Embroidery lasts longest on stable fabrics, but can pucker on high-stretch zones. We choose the method by fabric, stretch and placement.
230 GSM feels lighter and cooler, useful for hot yoga and high-movement training. 280 GSM feels more compressive and gives stronger opacity margin. The heavier fabric costs more because it uses more material, but it can improve perceived quality.
Usually the underband is too narrow, strap geometry pulls diagonally, or the body fabric stretches more than the band. High-impact bras need a reinforced underband, matched stretch ratio and fit testing with movement, not only static mannequin fitting.
Camel toe happens when the front seam presses visibly under stretch. A contoured gusset, offset seam or flat-lock construction spreads pressure away from the front center line. See Front-Seam Visibility & Gusset Design.
The waistband usually lacks enough elastic width, inner reinforcement or correct rise-to-seat grading. Our high-rise patterns use wider waistbands and fit-model movement tests so the band holds during yoga, HIIT and daily wear.
94/6 polyamide, naked-feel vs buttery-soft, 4-way stretch, recycled fabrics.
It means 94% polyamide and 6% elastane. Polyamide gives a soft hand feel, strong recovery and moisture performance, while elastane provides stretch. This is our default premium seamless direction, with other ratios available for more compression or stretch.
Naked-feel is smooth, cool and second-skin, usually high-gauge polyamide-elastane with a calendered finish. Buttery-soft is brushed or peachy, often better for athleisure comfort. We match fabric type to training, yoga or lounge use.
2-way stretch moves mainly in one direction; 4-way stretch moves both widthwise and lengthwise. Leggings, bras and bodysuits need 4-way stretch for movement. Looser hoodies or shorts can sometimes use 2-way stretch.
Yes. rPET is broadly available and ECONYL is possible for selected nylon programs. GRS chain-of-custody documentation can be provided per order. Recycled programs usually carry higher MOQ and cost than virgin fabrics; see Sustainable Activewear Manufacturers.
Hot yoga needs lighter, quick-dry, high-wicking fabric around 180-220 GSM. Cold-weather training needs heavier brushed or thermal-backed fabric around 260-310 GSM. Cotton-rich blends are comfortable but dry too slowly for intense training.
Brushed fleece has a raised soft inner surface that traps warmth. Unbrushed loopback is lighter, smoother and more breathable. Premium winter joggers usually use heavier brushed French terry, while transitional joggers work better in unbrushed terry.
True 2XL/3XL, Santoni cylinder size, US/UK/EU/AUS sizing, pattern adjustments.
Yes. Our Yiwu seamless facility runs large-cylinder Santoni machines in the 17-21 inch range, which support wider body-mapped seamless panels for true Western 2XL/3XL. Many factories using 13-15 inch cylinders quietly cap at XL.
It is machine economics. Smaller cylinders are cheaper and serve common Asian and XS-L Western size ranges. Large cylinders cost more and only make sense for factories serving inclusive Western sizing at real volume.
Santoni is the leading seamless circular knitting machine brand. Cylinder diameter controls the maximum tubular width and affects body mapping. Larger cylinders allow bigger sizes and more flexibility for zonal compression.
We use US grading as a base, then adjust for market. UK and AUS labels are usually larger numeric equivalents, while EU fit often runs slightly slimmer. For global brands, we recommend one base grading standard with regional size labels.
Yes. Rise, waistband width and gusset shape are common adjustments during sampling. Large redesigns are quoted separately, but fit refinements are part of the normal development process and your custom pattern is not reused for other clients.
Yes for leggings, jumpsuits and selected bodysuits. Petite reduces inseam and torso length; tall adds inseam and rise where needed. To keep MOQ manageable, most young brands start with regular plus one priority fit variant.
China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh, OEM vs ODM, trader vs direct, brand quality tiers.
For small-to-mid-volume premium activewear, China usually offers the strongest mix of fabric depth, speed and technical capability. Vietnam can help tariff-sensitive programs, while Bangladesh is strongest for high-volume basics. See China vs Vietnam vs Bangladesh Compared.
OEM means you bring the design and own the pattern. ODM means you choose a factory-developed style and brand it. ODM is faster for first testing; OEM builds stronger brand differentiation over seasons. We support both paths.
Trading companies simplify early sourcing but add a margin and communication layer. Direct factory relationships make more sense once quality consistency, reorder speed and unit economics matter. YOUMEGA works direct, without trader markup.
For construction, fabric hand feel, seamless body mapping and AQL 2.5 QC, yes for private-label programs. Proprietary enterprise fabrics from the biggest global brands require larger R&D budgets, but most premium-brand requests are achievable at our scale.
For a first 100-300 set capsule, stock fabric plus logo is usually smarter. It reduces lead time, lowers cost and avoids custom dye MOQ. Move to full custom OEM after product-market fit is proven.
PFAS-free, rPET, GRS certification, biodegradable claims, EU Green Claims Directive.
PFAS are persistent chemicals used in some water-repellent finishes. Apparel restrictions in California and other US states mean brands need PFAS-free documentation for fabrics sold into those markets. We can arrange third-party lab testing when required.
rPET reduces virgin plastic use and production energy, while performing similarly to polyester in many activewear applications. It is not a perfect sustainability answer because microplastic concerns remain, but it is meaningfully better than virgin polyester when GRS-traced.
GRS verifies recycled content and chain-of-custody from source through finished goods. Ask for the certificate number and batch documentation, then check the registry. A generic recycled claim without batch traceability is not enough.
Mostly greenwashing in 2026 for synthetic stretch activewear. True biodegradable performance fabrics are still limited. If a supplier claims biodegradable polyester-elastane, ask for third-party biodegradation test reports and the certification body.
Make only specific, verifiable claims: recycled percentage, component, certificate and batch. Avoid vague words like eco-friendly unless backed by evidence. We provide documentation so your product page claims match what the fabric can prove.
First-capsule MOQ, when to switch suppliers, Pantone timing, scaling to 8,000.
Start with 100 sets unless you already have validated demand. A 100-set capsule lets you test fit, fabric and color story with real buyers while keeping mistakes recoverable. See Low-MOQ Activewear OEMs.
Switch when annual volume, quality consistency and reorder speed matter more than the trader's convenience. Warning signs include vague fabric answers, blocked factory visits, color drift and slow reorders. Most clients switch in Season 2 or 3.
Ask for named scaling references, category capacity, account-team continuity and reorder lead times at 500 vs 5,000 pieces. Vague answers mean you may outgrow the factory quickly.
Start with stock colors under 500 pieces per color. Custom Pantone makes more sense in Season 2 once volume justifies the dye lot and your best-selling colors are clear. See Pantone Color Matching Workflow.