What should I prepare before contacting a custom streetwear manufacturer?

What to have ready before the first call

You do not need a complete design file, but five things make the first conversation far more useful: a reference image or sample of the look you want, the quantity you expect to sell per colour, the fabric direction or weight you have in mind, the size range you sell, and a realistic drop date.

Quantity per colour matters most, because our standard minimum is 100 pieces per style, per color. Sizes can be mixed inside one colourway, while each colour is its own order, so the number of colours is the variable that multiplies your commitment.

A drop date is more useful than a rough month. Sampling typically takes around two weeks and bulk production typically takes three to four weeks after the sample is approved, and shipping sits on top of that, so the date lets us tell you what is achievable rather than what is theoretical.

It also helps to know what you are comparing. If you are speaking to several factories, our guide to vetting a manufacturer covers the checks worth running before any deposit is paid, and we reply to inquiries within one working day.