Start with what they can actually produce
A manufacturer that knits everything from scratch, including linking and finishing, behaves differently from a trading company that subcontracts. Ask directly which processes happen under their own roof. If linking, washing or finishing is outsourced, that is not automatically a problem — but it changes who is responsible when something goes wrong.
Also ask which gauges their machines run. A mill set up for 3gg chunky knits is not the right partner for 14gg fine-gauge base layers, however good their samples look.
Judge them by how they sample
The sampling stage tells you more than any factory tour. A confident supplier will offer a knitting swatch quickly so you can check yarn and colour before a full sample is made, and will tell you honestly how long a sample will take rather than promising something impossible.
Two details matter: do they show you the actual yarn they intend to use, and do they flag problems during sampling rather than after? A factory that says “this yarn will not hold that shape, here is the alternative” is one you can work with.
Ask these questions before committing
- What is your minimum per colour, per style? — not per order.
- Is the sample fee credited against the bulk order? — and above what quantity?
- Who owns the pattern and the sample? — on ODM development this matters.
- What are your measurement tolerances? — get this in writing.
- Can you hold a reorder price? — and for how long?
- What happens if bulk does not match the approved sample?
Watch how they communicate
Slow, vague answers during the enquiry stage rarely improve after you pay. Pay attention to whether replies reference your specific requirement or read like a template, whether they ask clarifying questions about your market and target price, and whether you are told about holidays that will affect your lead time.
A supplier who volunteers inconvenient information — a public holiday, a yarn delay, a price increase — is generally safer than one who only ever says yes.
Red flags worth taking seriously
- Prices far below every other quote with no explanation of why
- No mention of yarn composition or an unwillingness to name the yarn
- A refusal to do a paid sample before a large order
- Pressure to pay a deposit before specifications are confirmed in writing
- No written record of tolerances, delivery window or reorder pricing
The cheapest way to test a new supplier
Place a small first order rather than a large one. Choose one style, two colours and a modest quantity, and treat it as paid due diligence. You will learn more about their accuracy, packing, documentation and communication than from a week of emailing.
If you would like to run a trial order with us, tell us your target quantity and we will be honest about whether it makes sense at that volume.