Questions to ask dress manufacturers

MOQ and product range

• What is your minimum order quantity per style and per colour? — Dress MOQs in Europe often range from 50–300 pieces per style. Listen for per-style and per-colour minimums; more complex styles may have higher minimums.
• Do you work with both casual and more formal dress styles? — Some factories specialize in jersey or casual; others in woven or formal. Match your product to their experience to avoid quality or MOQ surprises.
• Can I combine multiple dress styles in one order? — Mixed-style orders can help small brands hit minimums. Clarify how they charge and whether there is one total minimum or per-style.
• Do you offer sample or development runs before bulk? — Sample runs (e.g. 20–50 pieces) help lock fit and finish. Ask minimum for sampling and whether the same factory does bulk.

Pattern, fit, and lead times

• Do you do pattern making and grading in-house? — Pattern and grade quality drive fit. Ask if they develop patterns from your tech pack or samples and how many fit iterations they include.
• What is your typical lead time from order confirmation to delivery? — Dresses often run 6–12 weeks. Get a breakdown: fabric, cut, make, finish, pack. Complex styles or custom fabric can add time.
• What fabrics do you typically work with (e.g. jersey, woven, linen)? — Fabric type affects construction and lead time. Match your product to what they run regularly.

Quality and finish

• What quality checks do you do (e.g. measurements, finish)? — Listen for measurement reports, stitch quality, and finishing (e.g. hem, zip). Dresses are often tried on in detail; consistency matters.
• Do you handle lining, zips, and trims in-house? — Lining and trims can affect MOQ and lead time. Ask what they source and whether you can supply custom trims.
• What is your policy on seconds or off-spec goods? — Clarify how they handle pieces that don’t meet spec and who bears the cost of remakes or discounts.

Frequently asked questions