Supplier sourcing
Finding a mill is easy. Finding the one that can run your construction, at your quantity, with a shade it can repeat next season, is the job. Most sourcing mistakes are made at the shortlist stage, before a single metre is woven.
We keep a short list of mills in Guangdong and Zhejiang that we have shipped with, and we tell you when your order is a better fit for a mill outside it. Three quotes and an honest recommendation is more useful than ten quotes and a shrug.
What is included
Mill shortlisting against your spec
We match the construction, weight, width and finish to what the mill actually runs, not to what its catalogue claims. If the mill cannot hold your width or your shade, you hear it before the sample stage.
Like-for-like price comparison
Every quote is normalised to the same unit, width and weight basis, with the Incoterm and the exclusions written down. Two numbers that look comparable usually are not.
MOQ and lead time reality check
The quoted MOQ is often per colour, and the lead time often excludes the dye slot. We confirm both in writing, and tell you which one is the real constraint.
Sample and lab dip coordination
We chase the swatch, the dip and the yardage, and we keep a record of what was approved and when. That record is what protects you at inspection.
A written recommendation
Including which mill we would not use, and why. A recommendation without a rejection is a sales pitch.
One contact through production
The same person who shortlisted the mill follows the order through inspection and shipping, so nothing is lost in a handover.
How it works
- 01
Send the spec
Composition, weight, width, colour reference, quantity per colour and the date you need goods. A reference garment or a tech pack works better than a description.
- 02
We shortlist and request quotes
Usually three to five working days. You get a comparison table and a recommendation, not a forwarded email chain.
- 03
You choose, we sample
Lab dip first, then sample yardage. Nothing goes to bulk until you approve both in writing.
- 04
We follow production
Inline checks at the mill, then a pre-shipment inspection against the approved standard.
- 05
We handle the export
Documents, booking and loading, with the Incoterm and the charges agreed before the container is booked.
Timeline
| Stage | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quotes back | 3–5 working days | Longer if the spec is unusual |
| Lab dip | 5–10 days | Plus your approval time |
| Sample yardage | 1–3 weeks | Depends on the mill schedule |
| Bulk production | 4–8 weeks | Woven and knit differ |
What we need from you
- · Composition, weight and width — or a reference garment
- · Quantity per colour and the total order
- · Colour reference: Pantone TCX plus a physical standard if you have one
- · Target price and ship-by date
- · Destination port or door, so the quote carries the right Incoterm
What we do not do
- · We do not claim to own a factory. We work with mills, and we say which ones.
- · We do not send your specification to mills you have not agreed to.
- · We do not promise a lead time the mill has not confirmed in writing.
FAQ
How many quotes will I get?
Usually three. More than that adds noise rather than information, because most mills in a category quote within a narrow band.
Do you charge for sourcing?
No separate fee. Our margin sits inside the price per metre we quote, and you can compare it with a direct mill quote at any time.
What if none of the mills can do it?
We tell you, and suggest what to change — the construction, the weight, the colour count or the quantity. Sometimes the answer is that the order is too small for the fabric you want.
Can you source from a mill I already use?
Yes. We can manage an existing supplier, inspect and ship, without changing your price.
How do you handle a mill that underquotes?
We compare the exclusions, not just the number. A quote that excludes dyeing or finishing is not cheaper, it is incomplete.