FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products, services, and processes.

OEM & ODM Services

Q

What is the difference between OEM and ODM?

A

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means you provide the complete design and specifications, and we produce exactly to your requirements; ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) means we develop the fabric design and you select or customize from our existing developments. In OEM, you own the intellectual property and we are purely the manufacturer. In ODM, we contribute to the design process, and you may customize elements such as color, weight, or finish. Both services include full production, quality control, and certification support. Most of our customers use a hybrid approach: OEM for proprietary fabrics and ODM for rapid market entry.

Q

Do you offer full OEM services for functional fabrics?

A

Yes, we provide complete OEM services from fiber selection through to finished fabric, including custom weaving/knitting, dyeing, printing, functional finishing, and quality testing. You provide the specifications (composition, weight, construction, color, performance requirements), and we handle the entire production process. OEM services include lab dip development, sample yardage, bulk production, and certification documentation. Typical OEM development takes 4–8 weeks from specification to approved sample. We sign an NDA before beginning any OEM development to protect your intellectual property.

Q

What can be customized in OEM fabric development?

A

Virtually every aspect of the fabric can be customized: fiber composition (e.g., 92% recycled polyester / 8% elastane), yarn count and type, fabric construction (weave pattern or knit structure), weight (GSM), width, color (Pantone or custom), functional finishes (moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, DWR, FR, anti-static, UV), hand feel (soft, crisp, brushed), surface texture (smooth, textured, peached), and packaging (rolls, hangers, custom labels). The level of customization depends on your volume — higher volumes allow more customization options with lower per-unit cost.

Q

What is your OEM development process?

A

Our OEM process follows 6 steps: (1) Requirement gathering — you provide specifications or reference samples; (2) Fiber and yarn sourcing — we select and source appropriate raw materials; (3) Lab dip and handloom — we create color and construction samples for approval; (4) Sample yardage — we produce 1–5 meters of finished fabric for your evaluation; (5) Testing and approval — fabric is tested to your specifications and approved; (6) Bulk production — full-scale manufacturing with QC at every stage. The entire process takes 4–8 weeks depending on complexity.

Q

Can you sign an NDA before we share our fabric specifications?

A

Yes, we routinely sign mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) before receiving confidential specifications, designs, or reference samples. Our standard NDA covers both parties and protects all proprietary information shared during the development process. We can use your NDA template or provide our own. NDAs are particularly important for exclusive fabric developments, brand-specific technologies, or when sharing garment prototypes for reverse engineering. Contact us to initiate the NDA process before sharing sensitive information.

Q

Do you offer ODM fabric development from your existing designs?

A

Yes, we maintain a library of over 200 proprietary fabric developments that can be customized for your brand with modified colors, weights, or finishes. ODM is faster and more cost-effective than full OEM development because the base construction is already engineered and tested. Typical ODM customization takes 2–4 weeks (vs 4–8 weeks for OEM). Our ODM library includes moisture-wicking jerseys, waterproof-breathable shells, fleece fabrics, softshell constructions, and high-stretch knits — all performance-tested and certification-ready.

Q

Can you develop fabrics with multiple functional properties?

A

Yes, we engineer multi-functional fabrics that combine 2–5 performance properties in a single fabric, such as moisture-wicking + antimicrobial + UV protection, or waterproof + breathable + flame-retardant. Multi-functional development requires careful compatibility testing between treatments to ensure they don't interfere with each other. For example, DWR and antimicrobial finishes can coexist, but heavy FR treatments may reduce moisture-wicking performance. Our R&D team has extensive experience optimizing multi-functional fabric formulations for specific end-use scenarios.

Q

What is the minimum volume for OEM development?

A

The minimum volume for OEM development is typically 1,000–3,000 meters per color, depending on the fabric type and complexity. This covers the setup costs for custom dyeing, finishing, and quality testing. For development and sampling, there is no minimum — we produce samples in any quantity. Once the sample is approved, the bulk MOQ applies. For lower-volume OEM needs, we can sometimes combine custom colors with similar production runs to reduce minimums, or use digital printing for patterns where traditional printing MOQ is too high.

Q

Can you handle the complete supply chain from fabric to finished garment?

A

While our core expertise is fabric manufacturing, we have established partnerships with garment factories that can produce finished apparel using our fabrics. We can manage the complete supply chain: fabric development → fabric production → garment manufacturing → quality inspection → packaging → shipping. This one-stop service simplifies your sourcing process and ensures quality consistency from fabric to finished product. Alternatively, you can purchase fabric from us and handle garment production independently — we support both models.

Q

Do you provide technical support during garment development?

A

Yes, we provide technical consultation during your garment development process, including fabric selection guidance, performance specification recommendations, sewing and construction advice, and wash care instructions. Our technical team can review your garment tech pack and recommend fabric adjustments for optimal manufacturing and performance. We can also provide seam sealing tapes, bonding adhesives, and construction guidelines for waterproof garments. Technical support is complimentary for confirmed orders and available on a consultation basis for development projects.

Q

Can you produce custom prints and patterns?

A

Yes, we offer custom printing including rotary screen printing (MOQ 1,000–2,000 meters), digital printing (no MOQ, ideal for sampling and small runs), and sublimation printing (ideal for polyester fabrics). Digital printing allows unlimited colors and complex patterns with no setup cost, making it perfect for prototypes and limited editions. Rotary screen printing is more cost-effective for large volumes. We can print on both woven and knitted fabrics, and combine printing with functional finishes such as moisture-wicking or UV protection.

Q

How do you protect my intellectual property?

A

We protect your IP through mutual NDAs, restricted access production lines, and exclusive development agreements. Your custom fabric specifications, designs, and formulations are stored in a separate database accessible only to authorized personnel. For exclusive developments, we commit contractually not to sell identical fabrics to other customers. We can also implement physical separation in the factory for sensitive productions and provide chain-of-custody documentation. IP protection is fundamental to our OEM/ODM service philosophy.

Q

Can you develop fabrics meeting specific military or tactical specifications?

A

Yes, we develop fabrics meeting military and tactical specifications including NIR (Near Infrared) compliance, flame retardancy (NFPA 2112, EN ISO 11612), high-visibility (EN 20471), and anti-static (EN 1149). Our tactical fabric developments include ripstop nylon for uniforms, Cordura-based fabrics for gear, and FR modacrylic blends for protective clothing. We understand the stringent testing and documentation requirements for military contracts and can provide full compliance packages including Berry Amendment analysis for US military procurement.

Q

What is the typical timeline for ODM customization?

A

ODM customization typically takes 2–4 weeks from specification to approved sample. Since the base fabric construction already exists, the process involves: selecting the base fabric from our library (1–2 days), customizing color and finish (1–2 weeks for lab dips and finishing), and producing sample yardage for approval (3–5 days). Bulk production follows within 15–25 days after sample approval. This is significantly faster than full OEM development (4–8 weeks) because the engineering and testing phases are already completed.

Q

Do you offer white-label or private-label fabric services?

A

Yes, we offer white-label and private-label services where we produce fabrics under your brand name with your labeling, packaging, and documentation. This includes custom woven labels, hangtags, care labels, polybag packaging, and even custom roll headers with your branding. White-label is ideal for distributors and retailers who want to offer functional fabrics under their own brand without investing in manufacturing infrastructure. Minimum order quantities and lead times are the same as standard OEM production.

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