A wrong supplier costs a season. This wholesale clothing supplier checklist has ten questions that matter more than the price list. Use it to compare any factory, including us.
By the Cherrysmock team, Hanoi, Vietnam. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer: A good wholesale clothing supplier checklist covers ten points: MOQ, lead time, pre-production approval, landed cost, quality control, ready stock, re-order speed, communication, customisation and brand support. Score each supplier 0 to 2 per point. Any 0 on lead time, quality or communication is a warning sign.
A wholesale clothing supplier checklist is a fixed list of questions you use to compare suppliers on the same points before you pay a deposit. This wholesale clothing supplier checklist is built for kids clothing boutiques and turns each answer into a score from 0 to 2.
This guide covers wholesale clothing supplier checklist step by step, with example numbers you can reuse.
Key takeaways: wholesale clothing supplier checklist
- Ten points: MOQ, lead time, pre-production approval, landed cost, quality, ready stock, re-order speed, communication, customisation, brand support.
- Score 0 (bad), 1 (ok) or 2 (good) per point and add up.
- Small MOQ and short lead time often matter more than a small unit price difference.
- Ask every shortlisted supplier for a 2D mock-up or a small first order before a big deposit.
The wholesale clothing supplier checklist: 10 points
- Minimum order (MOQ). How many pieces per design? Lower is safer for new designs. Ours: smocked designs from 30 pieces per design, ready-to-ship from 10 pieces per design.
- Lead time. Ask for days, in writing. Ours: about 20 days for smocked designs from the pool, 5 to 7 days for ready-to-ship.
- Pre-production approval. Can you see the design before production, for example as a 2D mock-up, and approve it in writing?
- Real landed cost. Ask for weight and packing details, so you can estimate freight and duty. Read what is landed cost.
- Quality control. Who checks each piece, and what happens to faults? Use our quality checklist.
- Ready stock. Is there a range you can restock quickly when a design sells out? See ready-to-ship kids dresses.
- Re-order speed. A supplier that cannot repeat a best seller quickly forces you to over-buy at the start.
- Communication. Do they reply the same day and give clear answers? Check how they respond before you pay.
- Customisation. Can they work from your colours, fonts or designs? We offer free 2D mockups for your own designs.
- Help growing your brand. Does the supplier support you after the first order? See our brand-building gifts.
How to score suppliers with the wholesale clothing supplier checklist
Give each point 0 to 2 (bad, ok, good) for each supplier, and add the totals. Do not pick on score alone. Any “0” on lead time, quality or communication is a warning sign. Then run each offer through the planner to see the effect on cash and profit. Small differences in MOQ and lead time often matter more than a small difference in unit price. See the example in one big order versus three small orders.
Which red flags should stop an order?
- No way to see or approve a design before production.
- A large MOQ with no way to test.
- Lead times that change every time you ask.
- Photos only from the internet, with no photos of the actual pieces.
If you are still choosing where to buy, read where to buy wholesale smocked clothes, and the top smocked kids clothing manufacturers.
Wholesale clothing supplier checklist: example scorecard
| Point | Supplier A | Supplier B |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ | 2 (30 per design) | 0 (300 per design) |
| Lead time | 2 (20 days) | 1 (45 days) |
| Pre-production approval | 2 (free 2D mock-up) | 1 (photos only) |
| Communication | 2 (same day) | 1 (2 days) |
| Total (4 points shown) | 8 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
The names are illustrative. The method is the point: a supplier with a lower unit price but a 300-piece MOQ and 45-day lead time scores far worse once you count cash risk.
Why lead time and MOQ sit at the top
Both decide how much you must guess. A long lead time forces you to predict demand weeks ahead, and a high MOQ forces you to pay for that guess upfront. Together they are the biggest source of unsold stock.
Using the wholesale clothing supplier checklist: conclusion
Use this wholesale clothing supplier checklist before any deposit: score every supplier on the same ten points, check designs before production, and choose the one that keeps your cash risk lowest.
Factory insight: Most first-order problems come from lead time and minimums, not from price. At Cherrysmock a hand-smocked group order takes about 20 days from 30 pieces per design, and ready-to-ship styles ship in 5 to 7 days from 10 pieces. Ask every supplier for both numbers in writing before you compare unit prices.
Wholesale clothing supplier checklist: key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Group orders | A group order lets several boutiques share one hand-smocked design; it starts from 30 pieces per design and takes about 20 days. |
| Ready-to-ship minimum | Ready-to-ship styles start from 10 pieces per design. |
| Ready-to-ship dispatch | In-stock styles ship in 5 to 7 days. |
| Custom designs | A custom design takes about 30 to 35 days and comes with a free 2D mock-up before production. |
| Transit time | Delivery after dispatch takes about 3 to 4 days to the US or Canada and 4 to 5 days to the UK or Europe. |
| Payment terms | Orders under $1,000 are paid 100% upfront; orders of $1,000 to $5,000 use a 70% deposit and 30% before shipping; orders over $5,000 use 50% and 50%. |
| Own label | Your own label, hang tag or care label is available from 30 pieces per design. |
Frequently asked questions about wholesale clothing supplier checklist
What is the most important point on the checklist?
It depends on your business, but MOQ, lead time and communication matter most for a small boutique, because they decide how much risk you carry.
Should I always choose the lowest price?
No. A low unit price with a high MOQ and a long lead time can cost more than a higher price with small lots and fast re-orders.
How many suppliers should I compare?
Three is enough. Place a small first order with each and score them with the same checklist.
What payment terms are normal for a first wholesale order?
At Cherrysmock, orders under $1,000 are paid 100% upfront, orders of $1,000 to $5,000 use a 70% deposit and 30% before shipping, and larger orders use 50% and 50%.
Free gift: the Cherrysmock Boutique Planner – landed-cost and pricing formula, days-of-cover stock tracker, season order calendar and 11 short lessons. Get the free planner
Want stock, prices or an order plan for your store? Talk to Jessi and the Cherrysmock team or message us on WhatsApp – we reply within one business day.
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