Manufacturing
OEM / ODM Uniform Manufacturing
OEM production from your tech pack, or ODM development on our existing uniform blocks. How each route works, what you supply and where the trade-offs are.

- OEM orders are made to the buyer's tech pack and measurement chart without changing the design
- ODM orders start from our existing uniform blocks, which are already graded and fit-tested
- Every project, OEM or ODM, is confirmed on a physical sample before bulk cutting
- Established 2006, producing uniforms for corporate, hospitality, school, medical and workwear buyers
OEM and ODM describe where the design comes from. In an OEM project you supply the design, usually as a tech pack, and we manufacture it. In an ODM project we supply the starting point, one of our existing uniform blocks, and adapt it to your fabric, colours, branding and any construction changes you want. Both routes end in the same place: a signed pre-production sample and a bulk order made to it.
Most uniform buyers fall somewhere between the two. A hotel group may have a designer’s sketch but no measurement chart. A distributor may want a standard polo with a different pocket and their own label. We sort out which route applies at the scope call so nobody pays for development that already exists.
Working from your tech pack
A usable tech pack for a uniform has a flat sketch, a measurement chart with tolerances for every size, fabric and trim specifications, stitch and seam types, and branding positions. When all of that is present, the first sample is measured against the chart and the report goes back with the garment. When something is missing, and it often is, we send a list of questions before cutting rather than guessing. Missing tolerances are the most common gap; a chest measurement without a tolerance cannot be inspected.
If you already have graded patterns from a previous factory, we can work from them. We still make a sample, because the same pattern sewn on a different line in a different fabric does not always produce the same garment.
The sample and fit process that follows is described under sample development.
Adapting our base blocks
Our blocks cover the styles uniform programmes use most: shirts, polos, chef jackets, tunics, trousers and outerwear. Each is graded across the standard size range and has been fit-checked. An ODM project takes one of these and changes what needs changing. A different collar height, a pen pocket on the sleeve, a longer body for tuck-in, a contrast placket in your brand colour. Small changes are sampled once in your fabric. Larger changes, such as a new sleeve construction, are treated as new development and go through the same fit process as an OEM sample.
The advantage of ODM is speed and predictability. The fit is known, the grading exists and the sample usually needs one round of comments. The limitation is that the garment is built on our proportions; if you need a very specific silhouette, OEM with your own spec is the better route.
Our base blocks cover the ranges on the retail uniforms and housekeeping uniforms pages, among others.
Fabric in both routes
Fabric can be supplied by you, sourced by us to a written spec, or chosen from stock qualities such as polycotton twill, cotton drill or gabardine. Custom-woven or custom-dyed fabric carries mill minimums, and we tell you what those are before you commit. Minimum order typically starts at 100 pcs per style; exact MOQ is quoted per project.
How stock colours and custom dye lots are handled is explained under fabric sourcing.
§ 01When Buyers Need This
Situations this service answers
If none of these describe your project, this probably is not the step you need — tell us what you are actually trying to solve.
- You have a complete tech pack and want a factory to produce it exactly as drawn
- You know roughly what you want but have no pattern, spec sheet or measurement chart
- Your current supplier has stopped, and you need to move an existing design to a new factory
- You want to adapt a proven uniform style with your own fabric, colours and branding rather than design from zero
- You are a distributor who needs a range of standard uniform styles under your own label
§ 02Our Process
How this step runs
- 01
Scope call
We establish whether the project is OEM (your design) or ODM (our base block adapted) and list what exists already.
- 02
Tech pack review or block selection
For OEM we check the tech pack for missing measurements, trims and tolerances. For ODM we propose the closest base block and note the changes.
- 03
Fabric and trim confirmation
Fabric is sourced to your spec or chosen from our stock qualities. Trims, thread, labels and packaging are confirmed in writing.
- 04
Pattern and sample
A first sample is made and measured against the spec. For ODM the modified block is sampled in your fabric and colour.
- 05
Fit review and revision
You review the sample on real staff where possible. Comments are applied and a second sample is made if needed.
- 06
Pre-production sample
A sample in bulk fabric with all trims and branding is signed off as the standard for production.
- 07
Bulk production and inspection
Production runs to the signed sample, with in-line checks and a final random inspection.
§ 03What We Need From You
Inputs required
The faster these arrive, the fewer rounds development takes.
- For OEM, a tech pack with flat sketches, measurement chart, tolerances, fabric and trim specs
- For ODM, a reference garment, photos or a description of the styles and the changes you want
- Fabric preference, or a target composition, weight and colour if we are to source it
- Logo artwork and branding positions
- Order quantity by style, colour and size
§ 04Options
Choices available
- Full OEM to your tech pack, including your own graded patterns if you have them
- ODM from our shirt, polo, trouser, tunic and jacket blocks with your changes
- Fabric supplied by you, sourced by us to spec, or chosen from stock qualities
- Branding by embroidery, print or heat transfer and full private labelling
- Mixed programmes where some styles are OEM and others are adapted from our blocks
- Re-orders against retained patterns and samples
§ 05Limitations
What this cannot do
Constraints stated up front are cheaper for both of us than constraints discovered in production.
LimitationsWhat this cannot do
- 01An incomplete tech pack delays sampling, because missing measurements have to be queried and confirmed first
- 02ODM changes that alter the block substantially, such as a new collar construction, are treated as new development and sampled accordingly
- 03We do not produce certified protective clothing such as hi-vis, flame-retardant or arc-flash garments
- 04Custom-woven or custom-dyed fabric carries mill minimums that may be higher than the garment quantity
- 05Garment dyeing and garment washing are not done in-house
§ 06Quality
How it gets verified
- Samples are measured against the spec or block chart and the results are sent with the sample
- Fabric is checked against the confirmed composition and weight before cutting
- The signed pre-production sample is kept on the line as the reference for sewing and finishing
- Measurement checks during production compare finished garments with the chart and tolerances
- A final random inspection covers measurements, sewing, branding, labels and packing
Step 2 of 13
Where this sits in production
Every order runs through the same sequence. Each step has its own page, its own approval, and its own way of going wrong.
- 01Private Label Uniforms
- 02OEM / ODM Uniform Manufacturing
- 03Sample Development
- 04Fabric Sourcing
- 05Pattern Making & Fit
- 06Size Grading
- 07Logo Embroidery & Printing
- 08Labels, Name Badges & Packaging
- 09Bulk Production
- 10Quality Control
- 11Uniform Programme Management
- 12Uniform Design
- 13Plus Size & Extended Size Uniforms
← Before this
Private Label Uniforms
Private label uniform manufacturing from Dongguan. Your logo, labels and thread colour applied consistently across shirts, polos and jackets.
After this →
Sample Development
Uniform sample development: fit samples per gender, a laundered size-set sample and a signed pre-production sample before any bulk cutting starts.
Related Uniforms
Products this applies to
Related Fabrics
Fabrics this affects
§ 08FAQ
OEM / ODM Uniform Manufacturing — common questions
Frequently asked19 Q
What is your minimum order quantity for custom uniforms?
Minimum order typically starts at 100 pcs per style; exact MOQ is quoted per project. The figure depends on the fabric, colour and level of customisation involved, so send us the style, quantity and branding you have in mind and we will confirm the MOQ in the quotation.
How does the sampling process work before bulk production?
We start from your tech pack, reference garment or a brief, then make a pre-production sample in the agreed fabric and colour with your logo applied. You review the sample, we revise it if needed, and once approved it is sealed as the reference for bulk production. Where a fabric or finish is new to your project, we wash-test the sample before sending it so you see how it behaves after laundering.
How long does bulk production take?
Lead time is quoted per project because it depends on fabric availability, order quantity and the amount of embroidery or printing per garment. Once the sample is approved and the order confirmed, the production schedule is confirmed in the quotation and we update you at fabric arrival, cutting and final inspection.
What logo file format do you need?
Vector files (AI, EPS or PDF) are preferred because they scale cleanly for both embroidery and printing. A high-resolution PNG is acceptable, as we can digitise it for embroidery, but small text and fine lines may need to be simplified. Please also send Pantone references or a physical colour swatch so thread and ink colours can be matched.
Do you make hi-vis, flame-retardant or certified protective clothing?
No. We do not manufacture certified PPE such as EN ISO 20471 hi-vis, flame-retardant, arc-flash or NFPA/ANSI-rated garments. What we do make is everyday workwear and uniforms, including corporate, hotel, restaurant, chef, housekeeping, retail and school uniforms, all with your branding applied.
Can we mix sizes and colours within the minimum order?
Mixing sizes within one style is normal and does not affect the MOQ. Mixing colours is usually possible too, but each colour needs its own fabric lot, so the per-colour quantity may be subject to a minimum. Minimum order typically starts at 100 pcs per style; exact MOQ is quoted per project, including any per-colour split.
How much does a sample cost and how long does it take?
Sample cost and sample lead time are quoted per project, as they depend on whether the fabric is in stock, how many logo positions are involved and how many styles you need. Sample charges are commonly offset against the bulk order once it is confirmed, and this is stated in the quotation.
Do you offer separate men's and women's fits?
Yes. Most of our uniform styles are patterned in both a men's and a women's fit, with differences in shoulder, chest, waist shaping and length, and we can also supply a unisex block if you prefer one chart for the whole team. We recommend including both fits in the sample round so staff can try them before you place the bulk order.
Should our logo be embroidered or printed?
Embroidery is the usual choice for polos, shirts and chef coats because it withstands repeated laundering and reads as more formal. Printing (screen or heat transfer) suits large-area artwork, fine gradients or lightweight fabrics where stitching would be heavy. Many customers use embroidery on the chest and printing for back panels or slogans, and we will advise which method suits each position.
Can uniforms be colour-coded by department or role?
Yes. Colour coding is commonly done with different body colours, contrast collars or piping, sleeve tape, or a coloured department label at the chest or hem. Each colour variant is treated as a separate fabric lot, so let us know the department split when you request a quote and we will confirm minimums per variant.
Which fabrics do you keep in stock and which do you source to order?
We regularly run polycotton twill, cotton drill, pique, oxford, poplin, polyester-spandex, gabardine and fleece or softshell, and standard colours in these are usually available quickly. Special colours, weights or finishes are sourced to order from our mills, which adds fabric lead time that is confirmed in the quotation. Send us a swatch or a reference garment and we will tell you which route applies.
Can we send you an existing uniform to copy?
Yes. Send a reference garment and we will take the pattern and measurements from it, match the fabric as closely as possible, and make a counter sample for your approval. Where the original fabric is not available we will propose the nearest option and show you both swatches. This is one of the most common ways our customers move a uniform programme to us.
Can we re-order small top-up quantities for new staff?
Yes. Repeat orders are made against your sealed sample and the approved lab dips, so new garments match the original run. Top-up orders are subject to minimums quoted per project, and reserving fabric from the first run can make small repeats easier, so mention expected staff turnover when you place the initial order.
Can you pack uniforms per employee by name and size?
Yes. We can bag each employee's garments together, label the pack with name, department and size, and carton them by site or branch so your team can hand them out without re-sorting. We need the distribution list before packing starts, and any extra packaging cost is confirmed in the quotation.
How do you check quality during production?
Fabric is inspected on arrival for shade and defects, then a pilot run from bulk is measured and compared with the sealed sample before cutting continues. During sewing, inline checks cover seams, logo placement and measurements, and a final inspection is carried out on finished garments before packing. You are welcome to appoint a third-party inspection company, and we will arrange access.
Can we get a size set for a fit trial before bulk?
Yes. After the sample style is approved we can make a graded size set so staff of different builds can try them on before you finalise the size breakdown. The size set is charged per garment and quoted per project, and any measurement adjustments you request are applied to the pattern before bulk cutting.
Do you work with uniform distributors and brands?
Yes. A large part of our production is for uniform distributors and workwear brands who resell under their own labels. We can hold approved samples and lab dips on file, run repeat programmes for their end customers and ship blind or with the distributor's own packaging and documentation.
What information should we send to get a quote?
Send the garment types, approximate quantity per style, preferred fabric or a reference garment, logo artwork with placement, and the destination country. If you have a size breakdown, a target price or a required delivery date, include those too. With this we can return a quotation covering price, MOQ, sample terms and lead time.
Do you ship worldwide, and which Incoterms do you use?
Yes. We ship to customers worldwide by sea, air or courier depending on the quantity and urgency. The shipping terms (for example EXW, FOB or CIF) and any freight estimate are agreed with you and confirmed in the quotation, and we can work with your own forwarder if you prefer.
Request for quotation
Need oem / odm uniform manufacturing for your project?
Send your product requirements and we will come back with a plan for this step and a quotation for the whole order.
What to sendRFQ
- 01Logo file (AI / PDF / PNG)
- 02Styles and colours
- 03Quantity per style
- 04Size range or headcount
- 05Deadline and destination
Minimum order typically starts at 100 pcs per style; exact MOQ is quoted per project.