Ordering custom team uniforms wholesale from a factory is different from buying retail. You are buying in bulk, commissioning designs and trusting a production partner. Here are the ten things to confirm before you place an order — the same questions our B2B buyers ask us at ZHONGKANG.
1. MOQ — can you start small?
Minimum order quantities vary widely between factories. At ZHONGKANG the MOQ starts at 10 pcs, so clubs, academies and retailers can test a style before committing to a large run. The MOQ applies per design.
2. Sampling — what does it cost and how long?
A digital sample is the fastest way to validate artwork, colors and layout. Digital samples are free and usually ready within 3–5 days; a physical sample takes about 7 days to make. A physical sample costs US$15–50 per style plus shipping paid by the buyer, and the sample fee is not deducted from your bulk order. Always approve a sample before production starts.
3. Lead time — plan around your season
Bulk production time depends on quantity and finishing. Tell your factory the exact ship date you need; for US school programs we commonly plan 3–4 months end-to-end to match budget cycles. Ask for a written lead-time table with your quote.
4. Fabric and finish — know your options
Most custom kits are made with moisture-wicking polyester and full-sublimation printing — the inks are printed through the fabric, so graphics resist peeling and cracking with normal care (machine wash cold, no bleach). For raised lettering, ask about tackle twill. Match the fabric weight to the sport — hockey jerseys need heavier knit, soccer jerseys need featherlight mesh.
5. Sizing — full range or team sets?
Confirm the size range up front. Each style has its own size chart, so ask for the chart of the style you are considering; many school orders need several sizes in one run. Request a size chart with your quote.
6. Customization — logos, names, numbers
Full sublimation lets you print team crests, sponsor logos, names and numbers in colors matched to your approved sample — no minimum for print areas. Send vector artwork (AI/PDF/SVG) for the sharpest result.
7. Quality control — how is the factory checking?
Ask how the factory manages color consistency between runs. We keep batch samples of every production run, do first-piece approval and ship a QC report with each order, so reorders match the original batch colors.
8. Payment terms
Typical factory terms: T/T with a 30% deposit and balance before shipment for bulk; PayPal for samples and small orders; L/C for large orders. Confirm the payment structure in writing before production.
9. Shipping and duties — know your landed cost
Compare EXW, FOB and DDP. For Australia, roughly 96% of garment imports are duty-free under ChAFTA; the EU applies MFN duty around 12% plus local VAT; US buyers should factor current China tariffs into landed cost. A good factory quotes DDP so you see the true final price.
10. Certifications — for EU compliance especially
If you sell into the EU, confirm the factory holds product compliance documents. CE marking is compulsory only for products covered by specific EU harmonisation legislation, and it is forbidden to affix CE marking to other products — so a CE certificate is not what to ask a garment factory for. ZHONGKANG's production is third-party tested to REACH (EC 1907/2006) and the factory is audited on site by TÜV Rheinland; documents are available on request.
Ready to get a quote? Tell us your sport, quantity, sizes and target date — request a quote here and a human replies within 24 hours. Prefer browsing first? See our custom soccer jerseys, basketball uniforms, American football uniforms, hockey jerseys and baseball uniforms pages.