Clothing manufacturing is not for the faint-hearted. Working with the wrong manufacturer can end your business, especially if you are a new brand.
You can take steps to find the right factory. To learn more, check out our free guide, "HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT APPAREL MANUFACTURER FOR YOUR FASHION BRAND.
However, some signs will only be noticed once you work with the factory.
This is why you want to test a factory on a small scale before committing to big production.
So what are the symptoms that should make you run away from a factory?
Well, there are the obvious signs, such as poor quality, but then there are the signs that you either don't know to look for or the ones that you notice but disregard, thinking they are minor... until they become a big problem.
Avoiding these kinds of costly production errors is exactly why our fashion production consulting program, Production Made Easy, was created to guide emerging designers through the process.
Here are 3 signs you want to pay attention to:
1. Bad communication -
Communication is what builds or kills a relationship. It's how trust between 2 parties is established, and you want to do business with someone you trust.
Effective communication is crucial. Suppose you experience frequent delays in responses, difficulty getting clear and timely updates on your orders, or continuously not addressing your questions and concerns. In that case, it will lead to frustrations and loss of trust on your end, but more so, it's a sign that your project is not being taken seriously, and regardless of how good the quality is or how low the prices are, and especially if you try and don't see an improvement it's time to look for a new factory!
2. Constant delays
Production delays can be detrimental to your business, especially if you have set deadlines to fulfill customer orders or launch a new collection. If the factory consistently fails to meet agreed-upon production timelines without valid reasons, it indicates a lack of organization and professionalism.
It's time to move on!
3. Lack of responsibility
The production process is complex and involves a lot of human actions; therefore, there are many reasons for mistakes.
Human error is part of life, and mistakes will happen regardless of how much we try to prevent them. But, How your manufacturer deals with the problem when it occurs tells a lot about them.
If they cast blame and refuse to repair (at cost or no cost, depending on the origin of the problem), and it's always you who pays for the mistakes, they are not the partners you want.
4. Ethical concerns
If you discover unethical practices, such as labor exploitation, unsafe working conditions, or environmental violations, or if you see a rapid turnover of workers, that usually means they take shortcuts and don't respect their workers, and you must reconsider your partnership.
5. Disorganization
If the factory keeps misplacing or losing materials, doesn't know if a package or a delivery was received, or forget details and critical notes on your orders (even though you made sure to mention it more than once), that means they lack internal organization, and even if they take responsibility and able to recover from these mishaps, they are most likely not a factory that is reliable to trust as your business grows.
Working with the wrong manufacturer can be hard to spot. This is why it requires you to pay attention to details and the signs along the way. Many of the above issues are ones that small brands will turn a blind eye to cause the quality or the price are good, or they just don't have it in them to look for a new factory, but eventually, these "manageable" issues can turn into a financial disaster.
If you want a complete production blueprint and ongoing expert support while navigating manufacturing, see how Production Made Easy can help.
Want to avoid bad factories? Need help navigating the development and production process or want a complete production blueprint and ongoing expert support while navigating manufacturing, see how Production Made Easy can help.
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Apparel Development & Manufacturing Coaching
Turn your fashion ideas into real products — without the guesswork.
Whether you’re launching your first collection or refining your process, Production Made Easy gives you the expertise, structure, and support you need by your side to confidently produce high-quality garments and accessories.
Stop feeling overwhelmed. Start producing with clarity.
Why This Program Works for Emerging Fashion Designers
Production can be confusing, frustrating, and can get very expensive when you’re doing it alone for the first time. With over 25+ years of hands-on production experience, I will guide you step-by-step through every stage of apparel development, supplier selection, production planning, and quality control — so you avoid costly mistakes and delays.
This isn’t just advice, it’s a guided blueprint tailored to your brand.
Production Made Easy is a monthly coaching program with one-on-one private sessions with Boaz David enhanced with email access between sessions to ensure you always have the support you need to produce your products to your standards.
You don’t need prior industry knowledge. This program is designed to support you at every level — from brand-new founders to designers with some experience.
You’ve got the creativity, let’s turn it into a tangible product.