Ask three factories, "How much to make a hoodie?" and you will get back three numbers that cannot honestly be compared. One includes the fabric, one does not. One counts labels and packing, one quietly leaves them out. None of them is lying, exactly — each factory has simply guessed at a different garment. The problem is not the factories. It is the question.
That is why we built our new Apparel RFQ Guide & Quote Request Builder. It walks you through writing a request for quotation that suppliers can actually price, and it builds the draft with you, right in your browser, so the finished request is ready to copy, download, and send yourself.
What an RFQ actually is
An RFQ — a request for quotation — asks a supplier to price a defined product under stated quantities, responsibilities, timing, and commercial terms. In apparel, that might be full production of a style, cut-make-trim sewing only, fabric, trims, or development work. What makes it useful is the definition. Instead of asking for "a T-shirt price," you describe the garment, the quantities per style, color, and size, who supplies what, and when you need it. A supplier reading a clear RFQ can tell what it is pricing — and just as important, can tell you what is still unresolved.
Match the request to where you honestly are. If all you have is a concept, ask about capability, development support, and a preliminary estimate, and label your assumptions as assumptions. A factory can answer a rough question roughly; trouble starts when a rough answer gets treated like a firm price.
What a complete request asks the supplier to confirm
The guide's draft asks suppliers to respond to the same set of points every time, so replies arrive in a shape you can line up side by side: the unit price with its currency and quantity basis; exactly which materials, trims, labels, packing, and services are included or excluded; minimums by style, color, or size; sampling and setup charges, and whether any are credited later; lead times and what has to happen before the clock starts; the delivery basis; payment terms; how long the quote stays valid and what could change it; and any substitutions or subcontracting the supplier proposes. You will also want the supplier's legal identity, production location, and one named contact for questions.
