Are you launching a clothing line but finding it hard to meet those sky-high minimum order requirements? Many entrepreneurs face this challenge. The good news is that several cut and sew manufacturers now support smaller brands and startups, even though many still require large production runs.
The US cut and sew manufacturing sector continues to grow steadily. Market projections show it reaching $5.6 billion by 2025. Currently, 1,426 businesses operate in this space, and many have started to offer flexible batch sizes. This approach lets brands experiment with new designs without huge inventory investments.
You can create unique, high-quality garments while keeping your startup costs reasonable. We’ve found 12 dependable custom clothing manufacturers in the world. They support emerging brands and accept smaller orders. These partners understand your business’s needs perfectly.
Table of Contents
List Of 12 Cut and Sew Manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Location | Specialization | Minimum Order Quantity | Production Timeline | Key Features | Materials/Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appareify | China | Small Batch Production | Flexible, lower than industry standard | 7-20 days (3 days rush) | The core team of 20 in R&D, 10+ patternmakers | Custom fabric, eco-friendly options, printing, embroidery |
| Leeline Sports | China | Custom Apparel | Flexible to support startups | 7-20 days (3 days rush) | The core team includes 20+ R&D specialists, prototype development | Organic cotton, hemp,wool, linen, technical fabrics |
| LA Fashion Source | USA (Los Angeles) | Startup Manufacturing | Varies by product | Not mentioned | Global sourcing network, retail packaging | Cotton, silk, ITY, denim, chambray, crepe, chiffon |
| Mona Lisa Manufacturing | USA | Women’s Fashion | 1 piece (prototypes) to 10,000+ | 4-6 weeks (production) | Unmatched experience of 41 years, CMT services | Knitwear, activewear, medical garments |
| Made Apparel Services | USA (Seattle) | Specialty Materials | Sample batches accessible | Not mentioned | Advanced equipment for tough materials | Leather, canvas, vinyl, technical textiles |
| Stylus Apparel | USA (New Jersey) | Trendy Designs | 24 pieces per design, 12 per size | 2-6 weeks | Complete in-house facility, custom printing | Sublimation printing, specialty inks, embroidery |
| TEG International | USA (Los Angeles) | Luxury Production | No minimum (custom), 50+ (factory) | Not mentioned | Dedicated project teams, premium quality | Full range of luxury materials |
| SL Sportswear | Not mentioned | Athletic Wear | 150 pieces per design | Not mentioned | Complete quality control, technical expertise | Performance fabrics, compression materials |
| Apparel Kingdom | Not mentioned | Children’s Clothing | 30 pieces per design | 4 weeks (2 weeks samples) | CPSIA compliant, 50+ quality checks | Kid-safe materials, specialty finishes |
| Sewport | Online Platform | Manufacturing Marketplace | Varies by manufacturer | Varies by manufacturer | Secure payments, tech pack tools | Depends on connected manufacturer |
| Good Clothing Company | USA | Sustainable Manufacturing | Small batch friendly | Not mentioned | Eco-friendly practices, domestic production | GOTS-certified organic, recycled fibers |
| Indie Source | USA (Los Angeles) | Full-Service Development | 200 units per style | 3-6 weeks | Brand building services, expandable to 200k units | All knit and woven categories |
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1. Appareify: Best Overall for Small Batch Production
Appareify stands out as one of the China-based cut and sew manufacturers that provides outstanding support for emerging apparel brands. Small businesses trying out new designs or launching collections will find this support very valuable.
Appareify Services and Specialties
Appareify has complete clothing manufacturing capabilities backed by substantial R&D resources. Their team has over 10 experienced patternmakers and a 20-person R&D center that creates over 100 styles monthly. They provide these services beyond standard production:
- Custom fabric selection with eco-friendly options
- Pattern creation and sample development
- Printing, embroidery, and specialty add-ons
- Custom labeling and packaging solutions
Their mature production processes and extensive sourcing network help handle complex custom requirements. Brands looking for environmentally responsible manufacturing options can use Appareify’s organic, biodegradable, and recycled fabrics.
Minimum Order Requirements
Appareify’s main business approach focuses on making their services available to businesses of all sizes. Their low MOQ policy reduces inventory pressure and startup costs by a lot compared to competitors.
Pricing Structure and Cost Considerations
Appareify keeps competitive pricing through optimized production processes and mutually beneficial alliances with suppliers. They offer discounts for bulk orders. Their budget-friendly prices help startups and small businesses. Material selection, design complexity, and pattern intricacy affect the final costs.
2. Leelinesports: Customization Experts with Flexible MOQs
Leelinesports also one of the best cut and sew manufacturers and best chinese t-shirt manufacturers, celebrated for its expertise in high-performance sportswear and partnerships with world-renowned brands. Leelinesports is great for startups, boutique labels, and big companies. It offers innovative, high-quality apparel that appeals to activewear fans everywhere.
Leelinesports Services and Specialties
Leelinesports offers comprehensive sportswear manufacturing, blending advanced technology with design versatility. Their services include:
- Sourcing high-performance fabrics includes breathable, stretchable, and eco-friendly options. Examples are recycled nylon and bamboo blends.
- Precision pattern-making with digital fit simulations for optimal comfort and functionality
- Cutting-edge embellishments, including heat-transfer logos, reflective prints, and seamless bonding for sleek aesthetics
- Full branding packages with custom tags, sustainable packaging, and retail-ready presentation
Leelinesports operates a 35,000-square-meter facility in Shenzhen, producing over 300,000 units monthly. They can produce sportswear of all types including compression wear, performance tops, technical bottoms, and specialized training apparel. They have worked with big brands like Adidas, Lululemon, The North Face, ralph lauren and Nike. This has sharpened their skill to meet strict global standards.
Minimum Order Requirements
Leelinesports supports brands of all sizes with an ultra-low MOQ, starting at 30+ pieces per style for standard designs. This flexibility enables small businesses to launch collections without financial strain, while larger brands benefit from scalable production. Complex designs, like multi-panel performance wear, may need higher MOQs. However, they still stay below industry norms.
Production Timeline and Quality Control
Leelinesports completes standard orders in 12-28 working days, with expedited production as fast as 6-8 days for priority projects. Their robust quality control process includes:
- Pre-production alignment via virtual prototyping to confirm design intent
- In-line inspections during cutting, sewing, and finishing to maintain precision
- Post-production testing for durability, colorfastness, and fit consistency
- Final packaging checks to ensure brand-ready delivery
Leelinesports is certified to ISO14001 standards. They boast a 99% defect-free rate, showing their expertise with top clients.
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3. LA Fashion Source: Top USA Sewing Factory for Startups
LA Fashion Source is a key resource for apparel startups. It offers domestic manufacturing solutions in California’s fashion district. This 12-year old cut and sew manufacturers provides detailed production services that help emerging brands succeed.
Specialties and Product Range
LA Fashion Source creates apparel of all types including athleisure, women’s dresses, denim, and other soft goods. They work with many materials like cotton, silk, ITY, denim, chambray, crepe, chiffon, ponte, and many more specialty fabrics.
They offer more than just garment production with these detailed services:
- Pattern making and sample development
- Fabric and trim sourcing from global suppliers
- Garment finishing including trimming, folding, and packaging
- Custom labeling and retail-ready presentation
Their skill set covers products of all types from t-shirts and hoodies to women’s tops, denim pieces, and activewear.
Working with LA Fashion Source
Clients of LA Fashion Source benefit from solid ties with vendors and contractors. These partners always provide quality products and craftsmanship. So brands don’t need to juggle multiple supplier relationships.
The team takes care of presenting final products professionally. They handle everything from trimming and folding to labeling, bagging, and packaging—your orders will arrive retail-ready. Their global network helps source materials from China, India, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Pricing and MOQ Details
LA Fashion Source specializes in high-volume quantities at budget-friendly prices. Minimum order requirements change based on product complexity. They work with both smaller quantities for startups and bigger production runs for established brands.
Their pricing highlights the perks of American manufacturing. You get faster turnaround times, lower shipping costs, and easier communication.
4. Mona Lisa Manufacturing: Women’s Fashion with Low Minimums
Mona Lisa Manufacturing is one of the 41-year-old cut and sew manufacturers in the U.S. apparel industry. They specialize in women’s fashion. This USA-based manufacturer helps emerging designers and established brands with smaller production runs.
Specialization in Women’s Apparel
Mona Lisa Manufacturing creates only women’s clothing and shows exceptional expertise in a variety of product categories. Their detailed portfolio covers:
- Contemporary knitwear and t-shirts
- Tank tops and layettes
- Dresses and activewear
- Medical garments and maternity clothes
- Accessories including blankets, bibs, and scarves
This focused specialization helps them deliver superior craftsmanship in women’s apparel. Their quality manufacturing makes them valuable, especially when you have brands targeting female demographics. They’ve honed their women’s wear production for forty years. They focus their resources in this one area instead of spreading them thin across several markets.
Production Capacity and Timelines
Their efficient process completes sample orders within 1-2 weeks after receiving materials. Production orders take 4-6 weeks depending on quantity and complexity. They suggest scheduling production early to ensure the quickest turnaround.
5. Made Apparel Services: Specialty Materials with Accessible MOQs
Made Apparel Services, one of the Seattle-based specialty cut and sew manufacturers, takes on challenging materials that other companies avoid. This 11-year-old manufacturer built its reputation on skillful work with tough fabrics. They keep their minimum order quantities available to clients.
Expertise in Leather and Canvas Production
Made Apparel Services excels at handling tough specialty materials like leather, canvas, and vinyl. Their systematic approach helps brands turn design concepts into real products without technical hurdles. They create durable goods that require specialized construction techniques, going well beyond standard fabrics.
Their material consultation services are a great way to get insights for first-time designers. You’ll learn about sourcing options and construction requirements for specialty textiles.
Minimum Order Requirements
As a CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) manufacturer, Made Apparel Services keeps their minimum order quantities flexible. This helps smaller brands grow. After the original pattern and sample approval, they let you order sample batches for photoshoots and market testing. You can gage market response before jumping into larger production runs.
Quality Assurance Processes
Quality control stays at the heart of their development process. They check everything at each production stage.
Made Apparel Services maintains consistent sizing, color matching, and construction quality even in smaller batches. Their systematic quality management will give retail-ready excellence whatever your order size. This makes them perfect for brands using specialty materials with available MOQs.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to start a golf clothing brand and are still worried about finding a high-quality golf apparel manufacturer, you can communicate your ideas with us now.
6. Stylus Apparel: Trendy Designs with Small Batch Options
Stylus Apparel, one of teh leading cut and sew manufacturers, has created trendy custom garments from their New Jersey location since 2003. Their proximity to New York City makes them a perfect choice for clothing startups that want fashionable designs in small batches.
Fashion-Forward Manufacturing Capabilities
Stylus Apparel produces high-quality trendy apparel with a strong emphasis on contemporary styles. They offer custom cut and sew, all-over sublimation printing, screen printing, and embroidery in one place. This integrated approach lets them execute complex designs that set them apart from competitors.
Design Support Services
Stylus provides complete apparel development for new clothing lines that includes pattern creation and grading. They don’t create artwork but convert existing designs into production-ready formats. New designers find this helpful while they build their technical expertise.
Their modern equipment helps brands experiment with different styles and details. This setup works great for streetwear and casual brands looking to stand out.
MOQ Flexibility for New Brands
New brands testing the market will find Stylus Apparel’s minimum order quantities start at 24 pieces per design and 12 pieces per size. Brands can get quantity discounts as their orders grow, making it easier to scale production with increasing sales.
7. TEG International: Luxury Production for Emerging Brands
TEG International, one of the premier cut and sew manufacturers based in Los Angeles, has won awards for its luxury apparel production. The company serves both new designers and 20-year-old brands. TEG has become the gold standard in high-end clothing development and production.
High-End Manufacturing Capabilities
TEG brings expert craftsmanship to a detailed range of clothing types, built on two decades of business experience. Their top-to-bottom integrated approach offers two main production paths:
- Studio Level Production: Handles intricate designs requiring specialized attention
- Factory Level Production: Manages larger runs while maintaining quality standards
TEG’s services cover creative planning, design, sourcing, pattern development, and production with meticulous attention to detail. New luxury designers value how TEG guides complex projects while delivering premium quality.
Minimum Order Requirements for Luxury Items
TEG sets itself apart from other cut and sew manufacturers by not requiring minimum order quantities (MOQs) for custom clothing. This approach helps new designers pursue their creative vision without large upfront investments.
Brands needing higher production volumes can use factory-level manufacturing. Orders start at 50 pieces per style and can scale up to 100-300 or 300+ pieces.
Cost Considerations for Small Luxury Brands
Luxury production often comes at premium prices, but TEG provides clear pricing and works with clients to find affordable options without sacrificing quality. The company delivers efficient production timelines and keeps communication clear to meet schedules.
8. SL Sportswear: Athletic Wear with Startup-Friendly Minimums
SL Sportswear has become one of the trusted cut and sew manufacturers that offers startup-friendly minimums for sports clothing brands. Their focus on activewear production makes them a great choice for fitness and sports apparel entrepreneurs who want to create technical performance garments without large original orders.
Technical Fabric Handling
SL Sportswear stands out because they know how to work with technical athletic fabrics. They excel at handling:
- Lycra Sport fabric technology for optimal stretch and recovery
- Moisture-wicking materials that boost breathability
- Micro-perforated fabrics for ventilation in high-heat zones
The company understands thermophysiological comfort requirements that are crucial for next-to-skin sportswear. Rapid heat transfer and moisture management play vital roles. This technical expertise helps them produce garments with UPF 50+ protection that keeps performance benefits after many washes.
Low MOQ Options for Athletic Collections
New athletic wear entrepreneurs value SL Sportswear’s available minimum order quantities. Many performance wear manufacturers need thousands of units, but SL accommodates small batch production starting at 150 pieces per custom design. This lets fitness apparel startups test markets without large inventory commitments.
Expert Insight: The company performs 100% quality control checking before shipment to ensure durability during athletic use. Their detailed testing looks at both fabric performance and construction integrity—crucial elements for garments used in high-intensity physical activities.
Zhang (Jessica) Liuming, Marketing Director
9. Apparel Kingdom: Children’s Clothing with Flexible Batch Sizes
Apparel Kingdom specializes in children’s clothing production as one of the best cut and sew manufacturers that caters to kids’ apparel brands. Their family-centered manufacturing approach makes them a perfect fit for brands that need child-safe, compliant production with manageable batch sizes.
Safety Standards and Compliance
Safety is the life-blood of Apparel Kingdom’s manufacturing philosophy. The company follows Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) regulations strictly for all children’s products sold in the United States. Each garment goes through:
- Testing for compliance with mandatory standards by CPSC-accepted laboratories
- Verification that proves freedom from harmful chemicals including lead, cadmium, and formaldehyde
- Removal of mechanical hazards such as drawstrings and small parts
- Over 50 quality checks for strength, durability, and performance
Apparel Kingdom passes all garments through Needle Detector Machines to ensure complete safety. Their labels include care instructions and country of origin information to maintain full regulatory compliance.
Minimum Order Options
New entrepreneurs love Apparel Kingdom’s flexible approach to order quantities. The company accepts small batch sizes starting at just 30 pieces per design. This makes them perfect for testing new product lines. Most manufacturers require hundreds of units, but their low MOQ policy helps startups with limited capital while maintaining quality standards.
10. Sewport: Online Platform Connecting to Low MOQ Manufacturers
Sewport’s online platform connects clothing entrepreneurs directly with cut and sew manufacturers, unlike old-school factory sourcing methods. This FashionTech tool helps apparel startups turn ideas into finished products. It simplifies processes, so they don’t need industry connections.
Manufacturer Vetting Process
Manufacturers must fill out detailed profiles about their capabilities, services, minimum order quantities, and past work examples to join Sewport. This verification helps brands connect with real production partners instead of middlemen or brokers.
Range of MOQ Options Available
Sewport shines with its network of specialist low MOQ suppliers. Brands can filter by minimum order requirements to find manufacturers who work with smaller batches. Small fashion businesses can find partners who specifically handle limited production needs without getting stuck with too much inventory.
Pricing and Service Fees
The platform uses a secure escrow payment system that protects everyone involved. Brands and manufacturers can negotiate payment terms with different percentages released before and after production. This setup gives brands flexibility while making sure manufacturers get paid.
Pro Tip: Joining the platform costs nothing, and its real value comes from its quick connection process and secure transaction system. Sewport cuts production costs by linking brands with manufacturers.
11. Good Clothing Company: Sustainable Manufacturing with Low Minimums
Good Clothing Company, based in the US, is one of the forward-thinking cut and sew manufacturers that welcomes smaller production runs. The company puts eco-friendly and ethical practices at the heart of everything they do.
Organic and Eco-Friendly Material Options
The company gives brands plenty of eco-conscious fabric choices to help reduce their environmental footprint. Their materials include:
- GOTS-certified organic cotton grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals
- Recycled fibers that give new life to existing materials
- Eco-friendly certified materials with BLUESIGN and OEKO-TEX certifications
These eco-friendly materials take more work to maintain than regular options. Yet they’re better for the environment because they use fewer chemicals and less water.
Minimum Order Requirements
Good Clothing Company keeps their minimum orders low to help new designers and small brands. Small batch production lets fashion entrepreneurs test how well their products sell before they buy too much inventory.
Pricing for Eco-Friendly Small Batch Production
Quality materials and fair labor practices make eco-friendly manufacturing cost more, and Good Clothing Company’s prices reflect these ethical choices. The company keeps their prices available to smaller brands while staying true to their environmental goals.
12. Indie Source: Full-Service Development for Small Brands
Indie Source started in 2015 as a detailed apparel production company with an innovative direct-to-consumer model. This Los Angeles-based cut and sew manufacturer grew from a startup to a company with $5 million in estimated revenue by 2020. Their model became a soaring win for small fashion brands.
Design and Development Services
The company gives fashion designers a customized development team that includes dedicated project managers and industry-leading specialists. The development process begins with a kickoff meeting. In this meeting, we talk about design ideas, tech packs, and timeline expectations. This shared approach helps spot production challenges early and sets clear objectives.
The company also builds brands beyond manufacturing with services like:
- Fashion-specific website development
- Lookbook and catalog creation
- Marketing services that stimulate brand growth
This support system is valuable especially when you have first-time fashion entrepreneurs who lack industry connections.
MOQ Flexibility and Scaling Options
The company takes smaller production runs starting at 200 units per style. This makes them available to emerging brands that test new designs. They can scale production up to 200,000 units as brands grow, which creates eco-friendly manufacturing partnerships as business expands.
Cost Structure and Timeline Expectations
The team delivers costing estimates in 24-72 hours and completes production in 3-6 weeks based on fabric availability. Their American manufacturing approach gives speed-to-market advantages that overseas manufacturers can’t match.
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Your clothing brand’s success depends on picking the right manufacturing partner. Each manufacturer brings something different to the table. Leelinesports does great work with small batches. TEG International creates luxury items.
These cut and sew manufacturers know what startups need and keep their MOQ available between 12 to 200 pieces per style. You can choose between local and overseas manufacturers. Local partners deliver faster and communication is easier. Overseas manufacturers usually cost less. Your choice will depend on what matters most – speed, cost, or sustainability goals.
We’re here to help with your custom t-shirts needs, custom hawaiian shirt or other sportswear. Get in touch with us at leelinesports.com or [email protected] for more details.
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FAQs
1. What services do cut and sew manufacturers provide?
They provide pattern design, fabric sourcing, cutting, sewing, printing, embroidery, labeling, and packaging. They often customize these services for specific brand needs.
2. Can cut and sew manufacturers handle small batch orders?
Many cut and sew manufacturers have low minimum order quantities (MOQs). You can find MOQs starting at just 50-100 pieces. This is great for startups and small businesses.
3. How long does production take with a cut and sew manufacturer?
Standard timelines range from 10-30 days, depending on order size and complexity, with rush options as fast as 5-7 days.