Finding a custom uniform manufacturer for a startup is all about finding the perfect fit. If it's not the right fit, then it won't work in the long run. And, I never recommend that a brand work with the first uniform manufacturer they talk to. Finding your supply chain partner is more of a numbers game, and the truth is, you definitely always want to have a backup or a plan B.

But if you want to try to solve your supply chain problems on your own without my guidance, this article will teach you how to stop searching for terms like uniform manufacturer near me and start looking for the best uniform manufacturers around.

What this article will cover.

● Where to find startup-friendly uniform manufacturers

● How to know if an uniform manufacturer is a good fit for you and your brand

The Goldilocks Method

Remember Goldilocks and the Three Bears? The childhood story about a young home invader making herself comfortable in a bear family's house? She ate their porridge (one too hot, one too cold, one just right), sat in their chairs (one too big, another too small, the last just right), and slept in their beds (one too hard, one too soft, one just right).

When you start building your supply chain and approaching custom clothing makers for startups, you want to be Goldilocks, meaning, be picky and make sure they are just right for your brand. Remember what works for another brand may not work for you.

Law Enforcement Spring Jacket

Where to find uniform manufacturers for startups

Let's start by talking about how to find a manufacturer. Because, before you can decide if an uniform manufacturer is right for you, you need to know how to find them. I see a lot of young brands struggling with this. And, when they finally find someone they can work with, they jump right in without having to ask themselves - is this the right fit for my brand?

So, in order to be able to be picky and not just settle for any uniform manufacturer that agrees to work with you, you need a decent list of potential clients.

Here's how to find uniform manufacturing companies.

Network

Attend events and make some friends with other startup brands. This approach takes time. Because, not only will well-known brands open their doors to you and hand over all the hard work they've done to build their supply chain.

The key here is sharing. Make the information you have available to others. And, when you do, they will be more likely to open up and share with you the uniform manufacturers they are working with.

The other day I received an email from a brand asking for my list of ethical supply chains. I let them know that the list was for my students and clients only, and not free.

Then they went crazy.

They told me that I was a "gatekeeper" and that keeping my resources secret was bad for the factory because I was refusing to let them work when they desperately needed it to survive.

What happened?

By the way, this is not true at all. First of all, my factories all have enough workload at the moment. At this point, we are very aggressive in refusing projects.

Here's the lesson. There is no qualification. No one owes you anything. And, please don't assume that the factory is in desperate need of your order (I assure you, the good ones definitely are not).

Now, on the other hand, if you talk to brands I've worked with in the past, or friends I've made in this industry - I'm an open book. Need a printing press in Jaipur, here are 3 to contact. Looking for a garment factory in Los Angeles, I found you, contact my girl here.

For my friends, I will help them in any way I can. And, they do the same thing for me. When I need something, they provide their tried and true partners immediately.

We have an unspoken agreement to help each other in any way we can. If they need help, my garment makers are available.

When you think of networking, think of it as a giving and receiving. When you give more than you take, you will always get what you need. And, if you take away only one thing from this article, so be it.

Forum

There are many other useful groups ...... (I've found a lot of cool and helpful people in these groups) And, it's another great place to ask questions and share resources.

Google

Google is the Wild West of custom clothing manufacturers for startups. 

So remember to do your due diligence to find the perfect custom uniform manufacturer, not just Google, ask the right questions, and make sure they are the right partner for your needs.

Trade Shows and Online Databases

Personally, I recommend using trade shows or online databases rather than Google when searching for custom uniform manufacturers. This is because suppliers who attend these shows are almost always more scrutinized. That's because most shows won't let anyone in - they only accept suppliers with good reputations. 

Many startups think that trade shows are only for big brands. This is false, as all of the shows listed below have special areas to highlight supply chain partners who are happy to help small start-up brands.

Sourcing Magic - uniform Manufacturing Trade Show

"Bringing the fashion industry closer together in an online B2B marketplace for continued business growth"

Sourcing At Magic is probably the largest sourcing trade show of its kind. Twice a year, the largest design teams and buyers make the long trip to Las Vegas to close business and meet with uniform factories from around the world.

Common Objective

I love the resources Common Objective provides for small startups and brands focused on sustainable and ethical manufacturing. They are a powerful force dedicated to teaching fashion newbies information and free resources. So, take advantage of them.

Trust me, they have been a huge help in finding uniform makers for startups.

"Common Purpose (CO) is the global technology solution for sustainable fashion business. Our technology simplifies and rewards best practices, transforming sustainability from a cost to an opportunity."