Custom knitwear manufacturing is what we do — no stock program, no ready-made collection, no white-label catalogue. Every one of the 110+ styles we ship each year begins with a brand's tech pack or reference brief. We handle the full customisation scope: fibre selection, yarn count, knit gauge, stitch pattern, colour palette, trim, label, hangtag, polybag, and size system. From 50 pieces per style, seven days from your brief to your first sample. This page covers the OEM vs ODM choice, the full customisation scope, and the process from tech pack to FOB shipment.
OEM vs ODM — which model is right for you
Both OEM and ODM are "custom" — the difference is where the design originates. Most brands start with one and graduate to the other as they scale:
OEM — Original Equipment Manufacturing
You provide the full tech pack, measurements, yarn spec, and design. We produce exactly to your brief.
- You own all IP and pattern
- Full control over every spec detail
- Longer brief process (more back-and-forth)
- Best for: established brands, designers with tech pack experience
ODM — Original Design Manufacturing
We start from our existing pattern library (110+ styles annually). You customise yarn, colour, label, trim, and fit adjustments.
- Faster to first sample (skips pattern development)
- Lower development cost
- You brand + customise a proven silhouette
- Best for: first-time brand, startup, Amazon test launch
Our OEM vs ODM knitwear guide covers the trade-offs in detail — including how our ODM library overlap with Amazon bestseller categories for brands wanting to launch fast.
Full customisation scope — what you can specify
Every spec below is customisable per order. Most orders modify 6–8 of these; the rest default to our recommended standard:
Yarn selection is the most consequential choice — it drives ~60% of your ex-factory cost. Our cotton vs merino vs cashmere guide walks through the retail-price-to-yarn alignment.
Tech pack — what we need from you
A proper knitwear tech pack contains 12 fields. Most brand buyers ship tech packs missing 3–5 of these, which causes sample revision rounds and delays. The ones we need before first sample:
- Design reference: Technical sketch or reference photo from 4 angles (front, back, sleeve detail, neckline detail)
- Measurement table: Body width, body length, shoulder width, sleeve length, cuff width, neckline opening — for each size in your range
- Yarn specification: Fibre blend (% each), yarn count in Nm, target weight per kilometre
- Gauge specification: Machine gauge (G number), stitches per inch, rows per inch
- Colour reference: Pantone TCX number(s), or physical yarn/fabric swatch
- Stitch pattern: Flat, ribbed (1×1 / 2×2), cable, jacquard, intarsia
- Construction method: Fully fashioned or cut-and-sew, linking type, seam finish
- Trim spec: Button/zip/drawcord brand, colour, size
- Label plan: Neck label, care label, hangtag, country of origin label
- Packaging: Polybag (size, thickness, sealing), carton dimensions, FNSKU/UPC
- QC standard: AQL level, inspection scope
- Care instructions: Washing, drying, ironing guidance
If you don't have all 12 — send what you have. We'll identify gaps and fill them with our recommended defaults. Our complete tech pack guide walks through each field with examples.
Our custom knitwear process — tech pack to FOB
You send us what you have. Within 24 hours we reply with: yarn recommendation, gauge spec, indicative ex-factory price, sampling fee, sample lead time. No cost, no obligation.
Flat sampling fee $80–$150 depending on yarn tier. First sample made on production machines (not a quickfix). Shipped via DHL / FedEx with photo documentation.
Usually 1–2 rounds of revisions (most go through 1). Pre-production sample produced once spec is locked — this is what we reference during bulk.
Bulk order runs on the same knitting, linking, and QC lines as our larger clients. Full AQL 2.5 inline and final inspection. Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, Intertek) available on request.
Packing list, commercial invoice, certificate of origin (Form A/E/general), shipping advice. FOB Shenzhen or Yantian. We coordinate with your freight forwarder or recommend one.
Why brands choose us for custom knitwear
Direct factory, not a trading company
Talk directly to our pattern team, QC lead, and production manager. No 20–30% trading company markup. See our real factory vs trading company guide.
50 pieces to 10,000 pieces
Same factory, same QC standards, scales up as your brand grows. Your 50-piece test order runs on the same machines as our 10,000-piece wholesale orders.
3G chunky to 14G fine gauge
40+ flat knitting machines covering the full gauge range. Handle cable knit, jacquard, intarsia, ribbed construction — all in-house.
Operational since 1996
Family-owned, 120+ workers, 800+ brand clients served, 30+ export countries. Registered Guangdong entity (Dongguan Tuosheng Apparel Co., Ltd.).
Inside our factory — final QC and packing
A walk through packing, steaming, and final QC — the last stop before your custom order ships:
Final QC + steam pressing + packing line — what happens before your custom order ships.
Start your custom knitwear brief — 24-hour reply
Send your tech pack (or a reference photo + spec list). We reply within 24 hours with yarn and gauge recommendation, indicative 50-piece quote, sampling fee, and expected first-sample delivery date.