Compression Apparel Supplier for Startups: Sourcing, Price Breaks & Reorder Planning

# Compression Apparel Supplier for Startups: Sourcing, Price Breaks & Reorder Planning You’ve got a compression apparel brand idea, maybe a few sketches, a Pantone color, and a burning question: *Can a factory even take my 100-piece order without charging me triple?* And if they do, will the sample take three months? That’s the operational headache that kills more startup apparel lines than bad design. As a 20+ year Zhejiang factory that runs its own floor (not a trading desk), we built our workflow to answer that exact headache. No MOQ, 3–7 day sampling, 4–6 week bulk production, and a pricing model that actually makes sense when you’re ordering 50 pieces today and 500 pieces next quarter. Here’s how it works. ## Sourcing workflow We treat every startup order like a production run, not a favor. Here’s the step-by-step process we use with brand founders, gym owners, and Amazon sellers who come to us for compression apparel. 1. **You send your design or reference.** It can be a tech pack, a photo of a competitor’s shirt, or just a description (“compression long sleeve, 180 GSM poly-spandex, raglan sleeves, thumb holes”). We don’t need a perfected pattern – our in-house team can draft from an image. We respond within 24 hours with a preliminary quote and fabric suggestions. 2. **Sample approval in 3–7 days.** Once you confirm the design, we cut a sample. For a compression shirt, that typically means a single piece in your size, with your logo (printed, embroidered, or heat-transfer) and a Pantone-matched color. We ship the sample within 3–7 days via express. If you need adjustments, we do up to two rounds of revisions at no extra sample cost – just the shipping. 3. **Bulk production after sample sign-off.** After you approve the sample, we place the order into production. Lead time is 4–6 weeks for orders up to 300 pieces (larger quantities add 1–2 weeks). During production, we send photos of the cutting, sewing, and finishing stages. Our QC team checks every garment for stitch tension, logo placement, and fabric consistency. 4. **FBA-ready labeling.** If you’re an Amazon seller, we pre-apply FBA labels, insert poly bags, and ship directly to Amazon warehouses. No extra warehouse handling on your end. That’s the entire sourcing workflow. No hidden steps, no “we’ll call you when it’s ready.” You get a timeline and a tracking number from day one. ## Price breaks Startups need to know the unit cost before they commit, and – more importantly – how that cost drops as volume grows. We price based on genuine factory cost, not a markup from a trading company. Here’s a realistic breakdown of price breaks for a typical compression shirt (polyester 85% / spandex 15%, 180–220 GSM, raglan sleeves, flatlock seams, printed logo on chest): | Order Quantity | Approximate Unit Price (USD) | Typical Lead Time | |----------------|------------------------------|-------------------| | 1–49 pieces | $18–$25 | 4–6 weeks | | 50–199 pieces | $12–$16 | 4–6 weeks | | 200–499 pieces | $9–$12 | 4–6 weeks | | 500+ pieces | $7–$9 | 5–7 weeks | *Note: Prices are estimates based on past orders. Your exact price depends on fabric weight, number of sizes, label complexity, and packaging. We provide a firm quote within 24 hours of receiving your design.* Why the drop? Because we’re the factory. At 50 pieces, we still cut the same pattern and set up the same sewing line as for 500 pieces – the setup cost is spread over fewer units. At 200 pieces, we can negotiate better raw-material prices with our yarn suppliers. At 500, we run a dedicated line, which cuts labor cost per piece. We also offer tiered pricing for Pantone matching (free for orders above 200 pieces) and for custom hang tags (free setup for orders above 300 pieces). For startups, the sweet spot is often 100–200 pieces for the first run. That gives you enough inventory to test a landing page, a gym pop-up, or an Amazon listing without drowning in unsold stock. And because we have no MOQ, you can start with 50 pieces if that’s all you need. ## Private label at supplier tier We are not a middleman. When you work with Alpinario, you’re working with the factory that owns the cutting machines, the sewing stations, and the QC lab. That means your private label is treated as a production line, not a side project. Here’s what we cover under private label: - **Custom labels:** We sew in your own neck label, size label, and care label. We also print or weave your logo on the front/back using your Pantone code. - **Wash care tags:** We produce tags with your brand name, fabric composition, and care instructions. No generic “made in China” tags unless you want them. - **Hang tags and packaging:** We can print your brand’s hang tags, attach them to the garment, and pack in poly bags with your logo. If you sell on Amazon, we apply FBA labels and prep for Amazon’s inbound requirements. - **Color matching:** We work with Pantone codes for almost any color. For compression apparel, we stock 30+ standard colors in polyester/nylon blends – if you need a custom match, we’ll dye a sample swatch before production. - **Fabric options:** Our primary fabric is polyester-spandex (180–220 GSM for compression), but we also run nylon-spandex for higher wicking and durability. We can do moisture-wicking, antibacterial, UV-protective finishes per your spec. The key advantage for startups: you don’t need to order 1,000 pieces to get private label. We do private label from 1 piece. Your first 50-piece order can carry your own label, your own tags, and your own packaging. That’s the difference between a factory that treats small orders as a “favor” and a factory that built its workflow around them. If you want to see examples of our private label work, check our [private label activewear page](/private-label-activewear) or our [custom sportswear page](/custom-sportswear). ## Reorder planning The biggest mistake startups make after a successful first run is waiting too long to reorder. Compression apparel sells fast if it’s good – and if you’re out of stock for 8 weeks while production runs, you lose momentum. Here’s how we help you plan reorders. **Lead time is your buffer.** Our bulk production takes 4–6 weeks after sample approval. Shipping from Zhejiang to the US West Coast takes about 10–15 days by air, 25–35 days by sea. So your total lead time from order to inventory is roughly 6–9 weeks. If you want to avoid stockouts, you should place your reorder when your current inventory hits 8–10 weeks of coverage. **Price holds for reorders.** We honor the same price breaks for reorders placed within 6 months of your first order, as long as the design and fabric specifications don’t change. That means if you ordered 200 pieces at $9.50 per unit, your next 200-piece reorder stays at $9.50 – even if raw material prices have gone up slightly. We absorb small fluctuations. **Serial production efficiency.** The second run is always faster than the first. Once we have your pattern, grading, and label specs in our system, we can skip the sampling step (unless you want a new color or modification). That cuts the lead time to 3–4 weeks for a reorder of the same design. **Scaling up gradually.** We often see startup brands start with 100 pieces, sell out in 6 weeks, then reorder 300 pieces, then 500. Our price breaks make scaling natural: each jump in quantity lowers your unit cost by 10–15%. We also do split shipments – you can order 500 pieces and ask us to ship 100 now, 200 next month, 200 the month after – to manage cash flow. **What to prepare for a reorder.** Send us a simple email with your previous order number and the new quantity. We’ll confirm the price, check fabric availability, and give you a production slot. If you want to change a color or add a new size, allow 2 extra weeks for a new sample. For more tips on low-MOQ reorder planning, see our [low MOQ sportswear guide](/low-moq-sportswear). ## FAQ **What is the MOQ?** Our MOQ is 1 piece. You can order a single compression shirt for sampling, or a first run of 50 pieces. We do not enforce any minimum order quantity for bulk production. This applies to all compression apparel, including tops, tights, and sleeves. **Sampling timeline?** We ship your sample within 3–7 days from design confirmation. Express delivery takes 3–5 days to most destinations. If you need a sample faster, we can expedite to 2–3 days (additional shipping cost). After you approve the sample, bulk production takes 4–6 weeks. For reorders without design changes, lead time shortens to 3–4 weeks. **Do you offer free samples?** We charge a sample fee (typically $50–$100 per design, depending on complexity) which is fully refundable when you place a bulk order of 50+ pieces. The fee covers materials and labor only – we don’t profit from sampling. **Can you match my Pantone color?** Yes. We match almost any Pantone code in polyester or nylon blends. For high-accuracy color matching, we provide a fabric swatch before production. There is no extra charge for Pantone matching on orders above 200 pieces. **Do you ship to Amazon FBA warehouses?** Yes. We pre-apply FBA labels, insert poly bags, and ship directly to Amazon fulfillment centers in the US, EU, and UK. We also handle the required FBA prep (bagging, labeling, case packing) as part of the service. **What is your minimum for custom labels?** Zero. We can sew your custom neck label and size label on a single piece. For woven labels, the minimum is usually 100 pieces because of the loom setup, but we can provide printed labels for smaller orders. --- If you’re ready to start your compression apparel line with a factory that understands startup budgets and timelines, send us your design or idea. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a quote, a sample timeline, and a price break table. **Request a Quote** → [support@alpinario.com](mailto:support@alpinario.com)