Running Apparel Supplier for Amazon Sellers: Workflow, Pricing & Reorder Tips

# How to Source Running Apparel for Amazon Sellers: Sourcing Workflow, Price Breaks & Reorder Planning You’ve got a running apparel line ready for Amazon. The designs are final, the listing copy is written, and you’ve calculated your target ROI. But one question keeps you up at night: **What happens when you need to reorder?** Most Amazon sellers I talk to focus only on the first order. They find a supplier, negotiate a price, place 500 units, and hope the inventory sells out before the next restock. But when that first order lands and the sales start rolling in, the real challenge begins: how to reorder without losing margin, how to plan for lead times, and how to avoid stockouts or overstock. I run a 20+ year OEM/ODM running apparel factory in Zhejiang, China. We’ve worked with hundreds of Amazon sellers, from startups launching their first private label brand to established sellers scaling to 10,000 units per SKU. Here’s exactly how we handle sourcing workflow, price breaks, and reorder planning—so you can move from “first order” to “repeatable system.” --- ## Sourcing workflow Every Amazon seller asks: *“How long will it take from design to finished product?”* The answer depends on how you structure the workflow. Here’s our step-by-step process, with concrete timelines. **Step 1: Initial inquiry and design specs (Day 1)** Send us your design files – any format (AI, PDF, sketch, or even a photo of a competitor’s garment). We’ll confirm within 24 hours whether the spec is feasible. For running apparel, we work primarily with polyester and nylon blends (commonly 100% polyester, 85% polyester/15% spandex, or 92% nylon/8% spandex). You can request any Pantone color for fabric or trims. We can also do logo placement: screen print, embroidery, heat transfer, or woven labels. **Step 2: Sampling (3–7 days)** After we approve the design, we produce a sample garment. Our standard sampling time is **3–7 days from order confirmation**. Samples are shipped via express (DHL/FedEx) – you typically receive them within 5–8 business days. If you need multiple colorways or size sets, we can send up to 5 samples per style at no extra cost for the first round. Sample cost is deducted from the production order if you place it within 30 days. **Step 3: Sample approval and production order** Once you approve the sample (fit, color, logo placement, label details), we issue a proforma invoice. We require a 30% deposit for first-time orders; repeat orders with on-time payment history can go to 20% deposit. Production lead time is **4–6 weeks for a 300-piece order**. For larger orders (1,000+ units), lead time is 5–7 weeks, depending on fabric availability. **Step 4: Production and quality control** Our QC team inspects at three stages: - Incoming fabric inspection (shade, weight, shrinkage) - In-process inspection (cutting, sewing, stitching tension) - Final inspection (AQL 2.5 standard, full measurement check, labeling accuracy) We also offer **pre‑labeling for Amazon FBA**. We can apply FBA barcode labels, polybag each item, and ship directly to Amazon warehouses. This eliminates the need for a third-party logistics provider for labeling. **Step 5: Shipping and delivery** We ship via sea (LCL or FCL) or air freight. For a typical 300-piece order, sea freight takes 25–35 days to US West Coast; air freight takes 5–7 days. We provide tracking and packing list with every shipment. --- ## Price breaks Price is not a single number – it’s a function of quantity, fabric, and customization. Here’s a realistic breakdown for a standard **running singlet (100% polyester, 120 GSM, with reflective logo)** . | Order Quantity | Price per unit (USD) | MOQ (pieces) | Lead time | |----------------|----------------------|--------------|-----------| | 1 – 50 | $8.50 – $10.00 | 1 | 4–6 weeks | | 51 – 200 | $6.80 – $8.00 | 1 | 4–6 weeks | | 201 – 500 | $5.50 – $6.50 | 1 | 4–6 weeks | | 501 – 1,000 | $4.80 – $5.50 | 1 | 5–7 weeks | | 1,001 – 5,000 | $4.20 – $4.80 | 1 | 5–7 weeks | | 5,001+ | $3.80 – $4.20 | 1 | 6–8 weeks | *Note: Prices are FOB Shanghai. Fabric GSM, pocket additions, zipper, and custom hang tags add $0.30–$1.50 per unit. **How price breaks work for Amazon sellers** You don’t need to order 5,000 units to get a decent price. Even at 200 units, the per-unit cost drops by about 30% compared to a 50-piece order. The key is to **plan your reorder quantities** so you hit the next price tier. For example, if you sell 100 units a month, ordering 300 units every 3 months gives you a $5.50 vs. $8.00 price – a 31% savings on COGS. **What about sample costs?** First sample: $25–$50 per style (refundable on order). We offer free color-change samples (same design, different Pantone) for repeat clients. --- ## Private label at supplier tier Amazon sellers often confuse “private label” with simply putting a logo on a white-label garment. True private label goes deeper: you control the cut, fabric, fit, and finish. We offer three tiers of private label service: **Tier 1 – Stock design with custom logo** You pick from our existing running wear molds (10+ styles for men and women). We replace the blank label with your own woven label, add your logo (print/embroidery/heat transfer), and attach your wash care tag and hang tag. MOQ: 1 piece. Price: $7.00–$9.00 per unit for 100–200 pieces. **Tier 2 – Modified design (pattern adjustments)** Take one of our base patterns and adjust the fit: longer inseam for running shorts, higher neckline for women’s tops, added thumbholes for jackets. We can also change fabric GSM (e.g., from 120 to 150 GSM for more durability). MOQ: 50 pieces per style. Price: $8.00–$10.00 per unit. **Tier 3 – Custom design from scratch** You provide a tech pack (or we work from your sketch). We create a new pattern, grade to sizes S–3XL, produce a sample, and run full production. This is ideal for Amazon sellers who want a unique product that stands out from the 10,000+ running shirts on Amazon. MOQ: 100 pieces per color. Lead time: 7–8 weeks for first order, 4–5 weeks for reorders. Price: starting at $9.50 per unit. **Why choose a factory over a trading company?** We’re a direct manufacturer. That means we control the entire supply chain – fabric sourcing, cutting, sewing, labeling, and packing. No middleman markup. If you need a small adjustment during production (e.g., change thread color), we can do it on the floor in hours, not weeks. For Amazon sellers, this agility is critical when you’re testing new colors or sizes. For more details on starting a private label line, see our [private label activewear page](/private-label-activewear). --- ## Reorder planning The biggest mistake I see Amazon sellers make is treating the second order like the first. They wait until inventory hits zero, then rush a reorder, and end up paying air freight or losing sales during the 4–6 week lead time. **Lead time reality** Our production lead time for a 300-piece reorder is **4 weeks** (same as first order, but we skip the sampling step if the design is unchanged). If you need a color or size mix change, add 1 week for fabric sourcing. Shipping to US West Coast by sea adds 4–5 weeks. So total time from reorder to Amazon receiving: **8–9 weeks**. **Reorder planning formula** We recommend you reorder when your on-hand inventory covers **9 weeks of sales** at your current run rate. - Example: You sell 100 units per month. That’s roughly 25 units per week. - 9 weeks × 25 = 225 units. When your inventory hits 225 units, place the reorder. - This gives you a 2-week buffer for any delays (customs, port congestion). **Price breaks on reorders** If you reorder the same style and color, your price stays the same as the previous tier. But if you combine multiple styles into a single order, you can often reach the next price tier. For example, ordering 200 units of Style A and 200 units of Style B = 400 total units, which drops your per-unit price to the $5.50–$6.50 range (from the 201–500 tier). We consolidate all line items into one production run, so you save on both unit cost and shipping. **FBA labeling and prep** We include FBA barcode labeling at no extra cost for orders over 200 units. For smaller orders, we charge $0.15 per label. We can also polybag each item individually and shrink-wrap pallets – all compliant with Amazon’s prep requirements. **Inventory pacing tool** We share a simple reorder calculator with our regular clients. Plug in your monthly sales, target weeks of cover, and current stock – it tells you the ideal reorder date and quantity. This is especially useful for seasonal running apparel (e.g., spring/summer peak). If you’re starting, check out our [low MOQ sportswear options](/low-moq-sportswear) to test the market without overcommitting. --- ## FAQ **What is the MOQ?** Our MOQ is **1 piece**. Yes, we can produce a single custom running top with your logo. We do not enforce minimum order quantities – we believe in starting small and scaling up. Many Amazon sellers begin with 10–20 pieces to test photography, copy, and early reviews. Once they confirm demand, they move to 200–500 units. **What is the sampling timeline?** Samples are produced in **3–7 days** from design approval. We ship via express courier (DHL, FedEx, TNT). Typical delivery to US addresses: 5–8 business days. If you need a rush sample (within 48 hours), we can prioritize it for an additional $20 fee. Sample cost is refunded on your first production order. **Can I order a mix of colors and sizes for the same price?** Yes. For a 300-piece order, you can split into 3 colors and 4 sizes. The per-unit price remains the same as the 201–500 tier. We do not charge extra for size splits unless you require custom size grading (e.g., adding a 4XL). **Do you offer FBA prep services?** Yes. We pre-label with FBA barcodes, polybag, and ship directly to Amazon fulfillment centers. We handle the labeling and packing according to Amazon’s current requirements. No additional fees for orders over 200 units. **What payment methods do you accept?** We accept bank wire transfer (T/T), PayPal (for samples only), and Alibaba Trade Assurance for first-time clients. For repeat clients, we offer net 30 days after on-time payment history. **How do I handle design changes during production?** If you catch a design issue after the sample is approved, we can make minor adjustments (e.g., changing thread color, moving a logo 1 cm) on the production floor as long as the fabric is not yet cut. Once cutting starts, changes require a new order. Our QC team photographs the first 10 pieces of each run and sends you photos for approval before bulk production continues. --- **Ready to start your running apparel line for Amazon?** We’ll help you plan your first order, price breaks, and reorder schedule. No minimums, no pressure. [Request a Quote](mailto:support@alpinario.com) *For more insights on sourcing running wear, visit our [running wear wholesale guide](/pages/running-wear-wholesale-guide). And if you’re looking for other categories, check out our [wholesale sportswear page](/wholesale-sportswear) for compression shirts, yoga wear, and more.*