How to Source Fabric Like a Pro

HOW TO SOURCE FABRIC
LIKE A PRO
FACTORY45 | FREE SPREECAST
© Copyright Factory45 2015

Please feel free to ask any questions by typing
into the chat.
I’ll answer them in the last 15 minutes of the
Spreecast : )

Sourcing “wholesale” is an
entirely diﬀerent ballgame.

You know that saying,  
“The customer is always right?”
Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to this game.

The good news is: it’s an industry that  
depends a lot on your attitude and how  
you’re able to work with others.
If you’re professional, friendly and persistent,
your chances of success are much higher.

Here’s how to go through the process  
and do it right the ﬁrst time:

Before you start calling suppliers, you’ll ﬁrst
want to send out an inquiry email.

The main reason for this is so your  
name appears in the supplier’s inbox.
That way, even if they don’t respond to you,
they’ll at least see your name.

When you hop on the phone to make your
ﬁrst inquiry call, there is already
subconscious name recognition.
If they remember your email coming
through it will show that you’re a serious
and persistent potential client.

What’s the key to sending
an eﬀective email to a supplier?

In the words of the great Michael Scott,
regional manager of Dunder Miﬄin —

“Keep it simple, stupid.”

Not the time to go into an explanation of
your company mission, your core values or
your plan to single-handedly change the
fashion industry.

So, what does the supplier care about?
Sales.

What does he or she need to  
make a sale from you?
A very speciﬁc one-sentence description of
the exact fabric you’re looking for.

What should that sentence include?
The ﬁber, the type of fabric,  
the weight and the color.

• The ﬁber refers to the material that the
fabric is made from.
• The type of fabric refers to whether it’s a
woven or a knit.
• The weight refers to the fabric in ounces.
• The color is self-explanatory but make sure
you’re very speciﬁc.
SO LET ME BREAK THIS
DOWN FOR YOU

Expert tip!
Include a HEX code or Pantone color as  
a link in your email. The supplier can simply click on
the link and see the exact color you’re looking for.
Even better? If they have a website, check it out to
see what colors they already have.

This is what a really good fabric inquiry  
would look like:
“I’m looking for an organic cotton  
interlock knit with a weight of 5-6 oz  
in cobalt blue (here is an example of the color.)”

It’s always better to start speciﬁc, 
and then you can add a sentence to say you’re
open to suggestions and brieﬂy describe  
what type of product it’s for.

What do you do if you don’t get a reply?
You pick up the phone and cold call.

Without hitting the phone lines like a madman,
you won’t ﬁnd the fabric you need for your
product and then your product won’t get made.

Suppliers aren’t typically known as being  
the most friendly of voices.
Don’t take it personally.

How long should you wait to call after sending
your ﬁrst email inquiry?
Two days.

1) Once you get on the phone and someone
answers, ask to speak with the sales
department or a sales rep.

2) You’re balancing a ﬁne line of friendliness and
relationship building while also being
respectful that for them, time is money.

3) Tell the rep exactly what you’re looking for.

4) While you’re talking to the rep:
• Don’t ask what their minimums are.
• Don’t ask if they have fabric that another
designer uses.
• Don’t ask about their prices.
• Heads up! You may hear the term “MOQ” — it
stands for “minimum order quantity.” In other
words, the minimum yardage they require
you to buy of one type of fabric.

5) If they have what you’re looking for,  
ask him/her to send swatches.

6) Before hanging up, make sure you ask for the
rep’s direct line and contact information.

7) Be sincere and generous with expressions of
gratitude. Thank them for their time.

8) When you receive the swatches in the mail,
put them through the wash and see how they
react, make sure you spend a lot of time
mulling over your options.
Note: Many suppliers will send entire books of
swatch cards for you to look at — you may ﬁnd
something in there that you hadn’t thought to use
before.

9) If you see something you like, follow up by
calling the rep to let them know you received
the swatches and you would like to order
sample yardage.

10) If you don’t see something you like,  
it’s still worth calling the rep to thank them
and to see if they have any other suggestions
to look into.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:
I ﬁnd that some people delay this process  
or put oﬀ contacting suppliers because  
they aren’t exactly sure what type of  
fabric they want or need.
The truth is —

— the only way to really know what you need 
is to see lots and lots of swatches.

Tip!
If you have absolutely no idea what type of fabric
you need, then go into your closet and look
through your clothes.
Once you pick a few options you like,  
look on the inside tags. There will be a  
description that says what type of fabric it is.
That description gives you a baseline  
for what you need.

Entrepreneurs who go through Factory45 are given:
• Further instruction on sourcing
• Exact email templates
• An overview of sustainable fabrics
• A database of over 100 suppliers

BONUS:
If you apply to Factory45 today before
midnight….
I’ll include a free one-on-one consulting call.

APPLY HERE: www.factory45.co
MY EMAIL: shannon@factory45.co

How to Source Fabric Like a Pro

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How to Source Fabric Like a Pro