Two suppliers can quote the same activewear reference photo and still be pricing different garments.
A photograph may show a wide waistband. It may not show whether that waistband has an inner layer, how the elastic is secured, or whether a pocket needs reinforcement. If those decisions are left open, each quote may contain different assumptions.
The first question is not simply which price is lower. It is whether both prices cover the same product.
The details hidden behind the reference image
An extra waistband layer adds material and sewing operations. A pocket designed to carry a phone needs a different discussion from a decorative pocket: the opening, placement and support affect how it works when worn.
Related video: product development before production.
These are examples of possible differences, not a claim that every style needs more complex construction. Decide what the garment must do before paying for details it does not need—or approving a price that omits something essential.
Fabric descriptions need the same care. A composition and GSM number do not tell you everything about opacity or recovery after stretching. If those characteristics matter to the design, agree how they will be assessed and which reference the quote uses.
Compare quantities at the same level
“500 pieces” is incomplete if one supplier assumes a single colour and another assumes five colours.
State the quantity per style and colour, together with the intended size range. Ask suppliers to identify the assumptions behind their quote, including any minimums that affect your proposed split. Do not assume that the total order quantity answers every production question.
Separate the garment price from development costs
Ask what is included: sample development, revisions, labels, packaging, testing if required, and delivery terms. A cost shown separately is not necessarily an extra charge added later; it may simply be presented differently.
Likewise, a preliminary estimate based on a photo is not the same as a quote based on an agreed specification. Label open decisions clearly so that a change during sampling can be discussed against the original assumptions.
Make the first sample answer a useful question
If the fit is undecided, identify the fit reference. If pocket support is the concern, provide the intended accessory or its dimensions and weight. If fabric behaviour is the uncertainty, explain the intended use and what would make the sample unacceptable.
The sample should help resolve the decisions holding the order back. An attractive sample alone does not confirm every detail needed for repeatable bulk production.
For a project discussion with HF Garments, share your reference or tech pack, estimated quantity per style and colour, and target delivery window. Include a fabric reference if available, and mark what is still undecided.
Questions to resolve before comparing quotes
Can I start without a finished tech pack?
A reference image and a clear brief can start a discussion. Ask which assumptions remain provisional and what information is needed before a firmer quote or sample plan can be prepared.
Does the lowest quote mean the supplier has missed something?
Not necessarily. Suppliers have different cost structures. Compare the agreed specification, included costs and terms before interpreting the difference.
What should I send to move towards a sample?
Send a design reference, quantities by style and colour, intended size range and delivery window. Explain the main question the sample must resolve. The supplier still needs to confirm feasibility, sample scope and charges.
