A Sourcing Checklist For Own Label Footwear Buyers
The questions worth asking a footwear factory before the first sample, and why each one matters.
Is This A Factory Or A Trading Desk
Ask who makes the pattern. If the answer travels through another company, every change you request will too. Shinegarden runs design, development, manufacture and sales as one operation, which is the difference buyers usually notice first.
What Is The Sample Lead Time
A sample date decides whether you make the season. Ours is normally 30 days once design and materials are confirmed. Ask any supplier for the date measured from confirmation, not from the day you first wrote to them.
Can They Supply The Whole Range
If you sell shoes with belts, bags or wallets, a supplier who makes all of them keeps the leather and hardware coordinated. Splitting the range across factories is where most mismatched collections come from.
Where Do They Already Export
A factory that already ships to your region understands its size runs, packing and documentation. We export to Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Can You See The Product In Person
Photographs hide a great deal. We show our seasonal series at Garda Fair in Italy, GDS in Germany and WSA in the USA, and buyers routinely use an appointment there as the first step.
How Is Branding Handled
Confirm marking, box and care card at the sampling stage. Anything left until bulk becomes a problem at the worst possible moment.
Questions On This Topic
What do you need from us to start?
A sketch, a reference sample or a description of the market you sell into, plus the retail price you are aiming for.
Do you take private label orders?
Yes. Private label under your own brand is standard, and products can be customised for you.
Ask Our Development Team Directly
Send your design or your question. We answer specification questions on WhatsApp before any order is placed.