Below is a practical, compact guide to sourcing bulk garment production services in India — what services factories offer, where to look, typical costs/limits, compliance and QC, and an actionable checklist + timeline so you can start sourcing quickly.

What Indian garment factories commonly offer

• Sampling / proto & fit samples, patternmaking and grading, tech-pack support.
• CMT (cut–make–trim) or Full-Package/FOB (factory sources fabric/trims and delivers finished garments).
• Special processes: printing, embroidery, wash/stonewash, dyeing, finishing, packaging and labeling, export documentation and logistics. (sewport.com)

Where the main apparel clusters are (useful when you want local expertise)

• Tirupur (Tamil Nadu) — India’s knitwear/tees hub (many knit factories/exporters).
• Ludhiana & Amritsar (Punjab) — knitwear, hosiery, sportswear, woollen garments.
• Delhi NCR / Noida / Gurugram — woven shirts, fashion, large CMT/FPP units and garment trading houses.
• Mumbai / Surat / Ahmedabad region — denim, woven garments, and textile mills/vertical suppliers.
• Bengaluru / Chennai — mixes of woven/knit and technical/athleisure units. (en.wikipedia.org)

Typical MOQs, lead times and sampling

• Typical MOQs: basics (T‑shirts/hoodies) commonly ~100–300 pcs per style; more complex items, denim/outerwear or custom trims often 300–1,000+ per style. Smaller batches are possible but raise per‑unit cost. (sewano.com)
• Sampling time: expect 10–21 days for a first sample (depends on fabric/trims complexity and factory workload). Bulk production lead time after sample approval typically 4–10+ weeks depending on order size, season and finishing required. (accio.com)

Common certifications and compliance buyers request

• Social and labour audits: SMETA/SEDEX, amfori BSCI (commonly requested by European/US brands).
• Product/sustainability: GOTS (organic textiles), GRS, Oeko‑Tex for chemicals/skin safety. Factories may be Sedex/SMETA members rather than “certified” in all cases. Verify certificates and audit reports before contracting. (sedex.com)

Where to find and shortlist factories

• Verified platforms (fast start): Sewport (fashion factory matching), IndiaMART and TradeIndia (large Indian supplier directories). These let you filter by MOQ, capabilities, certifications and request quotes. (sewport.com)
• Trade shows & trade bodies: Apparel/textile trade fairs in India or buyer missions (useful for meeting multiple factories).
• Use local sourcing agents or third‑party quality/production managers if you can’t visit in person.

How to vet suppliers (practical checklist)

1. Ask for: factory profile, capacity, sample photos, contact for references, copies of relevant certificates (SEDEX/SMETA, BSCI, GOTS, ISO). Verify certificate dates and site names. (sedex.com)
2. Request costed tech pack and proforma with clear MOQ, lead time, sample cost, payment terms and packing specs.
3. Insist on pre‑production sample and a written PPM (pre‑production meeting) approval step.
4. Use independent on‑site or remote audit for new partners; do random incoming QC and final inspection (AQL checks) before shipment.
5. Prefer staged payments: sample fee, deposit (commonly 30% T/T), balance on shipment or L/C. Consider escrow services on platforms. (sewport.com)

Cost drivers to expect

• Fabric choice (custom knits/wovens vs. stock fabric) — biggest driver.
• Prints/embroidery and special finishes raise costs and MOQ.
• Packaging, labeling, and compliance testing add per‑order fixed costs.
• Seasonality: peak seasons (pre‑Christmas, spring/summer) increase lead times and prices.

A quick sample timeline (typical)

• Day 0: send tech pack + ask factory to confirm MOQ, lead time and sample pricing.
• 7–21 days: sampling and fit iteration.
• 7 days: sample approval and PO.
• 28–70 days: bulk production (depends on quantity & processes).
• 5–14 days: QC, packing, shipment (air vs sea). (accio.com)

Documents & info you should prepare before contacting factories

• Tech pack (sketches, measurements, tolerances, materials and trim specs).
• Size chart and grading rules.
• Target FOB price or target landed price, desired shipment date, and planned order frequency.
• Label artwork, wash instructions and packaging requirements.
• Any mandatory compliance/certification requirements (e.g., GOTS for organic claims).

Practical tips to lower risk and cost

• Start with a small test run with commitment to larger future orders (negotiate staged MOQ).
• Use stock fabrics available at the factory to reduce MOQ and cost for first runs.
• Consolidate SKUs/colors to reach factory MOQs without creating many separate styles.
• Consider a sourcing agent or a platform (Sewport, IndiaMART/TradeIndia) that provides escrow/payment protection and verified factory profiles. (sewport.com)

Useful sources (for reference / next steps)

• Sewport — verified India manufacturers and full‑package/CMT options. (sewport.com)
• TradeIndia / IndiaMART — large Indian supplier directories to request multiple quotes. (tradeindia.com)
• GOTS / Sedex / amfori pages — to check certification meaning and supplier memberships. (gotslive.global-standard.org)

If you’re ready to act

• Prepare a one‑page tech pack and target quantity (e.g., “500 T‑shirts, 3 colors, cotton 180gsm, plain print, delivery in 8 weeks”) and request quotes from 5 factories via Sewport + 3 suppliers on IndiaMART/TradeIndia. Compare MOQs, sample fees, lead times, payment terms and certification status. (sewport.com)

If you’d like, I can (no travel or private data needed):

• Draft a concise 1‑page tech pack template you can send to factories; or
• Produce an email template/request-for-quote (RFQ) you can paste into Sewport/IndiaMART to speed responses.

(References used above: Sewport; TradeIndia/IndiaMART supplier listings; industry guides on MOQs and sampling; GOTS and Sedex pages.) (sewport.com)

Would you like the 1‑page tech pack template or RFQ email template now? (I can paste it here ready to send.)