Short answer: pick a training jacket factory you can check, not one that simply claims to be the best. Ask for eight things in writing — the fabric and its weight in g/m², whether sublimation is done in-house, the minimum order, the sample time and cost, real delivery dates from recent orders, the legal company registration, a third-party factory assessment you can verify yourself, and a written remake policy. A factory that answers all eight with documents is a safer first order than a bigger name that answers none.
This guide is written by Eliian, a custom sportswear factory in Xiamen, China. We are one of the factories you might be comparing, so under each check we show our own answer and the page where you can verify it — and we suggest you hold every other supplier to the same standard.
The eight checks at a glance
| Check | What to ask for | Warning sign | Eliian’s answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fabric spec | Fabric type and weight in g/m² for your jacket, in writing | “Good quality polyester” with no weight | 100% polyester double-knit 200–260 g/m²; stretch knit 180–250; brushed 250–320. Full fabric table |
| 2. Decoration in-house | Which processes are done on their own floor | Sublimation or embroidery “by our partner” | Sublimation, cutting, embroidery and sewing in-house |
| 3. Minimum order | MOQ per design, and whether sizes can be mixed | MOQ quoted per colour per size | 10 pieces per design, sizes mixed |
| 4. Sample | Sample time, cost, and whether the fee is refunded | No physical sample before bulk | Free digital mockup in 24 hours; physical sample 7–10 days; USD 50–150, deducted from orders of 100+ pieces |
| 5. Real lead times | Order, sample-approval and ship dates from recent orders | Only a promised range, never actual dates | 13 recorded orders, 11–24 days order to shipment. Delivery record |
| 6. Legal registration | Company name and Unified Social Credit Code | Only a trading name, no legal entity | Factory: Xiamen Weifeishi Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd., 91350211587877396K, registered 6 March 2012. Factory profile |
| 7. Third-party assessment | An audit or assessment you can look up on the auditor’s own register | A certificate image with no number or register | TÜV Rheinland onsite assessment, certificate 492697076_T, valid to 8 June 2027, on the TÜV register |
| 8. Remake policy | What happens if the goods are wrong, in writing | “We will negotiate” | Written remake and refund policy. Policy |
1. Get the fabric and weight in writing
Two quotes for “a polyester training jacket” can be for very different garments. Ask for the fabric construction and its weight in g/m². For a standard training jacket, 100% polyester double-knit at 200–260 g/m² is the usual range; 220–240 g/m² is a safe first sample. Slim cuts use polyester-spandex knit at 180–250 g/m², and winter jackets brushed or fleece-back knit at 250–320 g/m². Woven presentation jackets are 70–180 g/m² for the shell alone, with the lining on top.
If one quote is much cheaper, check the weight first. A lighter fabric is the easiest way to lower a price without saying so.
2. Check that decoration is done in-house
Full sublimation is what makes all-over club designs possible on a training jacket, and it only works on polyester knit printed before cutting. Ask whether the factory prints on its own floor. When printing or embroidery is sent out, the colour approval, timing and responsibility for faults are split between two companies.
3. Compare minimums the same way
Ask for the minimum per design, and whether sizes and names can be mixed inside it. A “10-piece minimum” that means 10 per size is really 50 or more for a squad. Our minimum is 10 pieces per design, with sizes mixed.
4. Insist on a physical sample
A digital mockup shows the design. Only a physical sample shows the fabric, the fit, the colour after printing and the zipper. Ask how long it takes and whether the fee is refunded on the bulk order. Ours takes 7–10 days for jackets; samples of our ready-made designs are free, and samples of your own design cost USD 50–150, deducted from bulk orders of 100 pieces or more.
5. Ask for real delivery dates, not a promise
Every factory quotes a lead time. Few can show what happened on recent orders. Ask for order date, sample approval date and ship date for a handful of recent shipments. We publish ours: 13 orders between April and August 2026, 11 to 24 days from order to shipment, with the slowest included. Jackets take longer than jerseys: allow 20–25 days of bulk production after sample approval, and start winter orders five to six weeks earlier than you would for jerseys.
6. Verify the legal company
Ask for the company’s legal name and its 18-character Unified Social Credit Code, then look it up on China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. Check that the registration date, address and business scope match what you have been told. Many exporters, including us, sell through a trading company linked to the factory. That is normal, as long as both companies are named and both registrations can be checked. Our two companies are listed on our factory profile.
7. Check the audit on the auditor’s own register
A certificate image proves little on its own. Ask for the certificate number and look it up on the issuing body’s register. Our factory was assessed on site by TÜV Rheinland for the Alibaba.com Verified Supplier programme; certificate 492697076_T is valid until 8 June 2027 and can be checked on the TÜV Rheinland assessed-suppliers register.
If your company or retailer requires a specific social-compliance audit such as amfori BSCI or Sedex SMETA, say so before you sample. These are separate programmes with their own registers, and you should ask every shortlisted factory for the audit report reference rather than a logo.
8. Get the remake policy in writing
Agree in writing what happens if sizes, colours or names are wrong. Who pays for the remake, how fast it ships, and when a refund applies. Our remake and refund policy is published, so you can read it before you order.
Questions to send any training jacket factory
- What fabric and weight in g/m² will you use for this jacket?
- Is sublimation (or embroidery) done in your own factory?
- What is your minimum per design, and can sizes and names be mixed?
- How long does a physical sample take, what does it cost, and is the fee refunded?
- Can you share order, sample-approval and ship dates for three recent orders?
- What is your legal company name and Unified Social Credit Code?
- Which third-party audit or assessment do you hold, and where can I verify the number?
- What is your written policy if goods arrive wrong?
Send the same eight questions to every factory on your shortlist. The answers, and how quickly they come back, will tell you more than any ranking.
Related: custom training jackets and tracksuits · training vs presentation jackets · waterproof and outdoor jackets · customer reviews
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a reliable training jacket manufacturer in China?
Shortlist three to five factories and ask each one for the same eight things in writing: fabric and weight in g/m², in-house decoration, minimum order, sample time and cost, real delivery dates from recent orders, legal registration, a third-party assessment you can verify, and a remake policy. Then order a physical sample before bulk.
What is a normal minimum order for custom training jackets?
Factories that specialise in teamwear often start at 10 to 50 pieces per design. Check whether the minimum is per design or per size. Eliian’s minimum is 10 pieces per design, sizes mixed.
How long does a custom training jacket order take from China?
Typically 7–10 days for a physical sample and 20–25 days for bulk production after sample approval, plus 5–7 business days by express courier or 20–35 days by sea.
How can I verify a Chinese factory is real?
Ask for its Unified Social Credit Code and look it up on China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, then check any audit certificate number on the auditor’s own register rather than trusting an image.
What fabric should a team training jacket use?
100% polyester double-knit at 200–260 g/m² for a standard training jacket, polyester-spandex knit at 180–250 g/m² for a slim fit, and brushed or fleece-back knit at 250–320 g/m² for cold weather.