Last updated: 1 October 2026 · By Amy, Sales Manager, Eliian Sportswear Factory, Xiamen
Quick answer: A new sportswear brand does not need a 50–100 piece minimum or three separate suppliers. Eliian is a teamwear and activewear factory in Xiamen, China, that handles design, pattern making, fabric sourcing, sampling, production, private labels and packaging under one roof, with MOQ 10 pieces per style. First samples take 5–7 days, a first production run 15–20 days, and factory pricing in 2026 runs from USD 5.5–8 for a sublimated jersey, USD 8.5–12 for a polo, USD 11–15.5 for a half-zip and USD 13–18 for a presentation jacket. We have made teamwear since 2012, run a 200,000-piece monthly capacity and supply brands and distributors in 50+ countries.
What “one factory” actually has to cover
Most first-time brand owners discover the problem after they have paid for a logo: the designer cannot source fabric, the fabric mill will not sell 30 metres, the printer will not print on fabric it did not supply, and the sewing workshop wants 100 pieces. A one-stop factory removes those hand-offs. The list below is what Eliian does in house for a new brand, in the order it happens.
| Stage | What we do | What you provide | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Design & tech pack | Turn a sketch, reference photo or mood board into a production-ready design and tech pack; placement of logos, labels, names and numbers | Sketch or reference images, logo files, Pantone colours | 24 h for the first mockup |
| 2. Pattern making | Patterns graded to your size range (Youth YS–YXXL, Adult XS–6XL or your own chart) | Fit preference: athletic, regular or relaxed | 2–3 days |
| 3. Fabric sourcing | Polyester interlock, mesh, bird-eye, pique, recycled polyester, spandex blends from our stock library — no mill minimums for you | Choose from swatches or tell us the sport and climate | In stock |
| 4. Sampling | One physical sample per style, Pantone matched | Approval or revision notes | 5–7 days |
| 5. Production | Printing, cutting, sewing, 100% final inspection | Size breakdown and payment | 15–20 days |
| 6. Private label & packaging | Woven or printed neck labels, care labels, hang tags, polybags, custom boxes | Label artwork (we can design it) | Included in production time |
| 7. Shipping | Express, air or sea; DDP available so duties are prepaid | Delivery address | 5–8 days express |
MOQ 10 per style: what it means for a first collection
MOQ 10 means ten pieces of one style, in any mix of sizes. A first collection of four styles — jersey, shorts, training top, hoodie — can therefore be made with 40 pieces in total. That is enough to photograph the range, sell a first batch and learn which style moves before you commit money to 200 pieces of the wrong one.
Two practical notes. First, custom-dyed fabric (a colour not in our stock library) and some special trims carry a mill minimum of their own, so for a first run we recommend sublimation or stock colours. Second, price per piece falls with quantity: an adult sublimated jersey is about USD 7.5–8 at 10–19 pieces, USD 6–6.5 at 50 pieces and USD 5.5–6 at 100+. We show both numbers on the quote so you can decide where to start.
2026 factory price ranges by product
Per piece, FOB Xiamen, full sublimation with printed logos included. The low end applies to 100+ pieces per style, the high end to 10–19 pieces. Youth sizes are roughly 10–15% less.
| Product | Adult price range | Product | Adult price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer jersey | USD 5.5–8 | Polo shirt | USD 8.5–12 |
| Soccer kit (jersey + shorts) | USD 8–11.5 | Sleeveless training top | USD 5–7 |
| Basketball jersey / set | USD 5–7.5 / 9–12.5 | Half-zip top | USD 11–15.5 |
| Volleyball set | USD 8.5–12 | Presentation jacket | USD 13–18 |
| Tennis top / set | USD 7–9.5 / 10.5–15 | Sublimated track pants | USD 10.5–15 |
| Badminton or table tennis set | USD 9.5–13.5 | Tapered training pants | USD 10–14 |
| Track & field set | USD 10.5–15 | Rugby jersey / set | USD 9–13 / 12.5–17.5 |
| Handball set | USD 8.5–12 | Baseball jersey | USD 9.5–13 |
| Softball top / shorts | USD 8–11 / 4.5–6.5 | Ice hockey jersey | USD 10–14 |
What a new brand should send for a quote
- Reference images or a sketch for each style, with any changes you want
- Your logo as a vector file (AI, PDF or SVG) and Pantone colours if you have them
- Target quantity per style and the size range you sell
- Decoration: sublimated all-over, printed logo, embroidered logo, or a mix
- Labels and packaging you want, even if the artwork is not ready
- Destination country, so the quote can include DDP shipping
With this we return a mockup within 24 hours and a line-by-line quote within 48 hours.
Decoration options and what they cost a new brand
| Method | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full sublimation | Jerseys, training tops, leggings, all-over prints, gradients | Included in the piece price |
| Embroidered logo | Polos, jackets, hoodies, premium chest logos | USD 1.0–1.5 per logo plus a one-time digitizing fee per logo design; not charged again on reorders |
| Screen print | Solid 1–3 colour logos on cotton or blends, larger runs | Quoted per design; one screen per colour |
| Heat transfer / DTF | Full-colour logos on dark or cotton garments | Quoted per design |
Quality control and compliance
Every production piece is inspected before packing for measurement against the approved sample, print and colour, stitching and trims. Our factory profile, certifications and audit details are listed on the factory profile page. Fabric test reports (composition, colour fastness, shrinkage) can be supplied with the order on request.
Protecting your designs
Your patterns, artwork and label designs are used only for your orders. We sign an NDA on request, do not show one customer’s products to another, and do not sell your styles under our own name. Reference designs from professional clubs or established brands are not reproduced without authorization.
Payment and ordering
Orders can be placed directly with the factory or through Alibaba Trade Assurance, which holds payment until you confirm delivery. We accept T/T bank transfer and PayPal. A typical first order is 30% deposit at order and 70% before shipping.
A realistic first-launch plan
For a football-focused brand: one jersey and one short design, 20–30 sets, sublimated, with a woven neck label. For a training or lifestyle brand: one top, one jogger and one jacket at 20–30 pieces per style. Photograph the samples first, sell the first run, then reorder the styles that moved at the 50–100 piece price. Most brands that start this way place their second order within 60 days.
FAQ: starting a sportswear brand with a low-MOQ factory
Can you accept a first order of 20–50 pieces?
Yes. Our minimum is 10 pieces per style, and 20–50 pieces per style is the most common first order from a new brand.
Can you create patterns from reference images?
Yes. Send photos of a garment you like and the changes you want, and we produce the pattern, mockup and sample. You do not need a tech pack to start, although we will create one for your records.
Can you source sports fabrics for me?
Yes. Polyester mesh, interlock, bird-eye, pique, recycled polyester and spandex blends are in our stock library at 130–260 gsm depending on the garment, with no mill minimum passed on to you. Custom-dyed fabric is possible at higher quantities.
Can you do Pantone colour matching?
Yes. Send Pantone references and we match them on the mockup and the physical sample.
Can sublimation, embroidery and heat transfer be done in the same factory?
Yes, all decoration methods are run in house, so one style can combine a sublimated body with an embroidered chest logo without leaving the factory.
Can you add my own labels, hang tags and packaging?
Yes. Woven and printed labels, care labels, hang tags, polybags and custom boxes are all available from the first order.
Do you offer DDP shipping to the USA and Europe?
Yes. We can quote delivered-duty-paid so there are no surprise charges at customs.
How long from first contact to finished goods?
About 4–5 weeks for a first order: 1–3 days for design, 5–7 days for the sample, 15–20 days for production and 5–8 days for express shipping. Reorders skip the sample and take 3–4 weeks.
Will you keep my designs confidential?
Yes. We sign an NDA on request and never resell or display a customer’s designs.
More questions buyers ask
How much money do I need to start a sportswear brand?
The garments are often the smaller part. Example: 3 jersey designs × 50 pieces × USD 5.5–8 is about USD 825–1,200 at factory price. Add samples, custom labels and hang tags (under USD 1 per piece), air freight, import duty, and your website and photography. With a 10-piece minimum per design, a first test order can start much smaller.
Print-on-demand or factory production for a jersey brand?
Print-on-demand needs no stock and no upfront cost, but the price per jersey is high and you cannot change fabric, fit or labels. Factory production costs money upfront, but the unit price is a fraction of print-on-demand and you control fabric, fit, labels and packaging. Many brands test designs with print-on-demand, then move best-sellers to a factory.
Do I need a tech pack to work with a factory?
No. We can start from a sketch, a reference photo or a free mockup, which we make within 24 hours. A tech pack helps if you already have one: we can grade to your own size chart or tech pack at no extra charge.
How many styles and colourways should a first collection have?
Keep it small: two to four styles in one or two colourways each is enough to test demand. With a minimum of 10 pieces per design (50 for yoga wear and leggings), you can launch a test collection without large stock.
Is there a setup fee or design fee?
No setup fee for sublimation printing, and design mockups are free. If you change the garment pattern (the cut), the pattern fee is about USD 30. Embroidery digitizing costs USD 10–30 per logo, depending on size. Both fees are waived on orders over 100 pieces, and reorders do not pay them again.
How much does a sample cost, and is it refunded?
A sample of your own design costs USD 50–150 depending on complexity, plus shipping, and the fee is deducted from your bulk order once it reaches 100 pieces; samples of our ready-made designs are free.