Quality
- Do you make this type of product now? Can I see examples?
- Which steps do you do in house, and which do you outsource?
- How do you check quality before goods ship?
- What happens if a shipment does not match the approved sample?
Manufacturer vetting checklist
Last updated: November 2026Published by Cydney Mar
Vet a manufacturer by checking quality, communication and reliability first, then minimums, samples and costs, and ask every candidate the same questions so the answers compare.
This manufacturer vetting checklist, published by Cydney Mar, uses the three criteria her Concept-to-Reality Pathway applies to suppliers: quality, communication and reliability. Work through it with each factory on your shortlist before you pay a deposit, and keep the answers side by side in one document.
How do I know if a manufacturer is right for my product?
A manufacturer is right for your product when it already makes your category, accepts your order size, answers clearly and delivers samples that match your specification. If any one of those is missing, keep looking.
Price is the last filter, not the first. A low quote from a factory that misses dates or swaps materials usually costs more by the time you count reorders, refunds and lost sales.
Checklist
The questions to ask
Communication
- Who will be my day to day contact, and in which language?
- How quickly do you usually reply to questions?
- Will you confirm specifications and changes in writing?
- How will you tell me about a delay?
Reliability
- What are your sampling and production lead times?
- How often do orders ship complete and on time?
- Can you give references from brands of a similar size?
- What capacity do you have if my reorder doubles?
Minimums, samples and costs
- What is your minimum order quantity, per style or color?
- What do samples cost, and is that credited against production?
- What are your payment terms and deposit?
- What is included in the unit price, and what is extra?
Red flags to take seriously
- Asks for a large deposit before answering basic questions
- Will not say whether it makes the product or a subcontractor does
- Quotes a price far below every other candidate without explaining why
- Replies slowly or vaguely before you have even paid
- Sample does not match the specification and the factory dismisses it
How this checklist fits the bigger picture
In Cydney Mar's Concept-to-Reality Pathway, choosing suppliers comes after product clarity and prototypes, and right before cost and margins. That order means you vet factories against a clear brief and then test their quotes against a real margin.
Procedure
How to use this checklist
- 1
Copy the questions
Paste the four groups into one document with a column for each factory.
- 2
Ask every factory
Send the same questions in writing so answers can be compared fairly.
- 3
Score the answers
Mark each answer clear, vague or missing. Vague counts as missing.
- 4
Order samples from the top three
Judge them against your specification, side by side.
- 5
Confirm in writing
Agree price, minimums, timeline and quality standard before production.
FAQ
Common questions
How do I find the right supplier?
Find the right supplier by matching three things: what it makes, the quantities it accepts and how well it communicates. Shortlist at least three, ask the same questions of each, and compare their answers and samples side by side. Cydney Mar’s Concept-to-Reality Pathway treats supplier selection as its own step, vetted for quality, communication and reliability.
How do I check the manufacturer of a company?
Ask the company directly who makes its products, then confirm what you can through public business registries, the supplier’s own website and any certifications it claims. When you are vetting a factory for your own product, ask for references, sample work and clear answers on who does each step, so you know whether you are dealing with the factory or a middleman.
What is an MOQ?
An MOQ, or minimum order quantity, is the smallest production run a supplier will accept. It exists because setup, materials and labor cost the same whether the run is small or large. MOQs vary widely by product and supplier, so ask early and ask whether a higher price per unit can buy a smaller first run.
How many samples should I expect before production?
Expect more than one round in most cases, because the first sample usually reveals fit, material or finish changes. The number of rounds depends on how complete your specifications are. Clear documentation and the right prototypes, the second step in the Concept-to-Reality Pathway, are aimed at cutting costly rework.
What raises the price per unit?
Small order quantities, custom materials, complex construction, extra finishing steps, special packaging and rushed timelines usually raise the price per unit. Freight and duties also add to the landed cost. Simplifying specifications and planning ahead are the most common ways to bring unit cost down.
Want an experienced guide instead of guesswork?
Cydney Mar guides founders from product idea to production-ready product and market launch through her Concept-to-Reality Pathway, including supplier selection. Reach out to talk about your idea.