OEM & ODM Sportswear Manufacturing — Your Design or Ours
Two paths to your own activewear brand. One factory. Zero shortcuts.
Every brand that manufactures with us takes one of two paths: OEM (you bring the design, we build it to your specifications) or ODM (you select from our existing designs, customize details, and add your branding). This page explains exactly how each model works — with real timelines, real MOQs, and real costs — so you can decide which one fits your situation.
OEM vs ODM: The Core Difference
| OEM | ODM | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Original Equipment Manufacturing | Original Design Manufacturing |
| Who provides the design | You — tech pack, pattern, or reference sample | We provide base designs; you customize |
| Who owns the design | You. We sign an NDA before work begins. | Shared. Customized version is yours exclusively. |
| Typical MOQ | 100-200 pieces per style | 50-100 pieces per style |
| Development timeline | 3-6 weeks (pattern making + 2-3 sample rounds) | 1-3 weeks (modify existing design + 1 sample round) |
| Production lead time | 4-6 weeks from PP sample approval | 3-5 weeks from sample confirmation |
| Sample cost | $80-200 per sample (credited to order) | $30-80 per sample (credited to order) |
| Best for | Established brands with their own designs; brands seeking unique product differentiation | Startup brands; first collection launches; market testing; budget-conscious buyers |
Most first-time buyers start with ODM — it is faster, cheaper, and lower risk. Once you have sales data and customer feedback, you can graduate to OEM for your next collection. Both models run on the same production lines, with the same QC standards. Tell us about your project →
OEM: Your Design, Built to Your Specifications
When you choose OEM, you control every detail. We execute.
What you provide
- Tech pack — detailed specifications: measurements, tolerances, construction details, stitch types
- Reference sample — a physical garment that shows the fit, feel, and quality you want
- Design files — AI, PSD, or PDF with logos, prints, and placement guides
- Fabric preference — specific fabric composition, weight (GSM), and hand feel requirements
What we do
- Pattern making — our pattern makers create digital patterns from your tech pack or reference sample, graded across your size range
- Fabric sourcing — we match your specified fabric from our mill network or source an equivalent with your approval
- Proto sample — first physical sample for fit and construction review (7-10 days)
- Fit sample — revised based on your feedback on the proto sample (7-10 days per revision)
- Pre-production (PP) sample — final sample in your exact fabric, colors, and finishes — this is what production will replicate
- Bulk production — only after you sign off the PP sample. Inline QC at every stage.
OEM timeline — realistic, not optimistic
| Design & tech pack review | 1-2 days |
| Pattern making & grading | 5-7 days |
| Proto sample | 7-10 days |
| Fit sample (1-2 rounds) | 7-14 days |
| PP sample & approval | 7-10 days |
| Fabric procurement | 10-15 days (parallel with sampling) |
| Bulk production | 4-6 weeks |
| Total: design to shipment | 8-12 weeks |
ODM: Our Designs, Customized for Your Brand
ODM is the faster, lower-risk path to your own activewear line. You get access to proven designs — already tested for fit, construction, and market appeal — with your branding applied.
How ODM works at Kingben
- Browse our collection — we share our catalog of existing designs across yoga wear, gym apparel, team sports, athleisure, compression, and accessories. 200+ styles to choose from.
- Select and customize — pick the styles you want. Change colors, add your logo, choose neck labels, hang tags, and packaging. Modify minor design details (pocket placement, waistband height, inseam length).
- Review existing sample — we ship you the existing sample for fit and quality evaluation. No waiting for a new sample to be made.
- Branded PP sample (if needed) — if you want to see your exact color + logo combination before production, we make one branded PP sample in 1-2 weeks.
- Production — 3-5 weeks from confirmation. Your branding applied to proven styles.
Lower cost to start
No pattern making fees. No multiple sampling rounds. Sample costs are $30-80 per style instead of $80-200 for OEM.
Faster to market
4-6 weeks from selection to shipment — roughly half the timeline of OEM. Get your collection live before the season passes.
Proven designs
Every ODM style in our catalog has been produced before. Fit, construction, and durability are already validated.
Lower MOQ
50 pieces per style. Test the market with less inventory risk before investing in full custom development.
What You Can Customize — OEM vs ODM
Both models offer customization. The difference is the starting point — a blank canvas (OEM) or a proven design (ODM).
| Customization Element | OEM | ODM |
|---|---|---|
| Design / silhouette | Full control | Select from catalog |
| Fabric selection | Any available fabric | Any available fabric |
| Colors | Custom dye & print | Custom dye & print |
| Logo & branding | Any placement, any technique | Any placement, any technique |
| Labels & hang tags | Fully custom | Fully custom |
| Packaging | Custom polybags, boxes | Custom polybags, boxes |
| Size range | Your grade rules | Standard or custom |
| Fit adjustments | Built from scratch | Modify within existing block |
| Design ownership | 100% yours (NDA protected) | Customized version is exclusive |
How We Apply Your Branding
Whether OEM or ODM, these branding methods are available. We recommend combinations based on your product type and budget.
Screen Print
Best for bold logos on cotton blends and polyester. Up to 6 colors. Durable through 50+ wash cycles.
Cost: $0.30-1.50/print based on colors and size
Heat Transfer
Full-color photorealistic prints. Ideal for detailed logos, gradients, and photographic designs.
Cost: $0.50-2.00/transfer based on size
Embroidery
High-end finish. Best for polos, jackets, hoodies, and caps. 3D puff option available.
Cost: $0.80-3.00/piece based on stitch count
Sublimation
All-over prints that become part of the fabric. Cannot fade or crack. Ideal for team uniforms and bold designs.
Cost: Built into fabric printing cost
Woven Labels
Neck labels, size tags, care labels — all with your brand identity. Damask, satin, or taffeta.
Cost: $0.08-0.25/label based on quantity and material
Hang Tags & Packaging
Custom-printed hang tags, polybags with your logo, gift boxes. Complete brand experience from package to product.
Cost: $0.10-0.80/set based on materials
Questions About OEM & ODM
Answers to the questions we hear from buyers evaluating custom manufacturing for the first time.
Do you sign NDAs before I share my designs?
Yes. We sign a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement before you share any design files, tech packs, or reference samples. Your intellectual property stays yours. We have been manufacturing for 300+ brands — our business depends on trust, not on stealing ideas.
What if I only have a rough sketch or a reference photo — no tech pack?
That is common for first-time buyers. We can work from a sketch, reference photos, or even a description of what you want. Our pattern-making team translates your concept into a tech pack and proto sample. This adds 3-5 days to the sampling timeline and costs $50-100 for the tech pack creation — credited to your order if you proceed.
Can I mix OEM and ODM in the same order?
Yes. Many brands do this — for example, OEM for a signature legging design that differentiates their brand, and ODM for basics like tanks and tees where speed and cost matter more. We manage both workflows in parallel.
How many sample revisions are included?
For OEM: 2 sample rounds (proto + fit) are standard before the PP sample. Additional fit revisions are charged at cost ($50-100 per round depending on complexity). For ODM: 1 branded sample is standard. Most OEM projects are approved within 2-3 sample rounds. We will tell you if we see a pattern of revisions that suggests a fundamental design issue.
What happens if production quality does not match the approved PP sample?
The PP sample is the standard. If production does not match it, we rework or remake at our cost. Before shipment, we send photos and measurements from the final AQL inspection. You can also send a third-party inspector (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) at any point — we welcome it.
Ready to Start Your Custom Project?
Tell us what you want to make — a yoga line, a gym collection, team uniforms, or something else. Share whatever you have: a tech pack, a sketch, or just an idea. We will review and respond within 24 hours with a feasibility assessment and quote.
No commitment. No pressure. Just information to help you decide.