Two terms every brand owner runs into when sourcing overseas — here's what they actually mean for your project.
A jersey produced OEM — built exactly to the client's own tech pack.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturing. In practice, it means you already have a design — a complete tech pack, or something close to it — and the manufacturer produces it exactly to your specification. Fabric, construction, sizing and branding are all yours to define; the factory's job is execution.
This is the right fit if you (or a designer you've worked with) already know exactly what you want built.
ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturing. Here, you bring an idea, a reference photo, or a rough concept — and the manufacturer's team develops it into a full design and tech pack before producing it. It's a more collaborative process, useful when you know the outcome you want but not the technical specification to get there.
Most first-time brand owners start closer to ODM than they expect — see our case study for what that back-and-forth actually looks like in practice.
Private label is a third option: choosing from styles a manufacturer has already produced, and applying your own labels and branding. It's the fastest route to market, but offers the least customization of the three.
