What is the difference between stock lots and made-to-order?
Stock lots are our own finished models sold in fixed size runs, ready to ship. Made-to-order is production for your business under your brand and specification, from 100 units per style. Stock lots are faster and need a much smaller commitment. Made-to-order gives you control over design, fabric and branding.
Both routes come from the same factory, with the same quality control and the same ISO 9001 certified production. The choice depends on what you need: speed and flexibility, or your own product.
How do stock lots work?
A stock lot is one model in one colour across a run of sizes, usually one suit per size. Many of our catalog models are in stock and sold this way.
Typical lots in our current range:
- Suits: EU 46-48-50-52-54-56, 6 suits per lot. Some models run 48 to 58.
- Tuxedos and dinner jackets: EU 46 to 58, 7 pieces per lot.
- 3-piece suits: jacket, waistcoat and trousers, 6 sets per lot.
You choose the models and how many lots of each. You can mix suits, tuxedos and dinner jackets in one order. Once we confirm availability, we pack and ship by air or sea. See what is available in our collections.
Stock lots carry our standard labelling. You cannot change fabric, fit or sizes inside a lot, but you can buy more lots of the models that sell best.
How does made-to-order production work?
Made-to-order means we produce suits for you to your choice of fabric, colour, fit, lining, buttons, labels and packaging, from 100 units per style. The suits carry your brand. This is our private label service, and for buyers with full technical specifications, OEM production.
The usual steps are:
- You send your styles, or choose our models to adapt.
- We agree fabric, fit, size ratio and branding.
- We quote price and lead time per model and quantity.
- We make a sample for your approval.
- Production runs, typically 12-15 days, depending on quantity, model and fabric availability.
- Quality check, packing and shipping.
You set the size ratio yourself, so you can put more units into the sizes your customers buy most. Our size runs and lot planning guide has example ratios by market.
Stock lots vs made-to-order: side-by-side comparison
Here is the short version for buyers comparing the two.
| Stock lots | Made-to-order (private label) | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Our catalog models | Your design, or our model adapted |
| Minimum order | One lot per model (6-7 pieces) | 100 units per style |
| Fabric and colour | As in stock | Your choice |
| Fit | As made (mostly slim fit) | Slim, modern or classic, to your spec |
| Sizes | Fixed run, one per size | Your own size ratio |
| Branding | Our standard labels | Your labels, lining, buttons, packaging |
| Sample | Not usually needed, models are photographed | Sample made for approval |
| Timing | Ships after confirmation and packing | Typically 12-15 days production plus sampling |
| Price per unit | Quoted per model and quantity | Quoted per model, fabric, quantity and branding |
| Commitment and risk | Low, easy to test | Higher, but you own the product |
| Best for | Testing styles, fast restocks, ceremony and fashion pieces | Building a brand, core styles, consistent repeat programs |
When should you buy stock lots?
Buy stock lots when you want to move quickly, test demand or add variety without a large commitment. They work well for:
- Retailers testing a new supplier. A few lots show you our quality and how the suits sell before you plan a larger order.
- Wedding and formalwear stores. Ceremony tuxedos, embellished styles and colours like emerald or burgundy can be tested one lot at a time.
- Importers and wholesalers who sell on to many small shops and need variety across models.
- Fast restocks of styles that are selling now, without waiting for production.
The limit is that you are selling our design under our labelling, and you cannot change sizes inside a lot.
When should you choose made-to-order?
Choose made-to-order when you want your own brand, your own specification, or a size and fit built for your market. It is the right route for:
- Brands and online labels that need their name on the product.
- Retail chains and department stores that want consistent core styles season after season.
- Uniform and corporate buyers who need a set colour, fabric and size range.
- Markets with specific sizing, such as more large sizes for the US or long fits for Northern Europe.
The trade-off is a higher minimum and the time for sampling. Thinking about building a label? Read how to start a suit brand.
What does each route cost beyond the unit price?
Stock lots tie up less cash, while made-to-order adds sampling and branding costs but gives you a product that is yours alone. Compare the full cost, not only the price per suit.
- Stock lots: you pay for the lots and shipping. There are no sample or label costs, and your cash is committed for a short time because the goods are ready.
- Made-to-order: you pay for samples, branding items such as woven labels, printed lining and garment bags, production and shipping. Your cash is committed earlier and for longer, so plan your payments around your sales season.
Both routes have the same shipping options: air for speed, sea for larger volumes, door to door or to your forwarder.
Decision guide: which one fits your business?
Answer these questions to choose.
- Do you need your own brand on the suit? Yes: made-to-order. No: either.
- Can you sell 100 units of one style within a season or two? No: stock lots. Yes: either.
- Do you need a specific fabric, colour or fit we do not stock? Yes: made-to-order.
- Do you need sizes outside a standard run, or a different size ratio? Yes: made-to-order.
- Do you need goods quickly with little planning? Yes: stock lots.
- Are you testing a new market or a new supplier? Yes: start with stock lots.
Many of our customers combine both. A typical pattern is a core range of navy, grey and black suits made to order under the buyer's brand, plus stock lots of ceremony styles and tuxedos for variety. Both can travel in the same shipment.
Ready to choose?
Tell us what you sell, where, and roughly how many units on WhatsApp or Telegram through the contact page. We will recommend stock lots, made-to-order or a mix, with a quote for each. Full steps are on our how to order page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest order I can place?
One stock lot of one model, usually 6 suits or 7 tuxedos across a size run. We work with businesses only and do not sell single suits.
Can I put my label on stock lot suits?
Stock lots come with our standard labelling. For your own labels, lining and packaging, use made-to-order from 100 units per style.
Can I split 100 units across several colours?
Ask us with your plan. Fabric minimums affect how colours can be split, and we confirm what is possible for each model when we quote.
Is quality different between stock lots and made-to-order?
No. Both are produced in the same factory with the same quality checks and ISO 9001 certified production, using OEKO-TEX Standard 100 fabrics.
How long does made-to-order take?
Production typically takes 12-15 days, depending on quantity, model and fabric availability. Add time for sampling and shipping. We quote lead time with every order.