Eyewear manufacturing and order planning
Eyewear Manufacturing FAQ
Practical answers about quantities, materials, samples, tooling, inspection and international order coordination. These describe the project review process; final specifications and commercial terms are confirmed in the quotation and agreement.
Updated 10 October 2026
Project and production scope
Which manufacturing steps are carried out in-house?
Frame forming and finished-product assembly are carried out in-house. Lenses, plating and some hardware are supplied through long-term partners, with factory quality checks. A project review covers the frame, lenses, components and finish, rather than the frame appearance alone.
How do projects start with an existing design or a market brief?
For an existing drawing or physical reference, the OEM route starts with a manufacturability review. For a target customer, style direction, budget and sales channel, the ODM route starts with development options. Both routes require agreed specifications and sample approval; a reference image alone is not production approval.
Are the custom collection references ready-stock products?
The custom collection is primarily a style and development reference, not a live stock inventory. Quote requests should identify the model, colours and quantities so supply conditions can be checked. Ready-stock availability, logo options, pricing and dispatch timing must be confirmed separately.
What information is useful before a quotation?
Start with a model or reference, estimated quantity, target market, and known frame, lens and logo requirements. Mark undecided details as open questions. New-shape development may use CAD, 3D files or a physical sample; logo-only projects also need usable artwork. A complete technical pack is not required for an initial discussion.
Quantities, colours and repeat orders
Is the MOQ per style or per colour?
The standard starting MOQ is 500 pairs per style in total, not per colour. Injection-moulded styles start at 1,000 pairs per style. Standard-style quantities can be discussed for the actual model and specification. Colour splits remain subject to material, lens, component and packaging requirements; meeting the MOQ does not make every colour combination feasible.
Can quantities from different styles be combined?
Mixed-style orders can be discussed for some projects, but different models do not automatically share one 500-pair MOQ. Provide quantities by style, colour and lens combination. Different constructions, materials or new tooling may need separate production arrangements.
Do a new custom shape and an existing style have the same order conditions?
New designs require tooling, with a tooling charge in addition to the sample cost. Fixtures, components and quantity requirements also need review. Adding a logo to an existing style, developing a new material specification and creating a new shape are different scopes of work and should not share assumed quotation conditions.
Can a repeat order be smaller than the first order?
Smaller repeat orders can be discussed, subject to material and component availability and production scheduling. Retain the approved sample and specification for comparison. Previous pricing and lead times are not automatically carried forward, and changes to colours, lenses or packaging need a new review.
Materials, lenses and branding
Which frame material routes can be reviewed?
Acetate, metal, TR90 and injection-moulded material routes can be discussed, with the actual material and construction confirmed for the project. Selection should consider shape, weight, fit, finish and budget. A material name alone does not determine the final quality or price.
Can PDF colour charts or Pantone codes confirm the finished colour?
PDF charts help shortlist colours and material codes, but do not replace physical approval. Pantone codes can support discussion; feasibility depends on the material and process. For patterned or layered acetate, review physical material and a finished sample. Identical pattern placement across every frame should not be assumed.
How are UV400, polarization and lens materials specified?
UV400 requirements, polarization, TAC or PC lenses, gradients, mirror finishes and other coatings can be reviewed by project. These are separate specification choices, not interchangeable features. Identify the intended use, destination market and required tests before quotation and sampling; a product photograph is not evidence of lens performance.
Where can a logo be applied, and is packaging included?
Frame or temple engraving, laser marking, printing and lens logos can be assessed. Placement, size and method depend on the material and construction and require sample approval. Check the quotation for basic packaging. Branded cases, cloths and gift boxes should have separate specifications, quantities and costs; their minimum quantities may differ.
Tooling, samples and approvals
When can tooling costs be confirmed for a new style?
New designs require tooling and a separate tooling charge, quoted for the construction, material and development scope. The tooling fee can be credited toward bulk orders; the return or credit arrangement is negotiable and should be written into the order. Itemize tooling, samples and production unit prices. No universal refund threshold or full one-time refund is assumed.
Who owns paid dedicated tooling, and what does exclusivity cover?
Customer-paid dedicated tooling can belong to the customer under the agreement and be stored at the factory. Define storage, use, transfer and dedicated-use terms in writing; equipment compatibility matters for a transfer. Dedicated tooling is not automatically a worldwide market or brand-agency exclusivity agreement.
Are samples charged, and can the cost be credited to a bulk order?
Samples using existing tooling normally cost USD 50–200, with the amount confirmed for the style, materials and lenses. New designs incur a separate tooling fee in addition to sampling. Tooling fees can be credited toward bulk orders under a negotiated arrangement. Any sample-fee credit needs a separate agreement; the two charges are not interchangeable.
How are sampling, revisions and bulk lead times planned?
Tooling development for a new design takes 20–25 calendar days from drawing approval, including detail refinement. This is not the existing-tooling sample lead time, bulk production time or delivery time. Standard sampling and bulk production are scheduled separately. Later revisions need review, and bulk scheduling requires sample approval and agreed payment and order conditions. Shipping and customs are separate.
Quality checks and project evidence
Why can similar-looking frames have different quotations?
Similar appearance does not mean identical specifications. Frame materials, lenses, hinges, finishing, polishing, inspection scope, quantities and packaging affect the quotation. Compare the written configuration item by item rather than relying on labels such as premium or low-cost.
Can photos establish quality or approve production?
Photos help review shape and colour direction but cannot establish fit, hinge function, assembly, finish details or lens performance. Use a physical sample together with dimensions and configuration records before production approval. Record material, logo and important revisions by version instead of approving from an isolated chat image.
How are factory checks and third-party inspections arranged?
Quality checks take place during production. Finished-product checks use full inspection or sampling as agreed for the project. Third-party inspection can be coordinated, with check items, sampling methods, acceptance criteria and timing defined beforehand. An inspection does not mean every performance characteristic has been tested on every pair.
How are test reports and manufacturing defects handled?
Identify the destination market, intended use and required tests so specifications, reports and costs can be agreed. A report for one configuration does not automatically cover every model. Manufacturing defects identified before shipment are addressed before delivery. Issues reported after receipt are reviewed against the approved sample, records and actual defect evidence.
Quotation, export and brand routes
What makes quotations comparable, and how are payment terms agreed?
Use the same style, material, lens, colour split, logo, packaging, testing and delivery-term list when comparing quotations. Payment can be arranged around a deposit and a balance after production and agreed inspection. Percentages, methods and conditions belong in the written order; there is no universal payment split stated here.
Who coordinates international trade, export and shipping?
Production and international trade have separate responsibilities. Wuxi Xinjintai International Trade Co., Ltd. handles international contracting, trade and export. Air, sea, express or a buyer-appointed forwarder can be discussed. Agree delivery terms, costs, documents and destination requirements for each order; one shipping arrangement does not apply to every destination.
Are private-label production and local brand agency the same route?
No. A private-label project defines the product, logo, packaging and production terms. A local brand agency also needs separate discussions about authorization, territory, channels and commercial conditions. A collaboration reference or displayed logo is not agency authorization and does not automatically grant exclusive sales rights.
Is a Swag enquiry forwarded to the Italian partner automatically?
No. First clarify whether the request concerns Swag brand business or private-label manufacturing. Brand requests are coordinated with the Italian partner only after explaining the referral and obtaining the customer's permission to share details. Custom manufacturing enquiries are handled by the factory. Brand references and OEM/ODM development retain separate authorization and commercial scopes.
Discuss the details of your project
Share the model or reference, estimated quantity and target market with Abby. Mark any undecided specifications for discussion.
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