Three things decide whether a supplier is worth a second order: whether other brands come back, whether bulk passes inspection, and how many sample rounds development takes. These are SEAMDANCE's own figures, with how each one was counted.
The short answer
- Of 100 new customers with a full 12 months of history, 48 reordered within 12 months. Their second orders averaged 690 pieces against 420 for the first, 64% larger, about 110 days after the first.
- About 97% of bulk lots passed final inspection the first time (96–98% from 2024 to 2026), with a first-time yield of 97–98%. Lots that failed were reworked and inspected again before shipment.
- Custom styles averaged about two sample rounds: 20% were approved on the first, 65% on the second and 15% on the third, so 85% were approved within two. Standard styles reached final approval in 18–25 days.
What was measured, and how
These figures come from SEAMDANCE's own records and are not audited by a third party. Each measure has its own base, so read them one at a time rather than as a single score.
Reorders are counted per customer. We took 100 new customers whose first order was at least 12 months old and checked whether each ordered again within 12 months; a customer who reordered several times counts once. Second-order growth compares the first and second order quantities of the customers who reordered.
First-pass inspection is the share of bulk lots that passed final inspection the first time, against the quality standard agreed with the buyer and, where it applies, AQL 2.5 sampling. Sample rounds are counted per custom style, from the first sample to the approved one.
Reorders: 48 of 100 within 12 months
Customers who came back mostly did so within a season: the average gap to the first reorder was about 110 days, most often two to four months, and the second order averaged 64% more pieces than the first.
First orders from new brands are usually 300–500 pieces. Stock programs start at 100 pieces with colors and sizes mixed and custom development at 300–500 pieces per style, so a first custom order usually starts with one main style.
Reorders among 100 new customers, 12-month window
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| New customers counted | 100, each with a full 12-month window |
| Reordered within 12 months | 48 (48%) |
| First order, customers who reordered | 420 pieces on average |
| Second order | 690 pieces on average, 64% larger |
| Time to first reorder | About 110 days on average; most often 2–4 months |
Inspection: about 97% pass first time
Final inspection covers measurements and fit; fabric color, stretch and appearance; stitching; logo position, size and adhesion; hangtags, wash labels and packaging; and the overall finish of the garment.
From 2024 to 2026, 96–98% of bulk lots passed first time — about 97% — and first-time yield on finished goods ran at 97–98%. A lot that fails does not ship: the faults are logged, the goods are reworked, replaced or remade, and the lot is inspected again before release.
AQL 2.5 is a sampling plan, not a defect rate. It sets how many defects a sample may contain before the lot is rejected; it does not mean that 2.5% of the goods may be faulty.
Most common final-inspection findings
| Most common finding | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Measurements | Waist, hip, chest or inseam outside the confirmed tolerance |
| Stitching | Loose threads, skipped stitches, uneven seams |
| Fabric | Shade variation, marks or snags |
| Logo | Print off position, wrong size or poor adhesion |
| Packaging | Wrong size label, missing hangtag, packing not to spec |
Sample rounds: about two, 85% within two
Custom styles averaged about two rounds from first sample to approval, and standard styles reached final approval in 18–25 days. Straightforward OEM styles usually settle in one or two rounds; complex ODM development often needs two, three or more.
The changes buyers ask for most are to fit (waist, chest, hip, inseam, strap length), fabric (stretch, thickness, weight, softness, opacity), color (matched to a Pantone reference), construction (panel lines, stitching, gathers, binding) and branding (logo position, size, color and print method).
Sample round at approval, share of custom styles
| Approved on | Share of custom styles |
|---|---|
| First round | 20% |
| Second round | 65% |
| Third round | 15% |
Quick answers
How is the 48% reorder rate counted?
Per customer. Of 100 new customers whose first order was at least 12 months old, 48 placed another order within 12 months. A customer who reordered several times counts once, and second-order growth compares only those customers' first and second orders.
Does AQL 2.5 mean 2.5% of the goods can be defective?
No. AQL 2.5 is a sampling plan: it sets how many defects a sample may contain before the lot is rejected. Our first-pass figure is a different measure, the share of bulk lots that passed final inspection the first time, which was about 97% from 2024 to 2026.
How many sample rounds does custom activewear take?
About two on average in our records: 20% of custom styles were approved on the first round, 65% on the second and 15% on the third. Straightforward OEM styles usually take one or two rounds; complex ODM development two, three or more.
What happens when a bulk lot fails inspection?
It does not ship. The faults are logged, the goods are reworked, replaced or remade, and the lot is inspected again; it is released only when it meets the standard agreed with the buyer.
Approved references first, then in-line and final inspection against the same standard.
Open the programSourcing styles for your line? The 2026 catalogue lists every ready-to-develop style — colorways, materials, quote list built in.