What’s the Difference Between Stock Styles and Custom Designs
The Two Paths Nanbin Offers
Not every brand needs to start from scratch. We offer two ways to work: pick from our existing styles and produce directly, or develop a custom design from your brief. Neither is better — it depends on where you are in your journey.
Stock Styles: Our existing designs with ready-made molds and fabrics. Order and produce.
Custom Designs: You provide the design or brief, and we go through the full development cycle from sampling onward.
Not sure which path fits? Tell us your target market and estimated volume, and we’ll recommend the approach.
What Are Stock Styles
Stock styles are mature designs Nanbin has already developed and is actively producing. The molds, patterns, and fabric blends are finalized — no development work needed.
What this means for you:
- Low MOQ — From 50 pcs for stocked styles (confirm availability at inquiry)
- Fast turnaround — No sampling phase, straight to production scheduling
- Limited color and size options — Choose from available options, no custom mix-and-match
- Non-exclusive — The same style may be sold through other channels
Stock styles are ideal for your first collaboration — validate the market with an existing product before committing to custom development.
What Are Custom Designs
Custom design means we build from your requirements. This can be a completely new design (ODM) or manufacturing based on your tech pack and specifications (OEM).
What this means for you:
- Higher MOQ — The sampling cost and new mold setup need to be amortized across production (confirm exact MOQ at inquiry)
- Longer lead time — Includes sampling and revision cycles
- Full customization — Fabric, color, size chart, logos, packaging — everything to your spec
- Brand exclusive — The design is yours, not shared with anyone else
Custom follows a full development cycle: requirements discussion → sample/mockup → revision and approval → bulk production. For the detailed process, see our OEM/ODM section.
Stock vs Custom — Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Stock Styles | Custom Designs |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ | Low (from ~50 pcs) | Higher (confirm at inquiry) |
| Lead Time | Fast, no sampling needed | Includes sampling + revision + production |
| Unit Cost | Lower (development already paid) | Higher (includes development cost) |
| Color & Sizing | Choose from available options | Fully flexible |
| Brand Exclusivity | ❌ Non-exclusive | ✅ Exclusive |
| Design Control | Limited | Full control |
| Best For | First orders, market testing | Established brands, differentiation |
When Stock Styles Work Best
We recommend stock styles when:
- Testing a new category — Not sure if a style will sell? Start with an existing design.
- Budget-conscious or first collaboration — No upfront development cost. Low-risk entry.
- Quick replenishment — Need to restock fast without losing the sales window.
- Seasonal small runs — Small quantities for holidays or limited campaigns.
Stock styles are not a “lower tier” option. They use the same fabric standards and quality control process as our custom products.
When Custom Designs Make Sense
We recommend custom development when:
- You have an established brand identity — The product needs to embody your brand personality, not just carry a label.
- Competitive differentiation matters — You don’t want the same silhouette as dozens of other brands.
- You have predictable sales volume — You can meet the corresponding MOQ and development timeline.
- Special functionality required — Specific compression levels, unique fabric blends, or special cut requirements.
Think of stock styles as model homes and custom designs as building from scratch. Model homes are move-in ready with transparent pricing, but the layout and finishes aren’t yours. If you know exactly what you want and there’s no off-the-shelf answer, custom is the right investment.
FAQ
Can I change the color of a stock style?
If the color change is within a similar shade range (no yarn change required), it may be possible. Confirm at inquiry.
Can I start with stock styles and switch to custom later?
Many of our clients started this way. Test the market with stock styles first, then invest in custom development once demand is confirmed.
How long does custom development take?
Sampling takes about 7 days. From approved sample to bulk delivery, start from 25 days. Complex designs or specialty fabrics will extend the timeline.
Are stock styles and custom products made to the same quality standard?
Yes. All products go through the same QA process and AQL standards. Stock does not mean lower quality.
Not sure whether to go stock or custom? Contact us, tell us your target market, estimated volume, and style requirements, and we’ll recommend the right path.
