For sportswear brands seeking differentiation in saturated markets, choosing between OEM and ODM manufacturing models can significantly impact product image and business growth. Understanding these methods is key to adjusting production based on your brand vision.
What is the core difference between OEM and ODM?
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) requires you to provide complete design specifications, including detailed technical packages, fabric selection, and brand guidelines. The manufacturer then precisely executes your design. This model is suitable for brands with strong design capabilities.
ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) allows you to choose from the manufacturer's existing designs and customize them with your brand elements. This method can enter the market faster with shorter development time and lower development costs, making it an ideal choice for testing new clothing categories or efficiently launching into the market.
Which model is suitable for your brand?
It depends on your goals. If you prioritize unique design, specialized performance features, and fabric innovation, OEM can provide the control needed to establish a unique design. If speed, budget efficiency, and trend response are the most important, ODM provides a simplified path to the market. Many successful brands have integrated these two models - using ODM to achieve rapid seasonal decline, and using OEM to achieve core and iconic brand series.
Practical Application of Minghang Garments
At Minghang Garments, we collaborate with two types of sports brands. For example, a European sports and leisure brand utilized our OEM expertise to develop proprietary high-performance fabrics for their premium T-shirt series. At the same time, a North American health startup launched a hoodie set series within eight weeks using our ODM catalog, customizing colors and adding its logo to our mature designs.
Whether you create a fully customized series through OEM or adjust your existing brand style through ODM, Minghang Garments can provide flexible and transparent partnerships based on your strategic needs. Are you ready to move from concept to creation? Contact us today to discuss your project and receive additional fabric samples.
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Email: kent@mhgarments.com
IG: @minghang_sportswear
Post time: Jan-16-2026
