The right
Sunglasses manufacturer for your brand is one that passes seven checks: verified factory status, relevant certifications, matching MOQ, material expertise, quality control process, communication quality, and references you can actually verify. If a supplier fails two or more of these, walk away — the short-term savings are not worth the long-term risk.
This checklist works for both Semi-Custom (50-100 pcs) and Full OEM (300-500 pcs) orders. It is written from the factory side — we see exactly which questions brands should ask but often do not.
Check 1: Is It a Factory or a Trading Company?
The single most important question. Trading companies buy from factories and resell — they add 10-30% margin, control less of the production process, and cannot answer technical questions about your order.
How to verify:
- Ask for a live video call showing the production floor, not a pre-recorded video
- Request recent photos of the specific production line with today's newspaper or a handwritten date card in frame
- Check the company registration (business license) matches the factory address
- Ask about equipment — a real factory can name its machines: CNC model, polishing barrels, lens edgers
Red flags: The supplier refuses a live video call. The address on the business license is an office building, not a workshop. Photos on the website look like stock images.
Check 2: Do the Certifications Match Your Market?
Certifications are market-entry requirements, not marketing badges. If you sell to the US, you need FDA impact resistance. Europe requires CE marking and REACH. Australia requires AS/NZS 1067.
How to verify:
- Ask for copies of the certificates — not photos of the certificate wall
- Check the certificate number online where possible (e.g., BSCI audits are searchable by ID)
- Confirm the certificates are issued in the factory's name, not a parent company's
- Ask which tests the factory performs in-house vs outsourced
Red flags: The supplier says "certificates available" but hesitates to send copies. The certificate shows a different company name. The supplier cannot explain what REACH or CPSIA actually requires.
Check 3: Does the MOQ Match Your Stage?
A factory's MOQ is not arbitrary — it reflects how their production economics work. A factory with a 1,000-piece MOQ cannot profitably handle your 100-piece order, and will either refuse it or pass you to a smaller factory they partner with.
| Your Order Size | What to Look For |
| 50-100 pcs per style | A Semi-Custom service with no mold fees |
| 100-300 pcs per style | Flexible MOQ and per-style minimums |
| 300-500 pcs per style | Full OEM with custom mold development |
| 1,000+ pcs | Large-volume factories with mold amortization |
Red flags: A factory quotes a great per-unit price but only at a MOQ far above your budget — they are trying to convert you into a bigger order than you can carry. A factory that accepts any MOQ with no floor is likely a trading company aggregating orders.
Check 4: Does the Factory Have Material Expertise in What You Want?
Materials are not interchangeable. An acetate specialist and a titanium specialist have completely different equipment, skills, and supply chains.
How to verify:
- Ask which acetate suppliers they work with (Mazzucchelli, Jimei, Jinyu) and whether they stock sheets
- Ask about their polishing process in detail — hand polishing vs barrel-only changes the feel completely
- For metal frames, ask about welding methods (silver brazing vs laser) and surface finishing
- Request material swatches or samples before committing
Red flags: The supplier says "we can do everything" without explaining how. They cannot name their material suppliers. They offer no samples or swatches.
Check 5: What Is the Quality Control Process?
Quality is a process, not a promise. Ask what happens between CNC cutting and shipping.
How to verify:
- Ask how many QC staff they have (a factory doing 100% inspection needs dedicated staff, not production workers double-checking)
- Ask what tests they run: lens impact, UV transmission, hinge tension, frame alignment
- Ask whether third-party inspection is available and which agencies they have worked with
- Request the QC checklist document if available
Red flags: The supplier cannot describe their QC process beyond "we check quality." They say third-party inspection is "not needed." They cannot show you the inspection report from a recent order.
Check 6: How Responsive Is Their Communication?
Communication quality predicts the entire relationship. A supplier who replies in 48 hours before you order will reply in 48 hours when a shipment is delayed.
How to verify:
- Send a detailed technical question and time the response — a professional factory answers within 24 hours, often faster
- Ask for a quote and see how detailed it is: a professional quote breaks down material, mold, sampling, production, and shipping separately
- Evaluate how they handle your "dumb" questions — patient answers signal a partner, dismissive answers signal a salesperson
Red flags: Vague replies ("we can do it" without specifics). Quotes without breakdowns. Pressuring you to pay a deposit before answering questions.
Check 7: Can They Give References You Can Verify?
Any supplier can claim 500 clients. Few can give you verifiable ones.
How to verify:
- Ask for references from brands in your market and price segment — not just their biggest clients
- Ask for a sample product from a recent order (with the client's name and market)
- Check if they exhibit at trade shows (MIDO, Vision Expo) — exhibitor directories are public and verifiable
- If they have a company profile on Alibaba or Made-in-China, check the years of membership and review history
Red flags: References are only "confidential." No trade show presence, ever. The company profile says "established 2024" while claiming 15 years of experience.
The Scoring Sheet
Rate each check 1-5, then add up:
| Score | Verdict |
| 30-35 | Strong candidate — proceed to sampling |
| 24-29 | Proceed with caution — verify the weak points in person |
| 17-23 | High risk — only continue if price is exceptional |
| 7-16 | Walk away |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I visit the factory before ordering?
For orders above $10,000, yes. A factory visit reveals what no video call can: cleanliness, worker skill, equipment condition, and whether the "factory" is actually a workshop with rented equipment.
Is it cheaper to buy from a trading company?
Rarely. Trading companies add margin on top of factory prices. Direct factory sourcing is almost always cheaper — and gives you direct control over quality.
How many factories should I compare?
3-5. Fewer and you lack a baseline. More and you spend too long evaluating instead of sampling.
Can I trust a factory with no website?
Maybe. Many excellent Chinese factories have thin online presence and rely on B2B platforms and referrals. Verify through the other six checks instead of judging by website quality.
What if the cheapest factory fails the checklist?
Then it is not the cheapest — it is the most expensive, because rework, delays, and compliance failures cost more than the price difference.
Get a free quote with full transparency →
For full OEM with custom mold development, visit mellumeeyewear.com.
