From initial brief to goods at your UK warehouse. Here's exactly how the process works, what we need from you at each stage, and what to expect on timeline and cost.
Ordering knitwear from a Turkish manufacturer for the first time involves a different process than buying from a domestic supplier or placing a re-order with a platform you already use. The process has more steps, a longer timeline, and requires more upfront communication — but it produces a genuinely custom garment at a price point that UK or nearshore manufacturing can't match at this quality level. And under the UK–Turkey Free Trade Agreement, most knitwear lines clear into Britain duty-free when the rules of origin are met. Here's how it works with us, step by step.
Share whatever you have: a tech pack, a reference image, a sketch, or a description of what you want to make. The more specific you can be on stitch structure, gauge, yarn type, colours, size range, and target quantity, the faster we can give you useful numbers. We don't require a finished tech pack to start — we can help develop the construction spec from a reference. Our minimum order quantity is 250 pieces per colourway.
What we need at minimum: style category (jumper, cardigan, tank, etc.), target gauge range, yarn type (merino, cotton, cashmere blend, etc.), colourway count, size range, and approximate order quantity. Send to info@kiwigiyim.com or via WhatsApp at +90 532 013 17 61.
Response time: 1 business day with a preliminary CMT range or follow-up questions.
We produce a proto sample at £60–140 including shipping to the UK. The sample is produced in the specified stitch structure and gauge, in your closest available yarn if the exact spec yarn isn't in stock. We ship via DHL or FedEx express to your UK address.
Sample review: evaluate fit, construction quality, stitch definition, and handle. If revisions are needed, we produce a revised sample at a reduced fee or incorporate changes into bulk if the revisions are minor. Most programmes need one proto and one revision sample before bulk.
Payment: sample fee paid in full before production (T/T bank transfer or credit card via invoice link).
Once the sample is approved, we issue a formal purchase order confirmation with: style details, yarn spec, colourways, quantities per size, unit CMT price, total amount, and the production and delivery timeline. You confirm and pay a 30% deposit.
At this stage we also: confirm yarn availability and source your specified fibre if it isn't already in stock; schedule a production slot (typically 2–4 weeks from deposit to production start); and confirm export documentation requirements (EUR.1 movement certificate and supplier's declaration to support UK–Turkey FTA preference, where the rules of origin are met).
Most programmes run 45–60 days from production start to goods-ready. Complex constructions (intarsia, multi-stitch jacquard, WHOLEGARMENT) or larger quantities may add 1–2 weeks. We send a production update at the midpoint and a pre-shipment QC report when production is complete. Production is in-house on our flat-knit floor — 15 Shima Seiki machines (including WHOLEGARMENT) and 7 Stoll machines — so we control quality at every stage rather than subcontracting the knit.
Pre-production sample: one unit produced at the start of the bulk run for final construction confirmation. If you want this shipped to you for review before we run the full order, we can arrange that — it adds 7–10 days. Most clients with an approved proto skip this for faster delivery.
When production is complete, we send the final QC report with measurements and photo documentation. You pay the 70% balance, and we ship. Standard shipment is by road through Europe (7–12 days to most UK destinations) or by sea from Mersin or Iskenderun (12–18 days). We'll recommend the route that suits your timeline and budget.
Documentation included: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (CMR or bill of lading), and an EUR.1 movement certificate with the supplier's declaration to support UK–Turkey FTA preference. To claim duty-free entry your goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin — your customs broker will confirm preference applies to your specific HS code and that the documentation is in order at import.
Incoterms: we typically quote FOB Mersin or CIF UK destination. DDP (delivered duty paid to your door) can be arranged for an additional fee via our freight forwarder.
| Stage | Duration | Your action |
|---|---|---|
| Brief → Proto start | 3–5 days | Send brief, confirm sample spec, pay sample fee |
| Proto production | 10–14 days | Wait |
| Proto review & revision | 5–14 days | Review, request revisions, approve |
| Order confirmation → production start | 14–28 days | Confirm PO, pay 30% deposit |
| Bulk production | 45–60 days | Review midpoint update, approve QC report |
| Balance payment → shipment | 3–5 days | Pay 70% balance |
| Transit to the UK | 7–18 days | Arrange customs broker & delivery |
| Total (first order) | ~15–19 weeks | Plan your collection calendar accordingly |
Yes. We welcome buyer visits to our facility in Tekstilkent, Gaziantep. Most UK buyers visit during proto development or before placing their first bulk order. We'll arrange transport from Gaziantep airport. Give us 2 weeks' notice so we can schedule around production.
We work with both. Private label brands (your branding, your design) make up the majority of our UK programmes. We also produce for wholesale brands supplying retail accounts. We don't sell under our own brand — everything we produce carries your label. See our private label knitwear and OEM knitwear pages for how we work.
We'll revise it. If a sample has a construction or quality issue that's our fault, we reproduce it at no additional charge. If the revision is a design change from your side, there's a reduced sample fee. We don't consider a programme approved until you're satisfied with the sample quality.
Yes. We work with established yarn suppliers across Italy (Zegna Baruffa, Tollegno), Turkey, and beyond for commodity yarns. We can source merino, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, cotton, TENCEL, and recycled fibre to your spec. Specify the fibre, count, and any certification requirements (OEKO-TEX, GRS, BCI) in your brief. Note that fibre content and care labelling must meet UK textile labelling rules, and any restricted substances are subject to UK REACH — we prepare documentation accordingly.
We supply what UK importers and retailers ask for. That includes fibre composition and care labelling to UK textile labelling requirements, UK REACH chemical compliance for dyes and finishes, and a Modern Slavery Act-aligned supply chain — production is in-house on our own flat-knit floor in Gaziantep, so we can document who makes your garments. For preferential duty, we provide the EUR.1 movement certificate and supplier's declaration; your broker confirms the goods meet the UK–Turkey FTA rules of origin.
FOB Mersin or Iskenderun is our standard. We can also arrange CIF to your UK port of entry, or DDP (landed and delivered) via our freight partner. FOB gives you control over freight and insurance; CIF and DDP are more hands-off for your team. We'll recommend based on your logistics setup.
Send your brief or tech pack. We'll reply within 1 business day with a preliminary CMT range and any questions about your construction. No commitment required at this stage. New to the category? Start with our knitwear manufacturing overview.
Order Process Guides
Step 1
What a complete knitwear tech pack must include — and the mistakes that delay production.
Read guide →Step 2
From proto to pre-production sample: stages, timelines and what to approve at each step.
Read guide →Step 3
How knitwear pricing terms work — and what each one includes when you confirm an order.
Read guide →Step 4
How brokers confirm FTA preference, EUR.1 and rules of origin so your goods clear cleanly.
Read guide →Planning
Backwards from your on-floor date: when to order yarn, approve samples and book freight.
Read guide →