In the competitive world of garment manufacturing, a strong client reference can be the difference between a stalled proposal and a signed contract. For an OEM/ODM partner like Newasia Garment, with a long-standing history of collaborating with global casualwear brands, references are not just proof of capability—they are a compelling narrative about reliability, scale, quality, and collaborative speed. But asking for references is a delicate art. Do it well, and you turn satisfied customers into ambassadors. Do it poorly, and you risk disrupting relationships or creating awkward moments for teams already stretched thin.
This guide blends practical techniques with real-world templates, designed for garment manufacturers who want to build a scalable, respectful, and effective reference program. Expect a mix of direct, warm, and strategic styles—so you can tailor your approach to different buyers, from fast-moving D2C brands to large multinational retailers.
Why client references matter in garment OEM/ODM partnerships
The garment supply chain is a complex tapestry of specs, timelines, quality controls, and cost pressures. Prospective clients want to know what it feels like to work with you before they commit scarce resources to a new supplier. References provide:
- Evidence of consistent quality and delivery performance.
- Context about how you handle scale, seasonal spikes, or urgent orders.
- Insights into collaboration, communication, and issue resolution.
- Social proof that reduces risk and shortens procurement cycles.
For Newasia Garment and brands in our ecosystem, a well-curated reference program also demonstrates our global reach, flexibility in denim fabric, jeans, casual pants, jackets, and down coats, and the value of our design-to-delivery capabilities via Aevonfashion. When potential clients see recognizable names or hear credible anecdotes, they feel more confident moving forward.
Who to ask for references and when
The best reference pool isn’t random. It’s a carefully chosen set of partners who match the prospective client’s profile in product, volume, and complexity.
- Similar product lines: Ask for references from brands producing denim, jeans, or casual outerwear with comparable fabric and finish standards.
- Scale and cadence: References from partners operating at a similar or larger scale—as well as those who have navigated peak seasons—offer the most relevant validation of your capacity.
- Geographic relevance: If the prospect is regional, include references from manufacturers who meet local compliance, logistics, and lead-time expectations.
- Post-project outlook: If a client has continued to engage you on multiple programs, that ongoing partnership is a powerful signal of satisfaction and reliability.
Timing matters. The best moments to request a reference are after a major milestone—such as a successful pilot, a first full production run, or a sustained period of on-time deliveries with minimal defects. Avoid requesting references during a crisis or immediately after a quality issue unless you’ve already established a resolution path and you can present a credible corrective action plan.
What to ask for and in what format
Clarity about what you need from a reference minimizes back-and-forth and speeds the procurement process for your prospect. Consider offering a menu of reference formats, and let the client choose what’s most comfortable.
- One-paragraph testimonial: A concise quote highlighting collaboration experience, delivery reliability, and any unique capability (e.g., rapid prototyping, large-quantity runs).
- Case study snippet: A brief narrative (~300–500 words) describing the project scope, challenge, solution, and measurable results (lead time reduction, defect rate, cost optimization).
- Executive quote: A short endorsement from a senior stakeholder (CPO, operations head) about the partnership’s impact on business outcomes.
- Reference contact: Permission to share a direct contact (name, role, company) who is willing to answer questions about working with you.
- Video or voice reference (optional): A short video clip or audio testimonial that prospects can watch or listen to during a later stage of the evaluation.
To make it easy for your clients, provide a ready-made framework that they can customize. For example, you can offer a short paragraph plus a couple of bullet points, leaving enough room for the client to personalize.
Ethical and practical guardrails for asking references
Respect is the foundation of a successful reference program. The following guardrails help protect relationships while maximizing the value of references.
- Always obtain explicit permission: No one should be contacted or quoted without consent. Make the ask in a low-pressure way and offer opt-out options.
- Protect sensitive information: Ensure that any shared data complies with privacy and confidentiality commitments. If a client is hesitant, offer anonymized or redacted references, or focus on outcomes rather than names.
- Provide context to the reference: Share a prospect’s profile with the reference so they can tailor their response. For example, mention industry, scale, and the timeframe the prospect is evaluating.
- Keep the ask proportional to the relationship: If a client’s ongoing program may already be in flux, defer the request until the relationship stabilizes.
- Honor commitments: If you promise to follow up with a prospective client, do so promptly and with courtesy. This builds trust for future reference requests.
Templates and examples you can adapt
Templates reduce the friction of asking and increase the likelihood of a positive response. Below are adaptable options for different tones and situations. Each template assumes you’ve had a successful pilot or a first full production run and you want to extend the relationship through a reference.
Direct, concise email to a reference-friendly client
Subject: Quick request: could you share a brief reference about our partnership?
Hi [First Name],
I hope you’re well. We’re talking with a potential partner who is evaluating suppliers for denim, jeans, and casual outerwear production. They’re particularly interested in how we handle scale, quality control, and on-time delivery.
Would you be open to providing a short one-paragraph reference or a 2–3 sentence quote about your experience working with Newasia Garment on [Project/Program Name]? If you’d prefer, I can draft a script you can adapt. We’d also welcome a short permission to share your company name and role, or, if you’d rather, a anonymized reference.
Thank you for considering this. Your perspective would be very helpful to prospective partners evaluating our capabilities.
With appreciation,
• [Role] • • [Phone] • [Email]
Warm, narrative approach for a longer case-study reference
Subject: A quick story about how we collaborated with [Client Name] on [Project]
Dear [First Name],
Thank you again for the opportunity to work with on the [Project]. We’re compiling a short case study to share with a prospective partner who is assessing our capabilities in denim fabric and agile manufacturing. If you’re comfortable, could you provide a 300–500 word narrative that covers the following elements?
- Main challenge and objective
- Our approach and timeline
- Key results (quantitative improvements, e.g., lead time, defect rate, cost reductions)
- What it felt like to partner with our team (communication style, problem-solving approach)
We’ll include your name, title, and company, with your approval. If you’d prefer, we can anonymize the reference. Please let me know what works best.
Best regards,
Executive-ready reference with a crisp quote
Subject: Reference from for our upcoming supplier evaluation
Dear [First Name],
We’re preparing a supplier evaluation package for a global retailer. If you’re comfortable, may we include a short executive quote about our collaboration, focusing on reliability, quality, and speed?
Proposed quote (you can modify): “Newasia Garment delivered consistent quality and reliable lead times for our denim program, enabling us to meet our seasonal launch schedule with confidence.”
Thank you for considering this. Your support makes a meaningful difference for both our teams.
Best,
Style guides: adapting your ask to different buyer personalities
Differentiating your approach ensures you reach buyers who weigh relationships, data, speed, and risk differently. Consider crafting your ask in one of these modes, and be ready to mix-and-match as needed.
- Direct and data-focused: Lead with metrics, timelines, and specific outcomes. Use a short quote followed by three bullet points highlighting measurable improvements.
- Narrative and relationship-driven: Start with a story about collaboration, challenge, and learning. Use vivid examples and place emphasis on teamwork and communication.
- Concise and executive-ready: A one-paragraph statement plus one data bullet and a single quote from a senior leader, ideal for procurement packets or RFP appendices.
- Educational and transparent: Frame references as a learning loop—what worked, what could be improved, and how you’ve evolved the process to prevent issues in future projects.
How to present references in proposals and conversations
When a prospect asks for references, the way you present them matters almost as much as the content itself. Consider combining several formats to create a compelling, multi-channel narrative:
A few lines from client references that highlight strategic outcomes. A compact narrative with the problem, approach, results, and a client quote. A bulleted list of reference contacts including company, role, scope, and permission status (with opt-in/opt-out indicators). If you maintain a secure, client-approved showcase (case studies, testimonials), provide a link with appropriate access controls.
Incorporate data visuals when possible. A simple before/after chart (lead times, defect rates, or throughput) can speak louder than a paragraph. While design matters less in manufacturing than in consumer-facing brands, clarity and credibility always win.
What makes a reference program scalable for a garment OEM/ODM partner
To grow a reference pipeline without compromising client relationships, you need a repeatable, respectful process.
- Formalize consent and preferences: Use a short, optional form for clients to opt into reference sharing, specify preferred formats, and indicate timing windows (quarterly, post-project, etc.).
- Build a reference library: Maintain a secure repository of approved quotes, case studies, and contact summaries. Tag by product line, region, scale, and project type for quick retrieval.
- Rotate references to avoid fatigue: Avoid overexposing any single client. Rotate references across prospects with a mix of names, roles, and regions where appropriate.
- Track outcomes of reference interactions: Monitor conversion rates when references are used, so you can continuously optimize the approach.
Newasia Garment: how our approach to references supports our clients and partners
As a leading OEM/ODM garment partner founded in 1986, Newasia Garment brings a deep bench of experience in denim, jeans, casual pants, jackets, and down coats. Our collaboration with global casualwear brands is seeded in a culture of reliability, agile manufacturing, and superior prototype services—an environment where references are more than testimonials; they are validation of an ongoing capability to deliver at scale.
We recognize the value of a strong reference program for our prospective clients. That is why we provide flexible options: consent-based quotes, anonymized data when needed, and case-study formats that align with procurement needs. Through Aevonfashion, our brand portfolio demonstrates not only engineering and manufacturing excellence but also a design-forward mindset that helps clients translate concept into commercial product with speed.
Our approach to references is practical and respectful. We encourage open dialogue with clients about what information is shared and how it’s presented. This ensures the reference experience remains positive for both the client and the classroom for future customers evaluating their supply chains.
A practical reference playbook you can implement today
Here is a quick, actionable playbook you can apply in your own procurement conversations, especially in the garment sector:
- Identify a short list of potential reference candidates who match the prospective client’s project profile.
- Draft a flexible ask that includes an option for a quote, a short case study, or an executive testimonial, with a clear opt-in path.
- Prepare a concise reference package (2–4 pages max) that includes an executive summary, a case study snippet, quotes, and a contact permission note.
- Deliver the reference package within the same timeframe as your proposal. If the prospect asks for more, offer a live conversation with a reference or a deeper case study if available.
- Solicit feedback from both the client and the prospect after the reference interaction. Use insights to refine your approach for future requests.
Closing thoughts: elevating trust through references
References are not a checkbox; they are a trust mechanism that validates the narrative you bring to market. For a garment manufacturer like Newasia Garment, the right references translate capability into credibility, speed into certainty, and collaboration into a proven track record. Every reference is an opportunity to demonstrate how we turn fabric, pattern, and process into brands that customers trust season after season.
If you’d like to discuss building or refining a reference program tailored to your products—whether denim, jackets, or down coats—reach out to our team. We’re glad to share templates, case studies, and best practices from our collaborations with global apparel leaders, and we can help you craft a reference strategy that accelerates your own sales cycles and strengthens partnerships.
Next steps and contact points
To begin, consider scheduling a quick consult with our partnerships team. We can review your current references, identify gaps, and outline a scalable plan aligned with your product lines, target markets, and procurement timelines. A well-structured reference program can become a competitive differentiator in a crowded market—and it can begin with a single, respectful ask that honors your clients’ experience and time.
