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Articles and notes

Long-form notes on sourcing, vetting factories, and running production with European and global suppliers.

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  • Made in Portugal: Why DTC Brands Are Choosing Portuguese Factories

    Matias Santos, Founder

    Something shifted in the sourcing world over the last five years. A growing number of independent clothing brands, particularly those selling direct-to-consumer in the UK, US, and Northern Europe, have moved production to Portugal. Not because they stumbled into it, but because they looked at the options and made a deliberate call.

    Apr 15, 2026

  • MOQ Guide for European Clothing Manufacturing

    Matias Santos, Founder

    Minimum order quantities are one of the biggest friction points between independent brands and European factories. Ask for too little and the factory won't take your call seriously. Misjudge what's realistic and you end up either over-ordering to hit minimums or losing the factory relationship before it starts.

    Apr 15, 2026

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How to Source from European Factories Without a Sourcing Agent

Matias Santos, Founder

The sourcing agent model made sense in an earlier era of the industry. Factories in Portugal or Italy didn't have websites, didn't attend trade shows accessible to small brands, and didn't have the infrastructure to manage brand relationships directly. An agent with factory contacts and local language skills was genuinely indispensable.

Apr 15, 2026

  • How to Find Clothing Manufacturers: 9 Methods That Actually Work

    Matias Santos, Founder

    Starting a clothing brand often begins with a simple idea, a design, a concept, or a product you want to bring to market. But after the design stage, founders quickly encounter one of the most difficult steps in building a product brand: finding the right manufacturer.

    Apr 15, 2026

  • 10 Best Sourcing Platforms for Product Brands in 2026

    Matias Santos, Founder

    Finding reliable manufacturers is one of the most difficult steps in building a product brand. Many brand owners start by searching on Google, browsing large supplier marketplaces, or asking other entrepreneurs for referrals. While these methods can sometimes work, they often require weeks of research and dozens of conversations before identifying the right production partners.

    Apr 15, 2026

  • 10 Best Websites to Find Manufacturers for Your Product Brand

    Matias Santos, Founder

    A practical guide for brand owners looking to manufacture clothing, accessories, beauty products, and consumer goods. Most brand owners underestimate how difficult it is to find reliable manufacturers. After designing a product and validating demand, the next challenge is sourcing suppliers who can actually produce it.

    Apr 15, 2026

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