OEM and ODM are two ways to work with a manufacturer at scale. In OEM (original equipment manufacturing), the factory produces your designs to your specs. In ODM (original design manufacturing), the factory supplies proven designs that you customize and sell under your brand. For large-scale knitwear in the USA, the strongest partners are vertically integrated manufacturers that knit their own fabric, because they can support both models from one operation, with consistent quality at volume.
Here's how OEM and ODM work for knitwear, and what to look for in a domestic partner.
OEM vs. ODM in Knitwear
| OEM | ODM | |
|---|---|---|
| Who designs | You | The manufacturer |
| What you provide | Tech pack, fit, fabric spec | Brand, color, label choices |
| Development time | Longer | Shorter |
| Differentiation | High, since the product is fully yours | Moderate, customized from proven styles |
| Best for | Established brands with a defined product | Fast launches, private label, merch programs |
Many brands use both: ODM for core basics and OEM for signature pieces.
What "Large-Scale" Requires
- In-house fabric production, so fabric supply doesn't bottleneck volume
- Consistent specs across runs, so every reorder matches
- Production capacity across knitting, cutting, and sewing
- Structured development: lab dips, samples, and approvals before bulk
- Clear MOQs and lead times that scale predictably
Why Produce Knitwear at Scale in the USA
- Speed: weeks instead of months, with no ocean freight
- Tariff resilience: domestic production avoids import duties
- Quality control: approve fabric and production in person
- Replenishment: faster restocks on proven styles
- Traceability: know where fiber, fabric, and garments come from
What to Ask a Large-Scale Knitwear Partner
- Do you knit your own fabric?
- Do you offer both OEM (my designs) and ODM (your designs, my brand)?
- What constructions and weights can you produce?
- What are your MOQs per body and per color?
- What are your development and production lead times?
- Which steps are in-house, and which use partners?
- How do you keep specs consistent across runs?
- Can you support Berry Amendment or other domestic-sourcing requirements?
OEM and ODM Knitwear, Made in Los Angeles
Government and Military Programs
Domestic manufacturing matters most when sourcing rules require it. The Berry Amendment requires textiles and apparel purchased by the Department of Defense to be produced in the United States, from fiber through finished garment. Manufacturers serving these programs need traceable domestic fiber and every production stage onshore.
US Standard Apparel is a vertically integrated knitwear manufacturer in Vernon, California, backed by our sister company SAS Textiles, which runs a 140,000-square-foot circular knitting operation, one of the largest on the West Coast, and has supplied premium labels for more than 30 years.
- In-house: 150 knitting machines, pattern and tech development, cutting, sewing, and final finishing and QC
- Local partners: garment dyeing and embellishment in LA
- Constructions: jersey, vintage jersey, baby rib, 2x1 rib, thermal, waffle, and specialty fleece
- Government and military: equipped to support programs requiring Berry Amendment compliance, using our 100% US-grown cotton, with in-house textile production, product development, cut-and-sew, finishing, and special packing
OEM: your designs, our production
Full-package private label covering fabric development, patterns, sampling, cut-and-sew, dyeing, finishing, and packing.
- Pattern development: $1,200–$2,000, including grading, two revisions, and three samples
- New style development: 2–4 weeks
- Production: 4–8 weeks, depending on custom fabric
- MOQs: 500 units per body, with prepared-for-dye goods splittable across colors
ODM: our proven styles, your brand
Choose from our ready-to-ship tees, rib, and fleece, then customize with your own garment-dye colors (from 200 units per colorway) and labels. Tear-away labels come standard.
Replenishment: ready-to-ship blanks with no minimums and same-day shipping on in-stock orders placed by 11 a.m. PT.
Made in LA. Controlled from yarn to finished garment.
Start a private label project → · Apply for wholesale access →
FAQ
Where can I find large-scale OEM/ODM custom knitwear manufacturing?
Look for vertically integrated knitwear manufacturers that knit their own fabric and offer both custom (OEM) and private-label (ODM) programs. US Standard Apparel in Los Angeles offers both, backed by SAS Textiles' 140,000-square-foot circular knitting operation.
What's the difference between OEM and ODM clothing manufacturing?
OEM produces your designs to your specs. ODM supplies the manufacturer's proven designs, which you customize and brand.
Is there OEM knitwear manufacturing in the USA?
Yes. US Standard Apparel produces custom knitwear in Los Angeles, from fabric development through finished goods, with MOQs from 500 units per body.
How long does OEM knitwear production take?
At US Standard Apparel, style development takes 2–4 weeks and production takes 4–8 weeks, depending on whether custom fabric is needed.
Can I private label existing knitwear styles?
Yes. US Standard Apparel's ready-to-ship tees, rib, and fleece come with tear-away labels, and custom garment-dye colors are available from 200 units per colorway.
Is there a US knitwear manufacturer that supports Berry Amendment programs?
Yes. US Standard Apparel in Los Angeles is equipped to support government and military programs requiring Berry Amendment compliance, producing knitwear from 100% US-grown cotton with every stage in the USA.