Contract templates · Sales, Supply & Distribution
For fashion, beauty and consumer brands, the manufacturer holds the designs, the samples and often the brand's reputation. The contract should protect all three.
A manufacturing agreement is a contract between a brand and a contract manufacturer covering specifications and samples, minimum order quantities and lead times, quality control and inspection, IP and confidentiality, pricing, compliance and ethical sourcing, and liability.
When you need one
- Fashion, beauty and consumer brands using a contract manufacturer
Key clauses in a Manufacturing Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Specifications and samples
Ties production to approved specifications and signed-off samples.
MOQs and lead times
Sets minimum order quantities and production lead times.
Quality control and inspection
Gives the brand inspection rights and sets rejection criteria.
IP and confidentiality
Keeps designs, tech packs and moulds owned by the brand and confidential.
Pricing
Fixes unit prices and how changes are handled.
Compliance and ethical sourcing
Requires compliance with labour, safety and sourcing rules and allows audits.
Liability
Allocates liability for defects and recalls.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not stating that moulds, patterns and tooling paid for by the brand belong to it.
- No restriction on the factory selling overruns or copies.
- Ignoring supply chain laws such as the EU deforestation and forced labour rules or US customs import bans.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Manufacturing Agreement template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Manufacturing Agreement template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $29, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the designs and tech packs?
The brand, if the agreement says so; it should also cover tooling and moulds.
What is an MOQ?
Minimum order quantity: the smallest production run the factory will accept.
Can I audit the factory?
Only if the contract gives an audit right, which is increasingly expected for ethical sourcing claims.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.