· SiliForm Team · Sourcing Guide · 3 min read
How to Choose a Silicone Product Supplier — RFQ Scorecard
Factory vs trader, RFQ scorecard, and red flags before you lock a silicone product OEM. Built for brand and wholesale buyers.
The wrong silicone product supplier shows up later as late bulk, a size run that does not match the approved sample, or a trading company that cannot produce a mill or factory file when a retailer asks. Choosing a factory is different from vetting one: selection narrows the field with the same RFQ; vetting proves claims with samples, process photos, and documents.
This guide is for procurement managers, brand founders, and distributors building a shortlist. After shortlist, request samples and a documentation pack via the inquiry form.
Selection vs vetting
| Phase | Question | Tools | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection | Who belongs on the shortlist? | RFQ, catalog, desktop docs | 2–3 finalists |
| Vetting | Can we trust the finalist? | Paid samples, process evidence, CAPA questions | Approved vendor |
| Onboarding | How do we launch SKUs? | Size set, artwork, packing sign-off | First PO |
Vague RFQs (“best price silicone products, 5,000 pcs”) attract traders.
Supplier archetypes
| Archetype | What they are | When acceptable |
|---|---|---|
| OEM factory | Owns cutting, sewing or molding, and packing | US/EU brand, marketplace, pharmacy |
| ODM catalog factory | Off-the-shelf SKUs + your label | Fast wholesale test |
| Trading company | Brokers unknown plants | High risk for regulated or retailer portals |
| Design house + subcontract | Outsourced production | Only with a disclosed plant |
Rule: For US, EU, UK, pharmacy, or Amazon-style portals, require a direct factory relationship and a production address you can visit.
Requirement brief (send the same pack to every candidate)
- Target markets (US, EU, UK, other)
- Year-1 SKU count — kitchen silicone and custom molded silicone
- Customization level — hangtag/label vs full private label
- Volume band — first PO and 12-month forecast
- Shore A, food-contact vs industrial grade, and mold type
- Packing — polybag, inner box, master carton, retail carton
- Documents you will actually request (see certifications)
RFQ scorecard (weighted)
Score 1–5. Use the same sheet for every factory.
| Criterion | Weight | Score 5 | Score 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory-direct proof | 15% | Process video, license matches plant | Refuses address |
| Quality system evidence | 15% | Named certificates you can verify | Expired PDF thumbnails |
| Spec control | 15% | Written Shore A, food-contact vs industrial grade, and mold type | ”Same as sample” only |
| MOQ / ladder | 10% | Tiers around quoted by SKU | One fake low MOQ |
| Lead time | 10% | Samples 7–14 days, bulk 20–35 days after sample approval | ”7-day mass production” |
| OEM depth | 10% | Label, packing, IFU/care copy | Product-only |
| English PM | 5% | Named commercial contact | Chat-only |
| Sample policy | 5% | Paid sample credited to PO | Free sample, no spec |
| Reference policy | 5% | Sanitized reference under NDA | ”Cannot disclose any client” |
| Export packing | 5% | Carton marks, barcode, mixed SKU rules | Retail hangers only |
Red flags
- Will not name the sewing or molding site
- Quotes a consumer DTC price as “wholesale”
- No size or performance spec sheet
- Pushes a 3D designer or artwork toy as a substitute for a tech pack
- Mixes another category’s leftover catalog (wrong product photos)
Next step
Send the same brief to SiliForm and to your other shortlist names. Typical quote response is 24 hours on working days.