OEM means the factory makes your design under your brand; ODM means you adapt one of the factory's existing designs. In Vietnam, an OEM concrete piece typically takes 9–11 weeks from brief to first container, with a one-off tooling fee and an MOQ around 50 pieces per design. ODM changes inside an existing mould are faster, often 6–8 weeks, with no tooling and an MOQ of 20 pieces.
Both routes end in product under your label. The difference is who owns the design, how much development time and tooling you pay for, and how exclusive the result is.
OEM vs ODM at a glance
| OEM | ODM | |
|---|---|---|
| Design owner | You | Factory, adapted for you |
| Input | Drawings, 3D file or reference piece | Catalogue model plus your changes |
| Tooling | New mould, about $180–1,400 | Usually none |
| MOQ | About 50 pcs per design | 20 pcs per model |
| Sample | 10–14 days after tooling | 7 days |
| Exclusivity | Yes, moulds stored under your name | By agreement, per market |
Our version of both is on the OEM and ODM manufacturing page.
What to put in a factory brief
- Drawings or a 3D file with overall dimensions; a dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- Material and finish, for example GFRC, sealed matte, stocked colour or Pantone.
- Target FOB price and target retail price.
- Quantity per model and expected repeat volume per year.
- Destination market, so the factory can plan packing, labelling and origin documents.
- Packaging: pallet, crate or retail carton, and any branding.
- Testing you need: load, drop, outdoor exposure.
- Launch date, working backwards to the sample date.
A complete brief gets you a priced reply and manufacturability notes in one round instead of five.
Development timeline for a new OEM design
| Stage | Time | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| Design review (DFM) | 2 working days | Manufacturability notes, price range, tooling quote |
| Master and mould | 1–2 weeks | Photos of the master for approval |
| First sample | About 1 week | Measurement report, colour chips |
| Approval and PI | Your timing | Proforma with production slot |
| Production | 30–45 days | QC photo report |
| Packing and loading | About 1 week | Loading photos and documents |
Protecting your design
Sign an NDA, or an NNN agreement (non-disclosure, non-use, non-circumvention), before sending files. Agree in writing that moulds made for you are stored under your name and not used for anyone else. Register your design in your own market as well; a contract protects you with the factory, registration protects you in the shops.
Getting the sample approval right
- Approve against the drawing and a physical colour chip, not a photo.
- Check weight and packing, not only the surface.
- Keep one approved sample at the factory as the reference for every repeat order.
Before you commit, compare suppliers with our factory audit checklist and check prices against the published price guide. Material choices are compared in GFRC vs cast concrete vs terrazzo.
FAQ
What is the difference between OEM and ODM furniture?
OEM furniture is made to your own design; ODM furniture is a manufacturer's existing design adapted and branded for you.
What MOQ do Vietnam factories ask for custom furniture?
Often 50–300 pieces per design. At Q-Furniture, about 50 pieces per new design, or 20 if the tooling fee is paid in full; ODM starts at 20 pieces per model.
Can a factory work from a sketch?
Yes. A dimensioned sketch is enough; the factory's 3D team models it and you approve a render before the mould is made.
How do I protect my furniture design in Vietnam?
Sign an NDA or NNN agreement before sharing files, keep moulds under your name by contract, and register the design in your sales markets.
