How to start a rug brand with an Indian manufacturer

1. Define your customer and price tier. Decide who the rug is for and where it sits in the market before you pick constructions. This is your decision, and it drives everything below.
2. Choose constructions. Hand-knotted, hand-tufted, handloom, hand-woven, flatweave, jute and leather are all made in Bhadohi. Typical ranges for each are on rug specifications.
3. Bring designs and colours. Send a drawing, CAD file, colour reference or physical sample. We sign a non-disclosure agreement as standard before you share designs.
4. Order samples. Sampling takes 5 to 20 days and the cost is credited against your order. See the rug sampling process.
5. Place a first order. The minimum order is 1 piece, so you can test a design before committing to volume.
6. Agree labels and packaging. Your label, hangtag, packaging insert or brand mark goes on the finished piece, with no Raheem and Son identification.
7. Plan shipping. Agree the Incoterm and packing specification when the purchase order is confirmed.
8. Inspect and approve. Pieces are checked against the approved sample before packing. You can arrange a production inspection at agreed stages.
9. Reorder and grow. Bulk production runs 8 to 16 weeks from sample approval.

Start with one or two constructions rather than the whole range. A tight first collection is easier to photograph, price and explain. Hand-tufted rugs offer flexible pile height and fast sampling. Hand-knotted rugs are the most durable handmade construction. Flatweave and jute suit lighter, simpler lines.

You do not need finished artwork. A reference image, a colour swatch or a rough sketch is enough to open a sampling conversation. Read the OEM and private label page for how design briefs are handled.

Minimum order: 1 piece. Sampling cost is credited against your order, so the sample is not money spent twice if you go on to order. A single piece is a practical way to check colour, handle, pile and finish in your own hands, and to photograph it for your launch.

Once you approve the sample, you issue a purchase order and bulk production begins, typically 8 to 16 weeks. The full sequence is on how to order.

We do not publish price lists. Cost depends on the construction, material, size, density and quantity, and it is quoted per order. To plan your own retail price, work backwards: your target selling price, minus your channel costs, shipping and duty, leaves the cost you can afford to pay. Then ask for a quote against that number.

Send the design, size and estimated quantity through the quote form below. Payment: 50% advance, 50% before dispatch.

• Labels and packaging. When you ask, we attach your own brand label, woven or sewn in; print and attach your barcode or QR sticker when you supply the numbers; and pack each rug in your own packaging or polybag with your labels outside. Country of origin and fibre content go on the label. Samples are supplied before bulk is committed.
• Shipping. Rugs are rolled, poly-wrapped and palletised to the agreed packing specification, with export documents prepared. See export and logistics.
• Quality control. Inspection happens at four points: raw material intake, in-process at the loom, post-wash and finishing, and a final check of dimensions and colour against the approved sample. Details are on our standards.

Raheem & Son was founded in 1927 in Bhadohi and is run by the fourth generation of the same family. We are registered with the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), which is our only standing affiliation. Before choosing any manufacturer, use the rug manufacturer checklist, which includes us.

Core references: OEM and private label, rug specifications, how to order, wholesale rugs and the sample program.

See also: Rug sampling process · Private label rugs for online sellers · Rug manufacturer checklist · OEM and private label · Rug specifications · How to order · Wholesale rugs · Sample program