Sourcing glossary
ODM
Also known as: Original Design Manufacturing, Original Design Manufacturer
A manufacturing model in which the factory supplies its own existing product design, which the buyer customises and sells under its own brand.
ODM is the usual basis for private-label products: you choose a design the factory has already developed and change the logo, colours or packaging. It is faster and cheaper to start than OEM, but the factory normally keeps the design rights and may sell the same product to other buyers.
Read OEM vs ODM to decide which model fits your product.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Private label
Custom Packaging from China: Options, Printing, MOQs and Labels
How to order custom packaging from China: poly bags, colour boxes, mailers and inserts, printing methods, MOQs, dielines, barcodes and origin marking.
Updated 2026-09-24 · 5 min read
Platforms
1688 vs Alibaba vs Taobao: Which Platform Should You Buy From?
1688, Alibaba.com and Taobao compared for overseas buyers: who each serves, language, MOQ, prices, payment, buyer protection and shipping abroad.
Updated 2026-09-09 · 5 min read
Private label
OEM vs ODM: Which Manufacturing Model Fits Your Product?
OEM, ODM, private label and white label compared: who owns the design, tooling costs, MOQs, lead times and how to protect your IP when manufacturing in China.
Updated 2026-09-04 · 6 min read
Suppliers
Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
How to tell a real Chinese factory from a trading company using the business license scope, capital records and audits, plus when a trader is the smarter choice.
Updated 2026-09-02 · 7 min read
Part of OEM & Private Label.