Frequently Asked Questions

We are based in Qingdao, China. SUPsfactory is the B2B brand of Afarer, the manufacturing division of Qingdao Vatrad Group Co., Ltd. — a 12,500 m² inflatable manufacturing plant in the Laixi Economic Development Zone, producing since 2012. Sales and technical support are global; production is in Qingdao, China.

Yes. Afarer (backed by Qingdao Vatrad Group Co., Ltd.) offers full-scale OEM and ODM customization — from 3D blueprints and drop-stitch material selection to bulk production for global brands. We handle private labeling, custom packaging, and compliance documentation for BSCI, CE, and other certifications

Afarer's factory holds BSCI and ISO 9001 certification. CE certification applies to models destined for EU markets; scope is confirmed per project and varies by target market and product configuration. REACH and RoHS compliance documentation is available on request.

MOQ is confirmed by project configuration rather than a fixed number: every project moves through sample (1–2 units) and pilot (20–50 units) stages, with standard volume production running 90–100+ units per batch from a full 150 m drop-stitch roll. Small-batch co-branding starts at 5–10 units. See our MOQ & Flexible Branding Guide for the full calculation logic.

We use marine-grade PVC (0.9 mm–1.2 mm) with double-layer drop-stitch core for SUPs. Materials are sourced from certified suppliers and tested for tensile strength, UV resistance, and low-temperature flexibility before production.

Yes. Our 12,500 m² factory produces over 120,000 units annually with a dedicated team of 350+ skilled workers. We ship to 50+ countries and manage logistics including FOB Qingdao, CIF major ports, and door-to-door delivery through our freight partners.

Standard OEM production lead time is 25–35 days from confirmed PO and deposit. Custom mould development adds 15–20 days for tooling, and prototype samples ship within 7–12 days. Rush orders available for established partners with confirmed material stock.

Yes. Our drop-stitch core uses marine-spec PVC fabric with tensile strength exceeding 2000 N/5cm. The double-layer lamination process achieves air-holding retention at 18.0 PSI with a pressure drop below 0.50 PSI over 24 hours — meeting the factory's air-holding integrity standard.

Every inflatable tube undergoes a 24-hour pressure-hold test at 18.0 PSI before shipment; chambers exceeding a 0.50 PSI pressure drop are auto-rejected. UV resistance is validated via accelerated weathering with tensile-strength degradation thresholds. Our PVC compound includes UV stabilizers and anti-oxidant additives for long-term outdoor durability.

Yes. We offer turnkey private-label packaging: custom-designed retail boxes, hang tags, instruction manuals, and shipping cartons with your brand artwork. Our in-house design team can develop full-brand visual identity for new market entrants — from logo application to unboxing experience.

Absolutely. We welcome on-site and third-party factory audits including BSCI, SMETA, and customer-specific social compliance inspections. Our 12,500 m² facility is audit-ready with documented QC processes, material traceability, and worker health & safety records. Virtual factory tours available for initial qualification.

Drop-stitch is a fabric construction where thousands of polyester threads connect the top and bottom PVC layers. When inflated to 12–15 PSI, these threads pull the panels to a fixed distance, creating a rigid, flat platform. Afarer uses fusion-laminated drop-stitch —where threads are thermally bonded into the PVC— for superior delamination resistance vs. traditional glue-bonded cores.

Buyers planning rental, resort or school fleets usually start with wide, high-volume all-around platforms that are stable for first-timers and versatile for daily commercial use. We can also configure multi-person boards for group lessons. Platform selection is reviewed against your target riders before sampling.

SUPsfactory boards are built for ocean, lake and river use. Touring platforms handle coastal chop, and all boards use marine-grade PVC that resists saltwater corrosion. For saltwater fleets we recommend the standard fresh-water rinse routine between uses and include it in the operator guidance supplied with commercial kits.

Yes. Commercial kits include dual-action hand pumps, with electric pump options for resorts and rental operators managing multiple boards per day. Pump, paddle, leash, fin, backpack and repair kit selections are confirmed as part of the accessory configuration for each project.

Volume production ships vacuum-packed to reduce volumetric weight by 50–60%. For retail programs we provide branded cartons, manuals, barcode and carton marking per market, and can stage divider-packed complete kits so every box arrives with the same accessory set.

All-around platforms support up to 220 lbs; touring and yoga platforms support up to 250 lbs, with higher-capacity options on larger boards. Rider weight, construction and pressure ratings are specified per platform in the technical datasheet before you commit to a run.

A complete kit typically includes the board, travel backpack, dual-action hand pump, removable fin, coil leash and repair kit, with optional paddle and electric pump upgrades. Kit contents are locked in the customer approval BOM so sample and volume production match exactly.

Yes. Multi-SKU programs cover boards, accessories and retail packaging under one factory contract — shared accessory kits reduce per-SKU inventory, one design system keeps branding consistent, and a single quality owner handles warranty claims. This is how our distributors and retail partners run complete SUP lines.

OEM means we manufacture to your approved specification — your drawings, dimensions, materials and packaging. You own the design and intellectual property. ODM means our engineering team develops the board from your brief — whether a market concept, performance target or adaptation of a proven platform — and you approve before production. Private label means your brand, graphics and packaging on an existing validated platform with no structural changes. Most projects land between these modes, and we quote the configuration that matches how much of the product design you want to own.

Sample pricing follows the project configuration: size, construction, artwork and packaging all affect the quote. For projects that move to volume production, the sample fee is typically credited against the first production order — the credit terms are confirmed in writing at quotation stage so there are no surprises later.

On standard vacuum-packed 11 ft boards with accessory kits, a 20ft container typically carries 150–200 complete sets — the exact count depends on packaging design, accessory mix and carton size. Our packaging team calculates the load plan from your actual bill of materials, so the number you plan against is the number that ships.

Quotations are itemized: product, standard packaging and freight under your chosen incoterm. FOB Qingdao is the default basis, with CIF to major ports and door-to-door delivery available through our freight partners. Every quote states the exact scope of what is included, so you are not comparing apples to oranges across suppliers.

Graphic setups and printing plates are low-cost and reusable; structural tooling (new shapes, custom rails or unique construction) is itemized at quotation stage. Where tooling applies, the cost is typically amortized across the first production run rather than charged as a one-off surprise.

Standard terms are a deposit to lock production, with the balance due before shipment. The deposit percentage and balance timing are agreed per order and stated in the contract. Established partners with consistent order history can discuss extended terms — we prefer a few honest terms over complicated financing structures.

Every board passes a 24-hour pressure-hold test at 18.0 PSI before shipment, and warranty terms are written into each order contract — they cover manufacturing defects such as delamination, seam failure and valve leaks, and exclude use-related damage. The warranty period and claim procedure are confirmed on the purchase order, not discovered later.

Report the issue within the agreed window (typically 7–15 days of arrival) with photos or video evidence. We assess against the pre-shipment inspection records kept for your batch, then rework, replace or credit accordingly. The documented QC photos of your stock make this fast and fair for both sides.

Graphics go through a controlled approval chain: digital mockup, printed proof, first article inspection on the production board, then batch production. Each step is checked against your signed artwork, which is why printed colors, EVA layout and logo placement match your brand file when the boards land.

Fleet operators can order serviceable parts with their boards or on reorders: replacement valves, repair kits (PVC patches and adhesive), fin boxes and fins, and the most commonly replaced accessories. Spare parts ship alongside production or as small consignments, so a broken component never takes a whole board out of service for long.

The better the brief, the faster the quote: target market and usage, desired specifications (size, construction, pressure), quantity and target price, branding and packaging needs, and your launch timeline. Our inquiry form collects exactly this list — sharing it saves quotation rounds and gets you a firmer estimate on the first pass.

Prototype samples ship within 7–12 days once the specification is frozen. Add review time for your testing and any revision round — most projects complete sampling in about two to three weeks. Production starts after sample approval, so the sample stage is the one place where extra care pays off in time saved later.