OK, Wifey confirms what I said and adds some detail. She says that Bangladesh is so poor they don't have rocks. She also says that they have the same culture as India. Which means that they promise, promise, promise, and never deliver. The problem is that without someone on the ground, you're at the mercy of the locals. She suggests Hondurus, Vietnam, and Israel. Israel has big tax breaks for manufacturing and is one of the hubs for high tech fabrics. Hanes manufactures its high tech bras in Israel. Lots of other companies are in Israel too.
The problem is total cost management. You have to balance low labor costs against the cost of delays, getting ripped off, transporation, raw materials, and having a reliable supplier.
Frankly, the suggestion of East LA was pretty good. Have you ever thought of exploring manufacturing through Home Boy Industries?
[HOMEBOY] industries They used to be huge in baking, but have been hard hit by the economic down turn and are desperate for more work. I'll bet you could get a great deal from them.
Wifey says keep it in the US for realiable supply. You can afford the cost of goods because of the added value you have with your artwork. At $9.99 you can't manufacture in the US and you have to compete with the Targets and Wallmarts of the world in the third world for cheap manufacturing. At $29.99 you can afford to pay US rates and make money.
She suggests getting a man on the ground that you can trust in southern China and doing it there. Otherwise, try to do it here or develop a man on the ground wherever you do go.