Jan. 06, 2025
Apparel
One of the keys to fashion brand success is developing a strong relationship with a clothing manufacturer. It has an impact on important business factors such as product cost and quality. There are numerous options to consider with a large number of garment manufacturers located all over the world.
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So, with a product idea and business objectives in mind, what should you do next? To find out follow our instructions.
When looking for a manufacturer, it is critical to understand what type of manufacturing partner you require. One common misconception that some entrepreneurs have when looking for a manufacturer is that factories can do everything, including design, sourcing materials, and production. However, not all factories are one-stop shops, and you will almost certainly need to find a design partner, a materials partner, and a manufacturing partner. A design partner can assist you in transforming your sketches into a pattern, and then into a technical drawing. Sourcing partners can assist you in locating fabric, hardware, and all other components required to complete your product. Finally, a manufacturing or construction partner will manufacture or construct your product and make it usable.
In order to find a right manufacturer for your business you will need to have some essentials on hand:
Must-haves to start looking for a clothing manufacturer
Once you've created a solid business plan and understand your company's requirements, it's time to start looking for a manufacturing partner. If you are looking for apparel manufacturing, it is critical that you understand some of the key terms that will assist you with your production process.
Once you've mastered all of the jargon and technical terms, it's time to start your search on the internet. Online directories are one of the best places to look for a manufacturer. Thousands of manufacturers, suppliers, and wholesalers are listed in directories. Maker's Row, a platform that makes the manufacturing process simple to understand and accessible, is one example of an online directory. You can also look them up on social media platforms to see what they're up to and get in touch with them. You can accomplish this by using hashtags and keywords related to your search.
Attending a trade show is another way to find a manufacturer. The most significant benefit of attending a trade show is the opportunity to meet with factory representatives in person. You can inquire about their development fees, yard/piece minimums, logistics, and payment terms. This is also an excellent time to discuss your production requirements and determine whether their factory is the best fit for your brand.
Ultimate Guide to Clothing Manufacturing
In this blog post, we walk you through the process of garment production and collaboration between designers and factories.
Oleksandra Baukh
Get a full insight into clothing manufacturing process in this guide
When you contact the factory, make sure they know who you are and what your brand is. It's best to keep it short and simple. Mention the name of your company, your main product, and what you hope to produce. To request a quote from the manufacturer, it's also important to include a tech pack. If you do not have a tech pack, provide a detailed description of the product you are attempting to manufacture.
Before you contact a manufacturer and start working with them, keep these 5 tips in mind:
5 tips on vetting clothing manufacturer
Don't put yourself in awkward situations because you overlooked important information before agreeing to work with a manufacturer. When a potential supplier contacts you, dig a little deeper and cross the following items off your checklist:
Check to see if they are a member of a B2B website and when they joined. This information is usually available on most websites. We are not suggesting that you avoid suppliers who have been members for a short period of time, but you should make sure that there is a logical correlation between the length of time the supplier has been a member and its legitimacy.
Many buyers, particularly large brands and retailers, will require onsite audits of their new suppliers to ensure they can meet the buyer's requirements. An audit will typically check and verify the company information, product information, and employee information to ensure that they match what the buyer is looking for.
Inquire with your supplier about previous audits and whether you can review the audit reports. A reputable vendor will make these available to you. However, if another brand paid for this report, the supplier may be unable to share the information due to confidentiality concerns.
However, keep the following in mind when it comes to audit reports:
' Not all suppliers have previously been audited by a buyer. As a result, a lack of reports is not always a red flag. These audits are typically performed only by larger buyers.
' If the supplier sends you an audit report, double-check that the name on the report corresponds to the supplier. This includes the address, number, website, and so on. Some less ethical suppliers are known to "borrow" a report from a friend at another factory. We've seen cases like this before.
' A different factory name on the audit from the supplier you're dealing with isn't always a red flag. Suppliers frequently collaborate with other businesses. However, do request a signed letter from the factory (on letterhead paper) confirming that they work with your supplier. Your supplier should have no trouble producing this.
' In some cases, the audit report may reveal inconsistencies, such as addresses. Consider the report's publication date. The supplier may have relocated. Again, if something doesn't add up or you are unsure, don't be afraid to question it.
When considering a supplier, some type of industry/internationally recognized Certification is also a good sign. Among the most important certifications are: GOTS WRAP OEKO-TEX BCI. Inquire with your supplier to see if they are certified by any of these organizations. It is critical to confirm the Certification with the appropriate agency.
Ultimate Guide to Clothing Manufacturing
In this blog post, we walk you through the process of garment production and collaboration between designers and factories.
Oleksandra Baukh
Get a full insight into clothing manufacturing process in this guide
Request references from previous or current buyers from your supplier. Suppliers typically do not like to share this type of information due to confidentiality concerns and fear of negative references, but they do not hesitate to try.
In reality, most orders (even the good ones) will have some sort of issue, big or small. The supplier understands that if you ask a previous or current buyer if they had any problems, they will most likely tell you.
It's always a good idea to ask for references, but it's not always a red flag if the supplier refuses or claims that this information is confidential.
Following clear payment terms is one of the best ways to protect yourself from a scam. These should specify that the supplier will not be paid until the job is finished. A Letter of Credit is one of the most secure options here.
Some suppliers don't like using letters of credit for a variety of reasons, including:
' No payments are made to the supplier until the terms of the LC (letter of credit) are met.
' There are some additional costs associated with LCs, but they are minor.
' LCs have a set delivery date as well as an expiration date.
' Legitimate suppliers frequently have reasons for refusing LCs. However, these can be negotiated.
' If the supplier refuses to accept the increased bank charges, offer to accept half the cost.
' If the supplier is concerned about meeting the delivery date specified in the LC, you can offer to extend it.
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Under any circumstances, a scammer will never accept an LC. They will demand full payment in advance. Never accept this, even if the supplier is verified and legitimate, or if the deposit is large, such as 50%. Letters of Credit or a reputable escrow service are the most secure payment methods.
A third-party inspection agency, such as Intertek or SGS, can also be used to confirm the legitimacy of your supplier. They will send an inspector to your supplier's location for a fee to ensure that everything is in order.
Inspections play a great part in quality assurance and garment quality control.
These inspection agencies provide following services:
' They examine business licenses, whether the supplier meets the country/legal region's requirements, any social compliance certificates, and other certifications.
' They will then present their findings in a photo-filled report. The report will generally indicate where the supplier meets and where they do not meet the aforementioned requirements.
' There will be no recommendations in the report. Finally, you must decide whether or not to work with the supplier.
Scamming, in our experience, is the exception rather than the rule. The vast majority of suppliers want to do business in an honest and mutually beneficial manner.
Following difficulties in due to the coronavirus pandemic, when sales in the apparel industry suffered, global demand for clothing and shoes is expected to rise again. The global apparel market is expected to rise to approximately 2 trillion dollars by . The United States and China account for the majority of this apparel demand, with both generating significantly higher revenues than any other country. These two countries are important players in international trade. China is the country with the highest value of apparel exports. In terms of the value of apparel imports, the United States ranks second only to the European Union.
Revenue of the apparel market worldwide from to . Source.Sustainable, on-demand manufacturing and modern clothing manufacturing trends are gaining popularity as consumers become more conscious about their choices.
Fashion brands are also deciding whether to produce small batch or go mass market when selecting their business strategy. All of those are important factors to consider before selecting the country for clothing manufacturing.
It can be difficult to find a piece of clothing with the label "Made in the USA." During the s, approximately 95 percent of the clothing worn in the United States was manufactured in the country. Following years of bad trade deals and recessions, 97 percent of apparel was manufactured overseas. Many businesses moved their operations offshore due to a lack of capital and a qualified workforce.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of American-made products, with more to come as trade agreements between the United States and other countries improve. There are over 100,000 textile mills in the United States. Cotton, wool, silk, and other natural fibers, as well as a variety of synthetic fabrics, were used to create the fabrics. Designer wholesale clothing companies can choose from a wide range of American-made fabrics.
As the economy improves, new apparel manufacturing companies are sprouting up across the country. Although, it is difficult to find qualified employees. American workers must rise to the occasion and acquire the technical skills required for the future of manufacturing. Lasers are being used to precisely cut out pattern stacks. Sewing automation has used robots to takeover certain steps, such as sewing trouser pockets, but workers are still required to sew the pieces together.
Even though American manufacturing is still struggling, it is outpacing other advanced nations. Quality matters, and many people choose to buy American-made even if the price is slightly higher than a comparable foreign-made item.
In the majority of sectors, Asia is the center of production. The same is true for textiles, which is why Asia is one of the best regions for fashion industry production. When we think of production, countries like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh or India first comes to mind. Yes, they are frequently the most important locations for the manufacture of textiles and clothing. But today, other nations that are significant players in this sector include Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Hong Kong.
Higher production costs are converting China from a location for fast-fashion and value-market manufacture into a hub for high-quality apparel and textile production. Chinese clothing producers stand out from the rest of the world due to three factors: their capacity for handling large orders, their rapid lead and production periods, and their ease in conducting business with companies from all over the world.
India is the world's second-largest producer of silk and cotton, and it has a strong tradition of fabric arts extending back thousands of years. Weaving, embroidery, and other masteries have been passed down from one generation to the next, and this is evident in the end product's quality and complexity. India has the most dynamic fashion market in the world, with sales expected to increase by an average of 20.8% yearly and more than double to '24 billion by . It is quickly gaining popularity as a location for fashion design.
Vietnam has long been recognized as a source of high-quality materials and time-honored fashion techniques. Vietnam is now among the leading producers of apparel and textiles in the world thanks to recent technological advancements and investments. The Vietnamese textile and garment industries directly employ more than two million people today. Vietnam is a significant competitor to other Asian nations thanks to its centuries-old skills, creative fabric uses, modern technology, and lower production prices.
Turkey is currently the world's fifth-largest maker of textiles and apparel, contributing 10% of its GDP and employing 20% of its workers. Turkey is a great location for textile sourcing, fabric dyeing, and production because it combines superb craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to create goods that customers adore.
Another location for the production of apparel and textiles is Thailand. Some textile producers in Thailand offer relatively small quantities, value-added designs, and other related services, in contrast to the majority of factories in other Asian nations/regions. The majority of the garment producers are often in Bangkok because it is the hub of Thailand's export, manufacturing, and logistical clusters.
Pakistan offers the same high-quality clothing at an average lower production cost than nations like China, India, and Bangladesh thanks to its skilled labor force and superior textiles. The second-best cotton in the world is sold in Pakistan for about 20'25% less than it does in other Asian nations. It is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles, and clothes and textiles account for nearly 57% of all exports from the nation.
Hong Kong is a significant global hub for apparel procurement in addition to being a major production hub. Hong Kong clothing manufacturers have experience in the selection of textiles, sales and marketing, quality assurance, logistics, apparel design, and compliance with both international and domestic laws and regulations. They cannot be easily matched anywhere in terms of professionalism and the range of services they provide.
Many fashion brands are eying Central America for faster production turnarounds in order to keep their collections fresh. With intense competition for cheap labor heating up around the world, Guatemala is not the cheapest place for hourly wages, but it is a member of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, which includes the United States and six Central American countries. This means that clothing made from fabric and materials from the region can enter the United States duty-free, saving up to 32% in tariffs.
The Latin American textile market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period of -. Peru, Brazil, and Colombia are among the major textile-producing countries in Latin America. Peru is South America's largest clothing exporter, and it is known for its distinctive domestic raw materials, particularly alpaca fiber and Tangüis cotton. Brazil, a BRIC country, has enormous growth potential in both its natural fiber and man-made fiber textile supply chains. Colombia is also expected to see significant growth in the textile and fashion markets. Meanwhile, the CAFTA-DR countries - Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua - are eagerly competing for niches in the US market, both among themselves and against Haiti.
South African clothing manufacturers are now on the rise as a result of increased demand from Europe and the United States. South Africa's clothing and textile industry has fared much better than the country's economy. After Nigeria, South Africa has the continent's second largest economy. Its Fashion segment revenue is expected to reach $1,126.00 million in . The South African clothing and textile industry is regarded as a strategic industry with the potential for significant job creation, and the South African government has begun to introduce more ways to assist the South African clothing industry.
If stakeholders'buyers, governments, and manufacturers'cooperate to enhance business conditions in the area, East Africa may develop into a significant hub for garment sourcing. According to United Nations projections, in the next 20 years, sub-Saharan Africa will experience the greatest rate of growth in the working-age population worldwide. More than 900 million individuals in the region are anticipated to be of working age by , matching China's current population. Several industries, notably fashion, are paying close attention to this sizable labor pool.
T-shirts and trousers made up 46% of Ethiopia's exports to the EU-15, while basic, high-volume products such as socks and underwear made up 31%. Kenya's apparel industry, like Ethiopia's, currently specializes in supplying high-volume bulk basics such as trousers, which account for 58% of its exports to the United States. The typical minimum order size is 10,000 pieces, with larger players having minimum order sizes ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 pieces.
Finding a manufacturing partner is not an easy job to do. Most likely, you will try several before settling on the best one. We hope that this post has made your journey a little easier!
The best custom clothing manufacturers will be those that can meet your specific needs. You'll need to consider key factors to find the right supplier for your business.
The first thing you'll need to think about is the type of clothing you want to have manufactured. Are you looking for sportswear that is designed for rigorous activity? Or formal wear, which is intended for more formal occasions? Perhaps you're interested in casual wear, which can be worn for various everyday activities. Whichever type of clothing you choose, research the different types of available fabrics and find one that will be both comfortable and stylish.
When it comes to quantity, how many garments do you need to produce? Are you looking for a one-time order or need a production partner for ongoing orders? It's important to know what your needs are so that we can best serve you.
What level of quality are you looking for in your garments? Do you need top-of-the-line materials and construction, or are you more concerned with price? Quality control is an essential factor to consider when choosing a clothing manufacturer. Make sure to ask about the quality control measures that are in place. Also, find out how products are inspected and the process for dealing with defects. It is important to ask about the factory's experience with your product type. If they have not manufactured your kind of product before, they may not be the best choice for you.
How quickly do you need your garments? Are you willing to wait weeks or months for production, or do you need a quicker turnaround time? It's crucial to consider the lead time when ordering custom garments. Some companies require weeks or months for production, while others can provide a quicker turnaround. If you need your garments quickly, inquire about the lead time before placing your order.
What is your budget for manufacturing? Are you looking for the lowest price possible, or are you willing to pay more for a higher-quality product? Of course, pricing is an essential factor to consider when choosing a clothing manufacturer. Be sure to get quotes from multiple suppliers and compare prices side-by-side. Also, make sure to ask about discounts for larger orders.
Regarding the minimum order quantity, it's important to keep the manufacturing cost. Factories with a particular scale often have minimum requirements for a single item, so businesses starting should be mindful of this when ordering products. Although many factories have implemented flexible small-batch production customization, the unit price can be high if the quantity is too low. Therefore, ensuring your products are competitive in the market is essential.
If you're looking for a custom clothing manufacturer who can help you with the design process, then be sure to ask if they offer design services. A good manufacturer will have experience in the type of clothing you're looking for, and they should be able to provide you with samples of their work. This will give you a good idea of the quality of their work and whether or not it's right for your needs.
When choosing a custom clothing manufacturer, it's important to consider their location. If you're looking for a local supplier, there are many options available, but if you're willing to ship internationally, there are also many qualified manufacturers. Considering your options, you can find the perfect European clothing manufacturer for your needs on Manufy.
Does the custom clothing manufacturer have any relevant certifications? This is important to consider if you're looking for eco-friendly or sustainable garments made under the best conditions.
When choosing a custom clothing manufacturer, ask for references from other businesses that have worked with them. Talk to their clients to get a sense of the quality of their work, service, and overall experience. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to work with them.
A good clothing manufacturer should have a lot of experience under their belt. You want to find a supplier who has a good reputation and is known for manufacturing high-quality products. Look for a company that has been in the business for a while and has a wealth of knowledge and resources. That way, you can be sure that they will be able to produce the best possible clothing for your business. The above factors are just a few things you'll need to consider when looking for a custom clothing manufacturer. By taking the time to find the right supplier, you can be sure that your garments will be made to the highest standards and that your business will run smoothly.
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