Factory-producing Garments that are ideal for your custom clothing manufacturing is a challenge. Clothing manufacturers are a dime a dozen. But finding the right factory that takes up your order and executes production on time is rare. Startups lack an understanding of how to approach clothing manufacturers. You think it’s silly, right? Remember, you are not approaching a manufacturer to buy something. You are sourcing a factory to convert your ideas into a tangible and salable product. In this case, you are trying to convey your idea and expecting the factory to execute it. However, the reality is that factories prefer to follow the working process. Workers do not understand instructions if not given in a specific format. You have to present your ideas as a tech pack and spec sheet. And you need a skilled tech pack designer to help you convert your ideas to tech packs.
Things to Consider Before Approaching Factory-Producing Garment
Dealing with clothing manufacturers, especially without proper technical documents, is a nightmare. It’s not that clothing manufacturers will cheat you. The reason is not the trust. Instead, it’s the communication gap. The problem can be from your end or maybe the issue with the clothing manufacturer. 90% of the clothing manufacturers charge double when you approach without any preparation. Because they know for a fact that they have to put some extra effort into understanding your idea, and they don’t have time to do that. Some even deny your order outright without even considering it. It’s fair; everyone wants to save time and make money, and this illusion is not helping them make money. So the best way to contact them is with a proper style document, such as a tech pack and spec sheet. Try it; do a test run without the document and with the document. You will get to know it.
In this post, I am trying to provide a simple guide to working with clothing manufacturers. I have included five points that you must know while working with a clothing manufacturer. You must know these five points and ask questions to the clothing manufacturer. We will discuss those points one by one in this post. So, let’s get to it.
Step 1: Prepare Your Collection Line Sheet for Factory Producing Garment
I have explained in detail ”How to give your style idea a shape. “ You can follow this to prepare your collection line sheet. Once you complete your collection line sheet, it’s time to contact a tech pack designer. A tech pack helps you in many ways. It saves time and money as you can avoid several revisions and courier costs. Because the tech pack precisely communicates your vision to the sample maker, a detailed sketch and tech pack are helpful and add value to your collection. Moreover, your sample maker and clothing manufacturer will take you seriously.
Step 2: Prepare Tech Packs and Spec Sheet
Once you finish your line sheet ideas, it is time to fine-tune them and make them so that a factory executing your idea can understand them. Take all necessary steps to ensure your ideas do not fall short of becoming a reality. You can do it by taking the help of a freelance fashion designer with tech pack design expertise. Not all freelancers have expertise in technical apparel drawing. Only those with ground-level product development experience fit the bill. So, ensure the tech pack designer has industry experience on the factory floor. He/she also understands the operational details of the garment development life cycle. Consider checking our tech pack templates prepared by the industry’s most experienced designers and spec technicians.
Step 3: Factory Sourcing
Sourcing a garment manufacturing unit that matches your production inquiry is not a joke. The factory refuses sampling and product development unless they see solid orders. Moreover, not all apparel units make all kinds of apparel. Some specialized in knits, and some in woven or denim. So, depending on your style details, you must find the right factory to develop your sample. So, with a tech pack, the factory will tell you whether they can do it. If they are incapable, you can get a reference for the factory that is producing it. But without a tech pack and spec sheet, you stand no chance. It’s a hard truth; nobody wants to try unless they see your effort. Do you want them to be serious? Then you got to be serious, too.
Step 4: Budgeting and Optimizing Product Quantity with MOQ
Factories refuse to take your order just because the quantity of your order is low. This is a common issue for most startups. They lack bandwidth, leading to many refusals from many ready-to-wear fashion units. Working with factories taught me that factory MOQ relates to fabric MOQ. And fabric quantity has its bottom line. For example, if you buy fabric, you must buy a certain minimum amount in a color. Below that quantity, it’s difficult for factories to purchase the fabric. That is why you plan your collection from the beginning so that you can use the same fabric in more than one style. This will help you match the fabric MOQ, and you can order a smaller quantity. Only an experienced technical designer can tell you this during your collection design.
Determine your production count for each style. Based on your production quantity, you can sort your factory-produced garment. MOQ varies from factory to factory. The larger the production run, the lower the cost. I recommend hedging your bet and doing a smaller production run if you do not have a distribution chain. Storing your product while finding buyers could add to your cost. Factory-producing garments in a small run may help you with repeat orders.
Step 5: Promote your Fashion Brand to Get Sales
Promoting your fashion brand is challenging. But, with a consistent approach from the beginning, you can get a sizable sales volume. There are several ways to promote your brand, such as blogging, social media, and influencer marketing. You can also use paid offline and online advertisements to promote your brand. Use social media to source your buyers. If you are getting into e-commerce, it is very effective to pitch your product. Trade exhibitions and events also help push your brand.
Want a basic tech pack for a factory-produced garment, such as a T-shirt, hoodie, or sweatshirt? Save money and use the tech pack template from our online store. There is no need to hire a technical fashion designer and pay a hefty design charge. Download the base tech pack and send it to the manufacturer with your logo. Any factory-produced garment can understand and work using these tech packs. It helps save a lot of your time and money.