Setting up in the fashion industry holds plenty of challenges for startups. One of the most important steps is finding the right manufacturer to produce your clothing collections. As your partner during every stage of product development and production, it’s important to find a manufacturer that can meet your needs and work with you effectively through the whole process.
This guide to clothing manufacturers for start-ups will give you some helpful tips and advice for developing a productive relationship with the right factory.
When do startups need to work with a manufacturer?
As you might expect, fashion startups will be working very closely with manufacturers at each stage of product development and production. Depending on the specific requirements of your clothing collection, you will need to work with your manufacturer through the following (and potentially more) product development stages:
Fabric sourcing
Sampling
Testing
Costing
To ensure you develop and produce your clothing line exactly as you imagine it, the first step is to source the most appropriate manufacturer.
How to find the right clothing manufacturer
There are a range of clothing manufacturers out there, so to find one with the skills and expertise to deliver your fashion collection, you need a full awareness of the attributes you require. For example, if you’re producing a sustainable collection, you’ll want to look for ethical clothing manufacturers. Or, if you’re building a boutique product range, then clothing manufacturers for small orders would be more appropriate.
Along with a list of essential features you need from your manufacturer, doing your research on each factory is key. This doesn’t just involve looking at a manufacturer’s website, social media or other public directories, but emailing them directly with your information, including a link to a website or professional profile like LinkedIn.
When researching a manufacturer, there are a few elements to consider and ask them about:
Their area of expertise - whether it’s womenswear, kidswear or a specific type of product, such as knitwear or tailoring, understanding a factory’s specialism will ensure they can deliver the products you need without charging extra or taking longer.
Their current and past customers - looking at the brands a manufacturer has worked with will help you understand if they align with your values, have an awareness of your market position and appreciate the type of collection you’re trying to create.
The type of manufacturing they offer - there are two main types of suppliers you can work with, ‘Fully Factored’ and ‘Cut, Make and Trim’ (CMT). The first will manage every stage of your product development, such as fabric ordering, trim specs and pattern creation. The second will expect you to provide everything to them in a tech pack and will complete the garments for you.
Your budget - balancing the level of product quality you want, the price margin you’re looking for and the location of the supplier will help you find a manufacturer that can make your products at an appropriate cost.
Their business credentials - are they based in the market you’re selling in? Do they have any certifications or meet the compliance and auditing requirements you have? Checking their lead times, minimum order quantity (MOQ) and payment terms will also determine if you can work together practically or not.
Researching and checking all these details will help you narrow down and choose your final manufacturing partner.
Fabric Sourcing
Depending on the type of manufacturer you’ve chosen, they might be able to help you find the right fabric for your products. This will give you access to two main advantages, their expertise and network. Particularly if they’re a specialist manufacturer, it’s likely they’ll have quality fabric suppliers and partners they can tap into.
However, even if your factory has recommendations, it’s important to do your own research or make your own suggestions. Understanding technical details, finding out about particular markets that specialise in the fabric you’re looking for and ordering samples will help you find the right material at an appropriate spec and cost.
Sampling
Each manufacturer will want a different level of information provided in your product tech pack. They may also want patterns, swatches or extra details added, so it’s worth checking for their requirements in advance. As a starting point, each tech pack should include:
Sketches of the front and back of the product, including style and fabric details.
Detailed sketches or annotations of specific parts of the product.
Fit and trim specifications.
Costing sheet.
Then, as you go through the sampling process, each stage should be noted in the tech pack, including any feedback you provide or changes to the fit and trim specifications you make. This will ensure everything is noted down and minimise the chances of miscommunication.
Testing
As you go through the development phases, it’s important to give honest and regular feedback to your manufacturer. There should be at least two sample reviews where you can check the details, quality and creative delivery of the product. There will also be a fit approval and factory quality control and inspection process.
Though these can be lengthy stages of development, choosing the right manufacturer will make the process as efficient as possible and lead to a final sealed sample that meets all your expectations.
Costing
Your suppliers are likely to give you indicative costs before the final product has been taken through the sampling process. Yet, even when you’ve been presented with ‘final costs’, it’s important to negotiate with your manufacturer so you can maximise your margin as much as possible. Whether it’s by shortening the production process or making a new deal with a fabric supplier, a manufacturing partner will work as hard as possible to meet your budget.
Build a partnership with your manufacturer
Alongside completing a thorough research process to find a manufacturer that best suits your needs, following the below tips will help you build a productive relationship with them:
Communicate regularly and honestly with key contacts about your product needs and expectations.
Develop a detailed and thorough tech pack to ensure no information is lost or miscommunicated.
Never be afraid to ask questions or give constructive criticism - this will help the manufacturer deliver your creative vision.
Make sure you deliver what they need at the right time. Being aware of any key dates in the product development timeline and giving any information or feedback on time will prevent costly delays.
Know your stuff too. From fabrics to details and fit specs, having a thorough understanding of what you need will make the process and communication with your factory more efficient.
By following these tips and working with the right manufacturer, you can ensure your collection fulfils your creative vision and delivers on time and at cost.
Need help finding your way?
The Fashion Delivered team can give you advice and support on starting a partnership with a manufacturer. To find out more, email us at enquiries@fashiondelivered.com
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