Clothing Line Vendors for Brands Building New Collections

Clothing line vendors may give a new fashion label the opportunity to input into the early stages of creating a product range. Finding an experienced partner when starting a new label can help with fabric sourcing, sample production,custom labelling and large batch production, while also guiding the brand through initial manufacturing issues. For a new label cost should not be the decider, finding a vendor who has knowledge of the product and who a new label can lean on during development is the ideal.

Start With a Clear Collection

A directional product is essential for any clothing range.

The new brand may have a product mix that includes T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. The product offering should be aligned with the new brand‘s concept/type of clothing, customer type and expected price range.

Having only the initial line may also minimize development work at a later stage. Increasing the number of styles results in more patterns, fabrics, colors, trimmings, samples and manufacture decisions.

Choose Products Your Vendor Understands

Every manufactures have their own strengths.

Some concentrates on single jersey product, while others used to prefer more denim and fleece or handmain or more detail streetwear.

It is always wise for a brand to get copy images of a vendor‘s past work before having discussions on actual production. Only by looking at previous work can you know how experienced a factory is.

Sampling, fabric sourcing, development of pattern, tailoring and quality control are very important while these steps are taken when a brand first launches its collection.

Fabric Shapes the Final Product

Fabric influences the fit, drape, texture and function of the Garment.

Different results can be achieved by using cotton jersey, French terry, fleece, denim, polyester, nylon, or other blended fabrics. The final garment can further be influenced by weight, fiber content, construction, stretch, drape, and finish.

Among the fibers used throughout the entire apparel industry, [Textile Exchange] recognizes cotton as the most prevalent natural fiber, has identified polyester as the most widespread synthetic fiber and its other resources include materials used in a range of other categories such as nylon.

It is the job of a good vendor to be able to compare the fabrics on the product and not on the basis of cost; suggesting that the least expensive fabric is what the brand should go for.

Samples Show What Drawings Cannot

A technical drawing can not give a true impression of how a garment will feel, or fit.

The first sample allows the brand to evaluate the fit, proportion, fabric hand, construction, trims, and artwork placement.

Maybe the hoodie needs a wider hood. Perhaps the T-shirt needs a broader shoulder. Perhaps the trousers need to be roomier around the thigh.

They permit samples to be revised, ironing out any imperfections before producing a standard range in bulk.

MOQ Affects the Launch Strategy

Min order quanity is important when a new brand has low inventory needs.

Vendors can require a different minimum for styles, colors, fabrics, and custom production, etc. Fabric suppliers may have specific conditions for purchase.

The brand has to ask from the vendor on the exact calculation ofMOQ.

Answers to questions related to color, style, fabric, size, and customizability can determine if the money-minimum quoted will truly be able to complete the collection that I am designing.

Low MOQ Still Has Costs

A reduction in order size could mitigate inventory risk however it doesn‘t negate development cost.

From the stage of sampling and size set through packaging and production setup, everything from pattern making, fabric preparation, trims and labels, printing and embroidery, to the cost of production itself will influence the total.

So the brand should look at the entire project cost, not only at the unit price:

The entry will be cheapest overall if the supplier imputes high development or customization costs elsewhere.

Branding Starts During Development

A line of clothing certainly requires much more than a piece of clothing with a logo on it.

These components can include any combination of woven labels, printed neck labels, hangtags, embroidery, screen printing, patches, buttons, zippers, drawcords or packaging.

The branshould talk about these points before producing. Where, size, material and the way of making, all will influence on its cost and appearance.

Custom details are also useful to help a brand differentiate itself from plain blank garments.

Quality Needs Clear References

Quality control is most effective when both parties have a common understanding of what a certain standard is.

Yes, the brand is able to green light fabric swatches, color, measurements, art work, trims, and a final sample before production.

The AATCC has textile test methods in areas of colorfastness, abrasion, laundering, dimensional changes, moisture management, and other performance criteria. The test method TM135 tests the dimensional change of fabric after home laundering whereas TM150 tests the dimensional change of garments.

You need not take all available tests, just those that relate to the product, fabric, market and application in question.

Labels Matter in Your Target Market

Further, the product labeling can also be introduced at an early stage into the development process.

The United States Federal Trade Commission states most textile and wool products sold in the United States require labels to indicate fiber content, country of origin, and responsible business. Labels for these products must also include care instructions.

A label content and placement need to be consulted before manufacturing by a brand selling in the US.

Safety Can Affect Product Decisions

Some apparel items are also subject to other safety standards.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that ‘The Flammable Fabrics Act also sets standards for clothing textiles and offers instructions for manufacturers and importers.’.

The specific requirements are product and market specific, therefore brands should check what applicable rules apply before production and not after the goods have left the factory.

Think Beyond the First Order

Require a supplier to handle at least more than one production run for a clothing line.

A brand might begin with a limited variety of lines, discover the best-performing items, and then reorders in larger volume or adds new shades and designs.

Having a clear record of measurement specifications, fabrics, trims, artwork, approved samples for each design can lead to easier repeat production.

The other way to lessen the communication barriers is that the long-term suppliers have an understanding of the brand‘s products and quality standards.

Custom Clothing Production With JiuvelWear

JiuvelWear helps brands create their own clothing lines by offering fabric sourcing, sample creation, custom manufacturing, printing, embroidery and quality control. Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd. can only do custom apparel, not blank!

The collection of product includes T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, jackets, shorts, streetwear, and other custom apparel.

This is the starting point of the project. Sketch. Tech pack. Reference garment or other sample. The team can then move forward with fabric, pattern and sample development. Prototyping. Revisions. Branding and bulk production.

As a brand dealing with vendors supplying a clothing line, the ideal partner should be able to do more than provide a quote in terms of production. Good product knowledge, clarity of communication, reliable sampling, appropriate sourcing and consistent production can have far greater impact on a burgeoning clothing line.