MFG Clothing: A Guide to Custom Apparel Manufacturing

The apparel purchasers seeking mfg clothing would generally be looking for apparel manufacturing, apparel supplier or the factory that could manufacture the garment design. “mfg.” is a widely used short form of the word “manufacturing” in business English, as indicated in the Cambridge Dictionary.

To know what the signs mean, the search is so much easier. But, instead of the abbreviation on the sign, buyers should go a step further and than the picture should see the whole manufacturing process: from fabric sourcing, pattern development, sampling, cutting, sewing, decorating, quality control to bulk production.

What Does MFG Clothing Mean?

In clothing industry, “mfg clothing” mostly indicates clothing manufacturing. The search term may be submitted by a buyer looking for clothing manufacturer, apparel manufacturer, garment factory or sewing clothing supplier.

Various manufacturers are specialists for different areas. Some are just specialists in cut-and-sew production but some are providing the “full service” in launching a product from conception through the bulk production.

The ability of CFDA‘s current Production Directory to cover all of this has been demonstrated. They are listed on this directory of more than 380 fashion manufacturers in the U. S. A. with options to filter the list by product type, service, physical location, and quantity produced. Categories that may be selected under a vendor service/production range from fabric sourcing, pattern making, sample making, cutting, sewing, printing, embroidery to grading.

Clothing Manufacturing Starts With Product Development

All garments for production start with a product idea, but it is not possible to start production until the factory is supplied with much more information. A technical package might, for example, contain measurements, construction specifications, fabric details, artwork, labels and trimmings, stitching instructions and packaging details.

Product development. This is where the ideas are developed into something the production team can really work on. Pattern makers develop the shape of the garment, and then the sample machinists develop the shape of the garment into the ‘sample’.

Small difference can be very important at this stage. A couple of centimeter at the length of the garments, a different weight of the fabric, a different seam construction can change the entire look and fit of the entire garment.

Fabric Selection Affects the Manufacturing Process

The choice of fabric will affect all aspects of garment manufacturing. Cotton jersey, fleece, denim, nylon, polyester, linen and mixed fabrics all have different cutting and sewing characteristics.

Stretch fabrics have to be treated separately from rigid woven fabrics. Heavier denims may need a more robust needle and machine. Light weight fabrics may need more delicate cutting and sewing to achieve consistency.

Fabric sourcing is included in the service of a lot of manufacturers. At present, there are 155 manufacturers providing fabric sourcing service in CFDA directory, and 104 of the manufacturers provide fabric purchase service.

Therefore, buyers need to question whether the fabric has been ordered through the manufacturer or whether the desired brand will have to buy and deliver the fabric to them.

Sampling Gives Buyers a Better Starting Point

A sample can provide the brand an opportunity to see the actual garment before going to mass production.

Without sampling, the buyer has the opportunity to review measurements, fit, fabric characteristics, stitching, pockets, details, tags, printing, embroidery, and other construction details during this stage. The factory is able to make production modifications to pattern or instructions before the order proceeds.

Sample making is one of the main manufacturing services listed by the CFDA directory; under which 277 manufacturing units state that they are capable of sample making.

Sampling is also of value to new clothing brands, by reducing the financial risk. A brand can sample the product, make improvements and fine tune specifications before investing in larger quantities.

Cut and Sew Remains Central to Clothing Production

Cutting and sewing are the main processes for a lot of apparel manufacture jobs. The factory prepares the fabric, makes the cutting markers, cuts out the panels, and then passes those panels through the sewing process.

How many construction requirements been to the garment? With simple T-shirt which consists of only easy few operations, but if to make up a more complicated garment such as denim jacket, a tailored coat or a piece of technical sportswear, it may be more sewing requirements.

These options are represented in the current CFDA listings. The directory provides names of current manufacturers that produce cutting, pattern making, grading, sewing, embroidery, printing, fabric sourcing and sample producing.

Hence, buyers should compare the real functionality of the factory to the construction requirements of their products;

Decoration Adds Another Layer

Printing and embroidery can alter both the look and making process of a piece. Different methods such as screen printing, digital printing, embroidery, patches, appliqué, etc. each need a different process of preparation and quality control.

Artwork placement is just as important as the decoration method. The buyer should supply artwork files, dimensions, positions, colours, and placement dimensions.

The companies that provide these services internally and those which use a specialist suppliers. Find out who takes care of each step before production so that you and the suppliers know the process.

MOQ Can Shape Your Manufacturing Strategy

Minimum order quantity could be the factor of selecting the right manufacturer for the brand of garments; For example, irregular minimum order quantity from a manufacturer is suitable to a new and small batch running fashion brand.

A startup may want to make a few styles in smaller quantities, while an established brand may require thousands of units per style. Those two companies may be looking for a very different manufacturing partner.

CFDA enables buyers to sort its directory by sample and production minimums. Listings now posted list manufacturers with minimums from relatively modest test quantities to production runs of 500+ pieces.

OTEXA. also supplies a directory of information that links buyers to textile and apparel exporters and manufacturers of finished products such as cut and sew factories, printers and finishers.

Comparison for that reason, should not only look at the quoted unit price of the factory. MOQ, product quality, service and lead time, production capacity etc. should be considered as well.

Quality Control Needs Clear Standards

Quality control is most effective when it is established before production that the buyer and the factory have concurred on quantifiable specifications.

Other significant controls may be specifications for garments, measurement, stitching, fabric defects, colour, match of prints, embroidery, trims, labels, wash, and pack.

Instruct the factory to explain how its employees verify these points and at which time. Transparent inspection process can be very beneficial for both of the parties to find out flaws before the order is at the final stage.

As appropriate, seek production samples and measurement details. A positive indication is the production team has something to work from during the order.

Local and Overseas MFG Clothing Suppliers

Don‘t let location be the sole consideration of your supplier.

U.S. buyers may look at resources like the CFDA Production Directory and OTEXA Made in USA Sourcing & Products Directory. The OTEXA directory features suppliers throughout the supply chain of textiles and apparels, including companies that have manufacturing plants or assembly plants within the U.S.

An ’ overseas’ mill can bring the potential of some different benefits, especially when it is embedded in a strong textile supply chain, mainly working with fabrics, trimmings, sampling, sewing and mass production processes.

Selection of Right dimension: This always depends on what category your product is, how many pieces per order, target cost, quality level of your product, communication needs and shipping needs.

How to Choose an MFG Clothing Supplier

Before choosing a supplier, compare areas affecting the product directly.

Check:

• Experience in a single product category
• Fabric sourcing
• Pattern making
• Sample development
• Cutting
• Sewing
• In the case of printing and embroidering.
• MOQ
• Quality control
• Production capacity
• Lead time
• Communication
• Pricing
• Shipping arrangements

As everyone at different manufacturing factories the identical questions. This is a more meaningful comparison than simply judging suppliers by their websites.

Building a Long-Term Manufacturing Relationship

Working on the basis of a mutually maintained relationship is preferable to an isolated transaction because it is ultimately more productive.

JiuvelWear adopts a product-oriented manufacturing method for apparel making. Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd. provides fabric source, sample development, garments production, inspection, and quality check services to fashion brands.

If you are a brand trying to find mfg clothing suppliers the abbreviation may get you the search but it should be the company’s manufacturing ability that is deciding factor. Don’t just take factory names on face value. Evaluate the manufacturing process and investigate the samples carefully. Ultimately choose a company that will accommodate the collection you have now and the collection you will have in the future.