Sports Garment Manufacturers Build Performance Apparel

While the requirements placed on sportswear are often quite different from those placed on everyday clothes, cuts and materials must be flexible enough to move with the body, seams must be constructed to withstand repeated stretching, and fit must be maintained comfortable during activity. Asa result, sports garment manufacturers often participate in product development as well as garment manufacturing, particularly if a brand requires custom performance garments.

A Sportswear Design Has To Work In Motion

It can feel wrong when actually in the garment, on the product page the garment may look fine but in action the feel is wrong running in a restrictive waistband for example. Too much fabric catching on things or restricting range of motion. Designers need to plan for the movement early on.

The nature of the activity also affects the design specification. Running wear is lighter weight fabrics, which tend to be moisture-management, whereas training garments may require greater durability and stretch. Yoga wear will require greater in “stretch”, teamwear tends to require increased durability and the highest novelty of decoration and frequent washing.

The variations impact the work of the manufacturer prior to the actual sewing processes being undertaken. It is necessary for the development team to be aware of the movement the garment will undergo and the existing conditions it will be subjected to, influencing material selection, pattern development and construction.

Material And Pattern Decisions Shape The Product

First consideration in fabric choice is product specification. The combination of polyester /spandex and nylon /spandex jerseys is still the most popular activewear fabrics, as they give varying levels of stretch and recovery, end durability and handle. GSM, weave, breathability, opacity and moisture management also play a part in the finished garment.

Pattern development translates those fabric properties into a garment that will move with the wearer. Patternmakers consider body measurements, panel placement, sleeve shape, rise, waistband width, and ease to achieve the required fit. A casual T-shirt pattern may not translate to a running top or compression garment.

The construction is also additional to the design. The use of flatlock seams could eliminate the bulky edges in areas of friction, and stronger seams in the high point stress areas. Areas like waistband, cuffs, pockets and elastic attachment areas need to take the strain of the garments movement.

The First Sample Shows What The Design Really Does

A real sample speaks volumes to the buyer over a digital drawing. With a sample the buyer can check things such as fit, fabric hand, stretch and recovery, seam detail and construction, decoration and proportionality. Motion tests can show pinching, excess fabric, wedgie seams and other problems.

Usually slight modifications can dramatically enhancement the product. Buyer might enlarge the bodice, shift the pocket, alter the waist band, substitute the fabric, or change the logo placement. The pattern team will then incorporate the modifications and create a second sample ready for production.

Another advantage of getting the sample approved is that the production department now has a clear reference. When a worker picks up their bundle of the production order, they will now be able to work with all the approved measurements and materials, construction details and decoration when working on the order, thus being able to ensure consistency when working on a style with three or four panels, special fabrics and prints, technical details, etc.

Different Production Models Suit Different Brands

Not every sportswear project needs the same type of manufacturing relationship. Private label may suit a brand that wants an existing garment with its own labels and packaging. OEM usually follows customer specifications closely, while ODM gives the manufacturer a larger role in product development.

The model varies according to the starting point of the brand. A new label may require support with patterns and fabrics, samples andproduction details. An existing brand may already have detailed technical files and merely require a factory able to produce them regularly.

Production structure plays a part in communication as well. An individual supplier might only be able to command some of the outside factories, while another might have pattern making, cutting, sewing, printing, washing, inspection and packing all under the same roof. Buyers should be aware of who is responsible for what before submitting an order.

Quantity And Timing Depend On The Details

MOQ differs as each sportswear item has its own individual needs for the element of preparation and fabric. An easy style made with on the shelf fabric will require a different quantity than a multi-paneled design with bespoke fabric or custom decoration. Fabric mills will sometimes establish individual minimums for custom textile.

Buyers need to ask about the factory MOQ calculation in detail. A factory might have a MOQ for style per color, or it might accept a mix of size within one order. Printing, embroidery, washing and special fabrics all impact on production requirements.

Production time follows the same line. Fabric sourcing, design drawing, sample checking, sample approval, cutting, sewing, printing, finishing, quality check, packing need time. In fact, you need to find out when the clock of production clock is and build it into the schedule.

Quality Starts Before The Final Inspection

Quality control and testing will probably be done before the beginning of the cutting process – the fabric. There are inspection teams that examine composition, color, defect, shrinkage, stretch and other properties. Once the fabric passes the inspection, it goes for cutting. Cutting teams then cut the fabric based on pattern and measurements adopted and approved.

Sewing teams bring yet another series of checkpoints. During the making of a sports garment, they will review regularly slow and stitch lines, thread tensions, waistbands and reinforcements, etc. Sportswear should also undergo tests for recovery of stretch, opacity, fastness, durability due to their actual wearing.

Final inspection concludes the process. It involves the buyer’s inspection to verify the quality of details, workmanship, decoration, label, labels, packing and general appearance against the approved specifications. Inspection at various stages in a factory are more advantageous than waiting until the end.

What Should Buyers Check Before Production?

A range brochure reveals only part of a company‘s range. Buyers need to explore where the factories create their patterns, what fabrics they can supply, how they manage samples, and which processes are handled in house. Opportunities to ask about printing, embroidery, washing, finishing, packaging and inspection can also reveal the true extent of a company‘s service.

The sample process is worth exploring. Inquire about factory requirements, lead time for first sample and the revision process. A cooperative producer makes the leap from design to mass production easier.

Price also has to be put into perspective. The quoted price needs to be considered against the MOQ, fabric availability, sampling, lead time, production control and quality processes. Understanding the full process provides the buyer with greater knowledge of what the quoted price entails.

JiuvelWear Supports Custom Apparel Manufacturing

JiuvelWear, operated by Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd., operating as a clothing manufacturer for Custom Garments development, producing in house pattern designing, cutting, sewing, printing, quality inspection, packing. Factory concentrates on Vintage Washed Denim and Street wear on product development and supports OEM, ODM, private label, sampling & bulk production of garments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do sports garment manufacturers produce?

Manufacturer sports garment (to be for training, running, gym, yoga, team sports, or other…), which positioned respectively for (tops, shorts, leggings, jacket, tights, thermogears, uniforms,…) and.

What should manufacturers consider when choosing sportswear fabric?

For each product, manufacturers think about the use they are designed for, stretch, recovery, weight, breathability, moisture management, durability, opacity, and color fastness. Composition and GSM are determinants for fit, comfort, and production.

Why does sportswear require careful sampling?

A sample allows the buyer to try something on for fit, movement, fabric characteristics, construction and decoration prior to bulk production. This allows the production team to troubleshoot any problems before the factory produces a significant amount.

What should buyers ask sports garment manufacturers?

Itemize questions on fabric sourcing, developing pattern, sampling, MOQ, lead time, manufacturing control, quality inspection, decoration, packaging and repeat orders. A fully customized project should include clear product specifications and an approved sample for production.