Sportswear Clothing Manufacturer Builds Custom Apparel

Selecting a sportswear clothing manufacturer is not simply about finding a factory to take the pieces through the sewing machine. Sportswear should be suited to the performance and movement of the wearer stretching, running, training or all day wear. The way the fabric works, how it fits, the construction and quality of production all have a bearing on the end product.

A design that looks basic on a screen, can have subtle details that affect the way it feels on the body, from the way the fabric stretches, to the elastic waistband being too tight, to a seam rubbing during motion. Then role of the manufacturer is very influential from the initial stages of development, not just when producing large quantities.

A Sportswear Design Has To Work On The Body

Particular types of movement demand a particular fit from a piece of clothing.. For example, running clothing can benefit from lightweight fabric and sweat-wicking properties, whereas for training a stronger stretch recovery and durability may be required; and for yoga or dance, more flexibility would be demanded for. Teamwear might need to be ‘launderable’ many times without losing fit and appearance, among other things.

Material choice adheres to these needs. Polyester-spandex and nylon-spandex fabrics are still the go to options since they offer a variety of combinations of stretch, recovery, durability, and hand. GSM, breathability, opacity, fabric construction, and moisture management all can alter the end result.

The pattern must complement the fabric/material. As a pattern develops, measurements, panels, sleeve shapes, rises, waistbands and ease are increased or decreased for desired fit and movement. Seams and other construction details are then considered for comfort and robustness.

The Sample Shows What The Design Really Needs

A drawing or a tech pack may not be able to show everything about a final garment. Seeing the physical sample allows the buyer to verify measurements, check out fabric hand, stretch and recovery, fit, finish, seams, decoration and proportions. The movement of fitting the sample may also reveal issues that a flat sketch cannot.

Little Changes can have a big impact. The buyer could opt for a change in the waistband, reposition a pocket, change the width of the body, swap fabric or even reposition a logo. The pattern team can then alter the sample ready for bulk production.

At the point when the buyer approves the sample, that item becomes a key production reference. Measurements, materials, construction details, embellishments, labels and whatever other specifications should be in accordance with the approved sample throughout the order. This is particularly helpful if there are numerous panels in a style or a special fabric, print etc.

Different Brands Need Different Levels Of Factory Support

Some brands come with a full tech pack and precise production specifications Others have the design idea but require assistance for fabric, pattern, measurements and the first sample. Private label projects could take a third path, using another style as a base and make adjustments, before customizing it with label branding and packaging.

OEM, ODM and private label are therefore three working relationships rather than three services. The amount of development that is done in the factory can vary from different project. But that variation can influence sampling, communication, pre-production etc.

The second factor to consider is who really controls production. For example, a supplier could run a number of outside factories. A factory with its own, in-house team could actually produce more in-house processes. The buyer should know who makes the pattern, cuts, sews, prints, washes, inspects and packs before they order.

Order Size Depends On More Than Quantity

The nature of the product frequently influences MOQ. Fabric availability, color choices, style variations, custom-printing and embroidery, special construction methods and packaging will impact the minimum order quantity. There is likely to be a stark contrast between a simple mass-produced garment made from fabric on stock and a style with many details.

How a factory arrives at an MOQ value is just as important as the number itself. Some suppliers will quote a minimum order quantity by style and color, some will quote different mixed sizes within an order or a mix of order types. Buyers need to know what the maximum quoted minimum order quantity actually includes.

All the process of production have the same pattern. Searching for fabric, design pattern, sampling, modification, approval, cutter, sewing, decoration, finishing, checking product, carton pack, packing. The clear production plan should clarify all the timing that should be in advance, from beginning of process to end process.

A Factory Matters When Production Gets Complicated

A product catalogue is only a snapshot of a given supplier‘s ability, a factory may have hundreds of ranges of sportswear on offer while working with different partners on a host of aspects of pattern making, decoration, washing processes or indeed, the entire manufacturing process. Buyers need to look a little deeper than a photograph and question who really runs the show:

In-house production facilitates easier communication since the work teams practicing on the garment can react to issues as they come up in production. Fit requirements can be discussed with the sewing teams from the pattern makers, construction problems can be immediately communicated to the production team, and finished pieces can be examined by the quality inspectors against the approved specifications.

Before final inspection is also part of quality control, fabric teams can examine composition, colour, shrinkage, stretch and flaw before cutting, the production team can monitor measurements, seams, thread tension, elastic waistbands, reinforcements and decoration in the process of manufacturing. Final inspection consolidate all of those.

The Right Questions Come Before The Purchase Order

Always get your head around the process once you have send away a design before you decide on your Manufacturer. Get to know what the factory needs to know, who supplies the samples, where are the revisions, where do the fabrics come from, what processes happen within this factory etc. Helpful information like that can sometimes tell you more than a list of products.

And also we have to mention here the first sample. One of the main characteristics of the good manufacturer is to inform about the sample, specifications requested by the customer, how the modificationsare managed. So the process is faster and there aren´t any misses and delays at the beginning of the development.

Price requires these as much as well. A per unit cost is any good if the matching supplier has a different fabric compared to what is purchased, fabric punchings over dimensions, minimum order quantity, sampling, production monitoring, inspection, or delivery lead time. Comparing the quotations on total manufacturing process is more valuable.

A Manufacturer Built Around In-House Production

JiuvelWear, operated by Dongguan Jiuzuo Clothing Co., Ltd., supports custom apparel development as a clothing manufacturer with in-house pattern making, cutting, sewing, printing, quality inspection, and packing. The factory focuses on vintage washed denim and streetwear and supports OEM, ODM, private label, sample development, and bulk apparel production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do sportswear clothing manufacturers produce?

Their products include training tops, T-shirts, shorts, leggings, jackets, teamwear and other activewear. The specific product lines vary according to the machinery, raw materials and production facilities of each manufacturer.

What should buyers consider when choosing sportswear fabric?

The user requirements; stretch, recovery, breathability, moisture management, durability, opacity, weight and hand feel are important. The fabric has to be appropriate for the piece and for the wearer.

Why does sportswear need sampling before bulk production?

Sampling enables the buyer to examine fit, measurement, handling, construction, decoration, fabric and drape. Changes at this point can save larger production problems at a later date.

What should buyers ask a sportswear manufacturer?

Inquire about material sourcing, design development, prototypes, minimum order quantities, lead time for production, in-house capabilities, quality assurance, decoration, packing and re-order process. Product specifications should be explicitly defined and approved sample.