From Design To Finished Product – The Clothing Manufacturing Process

Ever wondered how a clothing manufacturer produces apparel for your brand? There are numerous steps in the process, including product design, fabric sourcing, cutting, sewing, and finishing.

As a fashion brand, it’s helpful to learn the basics of clothing production. This foundation will guide you through the primary terminology, lead times, and design stages. Plus, it can help set your expectations.

The process of manufacturing clothing varies slightly depending on the size of the factory. However, most follow standardised steps to produce apparel on both small and large scale.

Every garment starts with an initial design. This idea is digitised to produce a technical drawing and specifications for each product.

The digitised design and technical specifications are used to produce patterns. A manufacturer will create a digital file from this outline if paper patterns are created externally. Using digital patterns ensures consistency and accuracy in the design stage. They are also used for size grading once approved for use.

With your initial designs, suitable fabric is sourced for production. Clothing manufacturers typically have a wide variety of materials to choose from. They can also advise on the best options depending on the design and use of the final garment.

The laying and marking process helps save costs and reduces waste fabric. Patterns are arranged, so each piece in the design optimises the material available.

A plotter machine prints out a lay plan, which is used to cut the fabric. Depending on the size of the order, this is sometimes completed by hand with a machine finish. In bulk orders, clothing manufacturers cut fabric in layers. However, this depends on the thickness and properties of the material.

Once the pieces are ready for sewing, it’s time to consider the finer details. This stage looks at trim options and any embroidery or screen-printing requirements from the customer. Again, there are numerous colours and finishes to meet the design needs.

The above stages provide all the pieces you need for the finished product, which can now be sewed together. This may be completed by a machinist or a production facility, depending on the order size.

Each product is checked against the initial specifications and tested for quality on completion. Products are then finished with tags and labels with your branding.

Products are individually packaged and boxed up, ready to be shipped. There are different freight options available, and these vary in cost.

• Samples are produced before the final sign off. This will give you time to make tweaks and address any QC issues.
• Designing and producing clothing from scratch is a long process, and quick changes here and there are not always possible.
• The process for clothing production using wholesale garments is shorter, as products are ready to be embroidered or printed after the design sign off.
• Lead times differ depending on the order size and specifications.