How to work with a clothing manufacturer to make your product

How to work with a clothing manufacturer to make your product

by Trudi Roach

How to get your product made: 12 things to know when working with a manufacturer!

If you’re currently feeling like getting your product manufactured is a daunting task, this is the post for you.

No question there’s a lot that you have to think about when it comes to working a manufacturer to get your product made.

You’ve got to pick your product, you’ve got to organize the style details, you have to choose your fabrics, you’ve got to create a trim list, sizing specifications, schedule fit sessions, make some adjustments, compromises, and on and on.

I get it I absolutely get why getting your product manufactured might feel overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be!

Learning how to create your own product line and how to work with a product manufacturing company is a skill set. It’s one that you can learn.

It’s something that I’ve have been doing well working for brands in the New York fashion industry.

I have a lot of strategies and tips up my sleeve and today I’m sharing 12 of them with you to help you save hours on every project and a ton of headache getting your products manufactured.

Getting your own product manufactured is a huge step in growing your own brand! Maybe you’ve had the idea for a while.

Maybe you have been making your own products and want to take it to the next level.

Want to discover how to work with a manufacturer to create your fashion brand? Learn how to get cut and sew manufacturers to take you seriously and how to tell if they’re the best place.

How to work with a clothing manufacturer to make your product: 12 things to keep in mind when selecting a manufacturer.

1. Does the manufacturer do what you need?

First and foremost, make sure that you select a manufacturer that has experience with or, even better, specializes in your product area.

This is important because they produce similar products consistently, buy raw materials in large quantities, and can often offer you lower prices and guidance on what will work based on their production experience.

To be fair, the size of the customer and season matter in manufacturing. Some manufacturers will only deal with large companies, while others specialize in niche markets with smaller clients.

2. Set aside time to have several calls with a manufacturer

This is a chance for you to gauge the manufacturer's responsiveness and give them a chance to show you that they will do as they say and deliver on time.

Ask for an initial meeting with the sales rep, give them a specific task to do for your next step, and schedule a time to follow up.

Trust me on this one. Out of the 11 manufacturers I’ve recently contacted, only 3 followed up.

3. Check the manufacturer’s references (if possible).

Before you sign a manufacturing contract or NDA, check the company's references. Most companies will have a list of clients that have signed off as references.

However, some may not be able to provide you with this list due to the NDAs they have signed with their other clients.

4. Sign an NDA and find out if you’re a good fit.

If you feel comfortable up until now with a company's communication and reputation, you can sign a mutual NDA. This will give both you and the manufacturer the opportunity assess whether or not you will be a good fit.

Are they able to produce your product at the price you need or think you need?

If you are currently making your own products, be prepared to pay a minimum of $1.50 extra for labor and production time.

Also, be aware that if the manufacturer does not stock the raw materials required for your product, this may also make your price go up.

This is because they will have to order stock specifically to fill your orders.

5. Do they have an order minimum? Are they flexible?

The order minimum can vary depending on the product, but it’s something you should ask from the get-go.

There’s no point seeing a manufacturer who won’t set up a production line for anything less than a 2,000 piece order if you only want to order 20 pieces.

Manufacturers usually have an order minimum to make their production efficient and to avoid the costly stop-starting of machines.

You should also assess whether or not the manufacturer is flexible. In other words, are they able to scale production as your business changes?

The right manufacturer should be able to alter production if there’s an increase or decrease in demand for your product.

7. Do they have stock formulas that match your product?

When Finding a manufacturer to make your product, ask yourself “Does the manufacturer have a stock formula that matches my project scope?”

Perhaps you can add a few changes to one of their existing formulas so that you can apply it to your product. Or, will you have to formulate one from scratch together?

Most manufacturers these days have a minimum of 200 formulas in their database. Progressive manufacturers tend to create new formulas on a regular basis.

8. What are their quality management standards and practices?

This is something that can also be asked when touring a factory, for example, but it is essential to ask regardless.

At what stages of the production are the products quality checked?

Do they have a gold seal sample they refer to throughout production? Is there some sort of final inspection process in place before the product is shipped to customers?

What is the lighting like in this area and does it look well-staffed? It’s important to select a manufacturer that follows established standards and can provide up-to-date certifications.

You may even want to ask about industry-specific certifications for your product.

9. Packaging and labeling

On the topic of packaging and labeling, it’s important to keep the following in mind: are there specific suppliers they work with?

Do they markup packaging?

Can they provide label templates? Do they have any advice on packaging your product?

What type of machinery do they work with? How do they pack out orders (outer boxes)?

This is important if you do your own fulfillment and or if you ship to other retailers.

10. Shipping

The location of the manufacturer is very important, and should be considered before making a deal with a company.

If your business is based in CA and you work with a manufacturer based in NJ, be prepared for cross country shipment rates and time frames.

Consider the following questions when talking about shipping: What shipping companies does the manufacturer work with?

Do they get rate discounts with their affiliation or is it cheaper to go with your own shipping account?

What are their storage conditions like? Will the manufacturer insure the shipments?

11. Samples, prototypes and production runs

If all looks good up until this point, it’s time to talk samples, prototypes, and production runs.

First, do they offer samples and if so, how much will they cost and how long will it take to make them? What about trying a small production run?

When you feel ready to approach a large production run, how long will it take to get on schedule?

12. Finances

It’s no surprise that it costs quite a bit of money to get a creative project up and running.

You should be prepared, at minimum, to be able to fund the following costs: actual product cost, packaging plus shipping charges, labeling/decorating and set up charges, shipping cost of the final product, and any lab cost or development cost.

Some companies may charge for their brainstorming and stock formulation services as well.

Be sure to ask the company what their terms are. Most manufacturers will require 50% down before they ship with new customers.

This includes all other charges related to your project, so be prepared to have the cash available.

CONCLUSION

So, there you have it, that’s my guide how to work with a clothing manufacturer to make your product.

When you have 12 things to keep in mind when selecting a manufacturer for your business it’s easier to connect with the ones who will best support your business!

Keep in mind, how to approach a manufacturer with your product idea and working with a manufacturer shouldn’t rely on one single conversation.

Once you’ve started to explore your options, it’s important to understand how your products and goals fit into the manufacturing equation. Product strategy, understanding manufacturing and growing your business is my passion and what we cover in-depth inside my FashionVIP Program. Learn more and sign up for a FREE strategy call with me HERE

PS: Don’t forget that the 12 things to keep in mind when you want to understand how to get a product made is just part of the story! But I won't leave you to figure it all out on your won.

That's why I created a 20 Step Guide to walk you through the process. Grab my free downloadable, printable, totally check-off-able, step-by-step, Fashion Launch Checklist available at HERE