Why do clothing manufacturers

Because apparel brands and retailers encourage this type of consumer behavior. This news is not new. Mass produced garments, which are processed to get them to market as quickly as possible, have an enormous impact on the environment. Of even greater concern is how manufacturers dispose of waste from their facilities, including excess trims and yarn, dead stock and defected fabrics not used in production, not to mention non-textile waste, such as polluted water, CO2, dyes and other hazardous materials used in production.

Chemicals used to make synthetic fabrics such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, are derived from coal, oil, or natural gas. How damaging is this mass-produced garment industry waste to the environment? If discarded in a landfill or incinerated, these and other chemicals often seep into the groundwater. Natural fibers, silk, linen, cotton and semi-synthetic fibers, such as rayon, all contain methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide, and do not decompose.

Others, like acrylic, nylon and polyester, are petroleum-based, and could take hundreds of years to fully decompose. Directories have lost much of their popularity but are still around and are an excellent source to find manufacturers.

Among the most popular directories that we can mention are Sqetch in Europe, Makers Row in the US, and Kompass to find overseas factories. This is a viable option if you want to outsource your production overseas, and specifically, to China. Alibaba and AliExpress are two major marketplaces where you can find countless options.

For each potential manufacturer, you can read the reviews of other customers to collect precious clues to make your decision. Just asking around is a great way to find new options. Even if some manufacturers turn you down or do not meet your requirements, ask them if they have any other suggestions for you. You may be amazed at how many new contacts you can collect. If you have followed all the steps outlined previously, you have been able to select your potential clothing manufacturer.

Before placing your first order, however, there are a few additional things you want to confirm to make sure that the process flows smoothly and results in the final product you need.

This is a great question to start with since it reveals the real potential of the company. It might even be a good idea to get some of these brands, whether they are familiar to you or not, on the phone to cross-reference and ask for feedback.

You may receive invaluable information, not only about the quality but also about any issues that they may have had with the manufacturer. You will also want to know which qualifications the company possesses. These certificates are useful to confirm the quality and work ethic of the manufacturer and if they are compliant with local regulations. It is essential as well to understand if the company works sustainably or not since this is a growing concern among consumers. Some of the sustainability certification you can look for are:.

All manufacturers require a minimum order and the minimum quantity may vary from to pieces. You do not want to commit yourself to ordering a number of pieces that you are not sure you can sell. It is important to understand how the minimum order works, whether it is per color, style, and size.

Do not forget to negotiate the shipping fees, especially if you are dealing with overseas manufacturers. Leaving this to chance may lead to unpleasant surprises that cut your sales margin short. It is best if the manufacturer can provide samples of the ordered items. You must ask this question not to plan your current order but for your future activities. If you are a new business, your first order will most likely be small. But what if your business picks up and you need to increase the quantity and frequency of your order?

You must make sure that the current manufacturer can assist your business in the future; otherwise, you may find yourself searching for a new one from scratch again. Equally it is important to choose a manufacturer for whom your business matters enough in terms of revenue so they give you better service.

Selecting the right garment manufacturer is a crucial decision for your fashion business. The manufacturer is one of your most valuable partners on which your business depends. Speed is the key factor in mass production. These garment manufacturers make sure that collections are delivered in a timely manner.

There is serious production planning and logistics behind the process. The whole concept of mass production is to not disappoint. Mass production apparel manufacturers produce fast and affordable clothing that reaches the end customer in record time. However, this process at the same time creates new problems like a huge amount of poorly made clothing that ends in the landfill. If you are a clothing business that is just getting started, to select the right manufacturer ask yourself these questions:.

Answers to these questions will help you define the right type of manufacturer to work with. Starting clothing manufacturing business? First, make a plan.

Include your goals and budget. Research other manufacturers in your area. You can also do online research and find stories of how other manufacturers got started. Defining your values will help decide on who you want to work with.

Would you like to support new talents and smaller brands? Would you like to have shorter production runs and produce locally? Then a low minimum MOQ is for you. Apparel Production is a distinguished and highly experienced domestic and overseas garment manufacturer based in New York City. All rights reserved. Website by. Press enter to begin your search.