Getting Started in Production
Getting started in apparel production can seem like a monstrous task from the outside looking in. More often than not, new clients are surprised by the amount of preparation required to begin a project. In efforts to better serve our community and prospective designers, our team has curated a guide to getting started. Here’s to kicking off 2023 with comprehensive resources that support your creative venture:
Step One: Identify Production Readiness
The Big Three to Be “Production Ready”
Production Ready Sample
A production ready sample is a completely constructed item with approximate fabric, trims, stitches, placements, and notions. This item serves as an exact guide to how your product should be created. Consider this a reference tool for the sewist of your final product. If you do not have a production ready sample, your inquiry is automatically for product development, not production. Jump to Step Two!
2. Complete Tech Package
A tech package is a complete folder that supports the creation of your product. This is a resource indicating the exact dimensions required to cut, sew, and scale the size of your product. A complete tech package includes your product’s order of operations and quality control details. If you do not have a tech package, your inquiry is automatically for product development, not production. Jump to Step Two!
3. Complete Pattern
A pattern is the puzzle to create your product. This is the flat replication of your product with every piece required to cut and sew your product. Your pattern must indicate seamlines, topstitching, notches, and placement for items such as buttons, zippers, pockets, etc. Consider this a paper reference tool for the creator of your final product. If you do not have a pattern, your inquiry is automatically for product development, not production. Jump to Step Two!
When you have the ‘Big Three’ you are considered a ‘production ready’ candidate.
Step Two: Submit a Production Inquiry
At StitchWorks, all clients complete a Production Service Inquiry to assess the readiness and sophistication of your product. Questions on the Production Inquiry help us understand your brand, product, or necessary services required before moving into production.
Product Development
Clients are directed to product development services when lacking any of the ‘Big Three’ elements to be considered production ready. These services prepare you for production readiness, whether it be in-house with StitchWorks or another supplier. Clients can expect to receive a follow-up email in 3-5 business days after submitting their initial inquiry.
Once a product is considered production ready, all clients are required to complete a time study prior to establishing their production contract.
Step Three: Time Study
A time study is a standard practice in manufacturing used to determine the cost per piece of production. Clients are required to send enough resources for 3 product samples and pattern materials, if not already provided. The time study will calculate the time to cut, sew, and quality check a bundle of samples and estimate the cost for a larger batch.
The result of the time study is provided to the inquirer prior to signing a contract with StitchWorks.
Step Four: Define Order Quantity
Upon completion of the time study, the client must meet a minimum order quantity (MOQ) in order to work with the service provider. At StitchWorks, production orders with a minimum of 50 units lead to a service agreement. This is considered a “small batch” production service.
Other manufacturers may require minimums of 500 to 5000. The larger number of units, generally leads to the cheaper the cost per product. This process emphasizes the importance of the time study completion to forecast cost of production and compare across service providers.
Step Five: Service Agreement
Once an order quantity has been defined, clients are required to pay the full production fee. The client is then required to order all fabric, trim, notions, packaging, tags and hang tags; coordinating with our team for shipping to our facility. A standard client order will include the pattern graded and markers created. Standard production schedules begin when all materials are readily available in-house.
StitchWorks can only provide a delivery date when we have all items associated with the project at the production facility.
Next Steps: The Production Process
We invite you to check out our post dedicated to what to expect during production.