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Producing custom garments or use wholesalers ?blank? apparel

I get many and plenty people who want to start their own clothing line asking the question about should they do cut-n-sew (buy your own fabric/material) or use a wholesaler (Industry) which in the street wear world is called using ?blanks? as in blank products.

This is a very broad question and I will try to cover all aspects of which one is better.

Which one is better is a question that?s more in the eye of the designer because it depends on the situation you are in when starting your business. What category of fashion design you?re venturing into (high designer wear, street wear, custom clothing) and how much capital u have too start with is a major factor. Whatever the scenario in each the question could weigh better either way.

Let?s start off discussing cut-n-sew first. First the meaning of cut-n-sew is basically the process of manufacturing and producing custom garments from a designer?s technical specification (size curves & cut of the garment).

Usually a designer prepares what is called a tech pack that is sent to a manufacturer so that all aspects of the garment are prepared accordingly. The nature of cut-n-sew is more expensive due to the time it takes to prepare a tech pack (time-is-money) and most often there are higher minimums (pieces per style) because most cut-n-sew is produced overseas. Not to mention customs and shipping tariffs and you have to factor in the turnaround time (the time it takes u to receive your order) is increased.

There are also many reasons that cut-n-sew can benefit your business. When producing your own custom fabrics and cuts you control the overall look and feel of your product which can make a big difference in a market that is over-saturated and full of imitators. There are no labels to be replaced since you are working from custom fabric and all so able to produce more intricate prints (all-over prints) and embroideries. You are able to choose from your own color palette and are not limited to a companies (wholesalers) available stock of blanks.

As you can see cut-n-sew is a more expensive alternative for a startup company but the benefits of producing your own custom garments will give your company an edge in a saturated market!

Cut-n-sew is one way now on to the alternative to using an apparel wholesaler which is a provider of ready-made apparel which can be embellished to a designer?s specification.

Most startup companies go this route because it?s easier and more cost-effective and gives u more of a learning curve. There is not much to it but to buy blanks wholesale and sub-contract it to a screen printer or custom manufacturer. Problems that can arise from this process are a wholesaler can run out of a popular color or a specific size at any given time. This can affect the smooth sailing of your business.

Also there is the process of removing the wholesalers branded tag and replacing it with your labels. U also would be limited to the type of embellishment you can apply and also to use the wholesaler?s quality of blanks which can be used by hundreds of other apparel lines.

This is why it is very important to create a product that stands out in the market place, but is not too far-fetched or ahead of its time. Both options make a strong point but is really a decision left in the hands of the company considering their financial standing, section of the marketplace, and knowledge of the field their entering.

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