26 Apr 4 Steps to Finding the Right Clothing Factory
The most important thing to think about when you are starting out in the fashion industry is your design inspiration. But there are also logistical factors to take into account. If you want to make money in fashion, you need to pay attention to the somewhat boring side of the process, for example, choosing a factory and finding a manufacturer for your designs. But this is a vital part of the process, and it will help your business develop. Take care to find the right manufacturer for your needs by following these steps:
- Decide What the Factory Will Do
You have a number of options when it comes to selecting one of the clothing manufacturers london offers. You can get a factory that will source fabrics and materials, create a pattern, and put it all together for you. Or you can find a manufacturer that will simply make your clothes from the pattern and the materials you give them. You will need to find a factory that provides Full Factor Production if you want the first option, or you can choose Cut Measure Trim if you want the latter.
- Look High and Wide
Look everywhere for possible manufacturing factories, from getting recommendations to searching online, tradeshows to directories. There are databases you can search to get access to possible fashion factories, a good example is letsmakeitthere.org. It will be a bit of an effort tracking down a long-list of suppliers but it is worth doing extensive research in the first place in order to stand the best chances of getting the right match.
- Make Your Short List
Once you have a long-list, you’ll need to cut it down otherwise you will never get to the people who will best suit your needs. First look for factories that are fairly local to you. If you do not have much experience with clothing manufacturers then it is probably not a good idea to start with someone who is based overseas. The initial cost may seem to be lower but the associated costs will soon add up. Look for London manufacturers and then you can actually visit the factories, ask questions, and find out how they will best meet your needs.
- Visit Some Manufacturers
It is a really good idea to visit the factories on your short list. You won’t be able to get a good overview of what they really do, or even if they have capacity for your project, until you meet them in person. Keep a list of questions you need to ask to maximise the time available.
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