A Complete Overview of the Fashion Production Process
Fashion production is the process of bringing a new fashion product to market. It includes all the steps from design and development through to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.
There are many different stages involved in fashion production, and each one requires its own set of skills and expertise. Throughout the rest of this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each stage of the fashion production process and exactly what’s involved, giving you some handy tips along the way.
Step 1: Pre-Production Process
Design Management
The first step in fashion production is the design phase. This is where the initial concepts and sketches for a new fashion product or line are created.
During the design phase, you will need to develop your garment designs, as well as your print, pattern and colour designs. To do this, you will need to have a good understanding of the latest fashion trends, as well as what your target market is looking for.
If you think you could use some support during the design phase, consider working with a professional fashion design consultant. They will be able to help you develop your designs, as well as give you advice on trends and your target market.
Materials Sourcing
After the design phase comes materials sourcing. This is where you need to source all the materials and trimmings that will be used to create your garments.
To do this, you will need to have a good understanding of the different types of fabrics and materials available, as well as their properties. You will also need to know where to source these materials and how to get the best price.
You should also consider the sustainability of the materials you use. There are a growing number of fashion brands that are using sustainable materials in their products, so this is something to keep in mind when sourcing your materials.
Product Development
The next step in fashion production is product development. This is where you take your design concepts and turn them into actual garments. This stage is essential in the pre-production process, as it outlines the construction, fit and finishes of your garments.
To do this, you will need to create technical drawings or patterns for your garments. You will also need to create a size chart and grading for your garments, so that when you go to manufacture, they will be made in the correct sizes.
During the product development stage, you will also need to create a prototype of your garments. This is so that you can test the fit, construction and finishes of your garments before they go into full production.
If you need help with any of the steps in the product development stage, consider working with a professional fashion brand consultant. They will be able to help you with all aspects of product development, from creating technical drawings to prototyping and testing.
Sampling
A pre-production sample is a great way to make sure everything is perfect before manufacturing begins, and is vital in the pre-production process. Sampling is when you create a small number of your garments to test the design, fit, construction and quality.
It’s important to note that sampling can be a costly exercise, so it’s important to only sample the items that you absolutely need to. For example, if you’re happy with the design and construction of your garment but not sure about the fit, then you may only need to sample that particular style in a few different sizes.
Once you’ve received your samples, it’s important to test them thoroughly — fit, materials, construction. If you’re happy with the results, then you can move on to manufacturing. If not, then you may need to make some adjustments to your design or construction before proceeding.
Tech Packs
A fashion tech pack is a document that contains all the information a manufacturer needs to know in order to produce your garments. This includes everything from the design and construction of your garment to the materials and trimmings that should be used. With an expert tech pack to speed up the whole process, you can achieve less wastage and faster production times.
Creating a fashion tech pack can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple once you know what information needs to be included. If you’re not sure how to create a tech pack, our Fashion Tech Pack Guide is here to help.
Costing for Raw Materials and Manufacturing
After you've finalised your design, it's time to start thinking about how much it's going to cost to produce. This includes the cost of the raw materials, as well as the cost of manufacturing.
To get an accurate idea of the cost of production, you will need to obtain quotes from a number of different manufacturers. This can be a time-consuming process, but it's worth it to make sure you're getting the best price possible.
Once you've received your quotes, you will need to compare them and choose an affordable option. It's important to remember that the cheapest option is not always the best option. You need to make sure that you're getting a good quality product from a reputable manufacturer.
Step 2: Garment Manufacturing Process
Sustainability
Ensuring sustainability throughout your fashion production line is important to protect our planet. The fashion industry is notoriously destructive to the environment, so fashion business owners need to consider sustainability in all of their practices. Sustainability in fashion production means using clothing manufacturers, materials and processes that don't damage the environment or deplete natural resources.
There are a number of ways to make your fashion production sustainable. For example, you can use organic or recycled materials, you can choose manufacturers that use renewable energy, and you can avoid using harmful chemicals or dyes.
Pattern Cutting Process
The first step in the garment manufacturing process is cutting the patterns for your garments. This is done by a pattern cutter, who will use your technical drawings and paper patterns to cut your patterns.
The patterns are then used to cut the fabric for your garments. This can be done by hand or by machine, depending on the type of fabric and the complexity of the design. The pattern-making process can be quite time-consuming, so it's important to choose a pattern cutter with experience and expertise.
Garment Production
After the fabric has been cut, it's time to start producing your garments.
This is usually done by a garment manufacturer who will put the garment together using your specs and a variety of different stitching techniques. This will usually include a combination of both sewing machines and hand stitching. It's important to use the right textile manufacturing process for your specific collection, so choosing the right clothing manufacturer is important.
The main part of the manufacturing process is the cutting and sewing process. This means that it is vital to ensure sustainability in these production processes and practices. You should also consider the working conditions of your garment manufacturers and make sure they are fair and ethical.
Brand and Care Labels
Once your garments are complete, they will need to be labelled with your brand name and care instructions. This is important to ensure that your garments are easily identifiable and that they can be properly cared for. Any great fashion production service will be able to provide you with high-quality labels for your garments.
Finishing
Finishing is one of the final steps in the manufacturing process. This includes adding any trimmings or embellishments to the garment, including buttons, zips, and appliqués. Once the garment is finished, the complete garment is ready to be checked by quality control and shipped to the customer.
Step 3: Quality Control
Factory Quality Checks
After your garments have been manufactured, it's time for quality control. This is when your garments are checked to ensure that they meet your specifications and that they are of a high enough quality to be sold.
There are a number of different ways to check the quality of your garments. The most common method is to have an on-site quality check in the manufacturing factory. This is when a quality control team checks the garments before they are shipped to you.
This is a speed-efficient way to quality-check garments, but some factories may not be willing to do this for you. In this case, you can send your garments to an independent quality control company. This is a more expensive option, but it's worth it to make sure your garments are up to standard.
Wholesale Quality Control
If you're selling your garments wholesale, then you'll need to have them quality-checked by an independent company. This is because wholesalers will not accept garments that don't meet their standards. If you work with an experienced fashion production company, they will be able to help you with this process.
Step 4: Shipping and Logistics
Once your garments have passed quality control, they will be packed and shipped to you. This is usually done by the manufacturing company, but you will need to double-check this with each individual company.
It's important to choose a shipping method that is safe and secure so that your garments arrive in perfect condition. You should also consider the costs of shipping, as this can add a significant amount to the cost of your garments.
When your garments arrive, you will need to store them until they are ready to be sold. This means that you will need to have a storage system in place. If you don't have the space to store your garments, then you can use a fulfilment company.
Fulfilment companies will store your garments and ship them out to your customers when you receive an order. This is a convenient way to store and ship your garments, but it can be quite expensive.
How To Improve Your Fashion Production Process
There are a few ways to improve your fashion production process. Here are a few of our expert tips:
Trust the experts. If you're not sure about something, it's always best to trust the experts. This is especially true when it comes to fashion production. There are a lot of different aspects to consider, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Working with an experienced fashion production company can be hugely beneficial — they will guide you through the entire process and ensure that your garments are manufactured to a high standard.
Don't cut corners. When it comes to fashion production, it's important not to cut corners. The quality of your garments will suffer if you try to save money by cutting corners. It's better to invest in a good-quality garment than to try and save money — you'll end up with a garment of lower quality that won't last as long.
Keep the process simple. The fashion production process doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, it's best to keep things as simple as possible. The more complex your process is, the more chances there are for things to go wrong. By keeping things simple, you can minimise the risk of problems and ensure that your garments are manufactured to a high standard.
Communicate with your suppliers and retailers. It's important to communicate with your suppliers and retailers throughout the fashion production process. They will be able to give you valuable feedback and help you to improve your process. By nurturing your retailer/supplier relationships, you can ensure that your garments are of the best possible quality.
Our Fashion Production Process
There you have it — our guide to the fashion production process. By following these tips, you can ensure that your garments are manufactured to a high standard and that they meet your customer's expectations.
At James Hillman, we have years of experience in fashion production and the know-how to get the most out of every garment. With low minimum requirements, our expert fashion production services can produce even small quantities without sacrificing quality, accommodating your budget to create the perfect garment for your brand.
Our fashion production process covers every step you will need to create quality garments ready for your customers. From pre-production to final production quality checks, we take care of everything so that you can focus on running your business. We also have a wide range of contacts in the textile industry, meaning we can find the perfect materials to set your collection apart from the competition.
If you're ready to take your fashion production process to the next level, get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.