How Apparel Manufacturers Run Their Businesses From Manufacturing To Exporting

How Apparel Manufacturers Run Their Businesses From Manufacturing To Exporting

The garment’s industry is relatively wholesome. It has a relatively low barrier for entry for new brands and every organisation has some place in the industry regardless of their goals as a business. This is mainly because clothing is a necessity and having more brands in the market allows companies to work harder to make better products. With that being said, let’s explore the inner workings of the industry and check out how brands go from ideation to exporting in the garments industry.

From Ideation To Export: How Garment Manufacturers Work

1. Ideation

Everything starts with an idea. Apparel manufacturers draw up a mockup of apparel designs be it on a piece of paper or digitally. That idea is then discussed with manufacturers who make the items in workshops. Based on that discussion it is understood whether that idea is feasible or not. And also, what would be required to make this piece of clothing. This includes the fabrics required, the threads that would be required to sew the piece. And even any other material like beads or stones that are a part of the outfit design are laid out during this stage.

2. Pattern Making

Once the plan is set and manufacturers know what they need to make something, expert artisans are called in to discuss the best course of manufacturing the garment. This is done to optimise the process as much as possible and make it easy for the people working on the garment during the process. Also, the expert artisans create the first version of the garment to create a point of reference and for both the designers and manufacturers to see how the final version would look for their idea. If the demo goes well, the product is pushed to production. If the designers don’t like the demo, then changes are made and a new pattern is made again.

3. Production

The pattern acts as a guide for the assembly line workers on how to make the garment. The cutting department cuts the fabric as per the guidelines of the pattern. The sewing department puts the different pieces together as per the pattern and then final touches are put where the excess fabric (if any) and ends of the sewing threads are cut off. This completes the garment production process. The next process involves marketing the product.

4. Packaging & Finding Buyers

Packaging is where the labels are attached to the garment, wash care instructions are put on and it is put inside the final packaging of the item. Once that is done, the product is ready to hit the market. Manufacturers try selling their product in domestic markets first to understand the market performance of the product. For exporting products are made as per foreign market guidelines and the quality of the manufacturing is ensured to be top-notch. Manufacturers send free samples of the product to foreign market buyers in the hopes of striking a deal with them. If they like the sample, they make an order and what once started as an idea is now all ready for being shipped overseas and used in their markets.

5. Export

Once the foreign buyers like your product they place a Free On Board (FOB) purchase request. It basically means they are putting in an order to purchase a set amount of products from you. The terms of the FOB define which party the (seller or the buyer) that will be responsible for the transit of the products from one country to another. Generally, if you get a good deal, the buyer takes the responsibility of the shipping. Nonetheless, this is the end of the line, regardless if it is your responsibility to ship the product to the foreign country or not. You get paid in foreign currency and it’s a happy day at your office.

Conclusion

This is the behind the scenes of the manufacturing and exporting process for your favourite brands. So, as a apparel manufacturer if you are interested in learning more about the industry and how it works, check out CheerSagar. CheerSagar is a top apparel manufacturer and exporter in India for years now. You can also work with CheerSagar to take your business to the next level. Check out the website to learn more about the services.