Garment manufacturing is a structured activity that consists of a series of processes such as fabric relaxing, marking, cutting, sewing, checking, and packaging. And it’s essential to figure out how custom clothing manufacturers make your products if you are trying to start a clothing brand.
Also, it’s helpful to have an overview of all the steps in the garment manufacturing process before you go further in product development for your clothing brand.
There are a total of 9 steps for garment manufacturing. I will divide them into three broad ranges: pre-production, production, and post-production.
The pre-production process includes sampling, sourcing of raw materials, and approvals of production planning.
The production process includes cutting and sewing.
The post-production process includes thread trimming, pressing, checking, folding, packaging and shipping.
1. Clothing Sampling
Sampling is a process where the custom clothing vendor develops clothing samples according to a customer’s specific designs. It’s also known as the product development stage. Sampling can be divided into five types: fit sample, size set sample, production sample, top of production(TOP) sample, and shipment sample. It requires tech packs such as brand logos or pictures or sizing charts.
2. Fabric Sourcing
Fabric sourcing works in coordination with the merchandising department to find the perfect fabric for customers. Custom clothing manufacturers often don’t have fabrics in stock. Instead, they work with high-quality fabric suppliers. They not only offer the materials but also offer the relevant knowledge and quality check.
3. Fabric Relaxing and Pre-shrinkage
Fabrics are always under tension throughout the textile manufacturing process, including weaving, dyeing, and other finishing processes. Relaxing and Preshrinking can minimize the shrinkage of the final products simply by using sanforizing machines.
4. Fabric Cutting
After fabric relaxing, workers in the cutting department will spread fabrics and cut them into garments according to patterns for the production. Fabric cutting is an essential process because it will be challenging if you want to change the clothing size or style once it has been cut. Therefore, nothing can go wrong during this process.
5. Printing and Embroidery
Embroidery and printing are two different processes. They look and feel entirely different on the garment surface. Sometimes, customers might require both of them for their clothing. For example, embroidery for the left chest logo and screen printing for the picture on the back. Professional custom clothing manufacturers always know which one is better for different fabric types based on their experiences. If you have doubts about the techniques, listen to suggestions from your clothing suppliers. Once the method has been approved, it will be done to the garment before sewing.
6. Sewing
Sewing or stitching happens in the assembly line. One operator is responsible for one part, like collar sewing, then they pass it down for the next part sewing. The end sewing line conducts a quality check. Workers are responsible for checking sewing defects.
7. Checking
After a garment is fully sewn and assembled, the ironing section will proceed with the final pressing. Each ironing station consists of an iron and an ironing platform.
Workers are required to ensure proper clothing collection without any production defects such as stains and functions of buttons.
8. Pressing
After a garment is fully sewn and assembled, the ironing section will proceed with the final pressing. Each ironing station consists of an iron and an ironing platform. The quality of the pressing determines the garment finished grade.
9. Packaging and Shipping
Before shipping, garments are folded, tagged, and packaged according to customer specifications. Most garments are packed in plastic bags, while some are packed in boxes. In the end, plastic bags or boxes will be packed in cardboard boxes to be ready for shipping.
Final thoughts
The garment manufacturing process will vary from different custom clothing demands. This article has listed nine basic processes. MGOO welcomes any interest or question about garment manufacturing as a clothing manufacturer in China. We have made a solution page that includes six parts, from product development to after-sale services. Click here to visit if you are interested in starting or growing a clothing brand.