Garments/ Apparell sourcing guidelines for the aspiring designers !

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Im a sourcing agent here in India.Been in the industry for the past 7 years with an extensive knowledge in the apparell industry. I’ve helped a four redditors in getting their desgins made and more than a handful of redditors on getting clarity on how the apparel industry works here in this part of the world. Over time i noticed most people having a similiar set of queries to start with, so i thought Id just write a little brief touching upon the basics. Here is my bit to contributing to this supportive group :)

• Homework Speaking to manufacturers without you having clarity is like tossing couple of ingredients in a bowl without a recipe. Be clear as to what you are looking for rather than being vague and swaying between products every time you have a conversation. Ofcourse the manufacturer will be able to help you get more clarity depending on what youre looking for, but that again depends from manufacturer to manufacturer. Have an idea as to what price point you’re looking to sell at based on which. Be able to describe the clothes that you've imagined (either with drawings or by referring to existing clothing)

• Look everywhere You don't necessarily have to think only CHINA when it comes to manufacturing. A lot of other countries like India, Bangladesh and Vietnam are grabbing more than a chunk from China. We’ve worked with the biggest brands in the industry and continue to do so. I cannot speak for the other countries but India is racing its way up interms of Garment sourcing. If im not wrong India is the largest producer of cotton this year. The price difference for the same specifications between the countries would barely be a couple of cents.

• Choosing a manufacturer Manufacturers are a plenty these days. The ability to ship a garment, on time and at a competitive price, is no longer an asset. It has become an entry-level requirement. You’d be able to find so many listed on Alibaba itself and most of them with an outdated website. Beyond Alibaba, there are so many more manufacturers who dont have an online presence but still have an annual turnover of more than 50 million dollars. You have to understand that businesses in this part of the world dont work the same way as your home country. An online presence is not given much of an importance but yes, now with the next generation coming in some of the manufacturers are making an effort to have a website. So just looking for manufacturers onlne isnt always the best option. Ask around. Speak to people within the industry and see who they use. I have to insist that finding a good, reliable manufacturer is essential to start a fashion company. Talk to the manufactures and settle in on someone who is communicating well with you and seems to understand your needs and requirements. Communication is an essential part. You dont want to be in the dark 3000 miles away without a clue as to what is happening with your goods.

• The details Now that you think you’ve found someone who might work, send them drawings, technical sheets, fabric swatches, etc. you'll need to get patterns made. If you have the skills then do it yourself, else use a patternmaker or factory who can make samples for you based on your drawings / descriptions. You can send them the pattern, fabric (unless they are sourcing it), and a sample (if you have one) and they can make you a first prototype. Most manufaturers wouldn’t do your samples free of cost unless you have a working relationship with them for a while. They usually charge a nominal fee and should the order approve, the sample fee will be deducted from the final amount.

• Pricing Talk to them to find out if it will be possible for them to work at your price point, and if not, what it would be to manufacture the garment based on your specifications. Negotiating with manufacturers can be a difficult process taking into account cultural and language barriers. It would make your life easier if you use a sourcing agent for this who gets things done for you here. If you have the skills yourselfgo forth, Do negotiate but dont haggle too much with the manufacturers.The good ones are PRECIOUS precious to comeby and you dont want to let them go becaus of a couple of cents difference. The way I work, when a business transaction happens, both parties involved must be benefitted. That is when you build long lasting relationship.

• Production Once the samples have been finalised( which is a time consuming process, mind you) then begins the actual fun. Mass production. Quality control (QC) should happen at every stage of your production and you have to be on top of it. I personally ensure it is done and reporetd back to the customer after having burnt my fingers early on in my career. I insist, QC is a must. Once the production is done, have your manufacturer label and pack as per your requirements.

• Shipping Most new designers we’ve worked with fail to consider the shipping time into account. If you want your goods moved through Sea, it is going to take time and you have to plan accordingly. Apart from sea freight costs, The other costs to figure into your calculation are of course taxes, duties, import charges, additional port or land freight charges, and other fees these agencies/governments can charge. Also ensure your manufacturer / agent is should be in control of your goods to ensure safe transport to your end. I’ve touched upon the basic outline here, to help the newbies in the forum. Any questions in specific, please ask away! I would answer as much as I can.

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