Starting your own clothing label takes time, energy, and money. But when you learn how Private Label Clothing Manufacturing Works, you will discover how this process can be rewarding while also simplifying the process. By partnering with a manufacturer, you can skip the time-consuming steps of setting up a factory and sourcing model the raw materials to make samples. This model has revolutionized the ability to launch fashion lines for both new and seasoned companies.
Eco-Jersey has pioneered the Private Label Apparel Manufacturing model with international brands from small businesses to large retailers. This guide explains how Private Label Clothing Manufacturing Works, step by step, so you can choose the best path forward for your brand.
What Is Private Label Clothing Manufacturing?
Private Label Clothing Manufacturing is a process that takes care of each step of production for a clothing label for a specific brand. The brand owner will provide a label and logo, as well as some design front work, and then leave the bulk of the work to the factory. When this process is complete, the clothing will be branded and the manufacturer’s name will not be visible.
Most brands in the fashion business can utilize this model. It allows brands to manage their product lines without managing a factory. It brings down the cost of production and time needed to bring the product to the market. It has also proven valuable to businesses in their early and growth stages.
How Private Label Clothing Manufacturing Works: Step by Step
The best way to learn about private label clothing development is to study the production process in its entirety from idea to fulfillment.
Brand Briefing
The first step of private label clothing manufacturing is when the brand owner relays a series of requirements to the manufacturer.
This includes the following:
- Type of clothing
- Target consumer and purpose of the garment
- Specific fabrics and materials
- Colors, cuts, and styles of the design
- The owner’s brand identification in the form of clothing tags, product labels, and packaging.
Our staff at Eco-Jersey looks at each brief before continuing on to the next stage so we can quickly and accurately address the needs of our customers.
Design and Tech Pack
The design stage is only activated once the brief has been signed off. Our design team takes the customer’s design files to work from. However, if a customer does not have design files, our design staff works from a detailed Tech Pack. A Tech Pack is a technical document of garment construction. It includes detailed notes of measurement, stitching, and fabric construction.
An adequately constructed tech pack is the blueprint for every step in the production process. Without this document, there is a high chance there will be a lack of cohesion which can delay production and compromise the quality of the product.
Fabric Sourcing and Material Selection
Once the design is complete, the next step in private label clothing manufacturing is sourcing the fabric. The manufacturer chooses and buys the fabric in line with your specifications which can range from the type of fabric to the GSM (grams per square meter), how much it can stretch, the color, and the quality of the finish.
Eco-Jersey is a top supplier of high-quality products at an international standard and we have options for sustainable products for brands with a preference for environmentally friendly products.
Sampling / Prototype Development
Prior to commencing mass production, a sample garment is produced. This allows you to touch and feel the product before deciding on it and allows you to inspect the quality of the stitching, the sample garment, the placement of the label, and lastly, the overall finish.
Sampling is the most important step in manufacturing as it allows you to make the most changes to the product because once mass production starts it is extremely expensive to make changes. For this reason, multiple revisions of the sample are done at Eco-Jersey until you are satisfied.
Sample Approval
Once the sample arrives, you must scrutinize the sample. If the sample is not up to your specifications, the production team is notified and the sample undergoes the required changes and is sent back for review. This process is repeated until the sample is approved.
The manufacturer only begins bulk production after the first article sample is approved. This is a necessary step for every professional private label clothing manufacturer as it guarantees that the manufacturer is meeting your expectations for the final deliverables.
Bulk Production
Full-scale production begins after the sample is approved. The production team will cut the fabric and construct the pieces, add any decorative items, and apply the branding, woven tags, hang tags, care labels, and branded boxes.
Eco-Jersey has optimized production processes that help us remain consistent and maintain quality at every stage. Our quality control team oversees the production to ensure that any issues are flagged at the earliest.
Quality Control and Inspection
Quality control (QC) is a perpetual process during production, but a final distinct inspection occurs just before shipping orders. At this stage, each production batch is compared with the client’s approved production sample and tech pack to confirm the following:
- Accuracy in measurements
- Stitching integrity
- Color uniformity
- Correct placement of labels and brand identifiers
- Satisfaction of packaging requirements
Eco-Jersey strictly implements quality control processes that meet international export standards, which means that we deliver clothing items that are fully saleable with no need for rework.
Private Label Branding and Packaging
The private label clothing manufacturing process is differentiated by the branding stage. At this stage, your custom tags and packaging are affixed to the finished clothing items, thus converting the clothing item into a product that represents your brand.
We place your brand name, logo, and care and origin information during this step. Depending on your needs, we can also provide polybags, hangers, or branded boxes.
Documentation and Shipment
Our company takes care of all your export documentation and works with international freight companies to get your merchandise delivered.
Our logistics teams work to make international shipping very simple and easy, no matter if you’re in Europe, North America, the Middle East or Australia.
What Private Label Clothing Manufacturing Works for Your Brand
It’s no wonder, considering the process, that so many brands opt for this model. Here are the key reasons:
- Full Brand Ownership. Your name goes on the product, not the manufacturer’s. Cost Efficiency, eliminate the enormous capital cost of owning or operating a factory. Pay for production.
- Scalability, decide how many units to manufacture.
- Speed to Market, provision of export documentation and a reliable partner works to get your product delivered.
- Flexibility. The option to design the product, collection and category of product to be manufactured without a long term commitment.
Conclusion
By learning what goes into private label clothing manufacturing gives you a leg up when launching or growing your clothing brand. The method is simple, straightforward and gives you total control of your clothing line, all without the headaches of running a factory.
With Eco Jersey, you get experts in manufacturing and exports and source quality for every project. It doesn’t matter if you’re launching your first collection or expanding your already established collection. We are prepared to help your brand grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is private label clothing manufacturing only suited for big companies?
Definitely not. All sizes of companies, including small companies, independent designers, and startups, can benefit from private label clothing manufacturing. Many manufacturers have flexible order quantities, allowing more companies to utilize this option.
Can I retain ownership of the designs I make to sell with private label manufacturing?
Absolutely. When you create designs for private label manufacturing, you own the designs. A good manufacturer will never offer your designs to another customer or client.
Does private label manufacturing offer the use of sustainable or eco-friendly fabrics?
Yes. In fact, some private label manufacturers only offer the use of organic, recycled, or sustainably sourced fabrics. If your company supports sustainability, you can make a specific request to use sustainable fabrics.
What will occur if the bulk order does not match the sample I approved?
If the bulk production does not match the approved sample, the manufacturer will have to make the necessary changes at their cost as it will not be your responsibility. This is why companies will have a tech pack along with a signed sample approval, as it serves to protect both parties.
