Two common terms you may encounter as you start sourcing workwear are private label and OEM. They both sound similar, and most buyers do use them interchangeably. But, in fact, they indicate two distinct methods of working with a manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing the difference could work to your advantage. Each model impacts how much control you have over design and each model impacts workwear costs, speed to market and workwear branding as well. Let’s explain each model and help you with the decision that suits your business the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Put simply, OEM workwear means a manufacturer will only produce workwear based on your designs. You provide the tech packs, the measurements, fabric and construction, and the manufacturer does the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this model, you have total control over the workwear that is made and your design is exclusive to your brand. Most businesses that are well established prefer to choose OEM since they want full control and ownership over the details of the workwear that no other business will have made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Private label workwear operates a little differently. With private label, the manufacturer has designs that they have created and done production for. To make a garment your own, you just have to add your own workwear tags, labels, and workwear packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of their pre-existing foundational designs, this approach is considerably quicker. Developing from scratch is not a necessity; time and resources can be allocated in other areas, such as marketing, because of the strong, pre-existing designs. Therefore, private label is the best option for those looking to minimize time spent and maximize efficiency in the pre-market stages of their company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the end result of these two models is the creation of a workwear apparel company, the paths taken are vastly different. The best option is determined by your criteria, available resources, and necessary design control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider these differences when choosing a model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of all the differences, customization is where these two models diverge the most. There is a strong leaning toward OEM for brands that have a specific vision and product offering and would like to see this product come to market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Private label allows for flexibility in design at a reduced cost. In this case, the garment doesn’t change much. In fact, there are many instances where this trade is necessary, especially when you need to roll out custom workwear<\/a> in a short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is often a trade that deals with budget constraints. The initial cost of OEM is often more expensive because of the custom costing, samples, and development. The payoff for this is the garment will be original compared to anything else on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Private label is the more convenient and cost effective option. This is particularly true when designing something like industrial workwear<\/a> or hi-vis workwear<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goals of the company are the most important when determining if OEM or Private Label is the correct choice. If you company’s focus is originality, design, and a higher level of custom garment, then OEM is the only way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Private label allows for a quicker roll out of a better branded product. It is often the case that smaller companies will start with Private Label, and once scaling is complete, move to OEM. In this way, both methods are utilized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting your own workwear line can be done successfully using either OEM or private label models. OEM allows for total creative control of designs and products, but private labeling is a more straightforward process and costs less. There is no single better option; each has its own advantages for the client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is best to choose whichever model suits your current resources, goals, and vision for your brand. Unsure of the best option for your brand? The Eco Jersey team is happy to help you understand OEM and private label systems better, and aid you in designing personalized workwear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The differentiating factor between the two systems is the control of design. In the OEM system, the manufacturer produces workwear based off of your unique designs and specifications. In the private label system, the manufacturer designs workwear based off of pre-existing designs and allows you to market the workwear with your brand.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Private label is the quicker system. Since designs are pre-existing, work in the developmental stage is bypassed and you can be first to market faster. With OEM, the designs for workwear are built from the ground up, so the system is lengthier.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In most cases, yes. The costs associated with design, samples, and developmental work are usually more with OEM, while private label systems are more economical and budget friendly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two common terms you may encounter as you start sourcing workwear are private label and OEM. They both sound similar, and most buyers do use them interchangeably. But, in fact, they indicate two distinct methods of working with a manufacturer. Knowing the difference could work to your advantage. Each model impacts how much control you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":51840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,97],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-51835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-apparel-guide","category-workwear-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51835"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51841,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51835\/revisions\/51841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51835"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecojersey.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=51835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Cost vs Speed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Which Model Is Right for Your Brand?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n
What differentiates OEM and private label workwear?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Which system is quicker, OEM or private label?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Is OEM systems more costly than the private label?<\/strong><\/h3>\n