How Apparel Brands should assure quality at production

Fashion is a matter of selection and acceptance by people. Fashion designers and clothing manufacturers are always on for a chance to get their brand in the limelight creating something that catches the trend. 

In the process, these brands emphasize on creating unique designs and styles. They work more on the art, form, pattern, and detailing of the product to bring in the creative value. Also, they emphasize on variety and range of clothing serving the latest trends in fashion. 

But all that is not enough if you do not focus on producing and achieving quality at the same time. 

To produce a high-end quality product, it is important to appoint a full-blown quality assurance process of production. And this starts from the right selection of material and ensuring the process compliances and going for the perfect execution. 

The factors that decide quality in garment manufacturing 

Material bond integrity

Fabric endurance

Design and print consistency

Cutting and stitching accuracy 

Product innovation 

Execution finesse 

Packaging value

Expert-suggested process of quality assurance

Industry experts have their take on how apparel brands should conduct their quality processes. Taking a collective reference of their suggestions that apply globally, it starts with communicating the quality goals with the production workers and supervisory staff, in the first place. This requires to create clear quality guides and instruction manuals that act as the protocol to be followed by everyone from designers, production engineers, process supervisors, machine operators, workers, and supporting staff, as one close-knit performance unit.

Quality of a garment is perceived through factors like purity and genuineness of the source material. This decides the quality of the product at its core. So, it is important to first procure the material that is finely picked and selected by the procurement unit.

As it moves towards the production floor it has to be precisely segregated as per different value parameters. This helps in selecting the right fit of fabric and production raw material for the right segment as per the predefined quality standards. As there are always different quality objectives and target segments that need to be catered by a business.

Once this is sorted, the production equipment and manufacturing tools for designing, cutting, printing, sewing, and finishing should be set up and served with a well-laid process that connects all the tasks and jobs in close tandem to produce accurate and timely results. Here, a vetting and maintenance program should be planned to make sure the whole machinery line operates optimally without a gap in performance.

In the process, the production workers and supervising staff should be trained by quality inspectors and process managers. This includes product orientation, process briefing, equipment handling, and quality appraisal programs.

Here, an important part of the production QA event is filtering and sifting of the material and product that don’t meet the prescribed quality standards. This should follow a proper rejection and assorting mechanism that is backed by a multi-point 

checking and validation process.

This is finally taken by the execution level appraisal/checking that is taken care of by managing quality controller along with the project lead, who takes up the final call looking at various factors and traits of quality in reference to the final production. This involves enterprise-level quality reporting, quantified data analysis, compliance tuning, and corrective trials.

This process is attuned to serve improved process replicas to serve ever optimized results that address to higher quality and service standards and the changed requirements with time.

Achieving quality in the least cost 

Cost is a major factor that needs to addressed well while going with the garment quality assurance program. This requires employing different methods and techniques to optimize the quality process so that the best results can be achieved in terms of cost. 

By putting into practice the right approach of quality governance through personnel training, material inspection, process alignment, and product execution, the cost of quality assurance can be reduced drastically. 

Also, going by the segment of clothing you cater (like women apparel exporter or men’s garment manufacturer), you have to take up your choices of resources and approaches serving your situation the best. This is what helps you control costs greatly when you customize your processes to serve your exact production requirements. 

While you design the process of garment quality control and assurance you should define tasks and activities and assign dedicated resources to these. While you design this whole quality assurance program it should be referring to the cost parameters at all extents and scopes. 

Right measurement is the key

Apparel Brands need to be very vigilant and particular about measuring and approving the quality of the garments they produce. As per the industry guide, the practice of quality assurance should inseparably act across the entire process of apparel manufacturing. Right from raw material selection to final sifting and packaging – it all cumulatively decides the user experience value which is integrally based on the perception of quality. The more standardized and quantifiable measures you take in this direction the more your get to assure quality for your clothing brand.

What quality assurance methods do you generally follow and work on? Share your thought and let us know about any empowering idea or thought you have around this topic.

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The difference between wholesale and private label clothing

Whether you sell your fashion clothing line through a retail outlet or have an online marketplace, you are up against a lot of competition. With an exclusive fashion line by big brands like Amazon, your apparel store must be prepared to meet the frequent changes in customer demand.

Building a successful fashion brand is not simple. From knowing how to source your fashion products to creating an effective marketing strategy and branding your product, there’s a lot to be done. The most important thing is to invest in cost-effective apparel manufacturing and building a loyal fanbase for your apparel line.

If you’ve been researching how to source your products, you definitely must have come across the burning question – what is the difference between wholesale and private label apparel manufacturers or private label clothing. 

Let’s find out the difference between the two terms.

Wholesale clothing: Meaning and Benefits

Wholesale clothing refers to the apparel or fashion products that are sold in bulk quantities at a comparatively lower price as compared to retailers. Here, the wholesalers buy products at bulk from the original manufacturer and then resell them to the retailers at a higher profit margin. For many clothing or fashion apparel brands, buying wholesale clothing is a budget-friendly way of doing business.

The primary benefit of choosing to stock wholesale clothing at your retail store is for easy access to a huge catalog of products.

Private Label Clothing: Meaning and Benefits

Private label clothing is when you get your fashion line or products manufactured by third-party private label apparel manufacturers and then sell it under your private brand. In this scenario, you are directly working with the private label clothing manufacturer and not the wholesaler.

The primary benefit of private label clothing is that you get more control over the price and quality.

Wholesale Vs Private Label Clothing: 5 key differences

Control

In wholesale clothing, you don’t have control over the price of the product. If the manufacturer raises the price per unit, the wholesaler will also increase it. This eventually will either reduce your profit margin (if you keep the price intact) or end up losing customers (as customers tend to switch when price rises).
 

In private label clothing, you have direct control over the price of the apparel.

Turnaround

In wholesale, the turnaround from order to shelf is usually fast. You can simply order the products from a particular catalog. In private label, the turnaround time is a bit longer as it takes time to communicate the design to the private label apparel manufacturer and then design, manufacture, and deliver it.

Marketing

In wholesale, you get well-established products that already have a loyal fanbase. The private label brand needs to be promoted. If you have great quality and reasonable price, you can easily generate a loyal fanbase for your products.

Customization

In wholesale clothing, retailers have no right on the design of the product. They are only responsible for supplying them. The private label clothing manufacturer offers full customization in clothing to the seller. The seller can actively participate with the wholesaler to give suggestions in the product design.
 

Order Quantities

When placing an order with a wholesaler, you generally have to place large consignments and order quantities. It might be out of your budget and can lead to excess inventory stocks. 

Private label clothing manufacturer allow you to order products in lesser quantities as well. You can increase the quantity as the demand for your product increases.

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