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Starting a Clothing Line Versus Buying off the Shelf Blanks

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Custom Apparel Manufacturing
Starting a Clothing Line Versus Buying off the Shelf Blanks

So, you want to start your own brand, but you’re not sure how to get your products manufactured.  Choosing reputable and reliable Custom Clothing Manufacturers as your key partner will be one of the most important decisions you will make.  

If you’re looking to start with only basic,branded products such as T-Shirts, Hoodies, Polo’s etc, then purchasing ‘Blanks’ and having them printed or embroidered may be a good way to start.  However, if you’re looking to introduce your own unique designs, in custom colors, fit, trims, logo’s etc than it would be necessary to manufacture the products right from the starting point.

The big advantage of producing custom clothing, is that you can offer unique, one-of-a-kind products which can serve, to help build brand loyalty.  However, because the made to order designs being manufactured, require the use of custom fabrics, colors, logo’s etc, all factories request minimum order quantities (MOQ’s) be respected.  These can vary between 300pcs to 800pcs per style/color depending on the product, construction, and fabrication. Since the risks are higher, this requires a well thought out business strategy, adequate funding, and firm commitment by the owners.

Alternatively, if you are less concerned with offering your own designs, then going with ‘blanks’ where as little as a few dozen pieces can be purchased/screen printed may very well be the better way to go. It really all depends on the commitment of time and money, you are prepared to undertake.

ADVANTAGES

Custom Clothing                                                                                   
*Can Offer Original Designs
*Greater Product Options  
*Lower per unit cost
*Greater access to custom trims and logo’s
* Custom Packaging and Labelling

Off the Shelf Blanks   
*Low Quantity Commitments
*Fast Turnaround
*Multiple Vendor, Products Selection
*Made in USA Label
*No Customs or Overseas Freight 

DISADVANTAGES

Custom Clothing
*Higher MOQ’s Required
*Longer Lead Times
*Non ‘Made in USA’ Labels
*Customs Clearance Required
*Production Delays Possible                                                        

Off the Shelf Blanks
*More Expensive Per Unit Cost.
*Limited Product Selection
*Limited Customization of Product
*Subject to Product,Color’s ‘Availability’
*Average Quality Products

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