An apparel contractor is an agent or company that helps brands launch. They offer services that a brand needs to convert a great idea into a reality. In other words a fashion contractor act as a sourcing agent for the fashion brand. And he handles sourcing for both materials and manpower. For example sourcing technical designer, sampling units, and clothing manufacturing units. So, he serves as an end-to-end supply chain for a brand to bring its idea live. In simple terms, an individual or a company offers an end-to-end supply chain like from concept to customer. There are several companies that provide this service. However, very few have their own infrastructure to give this end-to-end solution. Some of them are middlemen with few contacts from overseas. And they charge a hefty amount both from vendors and clients to connect them.
Apparel contractors are individuals or companies helping fashion brand bring their collections. They help in sourcing, and execution of collection from scratch. When you start a brand either you source a technical designer, pattern maker, or manufacturer. Most of us think they create a sketch and send it to a pattern maker. The pattern maker prepares the pattern and you are good to go for sampling and production. But, this is not how clothing manufacturers operate. You need a tech pack for the style you want to prepare sample and do mass production.
Choosing Between Offshore and Domestic Apparel Manufacturing
If you have access to the pattern maker and seamstress and you can be available, then you won’t need a tech pack. The pattern and little information about the style are enough. Yet, you need a certain number of alterations to get the best fit. But, working with a clothing manufacturer offshore, is an expensive and time taking process. And you need to give proper documentation about your style in the form of a tech pack.
Working with Apparel Contractors and Preparing Collection With Production In Mind
Not everywhere do you have access to pattern masters or clothing manufacturers? And most of the time you have to depend on offshore clothing manufacturers. There may be two reasons for this. One the factories do not accept low MOQ garment production and charge three to 4 times more. Two they do not prefer to develop the samples and if they do they charge high to alter if there are any changes needed. In both cases, it is important that you prepare the project map before you actually proceed. This means, you prepare a tech pack and detailed size specs and jump into sampling and production. Option two is always a better and more scientific way to move forward. Moreover, once you have the tech pack and measurement specs with you, you know what you want to do. Your vision is clear and you are more focused than circling around the idea.
Looking for tech packs to contact an apparel contractor to produce your clothing? Wait no more. Visit the tech pack template store and choose the tech pack from a wide range of apparel styles. You will get the tech pack with complete detailing and measurement spec sheet. Download the tech pack from the tech pack template store and you are good to go.