The Complete Garment Manufacturing Process: 9 Essential Steps Explained
9 Steps of the Garment Manufacturing Process
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Garment Samples
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Fabric Sourcing
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Fabric Relaxation and Pre-Shrinking
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Fabric Cutting
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Printing and Embroidery
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Sewing
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Inspection
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Pressing
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Packaging and Shipping
Final Thoughts
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Garment manufacturing is a structured process that includes a series of procedures such as fabric relaxation, marking, cutting, sewing, inspection, and packaging. If you want to start a clothing brand, it is essential to understand how custom clothing manufacturers produce your products.
In addition, before moving forward with product development for your clothing brand, it is helpful to understand all the steps involved in the garment manufacturing process.
There are 9 steps in garment manufacturing. I will divide them into three major categories: pre-production, production, and post-production.
Pre-production processes include sampling, raw material sourcing, and production plan approval.
Production processes include cutting and sewing.
Post-production processes include thread trimming, ironing, inspection, folding, packaging, and shipping.
1. Garment Samples
Sampling refers to the process in which a custom clothing supplier produces garment samples based on the client’s specific design. It is also known as the product development stage.
Sampling can be divided into five types: fit samples, size samples, pre-production samples, top of production (TOP) samples, and shipment samples.
Sampling usually requires a tech pack, which may include brand logos, images, or a size chart.
2. Fabric Sourcing
The fabric sourcing department works closely with the merchandising department to find the most suitable fabrics for customers.
Custom clothing manufacturers usually do not keep fabric inventory, but instead cooperate with high-quality fabric suppliers. These suppliers not only provide fabrics but also offer professional expertise and quality control services.
3. Fabric Relaxation and Pre-Shrinking
During textile production, including weaving, dyeing, and other finishing processes, fabrics are always under tension.
Using a pre-shrinking machine for relaxation and pre-shrinking treatment can greatly reduce the shrinkage rate of the final garment.
4. Fabric Cutting
After the fabric is relaxed, workers in the cutting department spread the fabric and cut it into garment pieces according to the cutting pattern.
Fabric cutting is a critical process because once the fabric is cut, it is very difficult to change the size or style of the garment. Therefore, this step must be carried out with great accuracy.
5. Printing and Embroidery
Embroidery and printing are two different techniques, and they create completely different visual and texture effects on garments.
Sometimes customers may request both processes. For example, the logo on the left chest may be embroidered, while the design on the back may be screen-printed.
Professional custom clothing manufacturers, with their extensive experience, can always choose the most suitable technique based on different fabric types. If you have any questions about the process, it is advisable to listen to the suggestions of your garment supplier. Once the process plan is approved, the treatment will be completed before sewing.
6. Sewing
Sewing is carried out on an assembly line. One operator is responsible for a specific component, such as sewing the collar, and then passes it to the next worker responsible for another component.
The final sewing line will conduct a quality check, and workers will inspect any sewing defects.
7. Inspection
After the garment is sewn, the ironing process will perform the final pressing. Each ironing station is equipped with an iron and an ironing table.
Workers must ensure that garments have no production defects, such as stains or malfunctioning buttons, when they are returned.
8. Pressing
After the garment has been fully sewn and assembled, the ironing process performs the final pressing. Each pressing station is equipped with an iron and an ironing table.
The quality of pressing determines the final grade of the garment.
9. Packaging and Shipping
Before shipment, garments are folded, labeled, and packaged according to the customer’s requirements.
Most garments are packed in plastic bags, while some are placed directly into cartons. Finally, the plastic bags or smaller packages are packed into cartons and prepared for shipment.
Final Thoughts
The garment manufacturing process may vary depending on different customization requirements. This article lists nine basic steps.
Yali-Clothing welcomes any questions or inquiries regarding garment manufacturing as a Chinese clothing manufacturer. We have created a six-part solutions page covering everything from product development to after-sales service.
If you are interested in starting or growing your OEM/ODM clothing brand, feel free to contact us.
