Cutting and sewing your own clothing blanks for screen printing can be a fascinating process, yet it might not be the most feasible option for business in today’s economy. Here we explore the relabeling costs of pre-made blanks versus cut and sew.
Most apparel brands struggle with the idea of relabeling using another company’s blanks. It can be a difficult choice, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, by working with a distributor like blankstyle or TSC Apparel you can create an entire product line quickly and easily using mass-manufactured blanks without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.
Blankstyle provides a large selection of mass manufactured blanks from many of the largest names in wholesale. According to Mark Azzarito CEO of blankstyle.com a division of CNM Marketing Inc. “A core component of our business is connecting wholesale brands with retail brands for the purpose of private label” Private label is just another word for relabel in this case! The real leverage here is in utilizing a marketplace full of pre manufactured wholesale apparel and adding your branding vs going through all of what it takes to bring cotton picked from a plant to market with your brand on it.
Why purchasing blanks may be a more viable option
1 – Time is Money
When you’re an apparel brand, time is money. And while it may seem more economical to manufacture your clothing in-house, that’s not always the case. In fact, depending on the quantity and variety of products you need, purchasing pre-manufactured blank apparel can be a more efficient use of your time and resources.
Distributors understand the challenges of growing an apparel brand. That’s why they offer a wide range of pre-manufactured blank apparel options that can save you time and money. With decades of experience in the industry, they know what works – and what doesn’t – so you don’t have to waste valuable time and resources experimenting. Struggling with manufacturing deadlines supply constraints and long lead times not to mention huge dollars tied up in inventory may not be the way to go.
2- Taking Risks
There are a number of reasons why purchasing pre-made blanks may be a more viable option for apparel brands. For one, it can save time and money in product manufacturing. In addition, it can be a more efficient use of resources, since distributors understand the challenges of growing an apparel brand and offer a wide range of pre-manufactured blank apparel options. This can reduce the risk of problems arising with logistics and operations.
3- Speed of execution
For apparel brands, speed of execution is key when it comes to product manufacturing. This means that it’s essential to have a strict deadline in order to get products made and delivered to customers in a timely manner. While pre-made blank pieces can often be completed in 2-3 weeks, items made from scratch can take many months to be completed and shipped. While your inventory sits on the open ocean your customers have nothing to purchase so planning and forecasting demand are of the utmost importance.
4- The Money
If you’re a small clothing brand, it can be tempting to cut and sew your own retail apparel line from scratch. After all, who knows your customers and your products better than you do? But before you take the plunge, there are a few things to consider.
One of the biggest challenges in creating your own line is the investment required. Not only do you have to front the cost of designing and manufacturing your clothes, but you also need to find a way to store and distribute them. And if they don’t sell? You could be left with a lot of inventory that’s difficult (and expensive) to move.
Fortunately, there are distributors like blankstyle that can help make the process easier. They offer a wide range of private label apparel that’s already in stock and ready for distribution. This means less up-front investment on your part, and lower risk if things don’t go as planned. So if you’re thinking about starting your own retail apparel line, you should at least consider supplementing with private label as a cost effective alternative to cut and sew.
5 – Summing it up
When starting a new apparel brand, there are a lot of important decisions to make. A question that often comes up is whether to manufacture products from scratch, or to buy them pre-made. as we have explored here, there are pros and cons to both choices.
Manufacturing products from scratch can be a great way to build a strong brand identity. You have more control over the style, cut, size, and color of the garments, which gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of what you can offer your customers. However, this process can be time-consuming and can be overwhelming for entrepreneurs who are new to the industry.
Pre-made garments can be a good option for brands that are looking to get started quickly. This can save a lot of time in bringing your line to market. You may some control over the style and design of the garments vs those that are manufactured from scratch. That said getting to market and presenting a saleable product is paramount.
Ultimately, the decision about whether to manufacture products from scratch or buy them pre-made comes down to what is most important to you as a brand. If you want total control over the look and feel of your garments, then manufacturing from scratch is the way to go. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get started, then buying pre-made garments may be the better option for you.
