This article describes how to design efficiently in small batch production to maximize unit costs. As with many new fashion brands, you don’t intend to mass-produce clothing. So, if you want to produce your own low-cost clothing line while saving costs, this article is for you.
A design uses less fabric for its role.
If a garment is smaller in size and uses less fabric, it should be cheaper, right? But technically, this only applies if you order 100 or more garments of the same color. For small batch production, the amount of fabric has a great impact on the unit price.
Why?
Manufacturers don’t keep fabric in stock. Instead, they buy fabrics from multiple reliable suppliers to meet the needs of each design. It is neither practical nor profitable to stock thousands of fabrics in case someone decides to make a design out of them. Fabric suppliers are those who have at least one roll of fabric in stock for each color and have a minimum Order quantity (MOQ). A roll of cloth is usually 100 meters long.
This means that when designing small products, if the minimum order quantity is less than 100 pieces, additional fabric handling costs must be paid and allocated to each piece. Therefore, the smaller the MOQ, the higher the actual cost per unit.
The solution: Thoughtful clothing design.
When making low-cost garments, the best way to reduce the amount of fabric used is to use all fabrics and make multiple garments in the same fabric/color. To design the most affordable clothing, it takes some knowledge.
As shown above, there are many basic clothing designs that can be easily sewn with the same fabric. Our technology kit and design courses will help you make your clothing in the most economical way!
In order to make the most efficient use of fabrics and reduce unit costs, you need to make multiple garments with the same fabric/color. For example, use the same fabric to sew sweatshirts, pants and sweatshirts, or use the same fabric to sew waistcoats and T-shirts. This avoids waste and reduces costs!
Technical package essential
It is worth noting that a good technology bag is the cornerstone of a good clothing line. Tech bags are the cornerstone of a good clothing line. Choosing the right technology package from the start can save a lot of time, frustration, and money. Click here for a handy guide to the proper use of the technology pack. If you need expert help making your tech pack, please feel free to contact me.
Sum up
If you want to develop a clothing line with a small number of individual pieces and keep the cost of individual pieces as low as possible, then smart design is very important. Using the same fabric in multiple garments can reduce costs and waste.
If you need us to advise you on your next clothing collection, we are happy to help.
