Archives: Product Development category

The Difference Between Full Service and Cut & Sew Factories

There are many different types of factories that specialize in different fabrics, products, price points, and size of brands they serve. But, overall, factories fall into two main categories – full service and cut & sew factories. Let’s look at the difference between the two and the pros and cons of each for your brand.

The Samples You Need to Develop Apparel Products

Industry Basics, Product Development

Sampling is what allows you to test out all aspects of your design before investing in production. There are different types of samples needed during the process each serving a purpose. In today’s post, we’ll talk about what samples you need for each stage of development, what they are for, and who should make them.

5 Tips for Successful Remote Product Development and Fittings

Fashion Business, Fit, Product Development

Fashion is such a tactile industry, which makes it hard to imagine how fitting remotely could even work. The good news is it is totally possible. Fashion companies who manufacture overseas were already doing it in many ways, and I’ve been helping independent brands develop and fit their designs remotely since well before the pandemic.

How To Get Fashion Products Made For Your Brand

Fashion Business, How To, Product Development

Have you ever wanted to start a fashion brand and wondered how to actually get the products made? There is more than one way you can get products made for your fashion brand. You have several options depending on how much product customization you want and how much you have to invest in product development.

Why Knowing Your Customer is so Important for Your Fashion Business

Fashion Business, Industry Basics, Mindset, Product Development

It should be no surprise that your customer should be at the center of your fashion business. It is her needs that your business serves. Having a clear idea of who your customer is can guide your marketing, determine what opportunities to pursue, and help you design products.

Direct-to-Consumer vs. Wholesale – How Their Apparel Development Timelines Differ

Product Development

Your product development timeline and steps involved will vary depending on the distribution channels of your fashion business. Understanding the differences will help you best plan your product launches and help you navigate shifting from one to the other if that is the next step to grow your brand.

Why You Should Be Paying for Patterns and Development (and What it Means if You’re Not)

Costing, Industry Basics, Patternmaking, Product Development

You may think you just got lucky finding a factory that would develop your patterns and make you samples for free as part of your production order. What you might not realize is that those “free” samples and development will cost you in other ways.

What to Check on a Factory Sample

How To, Product Development

There it is: your design! It looks just how you envisioned it. You need to evaluate the sample and approve it for production. Here are all the things you should check on your samples to make sure the production order doesn’t disappoint.

Does the Sample Fit?

Fit, Product Development

Fit is a big factor in the success of a garment. During the product development process, you can tweak your design to make sure the fit is perfect before it hits the sales floor. How do you know if the sample fits? I think there are three elements of good fit – size, shape, and movement.

Who Should be Your Fit Model?

Fit, Industry Basics, Product Development, Sizing

Good fit is so important to the success of your designs. To get it right, the fit for each design needs to be tested and tweaked on a fit model during the development process. Your fit model represents your customer and is specific to your brand.

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