Small Production Runs
Clothing Manufacturers For Startups.
For any fashion startup business, one of the most important questions that needs to be answered, is where is best to go for small scale, high quality production runs. If you are a fashion startup, don’t even consider manufacturing abroad at this stage – Even if it seems to be far cheaper. You need to learn the ropes in the UK, using a low or no MOQ factory before venturing abroad.
Assuming that you are looking for low MOQ production within the UK, you have three options :-
- Pick and mix – Employ whichever individual services you need independently of each other. While theoretically this may allow you to employ the best people in their field, in practise this is very time consuming and chaotic. This method is not normally recommended for most fashion startups.
- One stop shop – Choose a small one stop shop manufacturer to provide both sample development and final production. Your chosen factory must be experienced in the type of clothing that you are creating, with all the machinery, skills and personnel you require. This is the easiest way, but not always the best way for a startup. It can make sense to keep the sampling development separate from production.
- Separate sample development from production – Keep the sample development process separate from production by having a sampling unit take care of the sample development and perfect the samples before taking everything to a factory for the final production run.
Clothing Factory In Greenwich.
UK custom clothing manufacturer for startups and small businesses. Based in Greenwich London, producing high quality, small batch runs, with no minimum order quantity (MOQ).
We help small fashion businesses, and startups on a budget – We are far more than a clothing factory to make your designs. We support and advise our clients through the entire process from concept to small production runs.
Working with highly experienced fashion industry professionals, we provide small businesses and fashion startups with the very best help and advice throughout the production process.
We provide a range of clothing manufacturing services in London. Services are tailored for each client depending on their budget, and the skills required for their project.
We can provide a whole range of manufacturing services, teaching, mentoring and advice for our fashion startup clients. You can choose our one stop comprehensive service, or any part of that service. Not least, we offer small production runs, with no MOQ (No minimums).
Fashion Startup Clients.
As one of the very few clothing manufacturers for fashion startups in the UK, we always advise our clients to begin slowly and cautiously. Dont be pressured into making big orders when you can work with a low MOQ factory.
If you are a fashion designer, you should start with a small capsule range and small production runs. While It does cost more per garment than larger runs, it is the safest option for UK start-ups.
If you have just one or two clothing products, make sure you test the products, initially with samples, and then with small production runs before deciding to produce in larger volumes.
Small Runs.
While some of our clients prefer a one-stop-solution for their small run production needs, it can be more practical and cost-effective to separate the pattern cutting, sampling, grading and tech pack services from the production.
That way you can have a specialist sampling unit do the initial sample development, then take your production to a factory of your choice. We can offer both alternatives to our clients, and explain the benefits of each.
Online Video Course.
My colleague, Emile, has put together an online video fashion startup course. It consists of eighteen chapters, which can be downloaded and studied at home in your own time. Emile is our senior clothing business manager, and has a lot of experience with equestrian wear. The online video course on how to start a fashion brand costs £200. Or purchase for less than half price using the code LPC 24 – Just £99 for all nineteen chapters.
Find A Factory To Make Your Garments.
Sometimes you just cant find a suitable factory to take on your project, because it is for an unconventional product that is not a garment. Or the factory are charging more than you can afford..
The more specialised your product is, then unfortunately, the more you will have to pay for specialist knowledge, machinery, and skills. You need to use specialists at every stage.
But if your product is fairly straight forward and can be made using standard sewing machinery, you may find that a conventional factory will charge too much for a small run than you can afford to pay.
Maybe you want to make a bag, but a specialist bag factory requires a large order, or the price is too high. This is where you may benefit from using an affordable micro clothing factory.
EMAIL [email protected]
U.K. Manufacturing With No Minimum Order.
Most UK factories have a minimum order quantity ( MOQ ). Either a total minimum, or a minimum per size / per colour. We have no minimum order requirements.
If they have no MOQ they will base their pricing on how quickly they can sew a batch. Each batch has to be the same size and colour. If your small order is made up of one garment per size and colour, then each garment will take significantly longer to make than if there were two of each. Two would take longer than four. Etc.
With the resurgence of domestic clothing manufacturing there are more factories now offering small runs with no minimums to new customers. But startups are still poorly served. Good factories offering small runs at a reasonable price are rare.
Larger factories may offer small runs, but will charge an exorbitant rate. Often these larger factories work for premium brands . These brands have the clout to beat the factory down on price. A small order would be of little importance to them.
The factory will use the kudos gained from the premium brand to inflate their prices to the smaller clients. But they will farm the work out to smaller factories or home workers.
These larger factories may charge a very high sampling price to deter the more flaky customer.
How Much Does It Cost To Manufacture Clothes In UK ?
UK clothing production is not as expensive as we are lead to believe, especially for small runs. Compared to offshore production, UK prices may appear high until you calculate the full cost.
The factory production price constitutes a large part of the total costs for making your garment. So it is important to get a reasonable making price.
It is the factory making price along with the fabric price that is the area where most savings can be made for the small business.
Although I do think that it is worth paying the high factory price in order to ensure good quality, a better way would be to find a small factory that can produce the quantity of garments you want at the price that you want.
This of course, is easier said than done. While there are such factories in the U.K. they will tend to be very small with little flexibility.
Offshore Manufacturing For Start-Ups.
It can be very tempting for clothing startups to manufacture abroad, as it can be significantly cheaper. This may be a solution in the long term, but requires a great deal of knowledge and preparation to ensure a good outcome. You generally still need to do the initial design, tech pack and sample development in the UK.
CMT.
Most U.K. clothing factories provide a CMT service. That means they will cut, make and trim your garments. But they dont supply fabrics or trimmings such as zips or buttons. Only a few will work with startups on low MOQ`s.
We work with some small factories and we are always looking for new such units, but they will often be booked for months ahead. We can even help sourcing your fabrics and zips.
What Equipment Do We Have ?
3 X industrial flatbed
3 X industrial four thread overlocker
1x Five thread overlocker
1x Jersey industrial binding machine
2 x Industrial Coverstitich machine
1x Industrial Babylock/Superlock Machine
1x Industrial Bar tack
1x Industrial Keyhole Buttonhole
1x Leather walking foot machine
1x Woven binding machine
1x Industrail 3 Step Zig Zag machine
1x Industrial Twin Needle Machine
1x Industrial Saddle Stitch/Prick Stitch Machine
2x Industrial Steam Iron & Vacuum Boards
1 x 6 needle Industrial Flat Seaming Machine
Fashion Startup Workshop.
We highly recommend our invaluable one-to-one Fashion Startup Workshop for anyone interested in learning how to start and run a small fashion business in the UK.
This is an indispensable short introduction to the fashion business, conducted by our senior fashion business adviser, Emile Carr. The workshop can be provided either face to face, or via Zoom.
One Hour Startup Consultation.
If you would like a consultation with one of our experienced fashion business experts please email for an appointment, or for more information. The cost for a one hour consultation with our junior adviser is £45. Our senior fashion business adviser is £80 for an hour.
Our junior advisers have over ten years experience in the fashion business, while our senior advisers have over fifteen years experience. Please let us know what areas you are interested in – Sportswear, lingerie, swimwear, streetwear, tailoring, couture, etc.
EMAIL [email protected]