Manufacturing clothing in China for sale in global markets can be very cost-effective. The stakeholders of companies considering moving manufacturing overseas should have a clear idea of what to expect when working with clothing manufacturers in China. These five quick tips can guide clothing brands toward the best manufacturers for clothing to bring high-quality products to market at a lower cost.
1. Work With Verified Clothing Manufacturers In China
Companies should rely on verified materials suppliers and factories to manufacture clothing. There are two dimensions of verification. The first involves the production capacity and working conditions of factories. China 2 West has a large network of verified and improved factories.
The second dimension of verification pertains to the quality of materials used to produce clothing. Textile suppliers should have a track record of compliance with the leading materials safety standards:
- California Proposition 65
- OEKO Tex Standard 100
- REACH (Substances of Very High Concern)
The intended market for products will determine which standard is relevant. In addition to materials testing, periodic inspections of clothing manufacturers in China are necessary to sustain high-quality standards throughout the production process or for multiple orders manufactured over time.
A single inspection of a factory where clothing is manufactured is insufficient to determine the actual quality of the clothing produced. It is necessary to do sample testing and usage prior to production, carefully consider materials choices and engage in ongoing quality control.
China 2 West offers clothing brands a variety of service packages including inspections guided by the International Organization for Standardization ISO 2859-1 standard or the Acceptable Quality Limit maintained by the American National Standards Institute and American Society for Quality under the ANSI ASQ Z1.4 standard.
2. Factor in Social Compliance
Participating in the Business Social Compliance Initiative or obtaining Sedex authentication can facilitate the sale of products in international markets. It is advisable to get BSCI or Sedex audit reports for clothing manufacturers in China to ensure facilities where clothing is manufactured meet social compliance standards.
Social compliance audits cover occupational health and safety and extend to rights of collective bargaining, freedom of association and fair remuneration. These audits enable a business to guarantee that it does not rely on bonded or child labor to produce clothing.
In addition to maintaining high ethical standards, reviewing manufacturers along these lines is also helpful for identifying factories with the best overarching management and operations standards. China 2 West offers a full array of checks for clothing manufacturers in China starting with production capacity, safety and quality control and extending to working conditions.
3. Prepare a Techpack and Get Samples
The term “techpack” is used to describe the set of clothing designs a designer provides to a manufacturer. A manufacturer uses the specifications included in this set of documents and files to produce samples priced per-unit on the basis of material costs and the complexity of work.
As most factories source materials for each order, samples are typically made of standard color fabric and thread and do not have care labels. In addition to reviewing the sizing of samples, it is also important to factor in the quality of manufacture and details of use. Clothing should be properly sized and assembled with care for detail.
The process of reviewing samples can be time-consuming if clothing manufacturers in China must send samples to a company in another country. It is also recommended to seek out samples from at least two to three suppliers unless suppliers are verified and have a track record of producing comparable clothing at an acceptable level of quality. China 2 West can review samples on location to expedite the production of high-quality products.
4. Register Trademarks To Protect Your Brand
Brand authenticity is a concern of many companies that want to manufacture clothing in China. While it is not possible to patent generic garment designs, even if articles of clothing are unique, companies can take measures to protect brand names and trademarked graphics and logos. It is worthwhile to register brands and logos in a home country or target markets.
Registering trademarks in China can also prevent trademark squatters from ripping off branded materials. Clothing manufacturers may also want to consider working with clothing manufacturers in China that offer intellectual property protective production zones.
One of the main benefits of relying on manufacturing services based in China and other low-cost supply chain locations in Asia is having representatives of a brand situated in close proximity to production facilities. Clothing companies that partner with China 2 West can trust that every measure is taken to ensure product authenticity.
5. Use Sourcing Solutions for Clothing Manufacturers In China
The clothing supply chain starts with materials and progresses through factories and on to freight shipping and third-party logistics on the ground in a home country or target market. Clothing companies that pursue suppliers and factories independently have even more work ahead to determine the logistics for container loading, air or sea freight and order fulfillment.
China 2 West stands out for providing end-to-end manufacturing and shipping solutions for clothing companies based anywhere in the world. An extensive network of approved suppliers and verified factories in China for a wide range of product categories enables us to speed up the process of choosing clothing manufacturers in China with top-quality results.
Regular factory audits and improvements make it possible to ensure orders are fulfilled at agreed-upon costs and meet relevant standards. Businesses that take an independent approach to vetting suppliers and factories may experience more difficulties and delays bringing high-quality products to market. China 2 West resolves every challenge associated with manufacturing clothing in China.
China 2 West connects companies based around the world with verified suppliers and clothing manufacturers in China. Western standards of communication, service and quality open up the manufacturing capabilities of China and other low-cost supply chain countries. Working with representatives located on the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong since 2005 and at regional offices in Thailand and Vietnam makes it possible for clothing companies to find the best solution to move manufacturing to China or within Asia.
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