CUT & SEW vs. PRINT ON BLANK
Starting a clothing brand, there are two standard options for the production of your collection :
CUT & SEW - Designing bespoke garments from scratch, including every detail such as fabric & color selection, garment fit & sizing spec, stitching & seam details, trims, etc.
PRINT ON BLANK - Purchasing pre-made garments from blank suppliers which are then customized using graphic print, embroidery or other embellishment methods to make it your own.
In this article we are breaking down the pros & cons for each as a method of production for your clothing brand.
CUT & SEW
Pros :
Bespoke Design / Creative Freedom : You design every aspect of each garment your brand offers, allowing for truly unique design which every detail can be considered.
Brand Perception : Custom design signifies well considered, high end craftsmanship & exclusivity, essential to create demand for your brand.
Higher Margins : Although typically more expensive to produce in the beginning, bespoke garments demand a higher price, especially with proper brand positioning.
Design Identity : A crucial component to brand identity, design identity is the unique visual aesthetic which your brand is identified by the masses.
Cons :
Higher Startup Cost : Typically cost more per-piece to produce, especially in the beginning as ordering low MOQ. (will improve as you scale)
Supply Chain Complex : Will need to coordinate more information with factories / suppliers.
Higher Risk : Higher upfront investment cost, longer lead times & higher MOQs.
Requires Technical Design Knowledge : You must be able to effectively design professional tech packs in order to communicate each design detail to the manufacturer (poor quality tech packs result in costly sampling mistakes, and longer production timelines)
PRINT ON BLANK
Pros :
Low Startup Cost : Available to purchase in low quantities & cheaper due to the bulk production nature of blank companies.
Speed To Market : Blanks can be customized and shipped efficiently, as they are pre-made & ready to move.
Less Technical Design Knowledge : You won’t need technical garment design knowledge, as this more heavily relies on graphic design & embellishment.
Simplifies Logistics : Fewer moving parts on the production side, more available focus on branding, marketing & scaling.
Cons :
Limited Creative Freedom : Limited only to graphic prints & embellishment, making it difficult to differentiate from the many brands using similar blanks, styles & colors, resulting in a lack of design identity for your brand.
Lower Perceived Brand Value : High end fashion consumers understand the difference between bespoke garment design & printed blanks, which are viewed as generic, cheap & inauthentic.
Supplier Dependancy : Your brand is at the will of the blank supplier, they may change colors, garment fit & specs, discontinue certain items or lower quality, all of which confuses your customers & tarnishes brand reputation.
Scalability Issues : Using only blank products makes it difficult to improve product range & increase product style diversity, which is essential to growing / scaling a clothing brand.
CONCLUSION
Understanding which method of production is appropriate for your clothing brand depends on several factors including :
Technical Design Knowledge
Available Startup Capital
Brand Positioning & Marketing
Etc.
If your brand has the financial means to produce even a small cut & sew collection of 4-8 pieces, we would always recommend this, as it will almost always out-compete print on blank brands, and give you every opportunity to create a truly unique collection & brand.
However, if your brand does not have the financial means or technical design knowledge to produce bespoke garments, print on blank is still a great option to start and you can always move up from there.
Disclaimer : This is not business advice, only reiteration of our research & experience working with brands.
For educational purposes only, use information at your own discretion.
