Do you have the perfect product in mind for your business? Maybe it’s a great new piece of office furniture for the break room? It could be updates to transportation seating to keep your employees more comfortable? Maybe it’s just a fun windsock to help promote a new location opening up? Once you’ve got a product in mind then comes the important next question: “How do I get it made?”
It’s true that you can always buy similar products in bulk from a distributor. However, for something special or something customized, to truly meet your vision you will want the services of a cut and sew manufacturer who can work with you every step of the process to ensure your product is made to your standards.
But where do you start? With the selection of cut and sew manufacturers available to you, how do you know which one is right for you and give you the kind of service you deserve? In short: how can you tell if the cut and sew manufacturer you are considering is the real deal?
In order to help you find a cut and sew manufacturer who is right for your project, we have put together a list of things to consider and things to look for when consulting a cut and sew manufacturer so you can find the perfect one. If you get a satisfactory answer from each of these items, there is a good chance you have found the right fit!
What is a Cut and Sew Manufacturer?
A cut and sew manufacturer is your go-to solution for your textile manufacturing needs. A quality cut and sew manufacturer can assist you in the creation of products ranging from airport windsocks, multi-function backpacks, seat covers, pillows, and more.
In addition to textile product manufacturing, a full-service cut and sew manufacturer stands apart from a cut and sew contractor by offering additional services such as product development and prototyping as well as textile cutting, material sourcing, sewing, seam sealing, and even packaging and shipping.
Contact Them
The first step in determining whether a cut and sew manufacturer is the right fit is pretty simple: contact them! Sounds pretty obvious, but there is a bit more that goes into it than just picking up the phone. Your first contact with a cut and sew manufacturer is your chance to establish a relationship and determine whether they have the capacity to fulfill your order.
You’ll need to tell your cut and sew manufacturer information about the garments or products such as the amount you’ll need, where you will be sourcing your material from, if there will be any variants in styles and materials, and any other relevant information. If you give the cut and sew manufacturer all this basic information from the get-go then it will be easier to determine what manufacturers are not fit for you based on their responses.
Learn About Their Equipment
Once you have a chance to tell them about your project, you’ll want to take the opportunity to learn more about the manufacturer. More specifically, learn about their equipment and capabilities. Learning about their equipment is a great way to figure out which manufacturers are the best fit for the products you need.
Some types of products will require different kinds of machines and processes in order to create them. Not every cut and sew manufacturer may be equipped to handle every product, so never just assume every manufacturer will be able to take care of your order. For example, based on what kind of product you are looking to create you may need to look for a manufacturer that has the equipment and experience in hot wedge welding.
If you are looking for additional help in the design of your product, such as product development or material sourcing, you will also be looking to confirm your manufacturer does indeed provide these important services.
Look at Their Portfolio, Case Studies
One of the best ways to determine the quality of the work done by a cut and sew manufacturer candidate is to take a look at their work. Any quality manufacturer should be more than happy to provide you with examples of their work, case studies of previous projects, or simply just give you a look in their portfolio.
When you get a glance at their portfolio not only do you get an idea of how their final product looks but also of what their product capability range is. Looking through their previous work might help you realize that the manufacturer you are considering is not as versatile as you want or that they might have claimed to be.
Ultimately, you don’t always have to take their word for it. One of the best ways of determining a good manufacturer is by getting references or by looking at reviews left by previous customers. Customer reviews will provide you an unfiltered perspective from people just like you on their experience working with the company.
Compare and Contrast
After you have met and talked with several different cut and sew manufacturers, you’ll likely have several options to choose from. Now is the time to take all the information you have gathered and start comparing and contrasting who you think might be the best fit for you.
Strongly consider every company’s equipment and capabilities. Does the manufacturer you are most interested in have all the equipment and provide the services you’ll need to create your product? Review everything you saw while looking at their portfolio and case studies. Does one company specialize or have experience working on the type of product you need more than another? Don’t forget about the reviews from customers. Who, of everyone you have looked at, has the best track record of happy customers?
While no manufacturer might be 100% perfect it is important to remember that you are hiring a team member to help your vision come to life. This partnership, and who you ultimately choose, will impact the ultimate success and quality of your project, so leave no stone unturned.
Fairway: West Michigan’s Cut and Sew Manufacturer
Regardless of whether you have a clear vision in mind for a textile prototype or just a rough idea in your mind, the advantage of working with a full-service cut and sew manufacturer is invaluable. Not only will you find the assistance you need to create the product, but you will also have a valuable partner to help you in product development, material sourcing, producing, and distributing the final product quickly and efficiently.
Fairway Products is a cut and sew full-service manufacturer that provides cutting, sewing, and seam sealing service providing businesses with the tools they need to bring their product to life, on time, and on budget. We have the capacity to meet your needs with rapid shipping and delivery. Along with our industrial sewing services, we provide product development and engineering skills to work with woven fabrics, non-woven, vinyl, leather, foam, laminates, molded plastic, and even wood fiber components.
Have a project in mind or need help getting started? Request a Quote from Fairway Products today!
