It may take several weeks or even months for emerging designers to pick the right manufacturer for their respective brands. The selection process involves a lot of research, planning and meetings with manufacturers.

So, in order to make the right pick, it is vital that you prepare for your initial meeting with your manufacturer. By asking the right questions, a manufacturer will be able to understand your ideas and see if they can transform your creative vision into reality.

From the estimated production cost to deadlines, here are the most important things you need to know before meeting a manufacturer:

Estimated costs

Before determining their wholesale and retail costs, designers often want to know the production costs.

When you set your product pricing according to your production costs, it might not meet the range of your target market. 

We’ve all heard that designers must know their target market. But, what does that really mean for setting your target costs?  Knowing your target market can help you plan your production expenses, (cost of fabric, cutting, sewing, etc). 

Perform comprehensive market research of your target customers. This will give you an idea of their buying habits, incomes, and so on. You can use this information to determine your retail pricing.

Once you know your ballpark costs, you can figure out how much you want will be able spend on production to ensure you earn a profit.

Stock Keeping Units

Also known as SKUs, Stock Keeping Units refer to the total number of pieces or styles per category to be produced. The number of pieces will be different for each designer.

Make sure your manufacturing company knows full scope of your project. The more information you give, the more they can provide you with an accurate estimate of the production cost and deadline.  Large collections may present ways to save costs through scale.  Inform them of the types of materials you want to use for each individual SKU.

Estimated deadline

Be upfront about your delivery date. Since manufacturers often have backlogs, you should be open and honest about your expected delivery dates so that they can deliver on time.

Keeping these factors in mind, designers and manufacturers can ensure they are on the same page and create great products for your target audience.  

Check out more useful fashion design, and manufacturing tips here. If you are designing an apparel or accessory collection, Lefty Production Co. specializes in design, development and manufacturing of apparel and accessories.

From sketching, pattern and sample making to cutting and packing, you can count on us for all your production needs. Contact us today to discuss your production requirements.