Common Mistakes in Clothing Production
Clothing production has a steep learning curve. Most mistakes can be avoided, but you need to be aware of them. Here are the mistakes we most often see at Atelier Jungles, and what you can do about them.
1. Engaging a clothing producer too late
Many beginners wait until everything is in order before approaching a clothing producer. This is understandable, but it backfires. A clothing producer can actually help you assess the feasibility of your design and material choices. Those who come too late sometimes discover that months of work are technically unfeasible or unnecessarily expensive.
Engage a clothing producer as soon as you have a concrete idea, not just when everything is ready. You can read more about what you need for an initial conversation in our article how to have your clothing produced in the Netherlands.
2. Unclear or vague briefing
A clothing producer works with what you provide. Vague descriptions lead to interpretations, and interpretations lead to samples that are incorrect. This costs time and money.
A good briefing includes: a sketch or technical drawing, reference images, material information, desired sizes, and a description of the finishing. The more concrete, the better.
3. Scheduling too few sample rounds
Beginners want to move quickly to production. This sometimes leads to a sample being approved too quickly, while there are still issues. What is overlooked in the sample phase will come back in production, and then it is much more expensive to correct.
Plan for two to three sample rounds. This is not an exception; it is normal. You can read more about how a sample process works in our article how a sample process works.
4. No buffer in budget and planning
Production always takes a little longer than planned. Materials are not always immediately available. An extra sample round is needed. Costs may be slightly higher than the initial estimate.
Those without a buffer will come under time pressure and make decisions that are not optimal. Always calculate an additional 20 to 30 percent in time and budget for your first production. You can read about a realistic timeline in our article how long clothing production takes.
5. Too large initial order
The temptation is great to place a large order right away, as it lowers the unit price. However, a large order also increases the risk if the product does not sell well or if there is something wrong with the quality.
Start small. A sold-out small order is much more valuable than a large order that remains unsold. You can read more about the difference between small runs and bulk in our article small run vs bulk production.
6. Finalizing material choices too late
Materials determine the appearance, fit, and production cost of your product. If you delay the material choice until late in the process, you risk certain fabrics being unavailable or the sample being made in a substitute material, after which you will still need an extra round in the correct material.
Finalize your material choices as early as possible, preferably before or during the first sample round.
7. Skipping quality control
After production, you want to deliver quickly. But those who skip or perform quality control too superficially risk having defective products reach customers. This costs reputation and money.
Always check a representative portion of the production order before delivery. With local clothing production, you can do this yourself or have it done by the clothing producer. For foreign clothing production, this requires an inspector on-site.
Avoiding mistakes starts with a good conversation
Most mistakes can be avoided with good preparation and a clothing producer who thinks along with you. At Atelier Jungles, we discuss exactly where the risks lie for your specific product and situation during the production consultation. You can read more about what to look for when choosing a clothing producer in our article what to look for in a clothing producer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive mistake in clothing production?
An early approved sample that is produced in large quantities with an error in it. Corrections after production are almost always more expensive than an extra sample round.
How do I prevent miscommunication with my clothing producer?
Document everything in writing: agreements, feedback on samples, approvals. A verbal confirmation is not enough if a discussion arises later about what was agreed upon.
What do I do if the delivered production does not match the approved sample?
Document the discrepancies with photos and present them to the clothing producer. A serious clothing producer will take this on and resolve it. Always keep your approved sample as a reference.
Is it normal for the first production to be more expensive than expected?
Yes, this is very common. Material costs, extra sample rounds, and startup costs make the first production almost always more expensive per piece than reorders. This is part of the learning curve.
Written by Giselle van der Star, founder of Atelier Jungles and clothing producer in The Hague since 2020.
