Fashion entrepreneurship is an exhilarating journey that combines fashion design, fashion trends, and the raw thrill of starting your own clothing brand. But it's not all sequins and catwalks. The fashion industry, like any other, demands a solid plan.
Enter the production plan, an essential part of your fashion business that can make or break your clothing brand start-up. Today, I'll guide you through creating a production plan for your activewear brand, swimwear line, or any other type of clothing business you fancy. Let's dive right in, shall we?
1. Choose a Price Point and Design Based on Your Target Customer Needs
Your first step in the fashion business management world involves deciding on how many designs you’ll have and the category (eg; dresses, skirts, trousers, etc) and choosing a price point for your product and deciding how many units you want to order.
Before you put pen to paper with your designs, start by understanding your target customers' needs. Are you aiming to start a sustainable clothing brand that will appeal to the eco-conscious? Or perhaps you're launching an activewear line targeting fitness enthusiasts. Whichever direction you take, always keep your audience front and centre, because, without them, your fashion business might as well be a mannequin in an empty shop.
Design products specifically for your target customer, their style, fit and quality preferences.
2. Get into the Nitty-Gritty of Your Design
Next up, start adding the details to your design that will determine its quality. Decide on the fabrics, construction methods, and features you'll use. Will your swimwear line feature high-quality, chlorine-resistant fabric? Is your activewear brand going to flaunt moisture-wicking material? Get specific here, folks!
Struggling with this? Don't fret! Join my free Masterclass, 'How to Get Your Ideas Produced', where you can learn more about the details you need to provide the factory with, in order to get the products you’ve created made. Click here to register free.
3. Get Your Tech Packs Created
Once you've fine-tuned your design, it's time to make your tech packs. Think of tech packs as your design's blueprint, it contains everything the factory needs to know in order to make the product to your expectations. They include everything from a technical drawing, construction notes, grade rules, tolerance and more. Essentially, they're a must-have for any fashion brand to ensure your design is ready to be brought to life. Click here for a free blog post on tech packs.
4. Search for a Factory
Next, it's time to search for factories based on the MOQ (minimum order quantity) you want to order, the equipment required for your products, and the factory capabilities. Finding a factory is very much like matchmaking. Referring to directories or recommendations from others aren’t usually helpful, unless they are making the same products and have a similar price point and quantity. You need to find someone who has exactly what you’re looking for.
As a small brand, you’ll often find that factories aren’t able to work with you, as they have a high minimum order quantity. Essentially, the more units of a product you can order, the more options that are available to you. That said, don’t order more than you feel comfortable with – if you don’t meet the requirements for working with a factory, you can always try another production option.
5. Get Quotes and Negotiate with Factories
Entering the realm of quotes and negotiations can be a bit like stepping onto the set of Dragon's Den, but it's an essential part of your fashion business management plan. So, how do you go about it?
First things first, request quotes from multiple factories. Each factory will have its own price structure, depending on their capabilities, location, and specialities. Remember, you're not just shopping around for the best price, but also the best quality and service. You wouldn't buy a dress that's cheap but two sizes too small, would you? The same principle applies here.
Take into account the factory's competency, their communication, and their willingness to work with your MOQ. Be meticulous in your comparison, just like you'd be when perfecting your fashion designs.
Always negotiate! It’s an important part of the process and something that you need to get comfortable with.
6. Create a Critical Path
Finally, it's time to create a critical path to manage each aspect of the production. This is a spreadsheet that includes dates for everything from sourcing materials, approving lab dips, receiving samples, fitting samples, and more. It's a bit like being a conductor in an orchestra; every little detail goes into creating the symphony that is your clothing line. Want to learn more about critical paths? Join my free masterclass to understand this vital tool for your clothing business.
And there you have it, folks! A step-by-step guide to creating a production plan for your clothing business. Remember, starting a fashion brand is a journey, one with its fair share of stitches and seams, but with the right production plan, you'll be strutting your stuff on the fashion business runway in no time.
Whether you're starting an activewear line or launching a sustainable fashion brand, having a solid production plan is crucial. It's the blueprint for your fashion business management, laying the groundwork for your success. So, roll up your sleeves and get your fashion business off the catwalk and into customers' wardrobes!
If you want to learn more about producing your fashion line, click here to register free for my free Masterclass ‘How to Get Your Fashion Ideas Produced’, where I’ll share common mistakes new brands make and how you can avoid them. See you in the video!
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