Product Development Process by Apparel Search - Terms of Interest to the Fashion Industry |
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Product
Development Process
The purpose of the product development process is to
certify that the supplier understands and adheres to the
specifications established for a specific product.
Typically, a retailers objective is to provide their
customers with the highest level of quality and service
at the most competitive price. Clothing stores can meet
this objective most successfully when their supplier
fully understands the product development process.
The development process is critical to ensuring
customers satisfaction and minimizing customer returns.
Most
retailers approach to product development
consists of a multi-step process that must be completed
before finished goods are produced. Here are a few
common steps in the product development process.
Product Review Meeting: Apparel
buyers, merchandise managers,
quality assurance
personnel, or other members of the retailers staff can
schedule a product review meeting with the supplier.
This meeting should be conducted directly after the
merchandise manager approves the concept for
development. The purpose of the meeting is to review
the preliminary product and package specifications and
to ensure that the supplier is aware of the companies
quality and product development procedures. The meeting
should be of a technical nature. Therefore, the
supplier should bring to the meeting the appropriate
representation from their staff. Expect to discuss the
manufacturing process in detail and address any
potential manufacturing concerns or limitations in
regard to manufacturing the particular item being
discussed. In this meeting, the supplier should be
provided a preliminary
spec file
with details of the garment that is to be
manufactured. The supplier should be
requested within a short period of time to formally
acknowledge their understanding of the requirements. It
is a good idea to obtain this in writing.
Submission of Trimming: before apparel
production begins, it is critical that the buyer
approves all
components
that will comprise the finished product. Some buyers
will require review of all trimming and others will
require the approval of major trim components only. For
example, some buyers will want to see examples of the
actual sewing thread. However, others may not require
to view the thread. It is important to understand what
the buying company wishes to review prior to
production. Experienced fashion merchants will require
that you submit trim submissions on an appropriate
form. This allows both the supplier and the purchaser
to maintain well organized records. Here are a few
examples of items that may need to be submitted for
review.
In
addition to trimming, you will most likely be required
to submit Fit Samples, pre-production garment samples,
testing samples, TOP Samples (Top of Production
Samples), etc. You may also be required to submit
documents during this phase such as flammability
documents etc.
Fit Testing: some fashion companies
will require fit testing as part of the product
development process. In order to ensure proper fit,
steps must be taken to evaluate the garments comfort.
This process is to both monitor the manufacturer, but
also to make sure the original
size spec
developed was proper. Even if the manufacturer follows
the spec file perfectly, during the fit process the fit
technician may discover that adjustments may be needed.
Some companies will conduct the fit testing on live fit
models and others will do the testing in fit forms
(mannequins). The merchandisers should advise the
supplier regarding which size garments they wish to
review for fit. Some companies will review only one
size, and others like to review the smallest and largest
size. For example, if production will be ordered in a
scale including small thru double XL, they may require
one sample in size small and one in XXL for the fit
review. Again, the retailer (or company purchasing your
product), should advise you regarding the sizes they
require for review.
Note: There are
many different How to Measure guides in existence.
Make certain to receive a copy of the how to measure
guide that your buyer utilizes. This is the only
way to insure that you provide accurate garments.
After the Fit
testing is complete, the final spec file should be
issued in writing.
Photo
Samples: some retailers will require photo
samples. These samples are utilized for developing
catalogs or advertising. Photo samples typically do
not require all final trimming such as brand labels,
but the outside appearance of the garment must be in
correct silhouette and color. The photos must
represent exactly what the finished product will
look like when shipped (the outside visual
appearance; does not need price tickets, hangers,
etc.). Unfortunately, retailers can not wait for
bulk production samples because catalog photos and
advertising photos are needed far before the
finished garments are ready to ship from the
factory. Again, not all retailers need photography
samples. By the way, some companies use
digital fabric
printing to make samples more quickly if
they have an urgent photo shoot pending.
Performance Testing: This is a very important aspect of the product development process. All products developed must pass performance testing requirements. It is the suppliers responsibility to ensure that all products produced meet or exceed the buyers performance standards. Before entering into an agreement to manufacturer apparel, be certain to fully understand the quality standard requirements requested by your buyers. It is normal practice to have both fabric and garments tested before product is delivered. Typically, the testing is done at a third party testing facility such as CTL, MTL, etc. Often times the buyer is the one to assign the testing lab. Some times the retailer (buyer) will submit the garments for testing. However, often the buyer will require that the supplier submits the fabric and garments directly to the testing laboratory and then provide them with copies of the test results. Testing will be done prior to production and after final production is complete. Many retailers will also do surprise testing on garments after they arrive into the stores. This technique is used to discourage suppliers from submitting garments for testing that are not actually the same quality as final production.
Some articles of clothing will require more testing then
other items. For example, items that claim to flame
retardant, water resistant, anti-bacterial, etc., may
require additional testing. Also, some children's
apparel may require additional safety evaluation.
Above are "some" of the common issues involved in the
product development process. This article
unfortunately, can not contain every aspect. The
overall suggestion from Apparel Search is to make sure
that both the buyer and supplier fully understand the
programs requirements. Ask each other questions and
communicate openly. It is in everyone's best interest
if the process runs smoothly and results in top quality
garments.
Learn more about
Clothing Quality
Testing.
Learn more about
Garment Factory
Inspections.
Items relevant to the clothing product development process:
Have you seen the new Home Sewing Patterns website. |
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