[perp]

I understand that this is going to be highly variable and a case by case situation. I also understand that one of the main benefits of overseas manufacturing is that you get more customization and more control.

I assume major brands such as Quiksilver or Obey all manufacture in China. It seems to me at the very least at a certain volume overseas manufacturing is going to be cheaper.

Is overseas manufacturing generally going to be cheaper than buying blanks and using a local screen printer as long as you satisfy their MOQ?

If it's not cheaper do you guys have a rough estimation of what type of volume overseas manufacturing begins to become cheaper than using a local screen printer?

 

[NoXid]

I have no direct experience with this, but would assume that the quantities would have to be pretty large to pencil out. Assuming that is true, something you should consider is the expense of storage, as well as the risk of having that much investment tied up in inventory. Thus, lower volume and more flexible local production may also have certain cost advantages.

My assumption is that scale would matter greatly. But all above is speculation on my part.

 

[DrivingZiggy]

Were I the printer, I would not print onto your blanks. If you decide to go local, just tell them what to do and let them get the blanks.

 

[MuddyWater]

Bottom Line Up Front: unless you absolutely need to be designing custom cut-and-sew apparel, it's not likely to be worth your time to deal with the process of having blanks made. You can order custom-tagged stuff from some of the manufacturers, but it's still even easier to just hire a good design/print shop to do it for you.

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As outsourcing to China goes, you're not going to get quality work for any cheaper unless you're ordering in the range of thousands of pieces at a time. For the small purchaser doing less than $100,000/yr net purchasing you're likely going to be better off with finding a screen printing or design shop that specializes in high-end, brand apparel.

You also need to keep in mind the appearance factor. For instance, in the outdoor/adventure sports market, customers are very sensitive to whether or not their clothing was made in a sustainable way, and China does not have a great track record there, so it's worth having it done in the US. Obey, at least last time I checked, actually printed on American Apparel blanks that are re-tagged to the Obey label. More than likely, Quiksilver does too. I know for a fact that 90% of Miller Coors branded label apparel is printed on Gildan and/or American Apparel, because I used to design for them and that was what we always spec'd.

Most brands are actually contracting out to shops like mine, who are purchasing from the major shirt manufacturers and wholesalers and either re-tagging for their basic shirts and only having their custom styles manufactured, or having the manufacturer custom tag the apparel if they can order in large enough volume. Most of those shops are willing to print on customer-supplied blanks, but then dealing with the margin of error is on you, and shops like that prefer to handle sourcing for you anyway because it's easier on them.

 

[perp]

Thank-you this is very informative, I was unaware that shops wanted to be able to source the blanks. I have a specific blank in mind that is not the most common, do you think they'll still be able to get it?

 

[MuddyWater]

That's where one of the higher-end design/marketing-focused shops will be worth their extra money you'll spend.

It'll depend on what the shirt blank you want is, but if they're doing quality work they'll find it if it's available, and help you figure out how to source it if it's not. Just be aware that when we're talking about them giving you that level of hands-on service to help you through the process, you're going to pay for it, regardless of if it's in the US, China or wherever.

 

[DrivingZiggy]

One of the problems with YOU supplying the blank is your source. The shirts you get from your source may have been coated with fire retardant or something else that will prevent the ink from working properly on the shirt. So find a printer and give them a chance. They might just surprise you!

 

[retail2wholesale]

While the info in this thread is good, it's also somewhat mis-informed or skewed from the perspective of print shops, and not from that of the "brand".

You can outsource to China and a number of other countries orders of 100 pieces for $7-9/pc delivered to your door via air freight. Completely customized, woven labels, tagless printed, garment washed AND cut-and-sew from your pattern. Same manufacturers as many of the most popular boutique brands out there right now.

It's just a matter of putting in the time and money to find those factories and build the relationships. I know, because I did it.