8 Cost-Cutting Tips for Custom Apparel That Don’t Compromise The Quality

The US custom apparel is already huge and it’s growing bigger. As more organizations, businesses, and individuals seek apparel solutions at minimum investments for branding, events and personalization, the market thrives with suppliers that adapt, decorators that create, and new players joining the fray. The catch is that costs are adding up too. But when customizing apparel, decorators know that they shouldn’t cut corners to cut costs. It’s possible to save money without compromising on quality, which is what this blog is all about.

Spend your dollars strategically, do a few things a little different, and follow a few best practices. That alone saves a lot. Here are 10 tips to help you cut the costs down while keeping the quality in tact.

  • Source Apparel in Bulk

This isn’t a secret anymore. But if you are not aware, there are apparel suppliers and distributors in the market that offer volume discounts (bulk discounts). The bigger your order volume, the lower the per-unit costs. See if your supplier has a pricing tier for the products and calculate how much you will have to spend for your custom apparel wholesale order. Compare the prices with a few other suppliers offering volume discounts. It’s simple math but the savings can be significant.

  • Consider Fabric Traits

Each material imbues specific traits into the garment. The fabrics may not be equal in terms of features. Certain blends like a 50-50 cotton-poly blend offer durable, printable and breathable apparel without premium pricing. If the cotton is more on the blend, the cost will be higher generally. You may also find the same blend costing higher for similar garments. A uniform polo shirt from a different brand with the cotton-poly blend could cost lower than a tee of the same blend from a different brand. It may not make sense sometimes. But the best practice is to research blends to see which one will suit the decoration requirement more. Fabrics with multiple attributes at good deals is what you want.

  • Know The Spend on Printing Techniques

Different printing techniques have different costs. Screen printing is generally more cost-effective for large orders. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is better for smaller runs or complex designs. Take the size of the order and estimate the complexity of the design before finalizing a printing technique.

  • Off Season Purchases

This can make a real difference. There are times in a year when wholesale suppliers offer apparel at clearance pricing. If you plan ahead, you can get the apparel at steal deals and then have them customized later when you need. You will lose this window once the peak demand hits. 

  • Always Request a Digital Proof

This is underrated. Getting a digital proof of the decoration before printing can help avoid a lot of mistakes that might cost you a lot in the long run. It’s best to catch and rectify errors before production. Reworking a printed batch is out of the question if you want to keep costs low. Digital proofing, however, is not an estimate of the print quality.

  • Compromise on Specificity

Go for garments that suit multiple use cases. For example, if you need custom workwear and a batch of casualwear, go for blank jackets that suit both. If you prioritize adaptability over specificity when feasible, you save more.

  • Build a Relationship With Suppliers

People just place orders, get their stuff and move on. But if you drop an effort to build a relationship with your suppliers, you may be able to get some privileges. Maybe a little more out of the volume discounts or a special pricing for regulars. You can even get package deals and complementary services. It’s worth the effort but the point is to be in great terms with more than one supplier. 

  • Go Minimal with the Design

This is the last resort if you are in a tight spot and need to save a little more. Decorating complex designs will obviously cost more. If you don’t see another option, just simplify the artwork. You can do this in a lot of ways including cutting down on a few color variations. This may reduce the setup fees for the decoration. Clean typography might also help if there’s text in the artwork. You can also minimize print locations and print on white blank apparel to reduce printing costs.

That’s it. It’s all about how and where you spend, and spending thoughtfully for more than one benefit. Every dollar counts, and if you want to do something about the costs adding up, these tips can help all without compromising on quality. 

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