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How to do OEM Procurement in the Fashion Industry?

Any clothing business seeking to have their designs made should contact an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM. An Original Equipment Manufacturer takes your original designs for a piece of apparel and then creates the final product, all based on what your desire and ideas are for that piece of clothing. In addition to customizing pieces according to your brand aesthetic, they also offer suggestions on how you can improve upon your product. An Original Equipment Manufacturer is a good idea to use if you wish to create clothing designs that are both high in quality and customizable.

OEM procurement ensures that you find the best quality for your design. With more emphasis put on quality than quantity, using OEM procurement in the fashion industry will provide you with good quality clothing with a longer lifespan and durability. 

1. Sample Designs 

Person seated at sewing machine on table, holding and stitching denim piece, with thread spools and measuring tape nearby

Before any work can be done, you should give your OEM a design or sample of what you expect from them to recreate. This can be sent face-to-face or via express mail. This design could be a design drawing or a picture. They are obligated to design it according to your request and ideas; therefore, details need to be confirmed, and then collaboration can commence. 

2. Finalizing the Details

These details include the fabric texture, embellishments, or any fabric specifically printed. In addition, special attention should be given to size, layout, placement, color, quality, finishing, and materials. 

3. Sending the Samples and Quotation

Once the details have been confirmed, the manufacturer will be able to create a sample based on your design. Once the sample is agreed upon with all additional details, a quotation will be given depending on the quantity you want. 

4. Confirming the Order and Paying the Deposit

As a guarantee of cooperation, a deposit will need to be paid before production starts. This will serve as the final confirmation of the order. 

5. Mass Production

This will be the stage production starts as the final design and details have been agreed upon. To ensure everything works out, load time will be calculated beforehand, which will take both quality and the timeline into consideration. Load time will also be dependent on the quantity of the order and what technology is at the disposal of the manufacturer.

6. Inspection 

To ensure quality, there will be a quality inspection done by the manufacturer. This inspection, however, will take place twice during the process, once during the production process, and once after each product is complete. This is to guarantee the client receives high quality products. 

7. Delivering the Goods

Once the order is fulfilled and ensures quality and customer satisfaction, the final order will be shipped. Shipment, however, will only commence once the balance on the order has been paid. The shipment method will be based on the client’s request. 

This general step-by-step process is what you can expect when doing OEM procurement in the fashion industry, but you are always well served with a procurement consultant to help you source the best materials and manufacturers.