Launching our first apparel line has been a mix of excitement and challenges. A lot of people think finding a factory is the toughest part, but that’s actually the easiest step. The real work starts once we agree on the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and dive into all the production details.
Fabric and Features
Choosing the right fabric and features for our gear is a bit like perfecting your golf swing—slow and steady, but totally worth it. We’ve got to make sure everything meets our quality standards and what you guys are looking for. This means diving deep into research and testing to strike the perfect balance between comfort, durability, and style. Picking the right fabric weight and Pantone colors can be tricky too, especially when custom colors mean negotiating with the factory about storing large quantities until the next run. It’s all part of the game, and we’re here for it!
Tech-Pack and Measurements
Creating a solid tech pack is crucial. For those of you who’s not familiar with a tech pack, it’s a document that covers all the measurements, specs, and construction details for each garment, acting as a blueprint for the factory. Getting it right is key to avoiding mistakes and keeping everything consistent.
Design on Wash Labels and Hangtags
Every detail matters, even down to the design of wash labels and hangtags. These little touches reflect our brand and need to be designed with care. They don’t just provide important info; they also make the unboxing experience even better for you guys.
Trims and Details
Choosing trims and extras like buttons, zippers, custom molds, and embroidery takes a lot of thought. These elements give our apparel its unique touch but also bring extra challenges in sourcing and quality control.
Silk Paper and Polybag Design
Even the packaging matters—think silk paper and polybag design. It’s not just about protecting the garment; it’s also about making a great first impression when you guys get your order. We need to balance size and design to keep costs down, since shipping can get pricey and we don’t want it eating into our margins.
Our Sourcing Journey
We kicked off our apparel sourcing in spring 2023, exploring options in Portugal, Peru, Turkey, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Korea. After checking out samples from various spots, we decided to go with factories in Korea and Turkey. Each round of samples takes about 15-30 days, and finishing the process in less than four rounds is pretty lucky.
Final Preparations
Once we give the thumbs-up to our pre-production samples, we dive into content production, website development, ads, and newsletters. Each piece is key to a successful launch and needs careful planning and execution. Just when we thought we were all set, we found out the first polos had sleeves an inch shorter than we agreed on. Since the fabric was already cut, the factory had to order new sleeves, which meant more delays. It’s like golf—never let your guard down until that final putt on the 18th hole.
In short, launching an apparel line is way more than just finding a factory. It’s a detailed, time-consuming process with plenty of challenges. But with our dedication and attention to detail, we’re confident Goatlane’s first apparel line will exceed your expectations and set a new standard in the industry.