Cut and Sew Manufacturers.

If you're building a clothing brand, you've likely come across the term “cut and sew”—but what does it really mean, and is it right for your production?

Cut and sew manufacturers are factories that produce garments from scratch using fabric rolls and your custom patterns, offering full control over fit, fabric, and design.

Choosing the right manufacturing method affects your costs, quality, and flexibility. Let me break down everything you need to know about cut and sew production.

What is a cut and sew manufacturer?

Not all clothing manufacturers work the same way. Some decorate pre-made blanks. Others build from zero.

A cut and sew manufacturer takes raw fabric, cuts it into pieces based on your design, and sews it into a finished garment tailored to your specs.

How is cut and sew¹ different from print-on-demand² or blanks?

Print-on-demand or blanks manufacturing uses ready-made garments, like basic t-shirts or hoodies. You only add your print or embroidery.

Cut and sew is much more involved. Here's what it includes:

• Custom pattern creation
• Fabric cutting
• Sewing and assembling
• Label and tag insertion
• Pressing, packing, and shipping

When I launched my first custom collection, I used a cut and sew partner in Guangzhou. They followed my tech pack exactly, down to the pocket depth and stitching color. That level of detail just isn’t possible with blanks.

Who should use cut and sew?

• Brands with a clear design identity
• Collections that need unique shapes, fits, or trims
• Labels targeting premium pricing or niche markets

If you care about how your garment feels, fits, and finishes—cut and sew is the way to go.

Is cut and sew expensive?

Cut and sew gives you full control—but at a price. Many new brands wonder if it’s worth the cost.

Yes, cut and sew is more expensive than using pre-made garments, but it delivers better quality, uniqueness, and long-term brand value.

What are the main cost drivers?

• Pattern-making – Custom patterns cost $50–$150 per style
• Sampling – Each sample can cost $80–$300
• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity³) – Most cut and sew factories require 100–500 pcs per style
• Labor and materials – More steps mean more people and more cost

The key is value—not just price. I’ve had cut and sew pieces retail for 4x what I paid to make them, thanks to their unique fabric and fit.

How can you reduce cut and sew costs?

• Use factory’s standard fabrics instead of sourcing your own
• Keep styles simple (e.g., fewer panels or pockets)
• Reuse patterns across collections
• Combine orders across colorways to hit MOQ

Once I started using a core pattern across multiple SKUs, my development costs dropped by 30%. That’s how real margins start to build.

What is a cut and sew apparel contractor?

If you’ve been sourcing manufacturers, you’ve probably seen the term “contractor” used alongside “cut and sew.”

A cut and sew apparel contractor is a factory or service provider that produces garments for clients using their patterns, fabrics, and instructions—often as a white-label or private label partner.

What does a contractor do?

• Receives your tech pack and fabric
• Cuts and assembles based on your specifications
• Finishes, packs, and ships under your brand
• Sometimes provides sourcing or development help

These contractors are not retail-facing. They work behind the scenes for brands, boutiques, and labels that want to keep production private.

I’ve worked with both kinds. Some just take my pattern and fabric. Others help me tweak designs, source trims, and deliver DDP to my warehouse. It depends on the contractor’s capability.

How to choose a good cut and sew contractor⁴?

• Ask to see previous work samples⁵
• Request factory photos or a virtual tour
• Confirm if they can work with your MOQ
• Make sure they understand your target market⁶ (e.g., kidswear vs. streetwear)

Always start with a small trial run—maybe 100–200 pieces. That’s how I found my go-to cut and sew partner in Dongguan. They handled both stretch fabrics and branding details without any issues.

Who manufactures the most clothing?

When we talk about scale, not all countries or companies are equal. Some dominate the industry by size alone.

China manufactures the most clothing globally, followed by Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. These countries power the world’s fashion industry through massive garment factories.

What makes these countries leaders?

I work with China for fast turnarounds, India for natural cotton pieces, and Vietnam when I need advanced quality control⁸ and mid-sized runs.

Which companies lead the industry?

At the corporate level, these giants drive production:

• Shahi Exports (India)
• Esquel (China)
• Crystal International (Hong Kong-based)
• TAL Apparel (Hong Kong-based)
• Ready Made Garments (Bangladesh)

These companies produce for global brands like Nike, H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, and Levi’s. But keep in mind—they’re often inaccessible to smaller buyers due to high MOQs.

For small-to-medium brands, regional contractors or niche cut and sew factories offer more flexibility while still delivering strong quality.

Conclusion

Cut and sew manufacturing gives you unmatched control over design, fit, and quality. While it costs more than off-the-shelf options, the results are worth it—especially if you're building a serious brand with lasting value.