Custom Made-to-Order Blanks vs. Creating Your Own Apparel: Which Path is Right for Your Brand?
As our brand grows, we receive many inquiries about the differences between our custom made-to-order blanks and creating entirely new, custom apparel designs. To help you better understand your options, we’ve put together this detailed guide. Whether you're looking to make slight customisations to existing designs or you're dreaming up something entirely original, here’s what you need to know.
Custom Made-to-Order Blanks (Existing Designs)
What It Means:
- Foundation: With this option, you start with one of our existing, well-crafted designs. These are the base styles we've developed and refined over time—our signature pieces that form the backbone of our collection.
- Customization: Once you've selected a design, the real customization begins. You have the freedom to choose the colour, GSM (fabric weight), prints or decorations, labels, and tags. Want your logo prominently displayed? We can do that. Need a specific colour that matches your brand’s identity? We’ve got you covered.
- Flexibility: These customizations allow you to make the design truly yours, but without the complexity of starting from scratch. It’s a perfect blend of efficiency and personalization.
The Process:
- Step 1: Choose from our range of existing designs.
- Step 2: Customise the details to align with your brand’s vision.
- Step 3: We create a mock-up for your approval before production.
- Step 4: Once approved, production begins, and your custom blanks are created.
Timeline & Costs:
- Turnaround Time: Since these are established designs, the production process is much quicker compared to creating a new product from the ground up.
- MOQ: The minimum order quantity is 100 units per style/color, with the flexibility to include different sizes in that total.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Because the core design work is already completed, this option is generally more cost-effective and ideal for brands needing quality products on a tighter timeline. The cost for t-shirts depends on total quantity but generally sits around $16.50 - $27 landed in Australia.
Ideal For:
- Brands looking for a balance between customization and efficiency.
- Businesses wanting to bring unique, branded products to market without the extended timeline and cost of full product development.
- Those who appreciate the assurance of a tried-and-tested design but still want to put their own stamp on it.
Creating Your Own Fits/Apparel (Full Custom Design)
What It Means:
- Complete Freedom: If you have a specific vision that requires a completely new design, this option gives you full creative control. From the initial sketches to the final product, you're involved in every step of the process.
- Unique Design: This isn’t just about selecting a few custom options; it’s about crafting an entirely new piece of apparel from scratch. You decide the fit, the cut, the fabric, and every other detail that goes into making your garment unique.
- Comprehensive Development: This approach involves creating patterns, selecting specific fabrics, and going through multiple rounds of sampling to get everything just right.
The Process:
- Step 1: Conceptualise your design. Work with our team to translate your ideas into detailed sketches and specs.
- Step 2: Choose fabrics, colours, and all other design elements. This may include unique trims, buttons, zippers, or any other custom features you envision.
- Step 3: We create initial samples. This can take multiple rounds (typically up to 3) to refine and perfect the design to your exact specifications.
- Step 4: Once you’re satisfied with the sample, we move into full-scale production.
Timeline & Costs:
- Extended Timeline: Because this process involves extensive development, the timeline can range from 4 to 8 months, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of samples required.
- Higher MOQ: The minimum order quantity may increase, particularly if you’re using specialised fabrics or requiring intricate detailing.
- Investment: This option is more costly due to the time, resources, and expertise required to bring a completely new design to life. However, the result is a truly unique product that is entirely your own.
Ideal For:
- Brands with a specific, innovative vision that can’t be achieved with existing designs.
- Businesses looking to create signature pieces that set them apart from competitors.
- Those who are willing to invest the time and resources into developing a product that is 100% unique to their brand.
Which Option is Right for Your Brand?
Choosing between custom made-to-order blanks and creating your own fits/apparel depends on your brand’s goals, timeline, and budget.
- Custom Made-to-Order Blanks are ideal if you want to quickly introduce branded products that are already well-designed and high-quality, but with enough customisation to make them your own. (around 6-12 weeks)
- Creating Your Own Fits/Apparel is the way to go if you’re looking to innovate and bring something entirely new to the market. This option allows for maximum creativity and differentiation, but requires a greater investment of time and resources. (around 3-8 months)
Still have questions? We’re here to help guide you through the decision-making process. Whether you’re ready to start customising existing designs or you want to embark on a full product development journey, we’re excited to partner with you in bringing your vision to life. Contact us today to explore your options!
Contact custom@mindfulmerch.com.au for a deeper dive into custom blanks.