You have designed your collection, you have your designs ready, you have chosen your fabrics. Now comes the crucial question: Who will physically make your garments?
Unless you are also an expert tailor with a fully equipped workshop, the answer almost certainly lies in a garment making workshop. But how do you choose the right one? What are the differences between the various types? How much does it cost? And above all, how to avoid unpleasant surprises?
I am Corrado Manenti, founder of Be A Designer. In over 14 years of business, I have built up a network of workshops and tailors throughout Italy, and in this article I will share with you everything I have learned about choosing the garment making workshop perfect for your brand.
If this is the first article you're reading, welcome to Be A Designer: the home of emerging designers. Here you'll find practical, concrete information, without unnecessary theory, to help you turn your passion for fashion into a real business.
What is a garment workshop?
A garment making workshop is a company that specialises in producing garments for other brands. Basically, you bring the design (designs, fabrics, specifications) and they take care of turning it into a finished product.
It is the most widespread production model in the fashion world, used not only by emerging designers but also by large fashion houses that prefer to focus on design and marketing, delegating production to specialists.
Difference between craft, industrial and contract workshop
🧵 Handicraft workshop
Small structures specialising in high quality and tailor-made details. Ideal for limited and high-end production.
- Low minima (10-30 pieces)
- Higher unit costs
- Maximum attention to detail
- Flexibility in changes
🏭 Industrial laboratory
Larger structures with high production capacity. Optimised for large volumes and standardised production.
- High MOQ (100-500+ pieces)
- Competitive costs on volumes
- Optimised processes
- Fast delivery times
✂️ Contract (CMT/Full Package)
Companies that produce on behalf of other brands. They can be artisanal or industrial, with different levels of service.
- Full Package: everything included
- CMT: cutting and packaging only
- Contractual flexibility
- Scalability of production
Typical services offered
A professional garment workshop can offer several services:
- Cut: Preparation of fabric pieces according to patterns
- Stitching: Assembly of garments with industrial or craft machines
- Prototyping: Production of the first sample for testing and approvals
- Finishes: Buttonholes, buttons, zips, labels, final ironing
- Quality control: Checking each garment before delivery
- Modelling: Size development and industrialisation (some workshops)
When and why to use an external laboratory
Specialised skills
Professional machinery and technical know-how that would take years to acquire
Flexibility
You can scale production according to demand without fixed investments
Guaranteed quality
Experienced laboratories can handle critical issues and guarantee high standards
Focus on core business
You can concentrate on design, marketing and sales by delegating production
Who needs a garment workshop?
A garment workshop is not just for big brands. Here is who can benefit from it:
🚀 Emerging brands
Designers launching their first brand and need a reliable partner to turn ideas into concrete products.
✏️ Independent designers
Freelance designers working on commission or for their own collections, without an in-house production structure.
💡 Start-up fashion
New companies that want to test the market with capsule collections before investing in their own production.
🏷️ Private label
Companies that want to create their own branded clothing lines without in-house production skills.
Even if you plan to produce on your own in the future, starting with an external laboratory allows you to learning the process, understand critical issues and build skills before investing in machinery and personnel.
How to choose the right garment workshop
Finding a laboratory is relatively easy. Finding the right one for you is a different story. Here are the basic criteria to be evaluated.
🎯 Check specialisation
Each workshop has its own specific skills. Those who excel in jackets may not be ideal for knitwear. Those who work streetwear may not have experience with haute couture.
Look for laboratories specialised in your type of product:
- Technical textile: Sportswear, outdoor, functional
- Sportswear: Activewear, athleisure, fitness
- Streetwear: Sweatshirts, t-shirts, urban casual
- Haute couture: Tailored dresses, couture, ceremony
- Knitwear: Knitting, jersey
- Outerwear: Jackets, coats, down jackets
📦 Check minimum order quantities
MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) vary enormously:
| Laboratory type | Typical MOQ | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Artisan tailoring | 10-30 pieces | Capsules, testing, high-end |
| Medium laboratory | 30-100 pieces | Emerging, seasonal brands |
| Industrial laboratory | 100-500+ pieces | Brand launches, volumes |
⭐ Analyses quality and timing
Always request samples of previous jobs. Check stitching, finishing, precision. The quality of the workshop will be the quality of your brand.
Also check the actual delivery times and the ability to respect them. One delay can compromise an entire season. Ask for specific references on this point.
🔧 Ask if they offer prototype support
Some workshops only carry out productions, others also offer the service of prototype (production of the first sample). If you are just starting out, having a single contact person for samples and production greatly simplifies the process.
⚠️ Warning: Better to spend an extra hour explaining a pattern well to the tailor, than to end up with a whole lot wrong because of a misunderstanding. Clear communication is everything.
Advantages of a Made in Italy garment workshop
Choosing an Italian garment workshop offers real competitive advantages:
Sartorial quality
Centuries-old craftsmanship, high quality control, impeccable finish
Direct communication
Possibility of on-site visits, face-to-face meetings, no language barrier
Value of Made in Italy
Premium price justified, high positioning, luxury perception
Ethical certifications
Access to GOTS, OEKO-TEX, sustainability certifications increasingly in demand
✓ The added value: Made in Italy“ is not just a label, it is a strategic asset for your brand. It allows you to justify premium prices and position yourself in a higher market segment than those who produce in low-cost countries.
How much does it cost to make a garment?
We come to the question everyone is asking. Costs vary according to type, complexity and volume. Here is an indicative table:
| Type of garment | Average price (Italy) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt | €6 - €12 | Depends on quantity and finish |
| Sweatshirt | €12 - €20 | Heavy fabrics + trimmings |
| Trousers | €15 - €25 | Including buttons and zips |
| Shirt | €18 - €30 | Variable with collar/cuffs |
| Women's dress | €25 - €50 | Depends on complexity |
| Jacket | €25 - €60 | Technical cut and complex interior |
📌 Important note: Prices vary greatly with volume and complexity. Samples typically cost 50-100% plus compared to mass production, because the workshop has to make setups, tests and adjustments for a single garment.
5 mistakes to avoid when choosing a workshop
❌ The most common (and costly) mistakes
- Only go for the lowest price: The lowest price rarely corresponds to the best quality. An unreliable laboratory can cause delays, defects and much higher hidden costs.
- Do not ask for examples of past work: Seeing real samples is the only way to assess quality. Don't just trust words.
- Ignoring actual production times: Ask for specific time references. A delay can compromise an entire sales season.
- Not having clear data sheets: Rough drawings and incomplete specifications are a recipe for disaster. Invest time in documentation.
- Expecting them to do “everything”: The workshop executes, but the creative direction and decisions are yours. Do not delegate what cannot be delegated.
Always visit the workshop in person before entrusting it with your production. A serious workshop will be happy to show you the space, machinery and processes. If you cannot visit it, it is a wake-up call.
Why rely on Be A Designer for production
I am telling you clearly: finding a reliable garment workshop is only half the job. The other half? Tracking production, quality control, managing delays, solving problems. And if you don't have experience, resources and months to spare, it can become a nightmare.
I see it every day: up-and-coming designers who waste weeks chasing suppliers, who receive faulty garments, who do not know how to challenge a job badly done. The brand's dream turns to frustration.
That is why in Be A Designer we have made a clear choice: we only work with the best tailoring workshops between Varese and Como, a few kilometres from our premises. Everything strictly Made in Italy, all under our direct control.
What does this mean to you?
- Zero stress: we take care of the whole relationship with the laboratories
- Guaranteed quality control: we visit production in person, not remotely
- Short supply chain: problems solved in hours, not weeks
- Certified Made in Italy: real value for your brand positioning
- You focus on your brand: we'll take care of the rest
We don't just sell you a consultancy service. We relieve you of the burden of managing production, allowing you to devote your energies to what really matters: building your brand, telling your story, selling your garments.
The truth? You can spend months looking for the perfect workshop, negotiate, make mistakes, start again. Or you can start right away with a partner who has already done this work for over 200 brands in the last 14 years.
Checklist before starting
Before contacting a garment workshop, make sure you have everything ready:
📋 Are you ready to start?
- You have the model designed or a reference sample?
- You defined the materials to be used (fabrics, linings, accessories)?
- You are clear about the number of heads and the sizes to be produced?
- You have prepared the data sheets with all the specifications?
- You have a defined budget for sampling and production?
- You have foreseen a contract or written agreement with the laboratory?
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The Full Package is simpler but costs more. The CMT requires more organisation on your part but offers more control over materials and potentially better margins.
• T-shirt: €6-12
• Sweatshirt: €12-20
• Trousers: €15-25
• Jacket: €25-60
Prices depend on the quantity, complexity of the garment and finishes required. Samples typically cost 50-100% more than series production.
• Lombardy: ready-to-wear, tailoring
• Veneto: sportswear, jeans
• Tuscany: leather goods, knitwear
• Emilia-Romagna: knitwear, clothing
• Brands: footwear, leather goods
Alternatively, you can ask for references from other brands, participate in trade fairs, or rely on style offices such as Be A Designer that already have a network of tested workshops.
• Sartorial quality and high quality control
• Direct communication and the possibility of on-site visits
• Value of “Made in Italy” on pricing and brand positioning
- Access to ethical certifications and sustainable (GOTS, OEKO-TEX)
• Flexibility in modifications and small productions
• Reactivity and fast response times
🚀 Build your brand from A to Z with us
From idea to finished collection, from strategy to Made in Italy production. Stop chasing suppliers and start building the brand you've always dreamed of.
Book your free consultation →Good luck!
Corrado Manenti
Founder of Be A Designer
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