Our Fashion Production Process
Where do I start? What do I do? Who do I call? How can I bring my label to life? How much will it cost? Can I do it myself or do I need professional advice, planning and management?
These questions go through the minds of all designers wanting to start their own label and develop their ideas - especially those people who have never been through the fashion production process from A to Z.
Here at KJ Production House, we are here to help. We offer you professional and practical advice on your design ideas and suggest a range of options for you to consider. We can also give you a better idea of how much things cost in the ever-changing and fast paced fashion industry.
Trying to do everything yourself may sound like a practical and cost-effective option… especially at the beginning. However, it can be very difficult to navigate and manage the complexities and all of the many processes of the fashion production world – either locally and / or offshore. There are many steps along the way, and many crucial decisions need to be made to ensure success.
Going directly to individual suppliers, machinists, cutters and makers is one simple mistake that some make as it can be a costly (both in terms of time and money) and fraught with anxiety and potential for error if you don’t understand the complete process and efficiencies that can be gained yourself. Our aim is to help you avoid this.
From our experience, branching out on your own will come with some risks and we want to share our experience with you to minimise the confusion and risk. We want to maximise your profits whilst realising your dreams and creating a label that you will be proud of.
Here is a more detailed explanation of our services. We can work with you no matter where you are in the production process – the beginning, middle or the end. Rest assured, we will ensure that you get the results that you want. We have many clients who come to us after trying overseas and they feel defeated. KJ Production House are here to make things right and to work with you and get you back on track for your fashion dreams.
Fashion production planning, scheduling and quoting
This is where it all starts. After an initial meeting with KJ Production House, the team can assess your needs, aspirations and requirements. As a client, you will also get a better understanding on how our business works and the value you can get out of using our large range of fashion manufacturing and production services. We believe that it never hurts to start a conversation, have a coffee and a chat about bringing your fashion idea to life.
KJ Production House will put a plan together and some initial quotes to give you a better idea of what is involved.
Stage 1 -
Vision
Fabric and accessory sourcing
KJ Production House is associated with many suppliers ready and willing to discuss your fabric and accessory needs. They are located throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and even New Zealand and we have been working with them for many years.
As part of our overall production management service, we offer fabric and accessory advice to assist with you making the best selection for your design ideas. Fabrics and accessories naturally play an integral part of your design, however from our experience, choosing the right type at the beginning and getting professional advice from us, may eliminate any issues that may arise at the manufacturing stage ensuring a more successful outcome.
Pattern making
Pattern making is an art form. It requires technical expertise, knowledge, experience and accuracy. Without a pattern, a fashion label cannot be done. This is why it is such an important step in creating your clothing or garment label.
Experience is paramount because a pattern forms the foundation of your design.
Our outsourced team of pattern makers work closely with the KJ Production House and its clients to deliver this important stage of the production process.
Our pattern makers have been in the industry for many years and are experienced in customising a pattern for any garment design. They know the industry and have created hundreds of patterns for designers across Australia.
All patterns are created using the latest Gerber software and accompanying this are the specifications, make and design sheets as well as illustrations of your design with full garment construction details. The process is all managed by a production manager working with you on your new fashion label – advising you along the way.
Stage 2 -
Creation
Sampling
This is one of the most exciting stages of production where we produce your first 3-dimensional garment and see your ideas come to life. This process is important because it allows you to see the fit and whether your vision drapes and fits the way you want it to. Adjustments and variations can be made at this stage prior to going into grading and prior to full production.
Fitting Service
Seeing your fashion garment that you created on a fit model, or mannequin can be a very exciting time for both the KJ Production House team and our clients. The pattern maker will make sure that it fits correctly to the required size and shape as final alterations do happen at this stage ensuring a superior garment goes into production.
Digitizing
Digitizing a pattern is a process that involves creating a soft electronic copy of your hard copy patterns (only necessary if you have cardboard patterns). This process is useful because it becomes an electronic archive and can be used as a starting point for all future production. Our digitizing service is quick and cost effective and we can cater to patterns of any size and shape.
Grading
Grading is not a complex process, nor is it an expensive one. It starts by creating your fit approved base size (usually a size 10) and then graded incrementally to create a full size set. You can nominate specific sizes and stagger production volumes.
Marker Making
Marker making is another part of the production process. This process obtains the best usage of your fabric with your pattern pieces. It is like putting the pieces of the puzzle together so that all pattern sections across all sizes can be cut out efficiently and cost effectively from your chosen fabric.
Stage 3 -
Production
Cutting
Cutting of fabrics has now become a far more modern and sophisticated process. Computers are used to laser cut accurate sizes and shapes based on the patterns supplied electronically to the cutters.
We work in close partnership with several cutting services to ensure that all fabrics and styles are cut accurately to the correct specifications. We have been using these cutters for decades and they are the best in the industry.
Manufacturing
We offer local Australian Made manufacturing of your garments. What this means is that you will be entitled to become Australian Made. You can apply for the official Australian Made logo to be used in your marketing and on your garments. A big advantage if you are wanting to support local business and supporting the Australian economy. Going offshore is not for everyone, and it is dependent on many factors.
Using local garment manufacturers has its many advantages allowing more contact, face-to-face communications, reliability and quicker turnover in both manufacturing and quotations. We only use a selected group of manufacturers in Sydney who consistently deliver the highest fashion industry standards across their garment production.
Karen Jakab has worked with these manufacturers for decades and believes in their ability to deliver, giving confidence that you will be receiving a superior product for your brand label and for the market.
NB: One thing that KJ Production House doesn’t get involved in is the freight and shipping of the garments after manufacturing (we are not a courier or freight forwarding business). Once manufacturing is completed and quality checked, the garments will be available for pick up in boxes from our head office address.
Now the marketing starts and we can assist you in this too. MJ Marketing Group work with our clients to prepare their marketing assets and brand for the market. Whether it’s a Look Book, website, photography, videography, digital assets for socials, MJ Marketing Group can guide and assist you in launching your brand and maintaining it in the future.