Cut and Sew

Cut and Sew

Cut and Sew

The process of Cut and Sew manufacturing was once an American main stay business, but today, the vast majority of Cut and Sew manufacturing is done off shore.  Why?  Well … that’s a long story, but let’s just say that it’s because most people are accustom to paying between $7-$12 for a T-Shirt, or $15.95 – $22.00 for a pair of shorts, and with American wages being what they are, and the cost of doing business what it is, those figures just can’t be matched in the United States for cut and sew.

However, there are several niche Cut and Sew manufacturing operations like AMBRO Manufacturing, that still keep the business alive and profitable in the United States.

Cut and Sew

There are a few important factors that you might consider when looking to do Cut and Sew manufacturing in the United States.  Here are some to think about …

1.  Most American Cut and Sew companies are not going to be able to do a project for you if your requirements are less than 500 pieces.  Unlike home sewing, industrial machines are set up to perform specific tasks quickly.  They are set to work with specific fabrics using specific threads and they can only do one thing.  So if the companies that you are considering are making canvas bags and you want cotton T-Shirts, they are not going to want to re-tool their machines to make you 36 T-Shirts.  So think of the volume that you need when researching companies.

2.  The price point compared to over seas sewing is going to be at least 5x higher.  One must understand that the U.S. promotes safe working environments, fair wages, health care benefits and many other nice to have worker friendly things that cost money.  Unlike in Pakistan or China where for the cost of a cup of American Coffee, workers will spend day and night sewing your goods.  So if you want a custom T-Shirt made for $5.00, the U.S. is not the place to be, consider $20.00 to $25.00 your cost for a T-Shirt in the U.S.

3.  The quality and consistency of items made overseas vs. the U.S. will be vastly different, as will the turn around time of the products that you require.  You can bank on 8 weeks minimum for over seas work and import duties, taxes, tarrifs etc … to deal with.

Finding domestic Cut and Sew manufacturing is a challenge, but not impossible.  You you are interested in Cut and Sew in the United States, please consider giving us a call (908) 806-8337 or email us.

Cut and Sew

Cut and Sew