A key question that many companies ask themselves when purchasing textiles is whether they should opt for finishing blanks or having their textiles produced entirely abroad. This article highlights the differences between the two approaches and helps you find the best solution for your company.
What are blanks?
Blanks, also known as blanks, are unprinted, unfinished textiles that serve as the basis for individual designs and finishing techniques. Common blanks in the textile sector include
- Blank T-shirts
- Blank sweatshirts
- Blank hoodies
- Blank bags
These textiles are available in their original form, ready to be finished using various methods such as printing, embroidery or other finishing techniques.
Choosing the right blanks is crucial for the quality and appearance of the end products. High-quality blanks form the basis for first-class results, as the composition and processing of the raw material have a direct influence on the end product. In addition to classic designs, blank manufacturers also offer modern cuts and fits that ensure a contemporary look and variety in the collection.
A carefully selected blank not only provides an excellent basis for finishing, but also contributes to customer enthusiasm and satisfaction. It is therefore important to pay attention to quality when purchasing blanks and to choose reliable suppliers who offer consistently high standards and up-to-date styles.
Blanks are much more than just simple blanks; they are the foundation for unique and high-quality products. A conscious and quality-oriented selection of blanks is therefore the first step towards great textile products.
Finishing of blanks
The finishing of blanks involves various processes that transform unprinted textiles into unique, attractive products. The most common methods include printing and embroidery. However, other techniques for customising and adding value to blanks are also very popular.
Our partner Spreeprint provides an overview of common finishing methods and their advantages.
Advantages of local finishing of blanks
The local finishing of blanks offers numerous advantages that have a positive impact on quality, production speed and costs:
- Quality assurance: Manufacturers of blanks place great importance on high quality standards. They specialise in textile production and manufacture large volumes, with routine quality controls and processes ensuring the highest standards. Local finishing ensures that the end products meet these high standards.
- Availability of textiles: Unlike in-house production, where textiles are manufactured on demand, blanks are almost always available. If you need additional textiles, they can simply be reordered from the manufacturer. This flexibility is extremely valuable in the dynamic textile industry. Local finishing by service providers also enables quick access to high-quality blanks.
- Wide selection and variety: One of the main advantages of blanks is the wide selection of cuts and materials. Manufacturers offer many options, from classic T-shirts and hoodies to modern and seasonal collections. This allows you to offer exceptional textiles while benefiting from high quality and lower costs.
- Faster and more reliable implementation: Local finishing significantly reduces production and delivery times. The lead times for finishing blanks are considerably shorter than for special productions abroad, enabling a rapid response to market requirements and customer requests.
- Lower transport costs: Local finishing eliminates long transport routes. Blank manufacturers have optimised delivery routes from the production site to central logistics warehouses, which reduces costs and environmental impact. Short delivery routes also mean greater flexibility and faster availability of finished products.
- Reorders are no problem: Thanks to the permanent availability of blanks and fast finishing, reorders are no problem at any time.
- No branding from the manufacturer: Some blank manufacturers produce textiles without their own branding so that they cannot be identified as blanks later on. You can sew in your own labels during the finishing process and design the textiles entirely in line with your brand.
- Selection of high-quality blanks: Suppliers such as Spreeprint offer an extensive network, a large selection of high-quality blanks and excellent advice. This ensures that you always receive the best blanks for your finishing projects.
Local finishing of blanks is therefore an ideal solution for producing high-quality, customised textile products quickly and efficiently. By carefully selecting blanks and using suitable finishing techniques, companies can raise their products to a new level of quality while saving costs and resources.
Textile production abroad
Outsourcing the entire textile production process, particularly to countries such as Portugal, is a proven approach that offers numerous advantages but also presents some challenges. Portugal has established itself as an important location in the textile industry, renowned for its high-quality textiles, advanced production methods and well-trained workforce. In addition to Portugal, countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and China are also key players in global textile production. These countries offer a wide range of services, from material sourcing and design to manufacturing and quality assurance.
Advantages of manufacturing abroad
Cost efficiency: Production costs in countries such as Portugal can often be lower than in Western countries, despite high quality standards. This enables companies to offer competitive prices without compromising on product quality. In-house production can be particularly economical for large print runs, as there are no intermediary service providers involved.
100% own collection: When manufacturing abroad, you have the option of using your own cuts, fabrics and designs. This allows you to design textiles exactly according to your own ideas and create something unique.
Scalability: In-house production is particularly useful for large print runs. Here, economies of scale in production can be fully exploited. The production capacities of individual producers abroad must, of course, be taken into account.
Challenges of manufacturing abroad
Long lead times and production times: Manufacturing abroad can be a lengthy process, both in the planning and production phases and in the transport of finished products. These delays can slow down the launch of new products and incur significant costs.
Difficulty finding good partners: Especially in the beginning, it can be challenging to find reliable, high-quality production partners. Without an established network, it is difficult to make the right contacts and identify trustworthy manufacturers. Language barriers can further complicate communication.
Uncertainty about quality assurance: Quality assurance is a critical factor in overseas production. Differences in standards and practices can lead to quality issues that are difficult to monitor and resolve if they are only discovered after the products have been shipped.
Complex and expensive processes: Successful production abroad requires a high level of expert knowledge. Designs must be created, fabrics sourced and technical details correctly planned and communicated. The entire process must be understood from start to finish in order to avoid costly delays.
Outsourcing the entire textile production process abroad, particularly to Portugal, offers advantages in terms of costs for large print runs, design freedom and scalability. However, companies should not underestimate the challenges involved, particularly the complexity, long lead times, the search for reliable partners and quality assurance. Careful planning and selection of production partners is crucial to fully exploit the advantages of foreign production while minimising the risks.
Costs, logistics and sustainability: what is best for your collection?
The decision between finishing blanks and complete textile production abroad depends heavily on costs, logistics and sustainability. Both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages, which can vary depending on the specific requirements of a company.
Finishing of blanks:
- Costs: Cost-effective for small/medium quantities
- Logistics: Shorter transport routes
- Sustainability: Lower CO2 emissions
Production abroad:
- Cost: Cheap for large quantities
Logistics: Longer transport routes
Sustainability: Depends on the country of production
Which is cheaper? Finishing blanks or in-house production?
Finishing of blanks: Finishing blanks can be more cost-effective, especially for small to medium quantities or custom designs. Local sourcing and finishing eliminate high transport costs and import duties. The initial investment is lower, as no comprehensive production infrastructure is required. Even for large print runs, the use of blanks offers economic advantages through consistent quality and economies of scale.
Complete production abroad: For very large quantities, complete production abroad can be more cost-effective for experienced companies. Countries such as Portugal offer an inexpensive option for manufacturing high-quality textiles in large quantities thanks to established production facilities and lower labour costs. However, the costs of international shipping, customs duties and potentially longer delivery times must be taken into account. Production abroad often involves large initial investments, e.g. to prepare the production facility (set-up costs).
Logistics and fulfilment of refined blanks and in-house productions
Finishing of blanks: Local finishing offers advantages in logistics and fulfilment. Shorter transport routes mean that products can be delivered more quickly and flexibly. This enables a rapid response to market changes and customer requests. In addition, transport costs are lower and the environmental impact is reduced.
Complete production abroad: Logistics for foreign production can be more complex and time-consuming. Longer transport routes and customs clearance can extend delivery times and reduce flexibility. Careful planning and a good logistics network are necessary to overcome these challenges.
