A central question that many companies ask themselves when purchasing textiles is whether they should opt for the finishing of blanks or the complete production of their textiles 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, which serve as a 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 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 nature and processing of the raw material have a direct influence on the end product. In addition to classics, manufacturers of blanks also offer modern cuts and “fits”, which ensure a current 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 current styles.
Blanks are much more than simple blanks; they are the basis for unique and high-quality products. A conscious and quality-oriented selection of blanks is therefore the first step towards great textile products.
Refining blanks
Blank finishing comprises various processes that transform unprinted textiles into unique, appealing products. The most common methods include printing and embroidery. But other techniques for customizing and increasing the value of blanks are also very popular.
Our partner Spreeprint provides a Overview of common finishing methods and their benefits.
Benefits of local finishing of blanks
The local finishing of blanks offers numerous advantages that have a positive effect on quality, production speed and costs:
- Quality Assurance: Blank manufacturers attach great importance to high quality standards. They specialize in textile production and produce 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: In contrast to in-house production, which produces textiles on request, blanks are almost always available. If you need additional textiles, they can simply be reordered from the manufacturer. This flexibility is of great value in the dynamic textile sector. Local processing via service providers also provides quick access to high-quality blanks.
- Great selection and variety: A significant advantage of blanks is the wide range 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 refinement significantly reduces production and delivery times. The lead times for finishing blanks are significantly shorter than for special productions abroad, which enables a quick response to market requirements and customer requests.
- Lower transportation costs: Local refinement makes long transport routes unnecessary. Blank manufacturers have optimized delivery routes from production facilities to central logistics warehouses, which reduces costs and reduces environmental impact. Short delivery routes also mean greater flexibility and faster availability of the finished products.
- Reorders are easily possible: Thanks to the permanent availability of the blanks and the quick processing, reorders can be easily reordered at any time.
- No branding from the manufacturer: Some manufacturers of blanks produce textiles without their own branding, so that they are not recognizable as blanks later on. During the finishing process, you can sew in your own labels and design the textiles completely in line with your brand.
- Selection of high-quality blanks: Providers such as Spreeprint offer an extensive network, a wide selection of high-quality blanks and excellent advice. In this way, you always get the best blanks for your finishing projects.
The local finishing of blanks is therefore an ideal solution for producing high-quality, individually designed 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
Complete textile production abroad, particularly in countries such as Portugal, is a proven approach that has numerous advantages but also some challenges. Portugal has established itself as an important location in the textile industry, known for its high-quality textiles, advanced production methods and well-trained workers. 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 ranging from material procurement to design to manufacturing and quality assurance.
Benefits of manufacturing abroad
Cost efficiency: Despite high quality standards, production costs in countries such as Portugal can often be lower than in western countries. This enables companies to offer competitive prices without sacrificing product quality. Especially for large editions, in-house production can be economical, as you work without an intermediary service provider.
100% own collection: When producing abroad, you have the option of using your own cuts, fabrics and designs. This makes it possible to design textiles exactly according to your own ideas and create something unique.
scalability: In-house production is particularly useful for large editions. 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 production abroad
Long lead and production times: Production abroad can be a lengthy process, both in the planning and production phases as well as in the transportation of finished products. These time delays can slow down the time to market for new products and result in significant costs.
Difficulty finding good partners: Especially at the beginning, it can be a challenge to find reliable and high-quality production partners. Without an established network, it is difficult to make the right contacts and identify trustworthy manufacturers. Language barriers can make communication even more difficult.
Uncertainty about quality assurance: Quality assurance is a critical factor in production abroad. Differences in standards and practices can result in quality issues that are difficult to monitor and fix if they're only discovered after the products have shipped.
Complex and expensive processes: Successful production abroad requires a high level of expert knowledge. Designs must be created, fabrics sourced and technical details must be correctly planned and communicated. The entire process must be known from A to Z to avoid costly delays.
Complete textile production abroad, particularly in Portugal, offers advantages in terms of costs for large editions, design freedom and scalability. However, companies should not underestimate the associated challenges, in particular the complexity, long lead times, the search for reliable partners and quality assurance. Careful planning and selection of production partners is crucial to take full advantage of the benefits of foreign production while minimizing risks.
Costs, logistics and sustainability: Which is better for your collection?
The decision between finishing blanks and completely producing textiles abroad depends heavily on costs, logistics and sustainability. Both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages, which can vary depending on a company's specific needs.
Finishing blanks:
- costs: Cost-effective for small/medium quantities
- Logistics: Shorter transport routes
- Sustainability: Lower CO2 emissions
Production abroad:
- costs: Affordable for large quantities
- Logistics: Longer transport routes
- Sustainability: Depends on the country of production
Which is cheaper? Refining blanks or in-house production?
Blanks finishing: The finishing of blanks can be more cost-effective, especially for small to medium quantities or individual designs. Local procurement and processing eliminate high transport costs and import duties. Initial investments are lower as no comprehensive production infrastructure is required. Even for large editions, the use of blanks offers economic benefits through consistent quality and economies of scale (economy of scale).
Complete production abroad: For very large quantities, complete production abroad can be cheaper for experienced companies. Countries such as Portugal offer an inexpensive opportunity to produce high-quality textiles in large quantities thanks to established production facilities and lower wage costs. However, the costs of international shipping, customs fees and possibly longer delivery times must be taken into account. Production abroad is often associated with major initial investments, e.g. to prepare the production site (set-up costs).
Logistics and fulfillment of refined blanks and in-house productions
Blanks finishing: Local processing offers advantages in logistics and fulfillment. Shorter transport routes mean that the products can be delivered faster and more flexibly. This enables a quick response to market changes and customer requirements. Transport costs are also lower and environmental impact is reduced.
Complete production abroad: The logistics of overseas production can be more complex and time-consuming. Longer transportation routes and customs clearances can extend delivery times and reduce flexibility. To overcome these challenges, careful planning and a good logistics network are necessary.
