Section 5: Select Your Factory
In this section, we talk about preparing you for the final step! Let’s get your product produced for the masses.
Get ready for the grand finale of our journey! In this section, we'll prepare you for the exciting final step of bringing your product to life for the masses. Lesson 18 is all about making the crucial decision of choosing the perfect factory to handle the manufacturing process with precision and expertise. In Lesson 19, we'll guide you through the essential steps to prepare for manufacturing, ensuring you have all the necessary documentation and logistics in place. And finally, in Lesson 20, we'll help you shift your role from designer to project manager as you oversee the production process. It's time to turn your creative vision into a tangible reality that will delight customers far and wide. So buckle up, because the final stretch of our journey is filled with valuable insights and practical tips to make your product production a roaring success!
Do you think you are ready for Manufacturing?? Follow the steps below, which are intended to set designers up for success well into the future. If you don’t have these steps completed you are not ready for manufacturing. But don’t worry our program will get you ready.
STEP 1: CLARIFY THE FACTORY’S PRICE QUOTE
When you chose your factory, they probably gave you a price quote. This is helpful, but you need to understand exactly what it covers. You and the factory must be on the same page about labor costs versus materials costs. All factories work differently, so be very clear with them: Does this include fabric and trims?
STEP 2: UPDATE YOUR BOM
If you’ve been following along with me, you’ve been referring to your Bill of Materials (BOM) since Lesson 8. Its purpose is to pull together every single material you’ve been racking up throughout your project.
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In this lesson, you will:
▶ Gather a list of potential factories.
▶ Send an exploratory email to find out their minimums,
pricing, and process.
▶ Follow up with a phone call.
▶ Visit the factory, if possible.
▶ Have them make a counter sample.
▶ Choose your factory and update your Bill of Materials
(BOM).
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In this lesson, you will:
▶ Clarify the factory’s price quote.
▶ Update your BOM.
▶ Calculate your material costs by SKU.
▶ Look at your budget and make changes.
▶ Make final decisions and write your PO.
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In this lesson, you will:
▶ Finish manufacturing and prep for inventory.
▶ Bring your marketing plan into high gear.
▶ Ensure you’ve built an infrastructure for running your business smoothly.
STEP 3: CALCULATE MATERIAL COSTS BY SKU
Your next goal is to look at what it costs you to buy materials for each SKU in your plan. You’ll use this information to make final decisions about what to produce. Remember, it’s not too late to make changes! It’s not uncommon for designers to adapt their plan, after seeing final costs and before submitting a PO to the factory.
STEP 4: LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET AND MAKE CHANGES AS NEEDED
Are you ready for the moment of truth? You now know your total production cost. It’s the figure you get when you add your Total Labor Cost (Step 2) to your Total Cost for Raw Materials (Step 4). Does this cost match your budget? If not, it’s not too late to make changes.
