Apparel sourcing from china question

[hussein]

Hi guys, i am new to this and would love some advice of people who have had previous experience. Basically we have been working with a designer who insists that we dont need the .ai files and all manufacturers in china will ask for is JPEG's with the tech packs. Can someone confirm if this is true or not?

 

[MOIC]

Supplying photos or .ai files is hit and miss.

Every fabric is different and the patterns need to address the fabric used, including stretch, shrinkage, the way it is cut, if it can be embroidered on, or printed, as well as any required collars & cuffs, which are of a different fabric and would have to be colour matched when dying.

For a factory to supply a finished sample that ticks all the boxes and is the "perfect" sample will take, on average, 3 samples.

Include the courier costs, back and forth from China to UK and the sampling costs will be expensive.

Better to supply a garment which fits correctly, uses the fabric you want and use this as the template.

Amendments, embellishments, embroidery, printing, grading & personalised packaging and labeling can be added.

Its a tried and tested formula, especially when manufacturing in China.

This is with 30 years experience in this field.

 

[hussein]

Lets say i gave a manufacturer a physical sample i want them to copy... they would still need my design so that they can replicate the fitting and material of the physical sample into my own brand and design so my question really is would JPEG along with a tech sheet be enough to provide to the manufacturer or would they ask for an illustrator file format e.g ai, eps etc...

Thanks in advance

 

[MOIC]

Depends on the factory, their requirements and how much they understand your requirements.

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

It sounds to me that your designer doesn't want to give you the original files in case you get someone else to do the work. I would have imagined that the printing company would need the vector files to print different sizes without loss of quality.

 

[hussein]

Yes thats what i thought, plus some of the ai files that we did manage to get from early stages of the design look so much better in quality than the ones he calls "high definition JPEGS"...

 

[brandy11112]

ai files are better for details.the design may not trust you

 

[Maximum Media Solutions]

You definitely need to get the .ai files, these create vector graphics which can be scaled to any size without loss of quality.

OK high def jpg's will work but at the end of the day you have paid him to design the graphics so you should own them and be able to do what you want with them.

 

[hussein]

Yes i do agree, is there no agents or Chinese clothing manufacturers on this forum who can confirm this?\ Would be much appreciated

 

[MOIC]

I thought I already did.

Depends on the factory, their requirements and how much they understand your requirements.

For the type of factory that will be doing your order, a JPEG file is fine.

Everything is marked & cut by hand.

Your designer is correct.

95% of factories will be happy with this format.

If it was a technical product, which apparel is not, then .ai files will be required, as the likelihood is that a CNC machine will be used.

 

[hussein]

Ok my office in china, i will take your advice on this. Hopefully JPEG's are fine however i am going to try and push my designer for the vector files because i have paid for the work so i should be entitled to it. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[GraemeL]

Thanks for the help guys.

The thanks button is on the bottom right of a post. Looks like an upside down speech box, but is meant to be a thumbs up - I think

 

[MOIC]

The help button

I'm sure you meant the "Thanks" button Graeme!

 

[GraemeL]

Yes, thats what I have said - now I have edited it!

 

[hongfunclothing]

Hi Hussein , if the design is simple , JPG file or original sample is OK , we can use to copy the artwork and print . but if your design is complex , we'll need vector format files , such as AI, CRD, and EPS. these file help to make the printing better

 

[BillWong]

Vector graphics is useful for your supplier on high requirement of definition stuff such as custom print promotion pop up tent.

 

[Ian J]

I found this startup last year that helps retailers and wholesalers connect with bangladesh's apparel industry. Surprisingly im pretty satisfied. They took care of sourcing and production. They even offer quality inspection and shipping logistics. Prices were much lower than the chinese factories i worked with before. If anyone interested checkout their website www. newthread.biz

According to this thread that is your company.

Are you always this deceitful in your dealings?