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What Happens in a Clothing Factory?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

A clothing factory is a facility designed to produce mass quantities of apparel. At most clothing factories, there are designated areas where various designs of clothing are produced, and garments will be organized according to color, design, and size. Various phases of garment production will take place to create custom-made garments and ready-to-wear styles. The use of computers, technical equipment, and machines will help factory workers complete their tasks. A management office will be designated to plan logistic strategies.

The production of clothing is not the only activity at a clothing factory. Most clothing factories have an office where administrative work can be accomplished. Factory managers generally have strategies for efficient operation, typically referred to as systematization. Managers and supervisors often oversee factory workers to ensure they are competing tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Management may also use a checklist to ensure proper materials are on hand and ready for production.

Clothing factories produce apparel, which is then sold in stores.
Clothing factories produce apparel, which is then sold in stores.

Clothing designers may work to create fashions inside a clothing factory. Designers often work in a special room or office, or a designated closed area inside the factory. Here, they create blueprints and designs with computer graphic programs or freehand sketching. They may also work with the technical crew to understand how the equipment is being used to produce the clothing.

Clothing factories inspect seams for quality control.
Clothing factories inspect seams for quality control.

Typically, factory workers begin their task with a set of clothing designs. The first step in the production process will take place inside a sewing room. Often, the clothing factory workers will create swatches or samples of a garment. Garment samples created from the designer's specifications may be presented to clients for their approval. If requested by clients, workers may perform modifications.

Clothing factories examine fabric swatches or samples, during decision making.
Clothing factories examine fabric swatches or samples, during decision making.

A garment finishing procedure known as wet processing may also take place at a clothing factory. A special color-dying process will enhance the fabric's appearance and texture, and is often necessary to preserve the life of the garment. Popular garment finishes include wrinkle-free and fire-retardant solutions. Seam engineering is another vital job in clothing factory manufacturing.

Garment manufacturers are often located in Asian or South American countries.
Garment manufacturers are often located in Asian or South American countries.

Quality control management will typically inspect the work that has been completed at a clothing factory. These workers are often referred to as quality assurance inspectors and they perform a stringent series of tests to be sure the garments meet production standards. Quality control may visit several garment factories within a district or be limited to one clothing factory.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

If you have ever noticed that two shirts or two pairs of pants look identical even though they are different brands then you should know that some clothing factories make the same items for different customers. They just change the symbols -- a bear instead of a horse or whatever animals are associated with the particular companies.

Drentel

I have worked in a couple factories for short periods, and like @Feryll said, the management at these places don't always follow the rules when it comes to fire hazards and worker safety. In both of the places where I worked, it was common knowledge that many workers were stealing.

One of the factories where I worked put labels in clothing and shipped the clothing to stores and other outlets. All of the exits in the factory except for two were always locked. This was done so that no one could leave the building without passing by the main office or the security guard's station.

The doors would be unlocked when the inspectors came out to see the factory and do their evaluations.

Feryll

Some of these clothing factories are not very safe. I have seen numerous news reports about fires that have killed workers in clothing factories. In one of these fires the emergency exits were blocked and some of the exit doors were chained and locked. And these conditions are true for some factories in most countries, not just poor countries.

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    • Clothing factories produce apparel, which is then sold in stores.
      By: adisa
      Clothing factories produce apparel, which is then sold in stores.
    • Clothing factories inspect seams for quality control.
      By: Eky Chan
      Clothing factories inspect seams for quality control.
    • Clothing factories examine fabric swatches or samples, during decision making.
      By: oillio29
      Clothing factories examine fabric swatches or samples, during decision making.
    • Garment manufacturers are often located in Asian or South American countries.
      By: xy
      Garment manufacturers are often located in Asian or South American countries.