Flow Chart of Garment Manufacturing Process:

Garment manufacturing is a huge process. All operations are done in different departments in
garment industry. It is not possible to describe briefly about apparel production. Garment
manufacturing is a sequential processes such as designing, sampling, laying, marking, cutting,
stitching, checking, finishing, pressing and packaging etc. In this process, raw materials convert
into finished products. I will describe all operations of garment manufacturing step by step in
section wise.

Flow Chart of Garment Manufacturing Process:

Design

Sample

Pattern

Pattern Grading

Marker Making

Spreading Fabric

Cutting Fabric

Sorting out & bundling cut fabric

Print/ Embroidery
↓

Assembling the part by sewing

Sewing quality inspection

Ironing/ Pressing

Hand Tag/Label

Final Inspection

Packing

Size wise cartooning

Cartoon Inspection

Warehouse

Shipment

Garment manufacturing process in different departments of garment industry are described

below:

Sample Section:

There are many types sample are needed when garments are going to make a product.
Types of sample:

1. First pattern sample

2. Development sample
3. Second pattern sample
4. Counter sample
5. Salesman sample
6. Photo sample
7. Approval sample
8. Pre-production sample
9. Production sample
10. Shipment sample

Types of sampling with their details:

1. First pattern sample:

A design given by buyer and make it physical version of the garment.

Here are some criteria to develop a first sample. They maintain sequence to develop it.

Thinking of a design

Draw in CAD

Pattern

Sample

2. Development Sample:

Which sample are developed by sample section from primary pattern sample.

3. Second Pattern Sample:

Usually designer/ developer always ask for some changes to the first pattern. Second pattern is
made as per comments.

4. Counter Sample:
Where first pattern is made on designers artwork, Counter sample is to make not on designer’s
artwork, has to follow another sample given by the merchandiser.

5. Salesman Sample:

Salesman Sample is made when PRICE is confirmed and order are on speculation. Buyer held a
meeting with its customer and record their response on order quantity per COLOR, SIZE etc. and
finally plac order to their vendor.

6. Photo Sample:

Photo samples are made with actual color and material to be worn by models on the event of
SHOOTING for catalog.

7. Approval Sample:

It is sent to buyer for his APPROVAL of the conformity that the revision is done correctly. If
any fault found then the sample go back to garments.

8. Pre-Production Sample:

When the production accessories come to the garments for the production then garments makes a
sample for a buyer. Which is called pre-production sample.

9. Production Sample:

Assurance to the buyer that the bulk is being produced as per specifications.

10. Shipping Sample:

This sample send to shipping inspector. Who give the product to the buyer. It is important
sample because of shipping inspector give a note to buyer as sample base.
Fig
: Garment sample section

Sample making procedure:

There are many types of procedure to make sample. But in my garments, they follow this type
procedure. I am giving a flow chart to making sample in my garment manufacturing industry.

Thinking and Sketch

Material and 1st Pattern

Photo type sample and give the sample to buyer

Take the buyer comments

Dummy

↓
Approval For Production

Take the buyer comments

Bulk production

Send Photo, Sales man, shipping sample

Production Sample

Send to the Garments

Cutting Section:

Fabric is a single piece of sheet. When we need garments then we need to cut. Cutting is final
step of sample, marker and fabric spreading. Because next process is sewing. When sewing starts
then other process also starts.

There are many types of cutting process but in Bangladesh almost everyone uses a same process.
And this is manually process. Cutting master cut the fabric by hand cutting machine. There is a
big long table where cut the fabric.
Fig
: Garment cutting section

Maker paper kept up on the fabric surface, and cutting muster follow the line and cut the fabric.

Pattern Making Section:

Pattern making process is drawing or art in a flat paper of flat fabric. Basically, garment
manufacturing industries make their pattern by using flat paper. Because pattern can easily
removable from pattern paper. So, garments industries follow the pattern making process by
using paper. In Divine Textile Ltd, they also make their pattern by using paper. And the paper
name is pattern paper.

Pattern is important because, it is primary stage of a garments making. If pattern is accurate then
the garments should be accurate. Buyers give the size list to the garments, then the garments
follow the size and make the pattern with allowance. Pattern is the big issue for every garment.

Marker Making Section:

Marker is a process where every pattern is kept in a long fabric. And this process factory
minimized the wastage of the fabric before cutting. Marker increase the efficiency of the fabric.

Types of marker making:

1. Manually marker making process

2. Computerized marker making process

1. Manually marker making process:

This is a process where a man done the maker by manually. No computer software is used them.
Basically, who do this process he will be very experienced person, and he know how to do this.
In my garments the maker making process is manually.

2. Computerized marker making process:

This is hundred percent done by computer, by using CAD (Computer aided design) or many
others software.

Effect of Marker Making:

1. Increase efficiency
2. Minimize fabric wastage
3. Maximized using of fabric

Fabric Spreading Section:

In this process fabric laid on a big table which is used for cutting. Fabric spreading is important
because of if fabric do not lay properly then outcome product (after cutting) was not correct. So,
when the fabric go for production then its make difficulties in making garments. So proper fabric
spreading is important for garment manufacturing industry.

When fabric lay properly, they used one kind of clip (Fabric attaching clip) for fixed the fabric.
Marker paper also keep up on the fabric surface. Then they attach the fabric with clip.

Types of fabric spreading system:

1. Automatic
2. Manual

1. Automatic:

When fabric spread by machine on the cutting table then its called automatic fabric spreading.

2. Manual:

When fabric spread by man on the cutting table then its called manual fabric spreading. In my
factory they work in manually.

Cutting Process:

1. Marker Making
2. Fabric Spreading
3. Marker placement
4. Attaching with clip
5. Cut the fabric
6. Numbering
7. Bundling

Heat Cutting system:

When we need to cut non-woven fabric then normal cutting machine is not suitable for cutting,
because non-woven fabric is basically slippery then other fabric. So we need to heat cutting
machine.

Types of cutting process

1. Manual Cutting
2. Heat Cutting
3. Lesser Cutting

1. Manual Cutting:

It is a process which done by man is called manual cutting process. In my garments they cut the
fabric in manual process. Cutting master give the instruction to worker and worker follow the
instruction.

2. Heat cutting:

Basically, a heat machine is used for this process and the machine has copper coil. And
electricity passing the coil and it became hot. Then it cut the fabric. This machine is not suitable
for cloth type fabric, it is used for non-woven fabric.

3. Lesser Cutting:

A lesser light is used for cutting. It is very expensive cutting method but cutting is very effective.

Sewing Section:

Sewing is big important part of a garment’s product. Without good sewing we cannot introduce
our products in worldwide. Sewing is a process where two pieces of fabric are join. Many factors
are related with sewing. (i.e.: Needle size, Machine type, Thread count, Worker capacity,
Production line etc.) So sewing section is not only fabric join, it is core part of a garment
manufacturing industry.
Fig
: Garment sewing section

Elements of sewing:

1. Sewing Machine
2. Needle
3. Thread/Yarn

Sewing Machine:

There are many types of machines are used in Divine Textile Ltd. Every types of sewing
machines are available here. They (my garments) produce jackets, trousers etc so they need
heavy machines for sewing.

List of sewing machine:

1. Plain Machine
2. Overlock machine
3. Bar tack machine
4. Button hole machine
5. Button attaching machine
6. Feed of the arm
7. Kansai
Discuss About Sewing Machine:

1. Plain machine:

Plain machine is basically use for attach two fabric. For long stitch this machine is use. There are
many brands in plain machine. Some is manual and some is automatic. But every machine works
same thing.

Brands:

1. Juki
2. Hakkari
3. Brother

JUKI is a well-known brand in sewing machine. Every company used this machine. Initial power
of machine is very good. This machine origin is China. This machine is manual machine.
Operators need set the machine, because settings are going change when products are changed.

HIKARI is also well-known brand in sewing machine, and this machine is semi-automatic
machine. If one system is input in this machine then no need gives same settings once again.
Every data is stored in this machine. Production rate are automatically calculated in this machine.

BROTHER is a Chinese brand, which produce many textile and other machineries. They made
manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic machines for sewing. But in my garments, they have
used manual machine. This machine is manual but this machine is safe for human. Brother
ensure the workers safety. They introduce many devices in this machine for workers safety.

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Example: if any needle breakdown then machine automatically gives sound. There are many
types of facility in this machine.

2. Overlock machine:

An overlock is a kind of stitch that sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging,
hemming, or seaming. It is very effective machine for garments good, because without
overlocking edge finishing is not to be good. There are many brands available in market but
Divine Textile Ltd. use only one brand for overlock.

3. Bartack machine:

Bartack machine specially use for lock stitch. It contains a needle and a bobbin. It produce high
density lock stitch in short place. In my garments they use bartack machine to stitch the side of
pocket in jacket and pants. Stitch density depends on the GSM of fabric. If the GSM is high then
the stitch density is high, If GSM is low then stitch density is also low.
4. Overlock machine:

This machine basically used for protect the edge of fabric and trim the extra part of fabric. This
machine used when product is done by plain stitch. Five thread are used in overlock stitch
machine. A sharp blade also attaches with the machine. This sharp blade cut the extra part of the
fabric and gives a plain finishing in the garment’s products. This machine is very fast machine so
need good experienced worker to run this machine, otherwise any types of accident can be
happened.

5. Button attaching machine:

This machine basically used for attach button on the jackets or garments goods. It is very high
speed machine and this machine can attach up to 60+ button in a minute. In my garments there
are two types machine. One is plastic or normal button attaching machine another is steel or clip
or tip button attaching machine.

6. Feed of the arm:

Feed of the arm machine is actually a chain stitch machine for chain stitch designs working with
sew and stitch. It contains looper instead of bobbin. By this machine, multi thread chainstitch can
be produced on garments. By this machine, stitch can be produced on heavy fabrics, like denim
or jeans.

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Discuss About Needle:

Needle is an essential product for sewing. Only machine cannot sew without needle. Needle
made by stainless steel with sharp head. In sewing machine, there are different types of needle is
used. In my garments industry I was found three types of needle. Which is used on plain,
overlock and bartack machine. Some needles are quite bigger usually it depends on fabric. If
fabric is courser then need courser needle.

Needle varies machine to machine:

In JUKI sewing machine the needle name is BP. And needle size is 9,11,14,16,18,20

In Sunstar sewing machine they used, DP, and needle size is 9,11,14,16,18,20

In Overlock machine, the needle size is small then stitch machine. Needle size of overlock
machine is DC, 9,11,14,16,18,20

Sewing Process:

In my industry they follow a process to maintain sewing.

↓

Collect fabric from cutting section

Input the fabric into the line

Set the machine settings

Post production meeting

Production line up set

Production Starts

Check goods quality by Sewing Quality Inspector

Fault return to the worker

Output

Quality Section:

Every garment ensures the quality first, because if garments are unable to ensure the quality then
that garments cannot find good consignment in future. In Divine Textile Ltd, 60 people are
worked in finishing. 20 workers are finishing quality inspector, 20 workers are sewing quality
inspector, 10 workers are assistant finishing quality inspector and 10 workers are assistant
sewing quality inspector. And this garments also has inspection room. They provide many high-
tech machines and Quality manager for each buyer.
Fig: Garment
inspection

Work of Sewing Quality Inspector:

Sewing Quality Inspector is a person who check the quality of garments when production is
running in the industry. He/She check the product and detect the fault of the product. If any fault
was found then the inspector directly sends to the senior sewing machine operator and order to
remove the fault from the product. Basically he or she is work for online quality control.

Work of Finishing Quality Inspector:

Finishing Quality Inspector is a person who check the garments products when sewing inspector
transfer to the finishing line. Basically, it is offline quality control and maximum fault was
removed. They check only size label and critical defects (broken needle, insects etc.). They use
metal detector in every product.

Finishing Section:

Finishing department is the department which comes after all the department & it plays an equal
important role in the final appearance of the garments. This department includes majorly of the
following steps.
Fig:
Garment finishing section

Thread Sucking

Remove the extra tread from the garments, and clean the product.

Ironing

Ironing is the use of a heated tool (an iron) to remove wrinkles from fabric. Give the good
finishing in the product. They use steam iron in the jacket. Steam helps to smooth finishing.
Temperature of iron is 80-90 degree Celsius.

Packing Section:

After the passing quality section, our garments are ready for shipment. Before shipment we need
to pack our product. In hare 30 workers and 5 packing managers are work for packing. Packing
style varies buyer to buyer. Then they follow the instructions and pack the goods for the
shipment.
Fig
: Garment packing section

It is easy work but not so easy. First, they pack the product in poly-pack and then they put all
garments in the cartoon. Cartoon size is also given by buyers. And how many pieces are kept in a
one cartoon also give in the order sheet.

Store:

A place where many accessories, trims, fabric and many important elements of garments are
kept. Basically, store are two types, one is normal store and another machine store.

1. Normal Store:

A place where every types of office equipment’s, production tools, accessories and trims are
kept. Every necessary product of garments is stored here. A data man entry the data of the
product, and give the product when anyone need.

List of the product in the normal store:

 Paper
 Pen
 Office Documents
 Previous swatch card
 Button (any types)
 Fabric (any types)
 Label
 Token
 Office stationery
 Needle
 Thread
 Previous Buyers Data
 Zipper
 Garments Accessories
 Garments trims

2. Machine Store:

A place where machine instruments are stored. Every tool of sewing machines are kept here.
When any parts need to change then the mechanic come here and replace the parts from the
machine.

List of the product in machine store:

1. Arm
2. Balance Wheel/Hand Wheel
3. Bed
4. Bobbin Case
5. Bobbin Cover
6. Bobbin Winder
7. Face Plate
8. Feed Dogs
9. Head
10. Needle bar
11. Needle Clamp
12. Pattern/Stitch selector
13. Presser Foot
14. Presser Foot Lever
15. Reverse Lever
16. Slide Plate
17. Spool Pin
18. Spool pin for bobbin winding
19. Stitch regulator
20. Take up Lever
21. Tension Disc
22. Thread Cutter
23. Thread Guide
24. Throat Plate or Needle Plate

Merchandising Section:

Merchandising is an important section in every garment manufacturing industry. In

merchandising section, they communicate with buyers and deals with buyers, and they pricing
the product also they works in shipment too.
Simply merchandiser works with the whole productions of garment manufacturing. He
maintains every single section by own risk. It is very challenging department in garment
manufacturing industries.

Fig: Garment
merchandising section

Works of a merchandiser in garment manufacturing industry:

1. Contact with buyers

2. Invite the buyers in the factory
3. Buyers visit the garments
4. Buyers gives the audit sheet to the merchandiser
5. Resolve the problem, if any fault found
6. Take the product list from the buyers
7. Pricing the products
8. Send to the buyers
9. Fix the pricing from the both side (factory and buyers)
10. Take the sample sheet from the buyer (Primary order sheet)
11. Send to the sample sheet to the sample section
12. Send the sample to the buyer
13. Buyers approval
14. Give the main order sheet to the merchandiser
15. Create Latter o credit (master L/C)
16. Merchandiser create back to back L/C, where accessories comes from.
17. Send a production sample and photo sample of the garments
18. Buyers approval
19. Swatch card making
20. Swatch card approval
21. Take the full production
22. Production follow up
23. Maintain TNA
24. Audit (when production running)
25. Transportation booking
26. Cartoon booking
27. Follow up finishing
28. Follow up packing
29. Shipment the garments
30. Take the full money from the buyers.
31. Send the order sheet in the store (for future)

This is the basic work which I observe in the factory, but they do also some critical works too,
like fabric inspection, machine inspection, compliance inspection etc. Those works are internal,
as a I’m just an intern in this garment manufacturing industry, so I have some restriction to
observe those works.

They work lot in technical and official. And they work for garments and also work for country.

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Hierarchy of Merchandising:

In Divine Textile Ltd, they follow this type hierarchy in merchandising.

Director of Merchandiser

Senior Merchandiser

Merchandiser Officer

Junior Merchandiser

Assistant Merchandiser

↓
Trainee Merchandiser

Intern

Compliance Section:

Divine Textile Ltd is a compliance factory in Gazipur, Dhaka. They ensure the worker safety and
rights of the workers. They maintain the code of conduct (coc). They observe the everything in
the garments manufacturing and maintain the garments.

Compliance works for workers right, so they ensure the legal rights of the worker. There are
many corporations works for compliance. BSCI, WRAP, BOND etc. Compliance audit report
helps in order. Basically, buyers asked for send the compliance report to them. Compliance
report varies country to country. If the buyers are Europe so they want BSCI report. If the buyer
are America then they asked for WRAP report. Divine Textile Ltd. target country in Europe so
they only focused BSCI report.

Rules of compliance:

1. Compensation for holiday

2. Leave with wages
3. Health register
4. Time care
5. Accident register
6. Workman register
7. Equal remuneration
8. National festival holiday
9. Overtime register
10. Labor welfare
11. Weekly holiday fund
12. Sexual harassment policy
13. Child labor abolition policy
14. Anti-discrimination policy
15. Zero abasement policy
16. Working hour policy
17. Hiring /recruitment policy
18. Environment policy
19. Security policy
20. Buyers code of conduct
21. Health and safety committee
22. Canteen

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Factories
Health:

1. Drinking water at least 4.5 L/day/employee

2. Cup availability
3. Drinking water supply
4. Water cooler, heater available in canteen
5. Drinking water signs in native language and English locate minimum 20 feet away from

Work place:

6. Drinking water vassal clean at once in a week

7. Water reserve at least once a week
8. Water center in charge person with cleanliness
9. Suggestion box register

Toilet:

1. Separate toilet for women and men

2. A seat with proper privacy and lock facility
3. Urinal accommodation
4. Effective water sewage system
5. Soap toilet
6. Water tap
7. Dust bins
8. Toilet white washed one in every four months
9. Daily cleaning log sheet
10. No-smoking signs
11. Ladies /gents toilet signs both in native language and English
12. Deposal of wastes and effluent

Fire:

1. Sufficient fire extinguisher and active

2. Access area without hindrance
3. Fire signs in both languages
4. Fire certified personal photo
5. Emergency exit

Safety Guard:

1. Metal glows on good condition.

2. Rubber mats & ironers
3. First aid box one
4. Ironers wearing sleepers
5. First trained employees
6. Motor/needle guard
7. Eye guard
8. Nurse
9. Doctor
10. Medicine
11. Medicine issuing register
12. Welfare officer

Others Facility:

1. Room temperature
2. Lighting facilities