Making the Most of Garment-Making Supplies

Find new products and services to boost your garment making supply sales

When it comes to making the most of garment-making supplies, offering new products and inspiring your customers to experiment with new techniques is the key to consistent sales. By becoming an expert with a variety of equipment, you’ll be able to sell the garment making accessories and the supplies to go with them.

Whether you primarily sell shirt making supplies, industrial equipment or sewing tools for home crafters, making the most of garment-making supplies in your business will help your bottom line. When showcasing these supplies, consider the following ways to increase your business:

1. Diversify your product offerings by finding new wholesale sources for everything from innovative garment making machines to textiles and trims.

2. Uncover new ways to use and merchandise garment manufacturing supplies by attending classes and seminars for the apparel industry.

3. Offer supplementary tools that can also boost sales of your clothing making supplies such as clothing design software and patterns.

 

Expand your customer base with supplies for making clothing that can generate additional sales

If you find your customers repeatedly asking for equipment or supplies you don't carry, consider expanding your selection through new sources of wholesale garment making supplies. Offer a small selection of popular textiles and trims, for example, or include new cutting tools with your lineup of sewing and pressing machines. Although it's good to specialize, adopting a little "one-stop shop" mentality can boost your bottom line.
Try: Get new industrial sewing machines and related equipment like cloth cutters, die cutting machines and pressing tools through C.H. Holderby. Alternately, New England Quilt Supply offers wholesale-only fabric, books, patterns and other garment making.

Learn new garment manufacturing supply techniques to teach your customers and boost your expertise

Becoming proficient with the features of products like industrial sewing machines, software or shirt maker supplies will not only make it easier to answer questions, but also open up new revenue streams. For example, use the skills you learn through workshops to create in-store or online classes to teach your customers techniques that will also encourage them to buy innovative new tools and related supplies.
Try: Check out the seminars offered through the Embroidery & Direct-to-Garment Extravaganza, including software tutorials, merchandising ideas and machine maintenance. Workshops presented by Fashion Business Inc. (FBI) covers everything from apparel manufacturing, to garment making accessories, to the digital garment and software training.

Increase sales by offering garment supplies like design software that will spur additional purchases

Helping your customers take the next step in their business or design careers can pay off with repeat business as they seek additional equipment to support their new endeavors. By selling and demonstrating different tools like design software, instructional videos or pattern making supplies, you can boost sales and encourage your customers' creativity.
Try: Get design aids and supplies for making clothing through Cochenille. Items include design software, instructional videos, books and clip art collections. The software and tools offered by OptiTex can help designers create patterns and experiment with new garments on virtual models.

 

• Attend apparel industry trade shows to discover impressive clothing designers in your area. Invite them (or equipment manufacturer representatives) to conduct in-store workshops to demonstrate the latest techniques with your garment-making supplies, software and accessories.

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