Pattern Making and Marking Services Expanded

Style Source Inc has expanded its service offerings to now include apparel contract pattern making and marking. Our development department utilizes TukaTech CAD, which, as an open system, can be translated both to and from any existing CAD software. Our patternmakers are production oriented, and we also will provide sewn samples as an additional service (first samples for fit and construction only, NOT sales samples). If you are unsure as to whether you will be able to meet our custom private label custom apparel minimums or just need to bring your sketches to life, you may opt to select these services on a straight rate contract basis. With our own production as a backdrop, it is obvious why it makes sense to utilize these services through our company versus utilizing a pattern maker who strictly makes patterns. Having ongoing feedback from a production process allows for a deeper understanding of the nuances that must be accomodated with certain fabrics and sewing processes. This experience helps guide our proficiencies. Feel free to inquire with us!

Maternity to Infant to Adult Apparel..even Pet Clothing!

Style Source Inc manufactures a full range of custom private label apparel. We produce custom maternity dresses, belly supports and nursing tops and gowns. We have produced custom wicking sleepwear in nightshirts, gowns and pajamas. We service a broad range of knit infant apparel including knit hats and bibs. We produce custom private label childrens clothing with expanded capabilities in our overseas apparel manufacturing facilities. We have produced pet apparel, including dog tee shirts and dog sweatshirts and many novelty sewn products. Recent interest in natural fibers including organic fabric, bamboo blends and pima cotton fabrics have been serviced with both 100% made in USA as well as less expensive versions using imported yarns formed and finished in the USA. Another trend in performance fabrics has us producing custom performance apparel in a range of blends including nylons, polyesters and value added agents that add enhanced anti microbial, anti bacterial, thermal regulation, compression and anti odor. Our versatility with private label clothing production allows for one stop shopping, from pattern design to packaged finished product. Join our family of interwoven companies that share a mutual regard for excellence in product, service and relationship!

Circular Knit 100% Cotton Fabrics Our Specialty

Style Source Inc offers 11 basic 100% cotton knit fabrics for sale in 7 base colors with minimums as low as a single roll! We offer jersey fabrics in both open end and ring spun in several weights, 1x1 100% cotton rib fabrics, french terry, fleece, super soft interlock, baby rib and 2x1 rib. We will custom produce or source virtually any circular knit fabric, including cotton/spandex, bamboo blends, modal, organic cotton or performance fabrics. We will also custom color your textiles at dyelot minimums that begin at 400 yards. Call us for a swatch card and price quotation at 910-399-2288.

Custom Printed Tees and Relabeling Services Offered

Style Source Inc has been servicing the high demand for custom re-labeled and branded apparel for years. Many start ups find the best avenue for creating branded tees is to utilize the buying power and technical resources of our printables department. We provide plastisol, digital (light colored garments only) or heat transfer capabilities as well as rhinestone applications. Our low 144 piece minimums per print (or embroidery!) allow for multiple styles to receive the same graphic image. Our relabeled tee shirt program has a 244 piece minimum and includes removal of the previous logo label and replacement through single needle stitching . We also produce custom hats as low as 48 piece minimums through our affiliation with a Vietnamese company who excels at embroidered or printed custom colored headwear. Those seeking private label printed tees need only give us a call at 910-399-2288!

Quality Custom Polo Shirts Our Import Specialty

Style Source Inc has been importing quality apparel for over 5 years now, and we are fortunate to have partnered with one of the finest placket shirt producers in the world. We produce custom private label apparel from all over the world, but our primary golf shirt supplier is based in Hong Kong with the largest factory in Macau. We have access to a huge assortment of fabrics and can custom manufacture stripes or patterned fabrics to your designs and colorways. We offer logoized taping, custom hang tags, embroidery, custom stamped buttons, and superb stitching detail. We will produce your logo label in the base fabric of your choice, either printed or woven. Garment measurement specifications may be set by the customer, or we can suggest sizing and provide graded specifications for approval. Packaging is typically individual fold in a plastic bag with a SKU sticker, but you may specify virtually any alternative. We typically use plied yarns for improved uniformity and sheen. We will match any color, and provide lab dips for your approval. Our minimums begin at a low 1200 units, 600 per colorway.

We also have a superb relationship with a large vertical producer of knit apparel in Honduras. For larger, ongoing programs we offer conceptualization through finished product vertical services. For those seeking an import apparel program that is managed by highly technical tenured textile and apparel professionals you need look no further.

Many have asked if we are simply an import agent. The answer to that question is found in the level of services we provide as part of the import experience. We assist in the formation of technical specification packages and have two full time pattern makers on staff. We have established rigorous quality sampling and control procedures that insure the correct colors, needlework, sizing, findings, and every detail. On most programs we quote LDP pricing (exclusive of freight) and handle all logistics to your door.

Style Source is your source for custom private label imported apparel, and provides the added benefit of domestic custom apparel manufacturing for those programs that warrant the made in USA label.

Now is the Time

Are you wondering how you could possibly launch a made in USA custom apparel line in todays economic environment? A custom private label line can begin with something as simple as a custom printed tee shirt to producing private label childrens apparel. Custom apparel manufacturing does not require a huge investment per se, but it does require adequate research into the channel of distribution as well as competitor price points and cash flow planning. Style Source Inc has always serviced start up apparel lines and will support your initiative within the confines of industry minimums. Feel free to call us to discuss your thoughts. Take full advantage of the discount code on our home page for purchasing the Fashion For Profit series of books and CD's. They are instrumental in understanding the fundamentals to getting an apparel line started. Your dream of custom private label production will require a great amount of energy on your part. Put the Style Source team on your team, and we will endeavor to fulfill your custom apparel manufacturing needs as your industry partner.

Cotton Pricing Soaring, Adding to Industries Miseries

Compounding the ongoing issues with price escalation due to the lagging dollar and rising petroleum related pricing comes news that cotton futures have reached a price level not seen for the past 7 years. From mid-year 2007 to now pricing has increased 65%, from $.55/lb to $.90. Much of the blame was being placed on Chinas growth and demand for fiber, but more recently has been impacted by the speculation market, which has driven nearly all grain and fiber pricing higher as plantings for bio-fuels increase, taking the place of commodities like wheat and cotton. The impact is being felt at the grocery stores as well as at the mills, who have been reluctant to pass on increases but have no place to go with this type of escalation than to push it forward. Basic 18/1 cotton yarn has risen from mid $.80s to the $1.05-$1.10 range, with another increase in the horizon. Yarn producers have taken a big part of the increase on the chin, but that can't hold for long.

Style Source uses cost averageing to accomodate yarn market fluctuations. We have not had a wholesale price increase for 3 years. This has been accomplished by planning for increased pressure and insuring our structure is resilient enough to accomodate market disturbances. We all have limits ,however, and further escalations of material costs may have us pointing back to this blog with a deep sigh.

SLIDE OF THE DOLLAR IMPACTSAPPAREL IMPORTS

As an extension to my previous blog, we are now 5 months later and have seen further erosion of the dollar. Since December, the dollar has devalued from 10-18% against most worldwide currencies. This is a triple whammy. First, everything imported costs more just due to the exchange rate. Second, oil pricing is dollar based, so everything related to petroleum(transportation, synthetic fibers, plastics etc) are rising in cost. Third, many nations are turning their attention to Eur-Asian countries and domestic markets, shying away from the dollar altogether. Exacerbating the issues, Chinas recent labor law changes have forced many layoffs and factory closings. Additionally, the Chinese government has regulated the flow of loans to higher tech, higher wage industries and away from apparel. This has caused a reduction in capital expenditures and the closing of many companies that cannot obtain needed funding. Eyes are turning back to our domestic market, of which the decimation of years of unfair trade laws have left a shadow of mills and capable LEGAL sewing factories. I emphasize legal, as as many as 70% of all small sewing factories left would be found in violation of OSHA , labor laws or workers comp accredidation. This is the natural consequence of haveing to try to compete against low wage countries that have little regulation or labor laws.

Style Source Inc works only with certified compliance factories, and has weathered alot of the storm. Our private label apparel manufacturing, custom apparel design, apparel pattern making and marking services and custom screen printing and embroidery services continue to provide our custoers with creative energies to enter the apparel field at the most reasonable possible thresholds. Call us at 910-399-2288 to discuss your needs, whether domestic or overseas.