Cut Make Trim (CMT) and Full Package Production (FPP) are the two most common types of clothing manufacturers. 

Drawing from what I’ve learned working for 15+ years in the apparel industry, I’ll tell you all you need to know about them. Plus, we’ll go through the two lesser-known types, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) 

I’ll share the advantages and disadvantages of each type and help you decide why (or why not) to work with them. Whether you’re a startup clothing brand or a freelance fashion designer looking for a manufacturer for your clients, this guide is perfect for you.

What is Garment Manufacturing?

Garment manufacturing is the process of producing clothing products. It has several steps, including design, development, pattern making, material sourcing, cutting, sewing, finishing, and delivery. Clothing manufacturing can be a huge and complex process, so if you want to learn more about it first, I have a Step-by-Step Guide on the Production Process in Garment Manufacturing. 

Some manufacturers handle everything, while others focus on specific services. 

Types of Clothing Manufacturers

1. Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) Manufacturer

In CMT Manufacturing, the clothing manufacturer does 3 things for you: cutting the fabric (cut), sewing (make) the garments, and adding necessary trimmings (trim). In this set-up, the fashion brand is responsible for providing the materials and patterns. Essentially, you’re asking the manufacturer to “put together” the pieces you’ve supplied.

Pros of working with a CMT Manufacturer:

Opting for a Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) Manufacturer gives you more control over the production of your garments as you’re in charge of things like material sourcing and pattern development. CMT Manufacturers also often accept lower Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) compared to FPPs so it’s ideal for clothing brands who are not aiming to produce a huge quantity of garments.

If you already have connections to resources and suppliers, CMT can be a less expensive option because you, as the freelancer or brand owner, are responsible for coordinating everything.

Cons of working with a CMT Manufacturer:

To go with CMT, you need your own pattern maker and material suppliers. On top of that, you need to manage coordination among them. This means any delays or issues with supplied materials can disrupt your production schedule and affect overall timelines. 

There are a lot of moving pieces and parts to coordinate, and if you opt for a CMT, you will be doing a tremendous amount of work to ensure everything comes together and timelines align.

Most CMT Manufacturers are also smaller, so if your brand grows, you might need to switch to a larger Full Package Production (FPP) Manufacturer for better capacity. 

All that to say, choosing CMT works better for those who are already familiar with garment manufacturing, have trusted suppliers, and can create production-ready patterns. 

2. FPP (Full Production Package) Manufacturer

FPP is a one-stop shop for all of your garment production needs. In this type of clothing manufacturing, the manufacturer handles the entire production process, from sourcing materials to final packaging of the garments. Basically, FPP Manufacturers can do everything a CMT Manufacturer offers and more, including the following:

• Design + Development
• Fabric Sourcing
• Pattern Making
• Cutting
• Sewing
• Finishing
• Quality Control
• Packaging

Pros of working with an FPP Manufacturer:

Opting for a Full Package Production (FPP) Manufacturer is highly beneficial for fashion brands who are new to the production process. FPP Manufacturers handle the entire production process, providing a hassle-free experience for brands and allowing them to focus on other aspects of their business.

Some FPP manufacturers can offer full guidance and expertise including helping out with tech packs and recommending suitable materials for your designs. It’s also helpful that you’d only need to interact with one entity throughout the garment production process as compared to having to handle multiple suppliers and manufacturers. 

Cons of working with an FPP Manufacturer:

While FPP Manufacturers offer convenience, it also means less control over each step of the process. As FPP manufacturers typically handle a large number of customers and orders, customization options are restricted, so this can be challenging for brands with unique requirements. Materials and trims like labels may also be limited as FPP manufacturers typically handle material sourcing and have limited options. 

Another consideration is the potentially higher initial setup costs associated with FPP apparel manufacturing, which could be a hurdle for small businesses. FPP Manufacturers often enforce strict Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) that require brands to make a substantial initial investment upfront.

FPP can be more expensive since you’re paying for the convenience of everything done for you.

3. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) vs. ODM (Original Design Manufacturing)

Under the umbrella of FPP Manufacturing are two other types of clothing manufacturers: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturing). These two types also offer all the services that an FPP Manufacturer would, with the exception of one thing – the amount of control you get over the garment designs. 

In OEM, the manufacturer produces goods based on your provided specifications. The client supplies the design, and the manufacturer manages the entire production process, from fabric sourcing to finishing, similar to how an FPP Manufacturer operates. 

Conversely, ODM involves manufacturers offering pre-designed items that you can customize to some extent. This customization, often called white-labeling, may include tweaking details like trims, labels, and branding/logos. Some ODMs also offer private label agreements. This arrangement prevents the manufacturer from selling the exact design to other brands (for a specified fee), ensuring your design remains exclusive to your brand.

Choosing the Right Type of Clothing Manufacturer for Your Fashion Brand

FPP provides an end-to-end solution, streamlining the process, while CMT empowers you with control and flexibility over materials and design. 

Here’s a summary of each type of clothing manufacturer to help you decide the best fit for your fashion brand:

How to Find a Clothing Manufacturer

Finding a reliable clothing manufacturer makes all the difference in your fashion brand’s success. I’ve written a comprehensive free guide on how to find a clothing manufacturer that covers everything you need to know. I’ve also included a FREE sourcing sheet so you can compare prospect manufacturers with ease.

And if you want to explore alternative options, I’ve also crafted this guide on the differences between clothing manufacturers and clothing distributors. I made these resources to help you make informed decisions when finding trusted partners for your product development.