Production Types Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are the three main types of production within the fashion and textiles industry?
One-off, bespoke production
Batch production
Mass/line production
Tell me about one-off, bespoke production.
Made by an individual (or a very small highly skilled team) from start to finish - traditional methods of manufacture used to produce a single garment or textile product over a number of days or even weeks.
An individual pattern is created and be made and used only once or only in very few times by a skilled cutter to personal body measurements
The items are usually unique and finished to a very high standard. Advice will be given on design, fabric choice, personal body measurement and one off design. As a result they are very expensive because of the labour costs and expensive materials.
This method may be used for theatre costume, suits and haute couture.
Tell me about batch production?
Many items of identical products are produced. They might be made in one run or batches and might be repeated at certain times.
This might be due to seasonal demand e.g. swimwear or fashion wear.
Machines and factory layout may need to be altered as the product line changes which loses time but the production costs are still considerably less than using individual production methods. Skilled workers are required for this production type
Tell me about mass/line production?
A large number of identical products made continuously over a long period of time. The products are usually not too complicated and can be made cheaply. Types of mass production;
Synchronised or straight-line production; each operator does the same task repeatedly before passing the work along the production line
Repetitive flow production; manufacture is divided into sub-assembly lines that concentrate on one area of the process. Semi or unskilled labour can be used to perform highly specific tasks
Continual flow production; this is used for massive volume items where the process runs 24 hours a day and is never shut down. Concentrates on producing simple items very cheaply
What is fast fashion?
Fast fashion is affordable fashion designs seen on the catwalk, which are then quickly manufactured and sold in shops within a very short timescale.
Low prices and high availability fashion brands like H&M and ZARA are common go-to shops when picking out new clothes.
What are some ways to combat fast fashion?
Shop sustainably by buying from brands that have a sustainable approach to production and distribution of their garments
Avoid buying from fast fashion brands
Buy second hand - Vinted, Depop….
Rent/hire clothes
Upcycle clothes
What are the benefits of mass production to the consumer?
- Lots of choice due to quantity produced at only standard sizing
- Cheaper pricing due to poor quality fabrics used, minimal construction techniques, scale of production in the time
- Frequent style changes achieved quickly due to Computer aided technology
- Everyone can by fashionable clothing at reduced costs
- Described as Ready to Wear
What considerations are there for the manufacturer of mass production?
- Loss of revenue if machinery breaks down
- Expensive to set up new production lines
- Staff training / high turnover
- Energy costs
- Large chain stores have become more popular rather than smaller independent stores, so easy outlet for sales
- Pattern pieces are all cut the same so no change can be made to women’s, men’s and children’s wear
What are the environmental aspects to fast fashion?
The fast fashion industry is second only to oil as the world’s largest polluter
Huge water waste
High carbon emissions
Large amounts of landfill waste
Responsible for contamination of oceans, rivers, freshwater sources and soil
The source of approximately 20% of global waste water
