why do you need to consider the cost of dye when choosing materials for clothing course hero

by Jackeline Nienow 6 min read

 When choosing materials for clothing you should consider the cost of dye because there are different types of dye and because of that there are a few things to take into consideration. For example, availability, number of different colors, and the type of ingredients.

Full Answer

Why are dyeing fabrics so expensive?

This increases your overall production quantities, hence, increases your production costs. Then there’s the added cost of the type of dye that’s used. Although most brands currently still use conventionally dyed fabrics, more and more brands are switching to naturally dyed fabrics.

Do brands still use conventionally dyed fabrics?

Although most brands currently still use conventionally dyed fabrics, more and more brands are switching to naturally dyed fabrics. Natural dyeing can easily cost 2x to 4x more than conventional dyeing costs.

What factors determine clothing production costs?

The manufacturer that is contracted, the complexity of your clothing designs, the supplier that your fabrics and materials are purchased from, the fabrics and materials that you choose to use, and how you decide to embellish your fabrics all play a role in determining your final production costs.

Why do clothing manufacturers charge different prices for different styles?

This means that the more complex your clothing’s styling and designs are, the more they will charge for it’s production time. Oftentimes, manufacturers are interested in simple clothing with large quantities because it keeps their factory busy and they can meet their sales targets more easily.

Why do manufacturers need to prepare a certain amount of dye to achieve the exact colour you need?

Because of this, manufacturers need to prepare a certain amount of dye to achieve the exact colour you need – depending on the fabric. To reduce waste, they will expect to consume all of the dye they’ve made. This means the amount of fabric that’s needed to consume all the dye is calculated as your new MOQ.

Why are manufacturers interested in simple clothing?

Oftentimes, manufacturers are interested in simple clothing with large quantities because it keeps their factory busy and they can meet their sales targets more easily.

How are clothing manufacturers different from each other?

Every clothing manufacturer in the world is different from one another. Every supplier charges for their fabrics and materials differently. Clothing manufacturing companies operate in different countries and under different regulatory environments. They have different policies from one another.

What are the materials used in clothing?

Materials. Just imagine the sheer number and varieties of buttons, zippers, clips, clasps, grommets, draw strings, nuts, bolts, sequin, jewels, straps, bands, and whatever other materials that are used in clothing manufacturing. But just like fabrics, there are also varying qualities of each.

Can all garments be made with the same sewing machine?

Also, the equipment they have impacts what they choose to or can produce. Meaning, not all garments can be produced with the same sewing machine. In summary, your production costs will always be dissimilar from one manufacturer to another.

Can you choose which printing method to use?

But you may not always be the one to choose which fabric printing method gets used. For example, some designs are so complex, with such a wide range of colours, that only digital printing can be employed. Also, your fabric choice can dictate which printing method will be used, which also impacts your costs.

Why are natural dyes so difficult to produce?

It can be difficult to produce because the availability of raw materials can vary from season to season, place, and species, where as synthetic dyes can be produced in laboratories all year round. Harmful Effects – Natural dyes can also be harmful to some extent.

How much natural dye is needed to dye a pound of cotton?

For instance, one pound of cotton may be dyed with just five grams of synthetic dye, whereas 230 grams of natural dye are needed to dye the same amount of material.

Why are natural dyes good for the environment?

Advantages of Natural Dyes. Minimal Environmental Impact – Because they come from natural sources, natural dyes are not harmful to the environment, which makes it so appealing for consumers. Natural dyes are biodegradable and disposing them don’t cause pollution.

What are some examples of mordants used in natural dyes?

Example of mordants used in natural dyes are aluminum, copper, iron, and chrome. Sustainability – While natural dye sources are renewable, sustainability can still be an issue for natural dyes because producing them require vast areas of land.

Where do natural dyes come from?

Natural dyes, as the name suggests, come from sources found in nature such as plants, animals, fruits, insects, and minerals. If you’re thinking about using natural dyes for your business, you need to weigh its pros and cons before you decide.

Is natural dye good for business?

Just like all things, using natural dyes has advantages and disadvantages. The right decision between choosing to use them for your business or not will depend on a lot of factors, most of which has to do with your needs and goals. Consider its impact on the environment.

Is bloodroot a natural dye?

Bloodroot, another natural dye source, can cause irritation and inflammation when inhaled. More so, natural dyes may need mordants for application. While these substances help the dye stick to fabrics, they can also be toxic. Example of mordants used in natural dyes are aluminum, copper, iron, and chrome. Sustainability – While natural dye sources ...

How to choose a suitable fabric for a specific end use?

To choose a suitable fabric for a specific end use calls for basic knowledge in fabric construction and types of fabrics available in the market. Fabrics are produced mostly from yarns. Few fabrics are directly produced from fabrics. Fabrics are made from yarns and are constructed mostly either by weaving or knitting.

Why is fabric selection important?

In dressmaking and designing, fabric selection is vitally important and integral part. Different fabrics for required for different ages, purposes, and occasions. Wedding dress, uniforms, undergarments, casual wears all require a different kind of fabrics and at times a combination of many. By Textile School Last updated Mar 14, 2019.

What is a fabric made of?

Fabrics are made up of fibres. These fibres have either been twisted into yarns and then knitted or woven together to make a length of the fabric, or they have been formed into a web and heat pressed or glued together as a non-woven fabric. Fabric can be made up of one or more fibres and could have a special finish applied.

What is fabric specification?

A fabric specification is a detailed list of the requirements for the fabric of a particular product. This is often written by the manufacturer rather than the designer so that the designer understands the limitations when selecting fabrics for the prototype.

How are nonwoven fabrics made?

Non-woven fabrics are made in two main ways: they are either felted or they are bonded. The fabrics use fibres rather than yarns; these are laid randomly or in a uniform way to make web-like layers. They are held together by either the felting or bonding process.

Why are laces so expensive?

Laces are developed for beauty and adornment. Lace which looks so delicate is made out of strong yarns looped or twisted together in a more complicated manner than any other methods of construction. Thus they are expensive too. They are manufactured in many widths, shapes and in the limitless variety of patterns.

Why are photochromic fabrics used in the military?

These are particularly good for military use, to reduce the need for camouflage net or change of uniform.