Question 1

What's the CMT model, and does that affect me?

Accepted Answer

CMT stands for Cut, Make, Trim. It means you supply the fabric and materials, and we handle the cutting, construction and finishing. If you're looking for a manufacturer who sources materials for you too (often called fully factored or full package production), that's not what we do here. We have an article that explains the difference between the two models, where you can also download a free self-assessment checklist to help you decide what's right for you.

Question 2

Do you only work with established brands?

Accepted Answer

No. We work with brands at every stage, whether you've been trading for years or you're just starting out. What matters is the level you're building at, not your trading history. See our About page.

Question 3

Do you do pattern cutting?

Accepted Answer

Not under CMT Studio, that's the focus of our sister business, Pattern Cutting Studio. We do offer Pattern Revision & Toiles here, reviewing and refining a pattern you already have to confirm it's production-ready before anything's cut for real.

Question 4

Will my designs stay confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with multiple brands at once and take the same discretion with all of them, however well known the client.

Question 5

Would you sign an NDA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, though you may not need a separate one. Confidentiality is already covered in our Terms & Conditions. Request a copy by email and check whether that's sufficient before drafting something separate.

Question 6

I can't visit the factory, can I still place an order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Visits are genuinely encouraged, but they're not required. Some of our clients are based in the UAE and the US and have never set foot on the factory floor, and we've built strong, successful working relationships with them all the same.

Question 7

I want a one-off garment made for myself, can you help?

Accepted Answer

We're a B2B manufacturer, so we don't take on individual, personal commissions. That said, get in touch and tell us what you're looking to make, we may well be able to point you toward a manufacturer who's the right fit.

Question 8

How much does this cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the project, so we don't publish one flat number here. Full pricing lives on our Services page.

Question 9

What's your minimum order quantity?

Accepted Answer

There's no minimum for sampling, Pattern Revision & Toiles, or bridal gowns. Every other garment type starts from four pieces per style and colour, and that can be spread across two sizes. Read more about why MOQs exist and why ours stays low.

Question 10

I don't have a tech pack. Can you still help?

Accepted Answer

There's no simple yes or no here, it depends what you've got. Email us everything you have about the project, or book a Discovery Call, either way we need to see your project and materials before we can tell you how much support you'll need to get to a proper tech pack.

Question 11

What happens on a Discovery Call?

Accepted Answer

The purpose is simple: understanding whether we're the right match and whether we can deliver real value for your project. No payment is taken and nobody's pressured to commit on the call itself. If we're not right for each other, we'll either point you toward a manufacturer who is, or simply part ways. It's complimentary, up to fifteen minutes over Zoom. For a full rundown of what to prepare and what to expect, read our guide to your first meeting with a manufacturer.

Question 12

What if I'm not sure whether we're a good match?

Accepted Answer

Take our quiz. It's built to help you figure that out before you even book a call.

Question 13

Can I visit the studio?

Accepted Answer

Yes, visits are welcome and encouraged, for a discovery session, dropping off materials, or quality control. Every visit needs to be scheduled in advance, we don't take walk-ins, and for confidentiality reasons, visitors don't wander freely around the sewing machines while other clients' work is in progress. If you'd rather start with an in-person conversation instead of a Zoom call, that specific option opens up once you're on our newsletter list.

Question 14

What if something goes wrong with my order?

Accepted Answer

Every precaution is taken to deliver your order on time and to your standards. In the unfortunate event we do make a mistake, we correct it at no charge.

Question 15

Can I go straight to production without a pre-production sample?

Accepted Answer

We always encourage sampling first, whether that's with us or another manufacturer, before committing to a full production run. It saves real money in the long run, catching problems while they're still cheap to fix, not once a whole order's already been cut.

Question 16

How does production pricing actually work?

Accepted Answer

Production price gets calculated once your sample is made, and it runs on a sliding scale, the bigger the order, the lower the price per piece. That's why we need your order size, number of colours and number of sizes before we can give you a real number.

Question 17

When you quote sampling or production prices, are they guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

Sampling prices are always estimates. Production prices are locked in and confirmed once your sample's been made, not before.

Question 18

Can you make a free sample?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't offer free sampling.

Question 19

What won't you make?

Accepted Answer

Fur or leather-dominant garments, swimwear, lingerie, and childrenswear. We also don't do traditional tailoring with floating canvas. Leather or PU is workable when it's part of a garment that's mostly textile. If you're not sure whether we're the right fit for what you're making, take our quiz and see.

Question 20

What fabrics do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Fluid fabrics like silk, crepe de chine, cupro and modal, and beaded or embellished materials, including hand-beading. For embellishment work beyond that, we liaise with embellishment factories on your behalf.

Question 21

How long does production take?

Accepted Answer

As a rule of thumb, around six weeks, but every project is different, and we assess timelines case by case once we understand the order. If you need something turned around faster, we can usually turn one urgent sample around in 48 hours, at a 25% surcharge on the standard rate.

Question 22

Do you offer sustainable or ethical manufacturing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Materials, labour practices and supply chain oversight are covered properly on our Sustainability page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garment Manufacturing in London

Working With Us

Pricing and Process

What We Do and Don't Make

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