#Garment Manufacturing Software

[jasir08]

How to Choose the Best ERP Software in India for Your Garment Manufacturing Business

The fashion industry today is dynamic and highly competitive. Indian garment manufacturers encounter obstacles such as production delays, inventory discrepancies, quality concerns, and inefficiencies within the supply chain. To address these challenges, selecting appropriate garment ERP software in India is crucial. The ideal garment software can optimize operations, boost productivity, and increase profitability.

This article will delve into selecting the most suitable ERP software for your garment manufacturing enterprise and how DoFort Garment Software can fulfill all your operational requirements.

Why Do Garment Manufacturers Need ERP Software?

The garment manufacturing sector is a complex industry that encompasses various processes, including fabric sourcing, design planning, production, quality assurance, packaging, and distribution. Relying on manual management or outdated tools can result in mistakes, delays, and financial losses. Adopting modern ERP software for garment manufacturing in India provides several advantages: centralized oversight of the entire manufacturing process, automation of repetitive tasks, real-time operational visibility, enhanced interdepartmental communication, and minimized material waste and cost overruns. Garment software helps maintain competitiveness in a fast-changing market while ensuring precise and swift responses to customer demands.

Key Features to Look for DoFort Garment ERP Software in India

When selecting ERP software for garments in India, it is crucial to assess the features that correspond with your business requirements. The following are key aspects to consider.

1. Production Planning & Control:

Garment software should provide functionalities for managing production schedules, resource allocation, and job progress tracking. Effective production planning minimizes downtime, prevents bottlenecks, and ensures timely deliveries.

With DoFort Garment Software, you can:

Develop comprehensive production plans

Oversee Work in Progress (WIP)

Monitor job orders and output by shift

Enhance the utilization of machines and labor.

2. Inventory & Material Management:

Inefficient inventory management may result in shortages of fabric or an overabundance of stock. An effective garment ERP software in India ought to provide real-time inventory updates, automate the reordering process, and minimize discrepancies in stock levels.

It should also facilitate the tracking of raw materials and finished products, oversee fabric consumption and waste, establish reorder thresholds and safety stock levels, and integrate seamlessly with purchasing and warehouse management modules.

3. Order Management:

Managing various buyers, each possessing distinct specifications and timelines, presents a significant challenge. Utilizing advanced garment software allows for the seamless management of orders from initial inquiry to final dispatch.

DoFort Garment ERP Software facilitates: Sales order creation with specific style and size details, tracking of order status by buyer, integration with production and dispatch processes, and alerts and notifications for urgent orders.

4. Quality Control (QC):

Maintaining quality consistency is essential in the apparel sector. An integrated quality control module within your garment ERP software in India guarantees that quality assessments are conducted at every phase. DoFort's quality control functionalities encompass: Defect monitoring at each phase (cutting, stitching, finishing), quality control pass/fail documentation, root cause analysis for quality concerns, and integration of the quality control process with production.

5. Financial Management:

The integration of accounts with operational processes is essential. An all-encompassing DoFort garment software must oversee costing, billing, taxation, and profit analysis. DoFort offers: Accounts receivable and payable, GST-compliant invoicing, payroll integration, and budgeting along with cost center management.

6. Reports and Analytics:

To make well-informed decisions, access to data is essential. Robust garment ERP software in India should provide customizable reports and dashboards. With DoFort, you receive: Sales performance reports, production efficiency dashboards, fabric utilization analysis, and buyer order history along with profitability reports.

Why Choose DoFort Garment Software?

DoFort is a prominent supplier of specialized garment software in India. We recognize the intricacies involved in garment production and have developed a strong, adaptable solution customized to meet your requirements.

Built for the Indian Garment Industry:

DoFort garment ERP software in India accommodates various languages, adheres to Indian tax regulations such as GST, facilitates export documentation, and meets the needs of the domestic supply chain.

Simple User Interface:

The software is user-friendly, making it accessible for individuals without technical expertise. Your team can swiftly acquire the necessary skills to operate the platform with little training required.

End-to-End Customization:

Our apparel software can be tailored to fit your operations, regardless of whether you manufacture children's clothing, men's clothing, or uniforms.

On-Cloud or On-Premise:

Based on your infrastructure, you have the option to select a cloud-based solution or install DoFort garment ERP software on your local servers in India.

Secure and Scalable:

The software incorporates inherent security features, including role-based access controls. It is designed to scale alongside your business, accommodating both small enterprises and large multi-factory operations.

Benefits of DoFort Garment ERP Software in India

Indian garment manufacturers benefit from selecting DoFort through enhanced real-time visibility across all departments, improved order fulfillment with reduced lead times, minimized material waste alongside better cost management, swift access to financial, operational, and quality data, precise tracking of production and delivery, heightened transparency leading to greater buyer satisfaction, adherence to export/import regulations and local tax laws, as well as streamlined reporting and audit trails.

Why Indian Garment Businesses Trust DoFort

Indian enterprises prioritize dependability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. DoFort Garment Software has emerged as the leading ERP solution for the garment industry in India, attributed to its extensive industry knowledge, tailored modules for local manufacturers, dedicated support teams, and demonstrated success in numerous garment facilities. Businesses in Mumbai, Tirupur, Delhi, Surat, and Bangalore have undergone significant transformations thanks to DoFort's robust garment software solutions.

In Conclusion:

Choosing the appropriate Garment ERP software for the garment industry in India can revolutionize your business operations. As customer expectations rise and trends shift, traditional manual systems fall short. An advanced, integrated solution such as DoFort enables you to:

Operate seamlessly

Boost productivity without raising expenses

Maintain consistent quality

Make informed, data-driven choices

DoFort Garment Software serves as a comprehensive ERP solution tailored for Indian garment manufacturers. It is essential to move past inefficiencies and harness the advantages of digital transformation.

[theerphubin]

Garmnet Manufacturing Software | #1 Cloud Based ERP for Clothing Manufacturing Industry in India

TheERPHub offers best cloud-based garment manufacturing ERP software, custom-tailored for efficient management of manufacturing processes for garment manufacturers in India.

[roadmaperp-software]

Garments|Textiles|Apparel

Roadmap IT Solutions pioneers in providing Garment ERP Software ,Textile ERP Software,Apparel ERP Software, Garment Manufacturing,ERP for Textiles Manufacturing to digitize the workflow and to empower their businesses to attain global progress

[aydentsoftware]

Garment Software Manufacturing & Services in India

AYD ERP - The Premier Cloud-Based ERP Solution for Apparel Manufacturers & Exporters. Why Choose AYD ERP? With 20+ years of industry experience, we’ve developed a powerful, Cloud ERP that helps you manage every aspect of your export house seamlessly.

[accelontechnologies]

Transforming Fashion & Apparel with ERP The Ultimate Guide to ERP for Footwear and Garment Industry

In today’s fast-paced and competitive fashion and apparel market, companies are under constant pressure to deliver high-quality products, manage supply chains efficiently, and adapt quickly to changing trends. Whether it's a footwear brand launching new seasonal collections or a garment manufacturer scaling production, the need for robust digital solutions has never been greater. This is where ERP for Footwear Industry and garment manufacturing ERP software come into play.

Why the Fashion Industry Needs Specialized ERP Solutions

The fashion and garment industries are unique. They involve complex manufacturing processes, fast-changing designs, multiple product variants, and a demand for real-time inventory management. Generic ERP systems often fall short in addressing these specific needs. A tailored solution like footwear ERP software or garment ERP software is essential for handling:

SKU management for multiple sizes, colors, and styles

Real-time production tracking

Streamlined procurement and vendor management

Efficient warehouse and inventory operations

Demand forecasting and seasonality handling

Key Features of ERP for Footwear and Garment Industries

An ideal fashion ERP is designed to integrate all operational facets into a centralized system. Here are some standout features:

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Manage product design, sampling, and changes across seasons.

Material Requirement Planning (MRP): Control inventory levels while meeting production demand.

Order Management: Automate sales orders from multi-channels – retail, wholesale, and e-commerce.

Production Planning: Optimize manufacturing schedules and track work-in-progress in real-time.

Quality Control: Monitor and maintain consistent product quality across batches.

Costing & Financials: Gain insights into true product costs and profit margins.

Whether you are a shoe manufacturer or a clothing brand, a well-implemented garment ERP software can significantly reduce errors, lower production costs, and improve on-time delivery.

Benefits of Implementing Footwear ERP Software

When you invest in ERP for Footwear Industry, your business gains more than just automation. You unlock strategic advantages that fuel long-term growth:

Improved Time to Market: Launch collections faster by streamlining design-to-production workflows.

Inventory Accuracy: Avoid overstocking or stockouts with real-time inventory visibility.

Better Supplier Collaboration: Manage vendors and track material procurement effortlessly.

Scalable Operations: Expand operations across regions or sales channels without data silos.

Customer Satisfaction: Deliver products on time and with consistent quality, building brand loyalty.

For more services - https://accelontech.com/products/fashionnx-manufacturing-erp-software/

Choosing the Right ERP Solution for Fashion & Apparel

Selecting the right fashion ERP depends on your business needs and growth ambitions. Here are a few factors to consider:

Does the system support multi-size, multi-color product variations?

Can it integrate with your existing POS, e-commerce, or accounting tools?

Does it offer mobile access for on-the-go decision-making?

Is it flexible enough to adapt to your workflow and branding requirements?

Look for industry-specific solutions that offer modules tailored for fashion, such as style-season tracking, sample management, and fabric/trim control.

Conclusion

Accelon Technologies is your go-to solution provider for industry-specific ERP systems. With deep domain expertise, they offer cutting-edge ERP for Footwear Industry, footwear ERP software, garment ERP software, and garment manufacturing ERP software that are purpose-built for fashion brands and manufacturers. Whether you're launching a new label or optimizing a large-scale operation, their solutions help you manage complexity, boost efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve.Future-ready fashion companies trust Accelon Technologies to transform their business with smart, scalable ERP systems. Don’t just keep up with the industry lead it.

[garmentsmantraadv]

Best ERP Software in India for Garment Manufacturers – Streamline Your Operations

Garments Mantra offers the Best ERP software in India for garment manufacturers, designed to optimize your production process and enhance efficiency. Our comprehensive solution covers inventory management, order processing, and real-time data tracking to ensure seamless operations. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, our ERP software helps you stay ahead in the competitive fashion industry. Experience automation, accuracy, and growth with Garments Mantra today!

Visit us for more information-

Name-  Garments Mantra 

Address-Garments Mantra Room No.1, 3rd Floor, 1/3, Block D, Bangur Avenue, Kolkata - 700055

E-mail- hello@garmentsmatra.com

Phone number- 9038730055

Website-  https://www.garmentsmantra.com/ 

[sapience-business-services]

How Sapience Inventory Management Systems Transform Bridal Wear Manufacturing

Bridal wear manufacturing is an intricate dance of creativity, craftsmanship, and logistics. With the wedding industry booming, bridal wear manufacturers face unique challenges in managing their inventory efficiently while ensuring quality, meeting deadlines, and delighting brides-to-be. In this article, we'll explore how implementing an inventory management system can elevate the operations of bridal wear manufacturers and bring a touch of magic to the process with Sapience Inventory Management System for Bridal Wear Manufacturers.

Streamlined Production Processes: Bridal wear manufacturing involves numerous stages, from fabric sourcing and design to production and quality control. An inventory management system streamlines these processes by providing real-time visibility into inventory levels, enabling manufacturers to track materials, monitor work-in-progress, and schedule production tasks effectively. With automated workflows and inventory tracking, manufacturers can minimize lead times and ensure timely delivery of exquisite bridal attire.

Optimized Material Procurement: Fabric and embellishments play a pivotal role in bridal wear, and managing material procurement efficiently is essential to maintaining quality and meeting design specifications. Inventory management systems can help bridal wear manufacturers optimize material procurement by tracking suppliers, monitoring inventory levels, and automating reordering processes. By ensuring the availability of the right materials at the right time, manufacturers can minimize stock outs, reduce material waste, and enhance cost-effectiveness.

Accurate Inventory Forecasting: Anticipating demand and planning production volumes are critical challenges for bridal wear manufacturers, especially during peak wedding seasons. Sapience Bridal Wear Software utilize data analytics and forecasting algorithms to predict demand trends, analyze historical sales data, and generate accurate inventory forecasts. By aligning production with demand projections, manufacturers can avoid excess inventory buildup, optimize resource utilization, and capitalize on market opportunities.

Efficient Order Fulfillment: The personalized nature of bridal wear requires meticulous attention to detail and flawless order fulfillment processes. Inventory management systems facilitate efficient order management by centralizing order information, tracking order status in real-time, and automating order processing workflows. Whether fulfilling custom orders or standard designs, manufacturers can ensure accuracy, streamline production workflows, and deliver exceptional customer experiences that exceed bridal expectations.

Enhanced Quality Control: Quality is non-negotiable when it comes to bridal wear, where every stitch and bead must meet the highest standards of craftsmanship. Inventory management systems enable manufacturers to implement rigorous quality control measures by tracking materials, monitoring production processes, and conducting inspections at each stage of manufacturing. By detecting and addressing quality issues proactively, manufacturers can uphold their reputation for excellence and delight brides with flawless attire on their special day.

Data-driven Decision Making: In the dynamic world of bridal fashion, data-driven insights are invaluable for making informed decisions and staying ahead of trends. Inventory management systems provide manufacturers with actionable data on sales performance, inventory turnover, and customer preferences. By leveraging these insights, manufacturers can identify best-selling designs, optimize inventory assortment, and tailor their product offerings to meet evolving market demands.

Conclusion: In the world of bridal wear manufacturing, where dreams are stitched into reality, inventory management systems serve as the foundation for operational excellence and customer satisfaction. By streamlining production processes, optimizing material procurement, facilitating accurate inventory forecasting, ensuring efficient order fulfillment, enhancing quality control, and enabling data-driven decision-making, these systems empower bridal wear manufacturers to create unforgettable moments for brides-to-be and elevate the art of bridal fashion to new heights of elegance and sophistication. This will also be implemented for garment manufacturing erp.

[centralizedca]

Centralized ERP: Empowering You to Sell Online with Ease"

Centralized ERP is your dedicated partner for simplifying the world of online sales, and we're delighted to introduce solutions that make it easier than ever to "Sell Online Easily." In the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, where agility, efficiency, and seamless transactions are paramount, Centralized ERP's specialized solutions are meticulously crafted to empower businesses to thrive in the online marketplace. Our offerings for "Sell Online Easily" cover a wide spectrum of e-commerce essentials, including order management, inventory control, payment processing, and customer experience enhancement. These tools provide businesses with a streamlined platform to offer products and services online effortlessly. Centralized ERP collaborates closely with e-commerce businesses to understand their specific needs, market dynamics, and regulatory requirements. Our goal is to ensure that our solutions align seamlessly with their vision for success in the online retail arena. Choose Centralized ERP as your e-commerce partner, and let our specialized solutions be the cornerstone of your online sales success. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, deep industry expertise, and a proven track record of successful implementations, we are the ideal choice for businesses aiming to excel in the competitive world of online sales. Let Centralized ERP empower your business to "Sell Online Easily" and thrive in the digital marketplace.

[jasir08]

How to Choose the Best ERP Software in India for Your Garment Manufacturing Business

The fashion industry today is dynamic and highly competitive. Indian garment manufacturers encounter obstacles such as production delays, inventory discrepancies, quality concerns, and inefficiencies within the supply chain. To address these challenges, selecting appropriate garment ERP software in India is crucial. The ideal garment software can optimize operations, boost productivity, and increase profitability.

This article will delve into selecting the most suitable ERP software for your garment manufacturing enterprise and how DoFort Garment Software can fulfill all your operational requirements.

Why Do Garment Manufacturers Need ERP Software?

The garment manufacturing sector is a complex industry that encompasses various processes, including fabric sourcing, design planning, production, quality assurance, packaging, and distribution. Relying on manual management or outdated tools can result in mistakes, delays, and financial losses. Adopting modern ERP software for garment manufacturing in India provides several advantages: centralized oversight of the entire manufacturing process, automation of repetitive tasks, real-time operational visibility, enhanced interdepartmental communication, and minimized material waste and cost overruns. Garment software helps maintain competitiveness in a fast-changing market while ensuring precise and swift responses to customer demands.

Key Features to Look for DoFort Garment ERP Software in India

When selecting ERP software for garments in India, it is crucial to assess the features that correspond with your business requirements. The following are key aspects to consider.

1. Production Planning & Control:

Garment software should provide functionalities for managing production schedules, resource allocation, and job progress tracking. Effective production planning minimizes downtime, prevents bottlenecks, and ensures timely deliveries.

With DoFort Garment Software, you can:

Develop comprehensive production plans

Oversee Work in Progress (WIP)

Monitor job orders and output by shift

Enhance the utilization of machines and labor.

2. Inventory & Material Management:

Inefficient inventory management may result in shortages of fabric or an overabundance of stock. An effective garment ERP software in India ought to provide real-time inventory updates, automate the reordering process, and minimize discrepancies in stock levels.

It should also facilitate the tracking of raw materials and finished products, oversee fabric consumption and waste, establish reorder thresholds and safety stock levels, and integrate seamlessly with purchasing and warehouse management modules.

3. Order Management:

Managing various buyers, each possessing distinct specifications and timelines, presents a significant challenge. Utilizing advanced garment software allows for the seamless management of orders from initial inquiry to final dispatch.

DoFort Garment ERP Software facilitates: Sales order creation with specific style and size details, tracking of order status by buyer, integration with production and dispatch processes, and alerts and notifications for urgent orders.

4. Quality Control (QC):

Maintaining quality consistency is essential in the apparel sector. An integrated quality control module within your garment ERP software in India guarantees that quality assessments are conducted at every phase. DoFort's quality control functionalities encompass: Defect monitoring at each phase (cutting, stitching, finishing), quality control pass/fail documentation, root cause analysis for quality concerns, and integration of the quality control process with production.

5. Financial Management:

The integration of accounts with operational processes is essential. An all-encompassing DoFort garment software must oversee costing, billing, taxation, and profit analysis. DoFort offers: Accounts receivable and payable, GST-compliant invoicing, payroll integration, and budgeting along with cost center management.

6. Reports and Analytics:

To make well-informed decisions, access to data is essential. Robust garment ERP software in India should provide customizable reports and dashboards. With DoFort, you receive: Sales performance reports, production efficiency dashboards, fabric utilization analysis, and buyer order history along with profitability reports.

Why Choose DoFort Garment Software?

DoFort is a prominent supplier of specialized garment software in India. We recognize the intricacies involved in garment production and have developed a strong, adaptable solution customized to meet your requirements.

Built for the Indian Garment Industry:

DoFort garment ERP software in India accommodates various languages, adheres to Indian tax regulations such as GST, facilitates export documentation, and meets the needs of the domestic supply chain.

Simple User Interface:

The software is user-friendly, making it accessible for individuals without technical expertise. Your team can swiftly acquire the necessary skills to operate the platform with little training required.

End-to-End Customization:

Our apparel software can be tailored to fit your operations, regardless of whether you manufacture children's clothing, men's clothing, or uniforms.

On-Cloud or On-Premise:

Based on your infrastructure, you have the option to select a cloud-based solution or install DoFort garment ERP software on your local servers in India.

Secure and Scalable:

The software incorporates inherent security features, including role-based access controls. It is designed to scale alongside your business, accommodating both small enterprises and large multi-factory operations.

Benefits of DoFort Garment ERP Software in India

Indian garment manufacturers benefit from selecting DoFort through enhanced real-time visibility across all departments, improved order fulfillment with reduced lead times, minimized material waste alongside better cost management, swift access to financial, operational, and quality data, precise tracking of production and delivery, heightened transparency leading to greater buyer satisfaction, adherence to export/import regulations and local tax laws, as well as streamlined reporting and audit trails.

Why Indian Garment Businesses Trust DoFort

Indian enterprises prioritize dependability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. DoFort Garment Software has emerged as the leading ERP solution for the garment industry in India, attributed to its extensive industry knowledge, tailored modules for local manufacturers, dedicated support teams, and demonstrated success in numerous garment facilities. Businesses in Mumbai, Tirupur, Delhi, Surat, and Bangalore have undergone significant transformations thanks to DoFort's robust garment software solutions.

In Conclusion:

Choosing the appropriate Garment ERP software for the garment industry in India can revolutionize your business operations. As customer expectations rise and trends shift, traditional manual systems fall short. An advanced, integrated solution such as DoFort enables you to:

Operate seamlessly

Boost productivity without raising expenses

Maintain consistent quality

Make informed, data-driven choices

DoFort Garment Software serves as a comprehensive ERP solution tailored for Indian garment manufacturers. It is essential to move past inefficiencies and harness the advantages of digital transformation.

[bliow]

AGARTHA Aİ - DEVASA+ (4)

In an era where technology and creativity intertwine, AI design is revolutionizing the way we conceptualize and create across various industries. From the runway to retail, 3D fashion design is pushing boundaries, enabling designers to craft intricate garments with unparalleled precision. Likewise, 3D product design is transforming everything from gadgets to furniture, allowing for rapid prototyping and innovation. As we explore these exciting advancements, platforms like Agartha.ai are leading the charge in harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline the design process and inspire new ideas. 

AI design

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries, and the realm of design is no exception. By leveraging the power of machine learning and advanced algorithms, AI is transforming the way designers create, innovate, and deliver their products. AI-driven tools enable designers to harness vast amounts of data, allowing for more informed decision-making and streamlined workflows.

In the context of graphic design, AI can assist artists in generating ideas, creating unique visuals, and even automating repetitive tasks. For instance, programs powered by AI design can analyze trends and consumer preferences, producing designs that resonate with target audiences more effectively than traditional methods. This shift not only enhances creativity but also enables designers to focus on strategic thinking and ideation.

Moreover, AI is facilitating personalized design experiences. With the help of algorithms that analyze user behavior, products can be tailored to meet the specific needs and tastes of individuals. This level of customization fosters deeper connections between brands and consumers, ultimately driving customer satisfaction and loyalty in an increasingly competitive market.

3D fashion design

In recent years, 3D fashion design has revolutionized the way we create and visualize clothing. Using advanced software and tools, designers can create lifelike virtual garments that allow for innovative experimentation without the need for physical fabric. This trend has not only streamlined the design process but has also significantly reduced waste in the fashion industry.

Moreover, 3D fashion design enables designers to showcase their creations in a more interactive manner. By utilizing 3D modeling and rendering technologies, designers can present their collections in virtual environments, making it easier for clients and consumers to appreciate the nuances of each piece. This immersive experience also helps in gathering valuable feedback before producing the final product.

Furthermore, the integration of 3D fashion design with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies is bringing a fresh perspective to the industry. Consumers can virtually try on clothes from the comfort of their homes, thereby enhancing the shopping experience. As this field continues to evolve, it promises to bridge the gap between creativity and technology, paving the way for a sustainable and forward-thinking fashion future.

3D product design

3D product design has revolutionized the way we conceptualize and create products. With advanced software tools and technologies, designers can now create highly detailed and realistic prototypes that are not only visually appealing but also functional. This process allows for a quicker iteration of ideas, enabling designers to experiment with various styles and functionalities before arriving at the final design.

One of the significant advantages of 3D product design is the ability to visualize products in a virtual environment. Designers can see how their creations would look in real life, which is essential for understanding aesthetics and usability. Additionally, this technology enables manufacturers to identify potential issues in the design phase, reducing costs associated with prototype development and rework.

Moreover, the rise of 3D printing has further enhanced the significance of 3D product design. Designers can swiftly turn their digital models into tangible products, allowing for rapid prototyping and small-batch manufacturing. This agility not only speeds up the time-to-market for new products but also paves the way for more innovative designs that were previously impossible to execute.

Agartha.ai

Agartha.ai is a revolutionary platform that merges artificial intelligence with innovative design, creating a new avenue for designers and creators alike. With the rapid advancements in technology, Agartha.ai leverages AI to streamline various design processes, enabling users to produce unique and captivating designs with ease.

The platform provides tools that empower both emerging and established designers to explore the possibilities of AI design. By utilizing intelligent algorithms, Agartha.ai can assist in generating design options, ensuring that creativity is not hindered but enhanced. This results in a more efficient workflow and allows designers to focus on the conceptual aspects of their projects.

One of the standout features of Agartha.ai is its ability to adapt to different design disciplines, such as 3D fashion design and 3D product design. By supporting a broad spectrum of design fields, it positions itself as a versatile tool that meets the evolving needs of today's creative professionals. Whether it's crafting intricate fashion pieces or developing innovative product designs, Agartha.ai is at the forefront of the design revolution.

[mariacallous]

In 2023, the fast-fashion giant Shein was everywhere. Crisscrossing the globe, airplanes ferried small packages of its ultra-cheap clothing from thousands of suppliers to tens of millions of customer mailboxes in 150 countries. Influencers’ “#sheinhaul” videos advertised the company’s trendy styles on social media, garnering billions of views.

At every step, data was created, collected, and analyzed. To manage all this information, the fast fashion industry has begun embracing emerging AI technologies. Shein uses proprietary machine-learning applications — essentially, pattern-identification algorithms — to measure customer preferences in real time and predict demand, which it then services with an ultra-fast supply chain.

As AI makes the business of churning out affordable, on-trend clothing faster than ever, Shein is among the brands under increasing pressure to become more sustainable, too. The company has pledged to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050.

But climate advocates and researchers say the company’s lightning-fast manufacturing practices and online-only business model are inherently emissions-heavy — and that the use of AI software to catalyze these operations could be cranking up its emissions. Those concerns were amplified by Shein’s third annual sustainability report, released late last month, which showed the company nearly doubled its carbon dioxide emissions between 2022 and 2023.

“AI enables fast fashion to become the ultra-fast fashion industry, Shein and Temu being the fore-leaders of this,” said Sage Lenier, the executive director of Sustainable and Just Future, a climate nonprofit. “They quite literally could not exist without AI.” (Temu is a rapidly rising ecommerce titan, with a marketplace of goods that rival Shein’s in variety, price, and sales.)

In the 12 years since Shein was founded, it has become known for its uniquely prolific manufacturing, which reportedly generated over $30 billion of revenue for the company in 2023. Although estimates vary, a new Shein design may take as little as 10 days to become a garment, and up to 10,000 items are added to the site each day. The company reportedly offers as many as 600,000 items for sale at any given time with an average price tag of roughly $10. (Shein declined to confirm or deny these reported numbers.) One market analysis found that 44 percent of Gen Zers in the United States buy at least one item from Shein every month.

That scale translates into massive environmental impacts. According to the company’s sustainability report, Shein emitted 16.7 million total metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2023 — more than what four coal power plants spew out in a year. The company has also come under fire for textile waste, high levels of microplastic pollution, and exploitative labor practices. According to the report, polyester — a synthetic textile known for shedding microplastics into the environment — makes up 76 percent of its total fabrics, and only 6 percent of that polyester is recycled.

And a recent investigation found that factory workers at Shein suppliers regularly work 75-hour weeks, over a year after the company pledged to improve working conditions within its supply chain. Although Shein’s sustainability report indicates that labor conditions are improving, it also shows that in third-party audits of over 3,000 suppliers and subcontractors, 71 percent received a score of C or lower on the company’s grade scale of A to E — mediocre at best.

Machine learning plays an important role in Shein’s business model. Although Peter Pernot-Day, Shein’s head of global strategy and corporate affairs, told Business Insider last August that AI was not central to its operations, he indicated otherwise during a presentation at a retail conference at the beginning of this year.

“We are using machine-learning technologies to accurately predict demand in a way that we think is cutting edge,” he said. Pernot-Day told the audience that all of Shein’s 5,400 suppliers have access to an AI software platform that gives them updates on customer preferences, and they change what they’re producing to match it in real time.

“This means we can produce very few copies of each garment,” he said. “It means we waste very little and have very little inventory waste.” On average, the company says it stocks between 100 to 200 copies of each item — a stark contrast with more conventional fast-fashion brands, which typically produce thousands of each item per season, and try to anticipate trends months in advance. Shein calls its model “on-demand,” while a technology analyst who spoke to Vox in 2021 called it “real-time” retail.

At the conference, Pernot-Day also indicated that the technology helps the company pick up on “micro trends” that customers want to wear. “We can detect that, and we can act on that in a way that I think we’ve really pioneered,” he said. A designer who filed a recent class action lawsuit in a New York District Court alleges that the company’s AI market analysis tools are used in an “industrial-scale scheme of systematic, digital copyright infringement of the work of small designers and artists,” that scrapes designs off the internet and sends them directly to factories for production.

In an emailed statement to Grist, a Shein spokesperson reiterated Peter Pernot-Day’s assertion that technology allows the company to reduce waste and increase efficiency and suggested that the company’s increased emissions in 2023 were attributable to booming business. “We do not see growth as antithetical to sustainability,” the spokesperson said.

An analysis of Shein’s sustainability report by the Business of Fashion, a trade publication, found that last year, the company’s emissions rose at almost double the rate of its revenue — making Shein the highest-emitting company in the fashion industry. By comparison, Zara’s emissions rose half as much as its revenue. For other industry titans, such as H&M and Nike, sales grew while emissions fell from the year before.

Shein’s emissions are especially high because of its reliance on air shipping, said Sheng Lu, a professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware. “AI has wide applications in the fashion industry. It’s not necessarily that AI is bad,” Lu said. “The problem is the essence of Shein’s particular business model.”

Other major brands ship items overseas in bulk, prefer ocean shipping for its lower cost, and have suppliers and warehouses in a large number of countries, which cuts down on the distances that items need to travel to consumers.

According to the company’s sustainability report, 38 percent of Shein’s climate footprint comes from transportation between its facilities and to customers, and another 61 percent come from other parts of its supply chain. Although the company is based in Singapore and has suppliers in a handful of countries, the majority of its garments are produced in China and are mailed out by air in individually addressed packages to customers. In July, the company sent about 900,000 of these to the US every day.

Shein’s spokesperson told Grist that the company is developing a decarbonization road map to address the footprint of its supply chain. Recently, the company has increased the amount of inventory it stores in US warehouses, allowing it to offer American customers quicker delivery times, and increased its use of cargo ships, which are more carbon-efficient than cargo planes.

“Controlling the carbon emissions in the fashion industry is a really complex process,” Lu said, adding that many brands use AI to make their operations more efficient. “It really depends on how you use AI.”

There is research that indicates using certain AI technologies could help companies become more sustainable. “It’s the missing piece,” said Shahriar Akter, an associate dean of business and law at the University of Wollongong in Australia. In May, Akter and his colleagues published a study finding that when fast-fashion suppliers used AI data management software to comply with big brands’ sustainability goals, those companies were more profitable and emitted less. A key use of this technology, Atker says, is to closely monitor environmental impacts, such as pollution and emissions. “This kind of tracking was not available before AI-based tools,” he said.

Shein told Grist it does not use machine-learning data management software to track emissions, which is one of the uses of AI included in Akter’s study. But the company’s much-touted usage of machine-learning software to predict demand and reduce waste is another of the uses of AI included in the research.

Regardless, the company has a long way to go before meeting its goals. Grist calculated that the emissions Shein reportedly saved in 2023 — with measures such as providing its suppliers with solar panels and opting for ocean shipping — amounted to about 3 percent of the company’s total carbon emissions for the year.

Lenier, from Sustainable and Just Future, believes there is no ethical use of AI in the fast-fashion industry. She said that the largely unregulated technology allows brands to intensify their harmful impacts on workers and the environment. “The folks who work in fast-fashion factories are now under an incredible amount of pressure to turn out even more, even faster,” she said.

Lenier and Lu both believe that the key to a more sustainable fashion industry is convincing customers to buy less. Lu said if companies use AI to boost their sales without changing their unsustainable practices, their climate footprints will also grow accordingly. “It’s the overall effect of being able to offer more market-popular items and encourage consumers to purchase more than in the past,” he said. “Of course, the overall carbon impact will be higher.”

[bloodsadx]

as for how i get my patches; i made/make (havent made any in a while) all of them myself using a 6 needle embroidery machine. more needles = more concurrent colors the machine can easily swap through during the patch production. i bought special embroidery software that came with video guides after attending a workshop with the software developer and trying to use free open source embroidery software. the process is essentially the same as making vector art but with more attention paid to layering and then tooling around with things like fabric, thread, and types of stitches. i had experience with hand embroidery and also with hand sewing / using sewing machines and my partner at the time and i were very interested in the idea of making elaborate embroidery. it is in many ways similar in concept / process to screen printing which i have ample experience in, so it did not take me long to pick up and i had all the tools / access i needed to do lots of easy and fun designs. i was able to buy the machine by splitting the cost with someone else and using money i had gotten from my printing business/savings. i honestly recommend not buying a machine (even a small one) and instead out sourcing any embroidery you would want to local digitizers/embroidery companies if you want to do any machine embroidery slightly more complicated than one color directly onto a garment. it takes a long time, it’s very loud, the software required is expensive and nearly impossible to pirate (low demand), and the cost / time investment is very steep. however, i am a freak, and i also consider this my job (or part of it), so i have enjoyed it. there are a lot of people in your town or city, no matter where u are, who are already much more capable and set up to make patches for you than you would be. and they also would love to do it and it’s probably way cheaper than u think. (this also goes for screen printing). the one singular advantage to my set up is that i can make a lot of extremely singular one off patches at my own pace and at my own justified labor/time/monetary investment without having to communicate with anybody else. which is why i primarily think of myself as a artist and not necessarily a clothing embellisher/manufacturer; everything i do takes a lot of fucking time and research.

[absoluteerp]