Cut and sew apparel, made from scratch
When no ready made blank fits the job, we cut and sew the garment in our own factory, then print or embroider it. Here is what that involves and what to prepare.
Decorating a blank or making the garment
Most custom apparel starts from a finished blank. Cut and sew starts from fabric. The right route depends on what you need the garment to be.
| Detail | Decorating a ready made blank | Cut and sew from fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A finished garment from our shelf: Gildan, North Harbour, Oren Sports or our in house range | Fabric, cut to a pattern and sewn |
| What you choose | The blank, its colour, the print positions and the method | The fabric, cut, panels, colours and finishing, then the decoration |
| Sizes | The size range listed for that blank | Agreed with us for your order |
| Suits | A standard tee, polo, hoodie or jacket that already fits the brief | A shape, fabric or colour combination that is not on the shelf |
| Timing | Standard lead time is 7 to 10 working days from artwork confirmation. | Confirmed with you during the quote, separately from the printing lead time |
Signs a ready made blank will not do
- The shape or panel layout you have in mind is not in our range
- The design needs colour blocking that a single colour blank cannot give
- You want a fabric, weight or feel that none of our blanks has
- You are building a uniform or merchandise line around one specific garment
If a blank comes close, decorating it is usually the simpler route. Browse polo tees, drifit and sportswear and jackets first, then tell us what is missing.
Specification worksheet
Fill in what you can before asking for a quote. Gaps are fine; we will ask about them.
| Item | What to tell us | Example entry |
|---|---|---|
| Garment | Tee, polo, singlet, jacket, uniform shirt or other | Polo with a contrast collar |
| Reference | A sketch, a photo of a similar garment, or a tech pack if you have one | Front and back sketch, plus a photo of a polo we like |
| Fabric | Cotton, drifit polyester, a blend, or ask us to recommend | Breathable polyester for staff working outdoors |
| Colours and panels | Base colour, contrast panels, piping | Navy body, yellow side panels |
| Sizes | The quantity you need in each size | S 10, M 20, L 20, XL 10 |
| Finishing | Buttons, zips, pockets, labels: list them and we will confirm what is possible | Three button placket, one chest pocket |
| Decoration | Method and positions | Embroidered chest logo, printed back |
| Deadline | The date you need the garments | The date of your launch or event |
Questions to settle during the quote
- Which fabrics suit this garment, and can we see or feel them first?
- For larger orders we can arrange samples or a pre production photo. How will that work for this garment, and is it charged?
- How will the pattern be graded across the size range?
- What quantity makes sense for this design?
- What is the production timeline once the details are approved?
How a cut and sew order moves
- Send the brief on WhatsApp or the quote form, where "Cut and sew, made from scratch" is one of the apparel options.
- We advise on the route and quote per piece.
- We agree the fabric, colours, sizes, finishing and decoration, with a sample or pre production photo where arranged.
- The garments are made in our own factory, then printed or embroidered with the method agreed.
- Islandwide delivery, or self collection at 62 Ubi Road 1, #06-02 Oxley BizHub 2.
Cut and sew timing depends on the garment, the fabric and the quantity, so we confirm it with you during the quote. Read more about our factory or see the seven decoration methods.
Cut and sew FAQ
Cut and sew questions
have a sketch?
Send the sketch or a reference photo, the quantity and the date you need it. We reply within a working day.
Ask on WhatsApp Quote formWhat is cut and sew?
Cut and sew means the garment is made from fabric: cut to a pattern, sewn together, then printed or embroidered. It is different from decorating a ready made blank, where the garment already exists and only the decoration is added.
Can Butter Prints make apparel from scratch?
Yes. We cut and sew in our own factory, so we can make fully customised apparel from cloth to the finished piece, then print or embroider it. WhatsApp us the garment type, quantity and design and we will advise.
How long does a cut and sew order take?
It depends on the garment, the fabric and the quantity, so we confirm the timeline with you during the quote. Do not read the 7 to 10 working day lead time for printed orders as a cut and sew timeline; ask us for yours.
Can I see a sample before the full order?
For larger orders we can arrange samples or a pre production photo. Ask about it when you request a quote and we will tell you how it works for your garment.
from cloth to apparel
Have something in mind?
Send a sketch or reference, the quantity and your deadline. We will tell you whether a blank or cut and sew fits, and quote per piece.