What types of sewing machines are required to make t-shirts?
T-shirts are staple products in the apparel product basket. If someone plans to start a knit garment manufacturing business, t-shirts would be the first choice for many beginners. T-shirt manufacturing is considered easy compared to other apparel products.
In the mass production system industrial sewing machines and equipment are used in making t-shirts. To make a quality t-shirt with good finishing inside and outside of the garment, you need the following machines
1. Overlock sewing machine (for edge stitch),
2. Flatlock machine (for cover stitch),
3. Single needle lock stitch machine
Within these machine types, there are various technology levels. You can decide which machine you need to purchase based on the t-shirt design requirements. Flatlock machines are available in two types of bed - flat bed and cylinder bed.
T-shirts are staple products in the apparel product basket. If someone plans to start a knit garment manufacturing business, t-shirts would be the first choice for many beginners. T-shirt manufacturing is considered easy compared to other apparel products.
In the mass production system industrial sewing machines and equipment are used in making t-shirts. To make a quality t-shirt with good finishing inside and outside of the garment, you need the following machines
1. Overlock sewing machine (for edge stitch),
2. Flatlock machine (for cover stitch),
3. Single needle lock stitch machine
Within these machine types, there are various technology levels. You can decide which machine you need to purchase based on the t-shirt design requirements. Flatlock machines are available in two types of bed - flat bed and cylinder bed.
For t-shirt finishing, you need the following equipment.
- Steam iron with vacuum table
- thread trimming machine
For cutting knit piping (tape), you can buy a piping cutting machine.
I have written a complete guidebook for starting a t-shirt business - "Kick Start Your T-Shirt Business". You can refer to this book to start a t-shirt manufacturing business.
The sewing machine supplier can advise the machine mix for the t-shirt manufacturing. The same machine can be shared for multiple operations when you have few machines and have low production requirements.
In the following table, a machine requirement plan has been shown for the production of 800 T-shirts in 8-hour shifts (from a typical factory). Machine types and the number of machine requirements in each operation are shown in the following table.
The sewing machine supplier can advise the machine mix for the t-shirt manufacturing. The same machine can be shared for multiple operations when you have few machines and have low production requirements.
In the following table, a machine requirement plan has been shown for the production of 800 T-shirts in 8-hour shifts (from a typical factory). Machine types and the number of machine requirements in each operation are shown in the following table.
Table 1: Operation-wise machine types and machine requirements:
Disclaimer:
The machine types and number of machines mentioned here are based on particular situations and are shared here for information purposes only. This machine quantity may not match your set-up.
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Disclaimer:
The machine types and number of machines mentioned here are based on particular situations and are shared here for information purposes only. This machine quantity may not match your set-up.
Related Articles: