PLMPLMflow articles
Practical guides on apparel manufacturing: tech packs, costing, factories and choosing a PLM.
PLM for apparel: what it is, why brands & sellers need it, how to adopt
What an apparel PLM system is in plain terms: how it differs from ERP and Excel, what modules it has (tech packs, BOM, costing, orders, DPP), when to adopt it, and how to choose. A guide for brands and marketplace sellers.
PLM or ERP for apparel: the difference and what to start with
How PLM differs from ERP in apparel production, what each one covers, whether you need both, and where a growing brand or marketplace seller should begin.
How to choose a PLM for apparel: Excel, ERP, enterprise PLM and what to look for
Comparing the options for getting apparel production under control: Excel and chats, ERP, heavy enterprise PLM and a specialized system. Selection criteria, a table and common mistakes.
Common tech-pack mistakes that cost you time and money with factories
A breakdown of the most expensive tech-pack failures, from measurements with no tolerances to edits buried in chats, and how to close each one.
Excel vs a system: when spreadsheets stop working for apparel
An honest look at when Excel and chats are a fine tool for an apparel brand, the 6 signals you've outgrown them, and what PLM actually means in plain terms.
How to write a tech pack a factory understands: structure, examples, free template
What goes into an apparel tech pack: BOM specification, graded size chart with tolerances, sketches, construction details. Step by step, with example tables.
Landed cost: what a unit really costs when you manufacture overseas
The landed cost formula for apparel: FOB price, freight, duty, agent fees, defects — plus a China / Kyrgyzstan / Uzbekistan sourcing comparison.