Apparel Production Planning for Belgian Fashion Brands

Build the technical file around each style

Create one technical file for every style. Connect the drawing to the measurement chart, construction notes, finishes, fabric and trims. For each point of measure, state where and how it is taken and record the tolerance agreed for the garment. For a graded size range, identify the base size and the grading rules.

Make the bill of materials (BOM) traceable. For each component, record fibre composition when known, fabric weight or yarn specification, colour reference, nominated supplier if applicable, trims, labels and packing instructions. Keep substitutions marked as proposals until approved; an alternative must not silently become a production input.

A base style may have several variants. Distinguish changes limited to artwork or colour from changes to construction, pattern, material or fit. A different fabric structure or pocket design may need its own sample review even when the commercial style name remains the same.

Make the style and order mix explicit

Break the request down by style, colour, size and construction. A SKU map connects selling variants to technical styles and shows planned units for each combination. Mark which colours share a fabric base and which variants need a separate material, print or finish.

Fenalt's standard minimum is 50 pieces per style. That figure alone does not confirm that every colour or fabric option is feasible at the same quantity: material suppliers and dye processes may have separate minimums. Have the proposed mix and material availability confirmed during the project-specific assessment.

Treat sampling as a controlled approval gate

A useful sample process has clear inputs and outputs. First check whether the tech pack and BOM contain enough information to proceed. Then assess the sample against the intended fit, construction, colour and finish. Gather comments by measurement point or component and identify the drawing and specification revision under review.

After revisions, record the change, who owns the decision and which sample version is approved. The pre-production sample (PPS) becomes the basis for bulk only after the brand's authorized representative approves it together with the matching specification. Changes after that gate should be assessed for possible effects on materials, cost and schedule.

Fenalt's operating planning facts give 10–15 days for sample production plus 3–5 days for shipping. Bulk production takes 15–20 days from PPS approval to export dispatch. These are planning references: buyer feedback, unresolved materials, customs handling and onward delivery may add time. Confirm the project schedule in the quotation.

Set quality acceptance criteria before production

An inspection reference is useful only when the order states what will be checked. Record critical measurements, visual characteristics, sewing and finishing points, defect categories, sample size and how findings will be documented. Criteria should fit the garment: checks for a jersey tee may differ from those for a lined jacket or woven trouser.

Fenalt's stated inspection reference is AQL 2.5 under ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 Level II. It does not guarantee zero defects and does not replace agreed acceptance criteria. Agree how findings will be recorded and how appropriate corrective action will be coordinated with the production partner. Needle or metal detection can be included when required by the product, buyer specification or facility.

Prepare product information for the Belgian market

EU Regulation 1007/2011 addresses fibre names and textile-composition labelling for products within its scope. The Belgian FPS Economy describes the responsibility of the economic operator placing a textile product on the market for fibre-composition information. For regulated labelling, it also explains a language requirement that takes account of the linguistic region where goods are offered to consumers.

Support fibre data with current material records for the finished garment. Have label wording, language versions, sales channels and responsibilities checked before artwork is released. Exact obligations depend on the product and commercial context; this page does not determine legal compliance. A qualified reviewer can assess what belongs on the physical label and what must accompany packaging or an online product listing.

Prepare an import brief for the actual product

For a shipment to Belgium, the product description, construction, fibre composition, origin and customs documents should describe the garment being imported. Ask the importer or its customs representative to confirm classification and treatment for the relevant date. TARIC consolidates EU tariff and trade measures; Access2Markets provides information on duties, origin rules, taxes and formalities. Neither supports a general duty percentage without the right classification and circumstances.

Agree who acts as importer, who files the declaration and which identifiers are needed. The European Commission says an EORI number is required for customs clearance by economic operators; confirm the status of the parties and the declaration requirements with the customs representative. Fenalt's delivery terms are project-specific: route, destination, volume and agreed Incoterm should be stated separately in the proposal.

Control the handover into bulk

Before production starts, assemble one release pack. Reference the approved tech-pack and BOM revisions, accepted PPS, measurement plan, current label and artwork files, and the order allocation by SKU. A style name alone is not enough when several colours, fabrics or pattern versions exist. Use revision numbers or dates so the brand team and production partner can confirm they are checking the same set.

Keep a change log for decisions made after sample approval. Record what changed, why, who authorized it and which products or orders are affected. If fabric, trims, measurements or packing instructions change, reassess the impact before issuing the new instruction. This helps prevent an old BOM being paired with a revised sample or artwork for one variant being used on another production pack.

Map process dependencies before bulk

Describe the finishing operations that shape the garment. For example, note whether dyeing, printing, embroidery, an applied trim or a particular seam must happen at a specific stage. The sequence can affect which sample demonstrates the finish and which details need separate approval before bulk. Review a change in artwork placement, stitching or a shrinkage treatment against the drawing and measurement chart, not only against a reference image.

Identify which checks belong to each stage: material receipt, sample review, production monitoring and final inspection are separate decision points. Record who receives findings and which specification revision remains authoritative. Agree this planning structure with the production partner; it is not a promise that every check is automatically included in every order.

Decision checklist before request or bulk

• Is there an approved tech-pack revision for every style, including measurements and grading?
• Are the BOM, colours, trims, artwork and packing choices marked as settled or open?
• Have SKU and variant quantities been checked against material minimums?
• Who approves the sample and PPS, and where is that decision recorded?
• Are measurement points, tolerances, defect categories and inspection scope agreed in writing?
• Who reviews labels and language versions for the Belgian sales areas?
• Who confirms classification, origin, EORI details, customs documents and Incoterm?

Share the garment category, current tech pack, BOM and proposed order mix through Fenalt's project intake. Open material and compliance questions can then be assigned before quotation and bulk production. An initial assessment is not a final quotation or customs decision.

Review Fenalt capabilities, read about operations or start a project inquiry.

Official sources

• Belgian FPS Economy (French): Textile composition labelling
• Belgian FPS Economy: General labelling information
• European Commission: EORI number
• European Commission: TARIC
• European Commission: Importing into the EU / Access2Markets