Should you consider implementing Digital Design, Patterning and Fabrication in your business? In this follow-up article we'll provide insights into the decision criteria that many fashion brands and textile manufacturers are using to help answer that question.

Digital Patterning and Production is the smarter, more effective way to run your business.

Bill Dieter, President of Terrazign develops sportswear, bags and technical textiles (performance garments like fire fighting clothing). His clients range from Athletes to Astronauts and everyone in between.

Bill and his team made the move to 3D design and digital patterning several years ago because "..we just couldn't keep up with customer demands anymore."

The process starts with a design concept generated from the initial client consultation. After that they start working with real materials immediately. This allows them to drive to a production-ready solution while discovering new insights along the way. It's a process that balances form and function as well as a business and customer satisfaction model that couldn't be achieved without 3D.

3D CAD provides a platform to quickly explore a variety of designs.  In fact, designers tend to discover the best solution by simply clicking around on the model. — 3D CAD provides a platform to quickly explore a variety of designs. In fact, designers tend to discover the best solution by simply clicking around on the model.

Working in 3D allows the team at Terrazign to explore a variety of design concepts in an extremely short amount of time. Ideas that might never have been discussed before are evaluated quickly and expanded upon.

The design can go from 3D model to 2D pattern in minutes and then directly to prototypes and fit testing.

Once a design is selected, the 3D models are converted into 2D patterns and then initially analyzed for fit before any material is cut. Bill finds that while fit testing is still a requirement, it's really become more of a way to explore the design one last time before production.

We have very demanding clients and we utilize textiles in unconventional ways.  Everything has to happen in real-time and we just couldn't do our jobs without digital processes. — We have very demanding clients and we utilize textiles in unconventional ways. Everything has to happen in real-time and we just couldn't do our jobs without digital processes.

The transition to digital allows Terrazign to produce exceptional products which consistently exceed his clients expectations. All in a fraction of the time it took just a few years ago.

But is 3D right for your business?

Still not sure that 3D and digital are right for your business? Here's a quick checklist of factors you need to consider in order to determine if now is the time to transition to digital.

Custom product requests per month
New pattern designs per month
Time per pattern
Material costs reduction requirement
Annual profit growth target
Current project loss percentage

If you're concerned about any of these factors then give us a call. Just click on the link below to speak with one of our experts. They can help you understand when and how to implement a digital solution.