Full-Package Production
Garment Manufacturer in Portugal
White Cotton is a full-package garment manufacturer in Barcelos, Portugal, specialising in cut-and-sew production for fashion brands worldwide. From pattern making and grading to sampling, bulk production, and quality control — we manage every stage of the garment manufacturing process. MOQ 50 units per style, fabric range from 180 to 1100 GSM, OEKO-TEX certified.
38+ Styles
Product catalog
MOQ 50 Units
Per style & colour
Full-Package
CMT or FPP
Barcelos
Made in Portugal
The Production Process
What Is Garment Manufacturing?
Garment manufacturing is the industrial process of turning raw fabrics into finished, wearable clothing. It encompasses the entire production chain — from pattern creation and fabric cutting to sewing, finishing, and quality inspection. Unlike fashion design (which focuses on aesthetics) or textile production (which focuses on fabric creation), garment manufacturing is specifically about the construction of the final product.
At White Cotton, garment manufacturing starts with your design. Our pattern makers translate your tech pack or reference garment into digital patterns, grade them across your size range, and create an optimised cutting layout that minimises fabric waste. This pattern-making stage is the foundation of every garment — get it right, and the fit, proportions, and construction follow naturally.
The cut-and-sew stage is where fabric becomes garments. Industrial cutting machines follow the pattern layout to cut panels from rolled fabric. These panels are bundled by size and colour, then move to sewing stations where skilled operators assemble each garment following a precise construction sequence. Each sewing line is set up specifically for the garment type — a hoodie follows a different assembly order than a shirt or a pair of joggers.
Finishing is the stage most people underestimate. After sewing, every garment goes through thread trimming, button or zip attachment, pressing, and final shaping. Quality control inspectors check each piece against 15+ criteria — stitch quality, measurement accuracy, seam alignment, decoration placement, and overall appearance. Only garments that pass inspection are labelled, folded, polybag-packed, and cartoned for delivery.
Portugal is one of the strongest garment manufacturing regions in Europe. The northern textile corridor — from Porto to Barcelos, Guimaraes, and Famalicao — contains hundreds of specialised factories with decades of cut-and-sew expertise. Manufacturing here means EU-certified production, OEKO-TEX fabrics, shorter lead times than Asia, and the ability to start with lower minimum orders. White Cotton sits at the heart of this corridor in Barcelos.
Product Categories
Garments We Produce
Fabric Library
Fabrics We Work With
Customization Options
Decoration & Finishing Techniques
Full-Package Solutions
Our Manufacturing Services
Private Label Manufacturing
Private label manufacturing is the process of producing garments exclusively to a client's specifications, bearing their brand name and labe...
White Label Manufacturing
White label manufacturing lets you select garments from our existing product catalog and add your own branding — labels, tags, and packaging...
Custom Clothing Manufacturing
Custom clothing manufacturing is a full-package production service covering every stage from pattern creation to finished, packed garments. ...
Collection Development
Collection development is an end-to-end service that takes your brand from concept to production-ready patterns at no extra design charge. W...
From Pattern to Delivery
How Garment Production Works
Design & Pattern Making
Share your tech pack, sketches, or reference garments. Our pattern makers create digital patterns, grade them across your size range, and prepare a cutting layout. We accept designs at any stage — from concept to full specification.
Sampling & Quotation
Within 48 hours you receive a detailed quotation covering fabric, trims, decoration, and production costs. We produce a physical sample for your review — fit, fabric hand-feel, construction, and decoration quality. We iterate until the sample matches your vision.
Cut & Sew Production
Approved fabric is spread, cut, and bundled. Cut panels move to sewing lines where operators assemble each garment following the approved construction sequence. Decoration (embroidery, printing, etc.) is applied at the correct stage. Inline quality checks run throughout.
QC, Finishing & Delivery
Every garment passes end-of-line quality inspection — stitching, measurements, decoration, and overall finish. Approved pieces are pressed, folded, labelled, polybag-packed, and cartoned for shipment. You receive tracking updates and your goods ship directly to your warehouse.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is full-package garment manufacturing?
Full-package production (FPP) means we handle every stage of the garment manufacturing process — fabric sourcing, pattern making, grading, sample development, cutting, sewing, finishing, quality control, labelling, and packaging. You provide a design or tech pack, and we deliver finished, shelf-ready garments. This is the opposite of CMT, where you supply the materials and we only cut, make, and trim.
What is the difference between CMT and FPP?
CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) means the brand supplies fabric and trims, and the factory only handles cutting, sewing, and finishing. FPP (Full-Package Production) means the factory sources all materials, develops patterns and samples, and delivers finished goods. CMT gives you more control over materials but requires you to manage fabric procurement and logistics. FPP is simpler — you send a design, we handle everything else. White Cotton offers both models depending on your needs.
How does the cut-and-sew process work?
Cut-and-sew is the core of garment manufacturing. First, patterns are created digitally and graded across your size range. Fabric is then spread on cutting tables and cut using industrial cutting machines following the pattern layout. Cut panels are bundled and sent to sewing stations where skilled operators assemble each garment following a construction sequence. After sewing, garments go through finishing (pressing, thread trimming, button/zip attachment) and then quality control before packing.
What is included in a garment production order?
A standard production order with White Cotton includes: pattern development or digitisation, size grading across your full size range, fabric sourcing and procurement, trim sourcing (labels, zippers, buttons, threads), pre-production sample, bulk cutting and sewing, decoration (embroidery, screen printing, DTG, etc.), finishing and pressing, inline and end-of-line quality inspection, individual polybag packing with barcodes, and carton packing for shipment. We also handle custom hang tags, care labels, and branded packaging if required.
How does the pattern making process work?
Pattern making starts with your tech pack, sketch, or reference garment. Our pattern makers create a base pattern in your chosen fit — regular, oversized, slim, or boxy. We then grade the pattern across your full size range (typically XS–XXL or S–3XL). A first sample is produced from the pattern so you can check fit, proportions, and construction. We iterate on the pattern until it matches your specifications — most styles are finalised within one or two rounds of sampling.
What quality control steps do you follow?
Quality control is built into every stage of our garment manufacturing process. We inspect incoming fabric for defects, colour consistency, and weight. During cutting, we verify pattern placement and size accuracy. Inline QC checks are performed during sewing — operators check stitch quality, seam alignment, and measurements at every station. After finishing, every garment passes end-of-line inspection covering 15+ checkpoints: stitching, symmetry, measurements, colour, decoration placement, label position, and overall appearance. Defective pieces are repaired or rejected before packing.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantity is 50 units per style and colour. This makes us one of the most accessible garment manufacturers in Portugal for emerging brands. For first orders, we recommend starting with one or two styles to validate fit and quality before committing to larger production runs.
How long does garment production take?
Sampling takes 1–2 weeks. Once you approve the sample, bulk production takes 4–6 weeks depending on order size, fabric availability, and decoration complexity. A typical timeline from first enquiry to delivery is 6–10 weeks. Rush production may be available depending on factory capacity. We recommend planning 8–10 weeks ahead for seasonal collections and holiday drops.
Start Your Garment Production in Portugal
Send us your tech pack or design brief. Quotation within 48 hours.