Drop Shipping vs Manufacturing

Definition

Two fundamentally different business models in apparel. Drop shipping uses pre-made, print-on-demand products shipped directly from a third party — low risk, low margin, zero brand differentiation. Manufacturing (cut-and-sew) creates custom garments from scratch — higher investment and MOQs, but full control over quality, fit, fabric, and branding. Brands that grow beyond drop shipping typically transition to manufacturing for better margins and product uniqueness.