CMT (Cut, Make, Trim)
A manufacturing model where the brand supplies fabric and trims, and the factory only handles cutting, sewing, and finishing — offering more control but requiring more sourcing work.
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What is CMT (Cut, Make, Trim)?
CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) is a garment manufacturing model where the fashion brand or buyer provides all raw materials (fabric, trims, labels, packaging), and the manufacturer is only responsible for cutting the fabric, making (sewing) the garments, and attaching trims.
CMT vs Full Package (FOB) Manufacturing:
| Aspect | CMT | Full Package (FOB) |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric sourcing | Brand's responsibility | Factory handles |
| Trim sourcing | Brand's responsibility | Factory handles |
| Material cost | Paid separately by brand | Included in price |
| Control over materials | High | Lower |
| Complexity for brand | Higher | Lower |
| Typical pricing | ₹80-200/garment | ₹200-500/garment |
| MOQ flexibility | Often lower | Usually higher |
What's included in CMT:
- Pattern making (sometimes extra)
- Fabric cutting
- Sewing/stitching
- Trim attachment
- Finishing (thread cutting, pressing)
- Quality checking
- Packing (basic)
What's NOT included:
- Fabric and lining
- Buttons, zippers, labels
- Hang tags and packaging
- Embroidery/printing (usually separate)
- Shipping materials
Why This Matters for Fashion Entrepreneurs
CMT is often the best model for new fashion entrepreneurs. It gives you control over quality and costs while accessing professional manufacturing.
Why choose CMT:
- Lower MOQs: Factories more flexible when not sourcing materials
- Cost control: Buy fabric at your price, not factory markup
- Quality control: Choose exact materials you want
- Unique materials: Use fabrics factory doesn't stock
- Learning: Understand your full supply chain
Challenges to prepare for:
- More suppliers to manage
- Need to calculate fabric consumption accurately
- Risk of material shortages mid-production
- Storage and logistics of materials
- Longer lead time (sourcing + production)
Sourcing Guide
Finding CMT manufacturers:
- Tirupur: Largest CMT hub, especially for knits
- Delhi NCR: Strong for wovens and export quality
- Bangalore: Growing CMT ecosystem
- Mumbai (Dharavi): Small-batch CMT units
Evaluating CMT factories:
- Ask for CMT-specific pricing (not FOB)
- Check if they accept outside fabric
- Verify their cutting accuracy
- Ask about wastage policies
- Confirm quality control process
Material management tips:
- Order 10-15% extra fabric for wastage
- Send materials 1-2 weeks before production
- Get fabric inspection done before sending
- Keep trim inventory buffer
Pricing & Costs
CMT pricing structure:
Typical CMT rates (per piece):
- Basic t-shirt: ₹40-80
- Polo shirt: ₹80-120
- Casual shirt: ₹100-180
- Dress: ₹150-300
- Jacket: ₹200-400
- Jeans: ₹150-250
Additional costs to factor:
- Fabric: ₹100-500/meter (1.5-3m per garment)
- Trims: ₹20-100 per garment
- Labels: ₹5-15 per garment
- Packaging: ₹10-30 per garment
- Shipping materials to factory: Variable
Total cost example (casual shirt):
- CMT: ₹150
- Fabric (2m × ₹200): ₹400
- Trims: ₹50
- Labels: ₹10
- Total: ₹610/shirt
Frequently Asked Questions
CMT can be cheaper if you source materials well, but it requires more work. You save the factory's markup on materials (typically 15-30%) but need to manage multiple suppliers. For small quantities, CMT often works out 10-20% cheaper. The real benefit is control over quality and the ability to use unique materials.
Get a consumption sheet from your manufacturer or pattern maker. Typical consumption: T-shirt (1.5m), shirt (2-2.5m), dress (2-3m), pants (1.5-2m). Add 10-15% for cutting wastage. For prints with pattern matching, add 20-25%. Always confirm with your specific factory as cutting efficiency varies.
Establish clear terms before production: Who bears the cost of cutting mistakes? What's acceptable wastage (typically 5-8%)? Get this in writing. Professional factories will replace damaged pieces or deduct from your bill. Always send 10-15% extra fabric to cover normal wastage and minor issues.
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