FAQs

What is the Carolina Textile District? What do you do?

The Carolina Textile District (CTD) is a member governed and driven network of values aligned textile manufacturers in the US, mainly North and South Carolina. The CTD hosts workshops and provides contacts and resources that help both new and established companies grow and thrive, and is invested in creating a new and dynamic textile industry in the region that values the worker, the environment, and the community.

We act as a matchmaker between clients (existing brands and entrepreneurs) looking to produce a sewn goods product in the US and the domestic textile companies (pattern makers, printers, cut & sew facilities, etc.) who are capable and interested in working with them. We also educate entrepreneurs on the domestic production process and ways to establish and maintain a successful relationship with manufacturers.

How do I get started as a client with CTD?

Everyone has to start somewhere, right? All new clients start with our application at the top of our website. The application is critical because it allows us to review your specific project needs and advise you on possible next steps. If we are looking for a manufacturing partner for a client, the application will be shared with them in order for them to determine if they are capable and interested in taking on your project.

What about confidentiality? Does CTD sign Non-Disclosure Agreements?

CTD does not sign NDAs or Confidentiality Agreements. Because we have a large network of manufacturing members and process numerous client applications every week it just isn’t feasible. However, we take our client’s privacy and requests for confidentiality very seriously and have never had an issue with a partner sharing or copying private client information or ideas. When completing the application you don’t have to include detailed information or specs, but you will need to give us enough product information for our members to determine if they are capable and interested in producing your product. And in a lot of cases the manufacturers will sign NDAs once they have agreed to take on a project.

Are there fees to work with CTD?

As much as we would love to help everyone for free, it just isn't possible. Based on your project status and support needs some fees may apply, but are minimal ($30 for a 30-minute project discussion call). The fees are only in place to cover the Project Coordinator’s time spent with you and on your project. Please see our Services Page for our detailed Program and Workshop fees.

What happens on a call with the CTD Project Coordinator?

During the project discussion calls we assess your detailed support needs, determine what is firm or negotiable and discuss possible next steps for your specific project.

What if I don't want to schedule a call?

Our companies depend on us to vet each client project thoroughly before sharing the information with them. This ensures that we have all of the details needed for us to look for the best fit for your product type and support needs. So in order for us to assist a client, a project discussion call will have to be scheduled first.

How does CTD work with startups and entrepreneurs?

Typically startups and entrepreneurs are new to the production process and will need some hand holding to help guide them through the different stages required to produce a sewn goods product in the US. For this reason our CTD members have helped us create a Sewn Goods 101 Workshop that allows us to educate the clients on the domestic production process before connecting them to the companies who don’t have the time to do it.

The workshop or webinars are not required, but we have found it increases the chances of finding a manufacturer willing to work with startups and entrepreneurs. And if you decide to forego the SG workshop or webinars, we will bring you in under the Find-A-Fit program to search for a production fit. The FAF program is a fee-based service that is included at no charge when you complete the SG Workshop or the SG Virtual Complete Course.

How does CTD work with existing brands and companies already in production?

You will still need to start with the application on our website to provide us with your project information to start. And we find that companies who are already in production in the US typically understand how the process works and already has all of their materials sourced and production ready patterns professionally created. If this is the case and all you are looking for is a cut & sew facility then we can start looking for a possible production fit right after the project discussion call. 

With companies who have been producing overseas we typically find that the clients will need some education on the domestic production process, as well as assistance sourcing materials and creating production ready patterns. In this case, we suggest checking out our Sewn Goods 101 Workshop or online modules to help with all of those areas before we look for a possible production fit.

How does CTD work with manufacturers/textile companies?

The Carolina Textile District provides a central hub for a network of manufacturers. We are a place for communicating, understanding best practices, brainstorming, and commiserating. We have yearly events and spend much of our time creating connections and alliances to form a more collaborative textile industry here in our region. Members and collaborators are preferred for client referrals. Membership offers many other benefits as well, including professional legal counseling and trade show stipends.

If you are a textile company interested in working with us we’d love to hear from you! We offer opportunities for values aligned companies to become members of CTD if they are voted in by current members. If you’re interested in starting a relationship with us please reach out and email us to schedule a call and tell us about your company.

Do you always find production partners for new clients?

Not every single time and we can't guarantee it; however, we have over 30 cut and sew partners and a pretty high success rate!

What if I just want a list of manufacturers to contact myself, but not go through CTD for the connections?

We understand that some people like to do the leg work themselves and that’s perfectly fine. CTD doesn’t send out a list of its members for clients to cold call, as that can be a waste of time for everyone. We know the capabilities, order minimums, machines and skill sets of all the members in our network, so therefore we know who is a fit for each product type and those are the companies we share client projects with. However, if you would prefer to search for domestic suppliers and manufacturers on your own you can visit database sites like SEAMS, Makers Row, Manufactured in North Carolina and NC Textile Connect.

What if I’m not ready for production?

That’s okay, because we can help with that! We suggest that you register for one of our Sewn Goods 101 Workshops or online modules to source your materials, have production ready patterns created, learn about the production process, and how to form long-term relationships with your manufacturers.

How long will it take to get my product made?

This is a hard question to answer, as it depends completely on your current project status, your support needs and the manufacturer's timeline that we connect you with.

If you come to us brand new with nothing but an idea, then it could easily take 3 to 4 months just to get a final sample in hand. This is one of the topics that we cover in the Sewn Goods workshops and online modules.

How much will it cost to get my product made?

Most manufacturers can not answer this question for you, as you are responsible for sourcing and providing all of the materials needed to produce your product. This is another topic that we cover in Sewn Goods, as well as typical domestic cut and sew labor cost.

Can CTD help me source my materials?

Yes, in most cases we can help source your materials through our Qualified Sourcing Program. We also teach people how to source materials themselves and provide them with a sourcing list to get started when they attend one of the SG workshops or purchase the Material Sourcing module online. The in-person workshops also include access to our Sourcing Library that currently houses a variety of over 3,400 textile samples from different fabric sources in the US.

Can CTD assist me with patterns, printing or labels, as well?

We sure can! CTD is a network of diverse companies that specialize in different areas but are connected to each other – which makes the creation of a new product much more efficient!

Are all of CTD’s members housed under one roof?

Nope, we like to say that we’re "virtually integrated" rather than "vertically integrated"! Each CTD member is an independent company and operates under their own terms and conditions. A member may offer multiple services in-house. Many work closely together and have long standing relationships referring clients to each other for services that they may not provide.

Does CTD work with overseas manufacturers?

CTD is 100% committed to helping sustain or create jobs in the US, so we only connect clients to companies who are located in the U.S. In some cases we may connect a client to a fabric source in the US who imports fabrics, but the company we connect them with will be located in the US.

What if I want to become a manufacturer and make my own products?

We've got you covered! Our Crafted Production workshop is a week long experience that provides TONS of great information about how to launch and run a crafted production cut and sew factory!