Every brand needs to know the specifics to make or identify production-ready patterns in order to take your garments from sample to full scale production*! This means that you need to translate your construction details onto each pattern in a way that cutters, seamstresses, and technical designers can understand. Here are the guidelines that you should follow when drafting your patterns:
A pattern is a collection of pieces of a fashion apparel item that make up the base building blocks of your product. It is typically drafted on pattern paper initially.
True to its name a marker is a guide used in the cutting process. A marker is a digitized version of your pattern laid out in the most efficient way possible on pattern paper like a giant puzzle. Markers are often made by computer grading programs and printed out on a plotter. You won’t typically need a marker until you are going into production.
Source: Stylecad.com
In order to get a marker, you first need to digitize your pattern. Typically, a manufacturer will be able to do this for you (for N.A.bld subscribers, we have manufacturers and grading partners who can digitize patterns for you). Once you are ready to go into production, the marker is digitally laid out in accordance to the width and grain of your fabric and then it is printed on plotting paper. The marker paper is finally laid on top of the fabric allowing manufacturers to cut all of the pattern pieces at once.
NOTE: Typically, markers are unique to each production run since the layout is unique to the size run you are doing and the plotter paper will be cut once the fabric is cut!
Pattern-making is a detailed process, but it is the backbone of your product and production. When in doubt, work with an expert to avoid complications down the line. If you require any support creating or grading a pattern or marker, please check out our additional services and suppliers and contact us! We have a number of experts ready to help!