Automating the Design and Manufacturing of Custom Leather Goods

Printed leather goods are everywhere (shoes, hand bags, jackets, etc...). And, according to an April 2018 YouGov survey, an ever-growing group of the consumers buying these goods want a personalized product.

Click on the image to see how quickly and easily custom 3D designs are converted into production-ready patterns with ExactFlat

The challenge for many manufacturers is in finding a way to address the Mass Customization demands of their clients. Simply stated, how do fashion brands provide customized, printed leather goods within the quality, costs and delivery constrains of their customers.

Digital Patterning: Enabling Mass Customization

Digital Patterning provides fashion brands with the tools needed to achieve their mass customization goals. The recent partnership between ExactFlat and GeminiCAD systems demonstrates one version of this new approach to personalized leather goods production. Using the software and services delivered in this partnership, design teams gain flexibility by:

Designing the prototypes in a 3D environment (SolidWorks, Rhino, Clo3D, etc.)
Flattening the 3D shapes into 2D surfaces (patterns) with ExactFlat
Correcting and preparing the patterns for production using Gemini Pattern Designer
Processing the patterns (markers) in the Gemini Thagora Cutting Room Management tool
Printing and Cutting the Leather Goods

The partnership between ExactFlat and Gemini CAD Systems helps simplify the process by integrating all of the design, pattern, material and production details.

Simplicity is Key

Any type of new process or technology must be broadly adopted in order to be truly effective. To address this, modern digital patterning and production software applications are purpose built to enhance traditional workflows. This can significantly reduce training and streamline the integration of time-saving technologies into the process.

For example, pattern definition, leather hide quality identification, nesting and eventual cutting are all standard processes which are often conducted by disconnected teams. The Gemini Thagora solution referred to above takes all of these processes and provides a centralized method to manage each step. The combination of design, flattening and production management is easily implemented and dramatically improves the overall result.

Digital Textile Printers from Gemini CAD Systems streamline the final stages of the digital design to manufacturing process.

Learn More

To learn more about how your business can utilize digital patterning and production tools to address your mass customization needs click on the link below. You'll be able to schedule a time to meet with one of our experts to discuss the best solution for your needs