How will manufacturers meet the demand for truly Custom Furniture?
The Goal: A personalize look and feel
Where can you go to get furniture with just the right fabric, or height or fit? The demand for custom furniture is on the rise and the ability to deliver made-to-order pieces is becoming a major point of differentiation between Brands. In fact, many manufacturer's envision a not-so-distant future where as much as 90% of the products they ship will be customized in some way.
And not just configuration differences (i.e. two or three cushions. 18 or 22 inch seat height, etc..) Many client want to put their flare on as many pieces as possible. That means personalized pattern and fabrics that mass production methods can't support.
What does custom really mean. Click here to get an industry perspective.
The Concern: Long lead times and high prices
While it is possible to find or commission almost any type of custom furniture, the current state-of-the-industry dictates that personalizing adds weeks to delivery and costs 3 or 4 times as much as in-store or catalog items. That's an additional set of constraints that most homeowners and amateur interior designers can't work with.
The Solution: 3D Digital Design and Patterning
3D digital design, patterning and production software have a dramatic impact on profitability and lead time. They also offer designers and pattern makers with expanded options to innovate in the design process. Just the ability to visualize and approve the piece digitally either in the studio or online can save weeks and eliminate costly errors due to mis-communication.
The workflow with 3D digital processes is fast and simple. And new technologies like leather and fabric microfactory printer/cutters from companies like Mimaki and EFI allow designers to provide a one-of-a-kind look on each piece.
Want to learn more about exactly how companies are making the move into the mass-customization and the profitable personalize production era? Click here to see a brief video on the technology then sign up for a one-on-one discussion with one of our experts.
Meet the Experts at Texprocess 2018
Eaton Donald CEO and Mark Jewell CTO of ExactFlat will be at Texprocess 2018, the textile manufacturing industry’s leading trade fair for technology. If you’re planning to attend as well they’d be happy to sit down with you to review the impact that Digital Patterning is having on the business. Just click below to schedule a time.