With the demand for dress shirts increasing, manufacturers need the right garment machinery to make great quality shirts and stay competitive.
The very first shirts were documented in the medieval period, where they were worn by farmers and prisoners. Until around 1879, men wearing shirts without a blazer or overcoat were seen as inappropriately dressed. Dyes and embroidery introduced in the 20th century helped to change society’s perception of shirts, earning them the label “casual wear.” A well-fitting dress shirt is considered a must-have in the modern man’s wardrobe — and the shirt’s fit, color, and pattern have the power to make or break an outfit.
Market overview: the dress shirt market is on the rise
US textile and apparel imports increased by 28.05% to USD $10.189 billion in early 2022, from USD $7.957 billion in the previous year. China is the leading apparel supplier worldwide, accounting for a27.82% share of total apparel imports to the United States.
The total global revenue of the shirt industry, excluding t-shirts, hit USD $75.3 billion in 2022, with an estimated annual growth of 2.83% by 2026. The US market is taking the lead, generating an estimated USD $15.3 million of annual revenue in 2022.
Which machines help to make the perfect shirt?
Garment finishing not only corrects faults in the sewing process, but it also performs tasks that sewing or stitching cannot. Making the perfect shirt starts with using the correct garment machinery. Let’s take a look at the manufacturing process and machines that factories need to make high-quality shirts.
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1. Pocket machines: making 500 pockets in an hour!
After fabric has been spread,cut, and fused, it’s time to crease small squares of fabric that will eventually become pockets, using a pocket creasing machine. The edges of the pocket should be carefully creased inwards and pressed so that they can be sewn onto the shirt. It may sound easy, but pocket creasing is actually a skilled process, with inaccurate creasing leading to poorly shaped pockets and garment defects.
Oshima’s range of pocket creasing machinesare suitable for bulk shirt manufacturing, pressing up to 500 pieces per hour. The machines are highly automated and remove the need for skilled workers. The machine’s pocket molds can be replaced in three minutes flat, making Oshima’s product the ideal machine for mass production.
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2. Cuff machines: perfect shape with less waste!
Cuff shaping machines press strips of fabric, giving them the ideal form for shirt collars and cuffs. This is an important part of the shirt making process, as cuff shaping machines reduce fabric wastage by producing cuffs matching the same standard design.
Oshima’s cuff shaping machine is adjustable to fit different fabric widths, and can be used to produce square, round, or pentagonal shapes. A highly efficient product, Oshima’s model can produce up to 350 pieces per hour.
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3. Sleeve machines: for the perfect sleeve opening!
Sleeve plackets, slits from the shirt sleeve to the cuff, provide a comfortable opening for hands to poke through. They require extra precision during the manufacturing process, as incorrect sizing will make the finished garment difficult to wear.
The sleeve placket creaser machine from Oshima is equipped with a cylinder system to ensure accurate pressure. It is suitable for producing sleeves and other similarly shaped items, and has a conveyor belt calibration system to ensure best results.
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4. Collar machines: making perfect shirt collars!
Shirt collars are highly visible and should be manufactured with precision to ensure the correct form and stiffness. Oshima’s collar trimming and turning machines cut and turn fabric to make collar molds. The most advanced model, OP-565III, is an all-in-one machine that is perfect for high-end shirt manufacturers looking to achieve an output of up to 200 pieces per hour. Oshima collar trimming and turning machines are also equipped with a cooling function, removing the risk of shiny material from overheating.
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5. Shoulder press machines: shaping the perfect fit!
Shoulder and back seam presses are used to press shoulder, back, side, and arm hole (i.e., armscye) seams. They flatten fabric seams and edges to add shape to specific areas. These presses save time and ensure accuracy, enhancing the quality of the finished product.
Oshima’s shoulder and back seam presses can press up to 230 pieces per hour, and are fitted with adjustable pressure and temperature settings for the greatest pressing precision.
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6. Shirt side seam presses give shape to shoulder, waist and sleeve seams
Similar to the shoulder seam press, shirt side seam presses crease and press shoulders, waist, and sleeve seams. They are also used to press sleeve collars and t-shirts, and are fitted with adjustable temperature and pressure settings.
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7. Heat transfer machines use separate heating zones to dye fabric
Heat transfer machines make it possible to dye patterns onto fabric. Dye is firstly pre-printed onto paper and pressed onto fabric using heat transfer machines. The Automatic Single-Platen Heat Press and Automatic Dual-Platen Heat Press from Oshima each have a flat surface for users to position garments while printing. They also have separate heating zones to apply different heat levels as required. The Rotary Fusing Press enables both hot and cold pressing to shorten the production time. Pressure settings can be adjusted depending on production requirements, and the machines can achieve a maximum output of 230 pieces per hour.
Conclusion
Shirt manufacturing is a complicated process, and there are many technical details to be considered. Oshima makes high-quality machinery for each part of the shirt production process, allowing factories to purchase everything from one supplier. Our machines are trusted by global clothing manufacturers like Adidas and Puma, and are renowned for producing high-end goods. Contact ustoday to find out how we can enhance your garment production journey.
