Why On-Demand Manufacturing Often Fails Startups - Real Costs, Risks & Smarter Alternatives

Why On-Demand Manufacturing Often Fails Startups - Real Costs, Risks & Smarter Alternatives

On-demand manufacturing sounds like the holy grail for small apparel brands. You make only what’s sold, eliminate inventory risk, and stay lean. It’s a dream — until reality hits.

Many startups jump into on-demand production thinking it’s a cost-saving, sustainable, and modern approach. But the truth is, for most young brands, on-demand manufacturing creates hidden costs, slower scalability, and poor customer experience if not managed strategically.