Manufacturing
Somani is not only a factory. It's a development partner that controls every stage between raw fibre and finished garment, entirely in Santo Tirso, Porto, Portugal, under a single quality standard. Six stages. One continuous line of responsibility.
Made in Portugal · Vertically integrated · Since 1986
GOTS
GRS
OCS
OEKO-TEX®
The 6 stages
Santo Tirso · Porto
Made in
Portugal
Since 1986
The claim we can stand behind
Every stage on this page — from the fibre to the finished, packed product — happens on our own floor. For brands selling into markets that pay a premium for genuine European manufacturing, that distinction is the argument, not a decoration.
The Process
Most factories start the story at the cutting table. Ours starts with the fibre. Fabric Engineering and Product Development exist as stages in their own right, because that is where a brand's idea becomes something no one else can produce in quite the same way, and it all still happens under the same Portuguese roof.
The process · Santo Tirso, Porto
Yarn → Weaving → Cutting → Sewing → Finished product
▶ Watch the film01
Selection of raw materials (conventional, organic, recycled cotton, linen and more), sourced exclusively from certified suppliers.
Premium fibres. Responsibly sourced.
Sourced from: Certified cotton suppliers · Organic & recycled fibres · Linen & natural blends
02
Development and production of the fabric itself, in-house: one of Somani's strongest competitive advantages.
We create the fabric, not just the garment.
Includes: Terry weaving · Circular knitting · Construction development · Colours & finishes
03
Turning a brand's idea into a product — the design and technical work between concept and approved sample.
From concept to approved sample.
Includes: Design support · Prototypes & pattern-making · Embroidery & printing · Quilting · Approvals
04 · Made in Portugal
Production itself: cutting, sewing and finishing, carried out entirely on our own floor in Santo Tirso, Porto.
Crafted in Portugal.
Includes: Cutting · Sewing · Embroidery & quilting · Finishing
05
Quality control running through every stage of the process, not applied only at the end of the line.
Quality built into every step.
Includes: Inspections · Measurements · Testing · Final control & packaging
06
Logistics preparation — the final stage before a product leaves Somani, Made in Portugal, on its way to a brand anywhere in the world.
Delivered to brands worldwide.
Includes: Custom packaging · Labelling · Packing · Worldwide shipping
By treating Fabric Engineering and Product Development as stages of their own, the process makes visible what sets Somani apart: control over the fabric itself, not only over the garment built from it — all of it, still, genuinely Made in Portugal.
Questions
The questions we hear most often from brands evaluating a manufacturing partner.
How does the development process work?
Every project moves through the same six stages, from fibre selection to shipping, with a dedicated project manager as a single point of contact throughout. Development starts with a brief, moves through fabric and prototype rounds, and only advances once each sample is formally approved.
What are typical lead times?
Lead times vary by product category, fabric development needs and order volume. As a guide, most projects run around 9 weeks from approved sample to shipment, so a brand can plan a launch date with confidence.
Is our project kept confidential?
Yes. Product development for premium brands depends on discretion, and NDAs are standard practice whenever a project requires one. Client names and unreleased designs are never used in our marketing materials or case studies.
How are samples produced?
Samples are developed in-house, using the same fabric, construction and finishing that will be used in full production, so what's approved at sample stage is what's delivered at scale, in Santo Tirso, Porto.
Tell us about your project (product category, target market and timeline) and we'll come back with the right next step.
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