The Benefits of Visual Commerce for Custom Apparel

In the industry of custom apparel, visual commerce gives business a powerful sales tool, offering interactive 3D configurators and augmented reality try-ons. This innovative approach not only enhances customer engagement but also streamlines the order processing for a seamless shopping journey. 

Key Takeaways

• Customization through a user-friendly interface increases likelihood of conversions, adds perceived value and provides apparel business with user behavior insights to leverage for future products.
• Interactive 3D images, consistently high-quality 2D images and augmented reality for virtual try-on experiences increase customer engagement and ensure a more correct fit.
• Automated post-purchase workflows reduce the likelihood of human error, lower lead time and ease communication between designers and manufacturers.

Increasing Customer Engagement and Satisfaction

Customization for a Tailored Experience

Personalized apparel customization empowers customers to create unique pieces that resonate with their individual style and preferences.

This bespoke approach taps into the desire for self-expression, making each purchase more than just a transaction—it becomes a personal statement. Studies indicate that when shoppers have a hand in creating their own product, they are 60% more likely to press "buy."

The process of customization can vary, but typically includes options such as selecting fabric types, colors, patterns, and adding custom text or images.

By offering a user-friendly customization interface, businesses can significantly enhance the online shopping experience, leading to increased customer loyalty and higher conversion rates.

By providing shoppers with the ability to tailor their purchases to their exact preferences, businesses not only foster a sense of ownership but also significantly boost the perceived value of their products.

Statistics show that digital shoppers are willing to pay a premium for customized products. In fact, they will pay up to 20% more for an item they've had a hand in creating.

This willingness to invest more in personalized items underscores the value customers place on customization.

Interactive 3D Images to Engage and Inform

Interactive 3D images within the customization platform enable shoppers to interact with a 3D model of their apparel, customizing colors, patterns and designs in real-time. This not only enhances the user experience but also significantly reduces the likelihood of returns due to unmet expectations.

With the ability to rotate, zoom, and view the apparel from multiple angles, customers gain a comprehensive understanding of what they're purchasing. 

By providing a virtual touch-and-feel experience, custom apparel businesses are setting a new standard in online shopping.

Furthermore, the data collected from these interactions can be invaluable for businesses. It offers insights into customer preferences, helping to tailor future offerings and improve marketing strategies.

Augmented Reality for Virtual Try-Ons

Augmented reality (AR) empowers shoppers to visualize how a garment will look on them without the need for physical fitting rooms. This not only enhances the user experience but also significantly reduces the return rates due to sizing issues.

With AR Try-Ons, the gap between the digital and physical shopping experience is closing, offering a seamless transition from online browsing to purchase decision.

Additionally, the integration of AR virtual try-on experiences into ecommerce platforms has shown a substantial impact on consumer confidence.

Customers are more likely to make a purchase when they can see themselves wearing the product. In fact, Shopify found that products advertised with AR content saw a 94% higher conversion rate than products without that content. 

Engaging Product Photography

In the realm of visual commerce, engaging product photography is paramount. It's the silent ambassador of your brand, speaking volumes through imagery.

Moreover, engaging product photography and detailed visual previews are essential, as 83% of shoppers rank product imagery as the number one factor influencing their online purchase decisions.

The power of a single image can transform the online shopping experience, making it crucial to invest in high-quality visuals that resonate with customers.

With tools like Threekit Virtual Photographer, thousands of photorealistic 2D images can be created in moments.

These images showcase each product from multiple angles, detail and lighting. They can be integrated into varying background scenes, utilized in customization platforms and distributed throughout digital and print channels.

Streamlining Order Processing

Automated Order Generation

Once a customer finalizes their personalized design, Threekit instantly generates a detailed order with precise product specifications.

This seamless transition not only enhances efficiency but also minimizes the risk of human error, ensuring that each order reflects the customer's exact preferences.

The ability to automate order processing is not just a convenience; it's a strategic advantage that can significantly reduce lead times and improve customer satisfaction.

If a customer needs support, internal teams can easily access the exact order specifications, providing tailored help.

Automated Manufacturing Outputs

When an order is created, a bill-of-materials, cut files, patterns and assembly instructions are automatically sent to the sewing room floor or third-party garment manufacturer. 

This enables immediate work on the order and reduces waste by ensuring the correct item with the correct configurations is created. 

Efficient Configuration Management

With headless architecture and a user-friendly design, a robust digital asset management system, and seamless integration with existing PIM, DAM, ERP, ecommerce platforms and more, Threekit is easy to use and maintain.

Businesses can set specific rules around customization options, upselling suggestions, abandoned cart reminders and more. Threekit scales in size and feature as the business directs it.

And with 24/7 global support, a wealth of support documentation and videos, comprehensive tool training and ISO 27001 certification, Threekit is always available to ensure a business is utilizing the platform to its full potential.

Schedule a Threekit demo today, and see how our advanced visual engine and CPQ integration can take your custom apparel business to the next level.