Techniques or Methods of Marker Making
Noor Ahmed Raaz
Faculty Member, Dept. of Textile Engineering,
Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology
Email: raju.uttara105@gmail.com
What is Marker:
Marker is a thin paper which contains all the necessary pattern pieces for all sizes for a particular style of garments. It is made just before cutting and its purpose is to minimize the wastages. The width of the marker is equal to the width of the fabric and it should not be greater than the width of the fabric, i.e. fabric width is greater than or equal to marker width. The pattern pieces should be placed very carefully in such a way that it would minimize wastages. Different techniques are used in marker making to minimize the wastages.
Possibilities / Methods / Techniques of Marker Making:
Generally there are two methods by which a marker can be made.
A. Manual Method
The man performs it by himself using hands. If is a conventional system that requires more time.
1. Full size marker: Full size marker is made for production purpose.
2. Miniature type marker: Miniature type marker is sometime made and its purposes are to plan or schedule and learn or study i.e. for planning and learning purposes.
B. Computerized Method
This is the best method as it gives higher marker efficiency. In this method, the pattern size, pattern pieces, grade rule, screening are fed to the computer and set in the memory which produces maker automatically. This method normally is a part of an integrated system which includes:
1. Digitizing system: In this system, the working patterns are placed on to the digitizing board/table, then clicking according to the pattern dimensions.
2. Scanning system: Scanner is one kind of machine like photo copier. The working patterns are placed on to the glass of the scanner and then marker is made for a selected size.
Types of computerized method
There are two types of computerized technique:
1. Automatic marker making: It involves calling up data defining the placement of pieces in marker previously planned and selecting from a series.
2. Interactive marker making: It is a common process in that the operator plans marker by interacting directly with the system through a computer screen. All the pattern pieces are displayed in miniature at the top of the screen.
Advantages of computerized method over manual method
- Suitable for large scale of production.
- Marker efficiency is higher than that obtained in manual method.
- Least fabric wastage.
- Low production cost.
- Marker can be printed out if necessary.
- Grading of the pattern could be done automatically.
- Few time assumption.
- Disadvantages compared to manual method
- Initial investment is high.
- Skilled operator is greatly necessary.
Difference between manual and computerized method of marker making:
| Manual method | Computerized method |
| Suitable for small amount of production. | Used for large scale of production. |
| Marker efficiency is lower. | Higher |
| Initial investment is not high. | Higher |
| It is usually a slower method. | Quicker method |
| Production cost is high. | Low |
| Fabric wastage is high. | Low |
| Can not be copied as and when wish. | Can be copied as and when desired. |
Difference between automatic and interactive marker making:
| Automatic | Interactive |
| Most efficient marker is obtained. | Comparatively less efficient. |
| More time is required. | Comparatively less time is required. |
| Computer makes marker by previously planned data. | Operator makes marker with the help of computer. |
| Smaller sized patterns are displayed on the computer screen and full size patterns are stored in the computer memory. | All the pattern pieces are displayed in miniature at the top of the screen. |
| Grading rule is applied. | Not applicable. |
You may also like:
- Methods of Drawing and Duplicating a Marker
- Quality Control and Inspection in Marker Making
- Important Factors of Marker Efficiency
- Constraints of Marker Making in Apparel Production
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
