Spreadsheets are a fashion designer’s comfort zone. Until they’re not.

If you’re still managing your design process using Excel files, email chains, photoshoots, and shared drives, you’re not alone. But as your workload grows, that old process can quickly turn into a mess of file versions, miscommunications, wasted time, and money.

There’s a better way: Fashion PLM software.

Traditional Workflow vs. PLM Workflow

Let’s compare the two:

Traditional Workflow

• Email a tech pack to your supplier

• Wait days (or weeks) for a response or feedback

• Manually update your files

• Search for the latest version (was it “final_FINAL_03” or “final_v2”?)

PLM Workflow

• Upload your tech packs directly into the PLM

• Collaborate in real time with your team and vendors

• Share updates instantly, with last updated information

• Access everything mood boards, tech packs, samples, purchase orders in one organized space

And now, with AI-powered features, things get even faster.

Enter: AI Studio: From Sketch to Photoshoot in Minutes

One of the game-changers similar to Lifecycle PLM is the AI Studio. It allows designers to:

• Instantly render sketches into realistic product images, photoshoots, and videos

• Visualize collections without waiting on physical samples

• Save thousands of dollars on traditional photography and early-stage prototyping

Real result: Designers using AI Studio can test visual ideas, turn concepts to products and into tech packs, and use AI to generate descriptions, POMs, and suggested colors/variants.

Speed Up with Smart Duplication Tools

Still manually copying spec sheets and measurement tables between styles?
PLM lets you:

• Duplicate measurement tables from previous designs

• Quickly apply variants like colorways or fabric changes

• Reuse tested data without starting from scratch every time

It’s not just about saving time; it’s about building consistency and reducing avoidable errors.

Designers reportedly saves at least 5+ hours a week.

Most PLM users report gaining back hours of time each week just by eliminating repetitive admin work and messy file management.

Instead of juggling tools and asking, “Did you see the update I emailed yesterday?” you can trust that everything’s in one place, live and up to date.

Real-World Impact

One independent designer shared that switching to PLM cut their revision time in half, helped them meet production deadlines faster, and made presenting to buyers way more professional. All without hiring extra help.

Ready to Ditch the Spreadsheet Chaos?

If your current workflow feels like a patchwork of spreadsheets, folders, and crossed fingers, now’s the time to upgrade.

A modern fashion PLM with tools like AI Studio, real-time collaboration, and reusable templates can turn your process into something scalable, streamlined, and seriously efficient.