What was the factory putting out system?

The factory putting out system, also known as the "putting-out" or "domestic system," was a pre-industrial method of production where work was contracted to individuals or families who completed tasks in their homes. This system allowed manufacturers to bypass the costs associated with maintaining a central facility and relied on a network of independent workers to produce goods, often textiles. The putting-out system facilitated flexibility and local craftsmanship but was eventually overshadowed by the industrial revolution and the rise of factory-based production.