Common questions.

You do not need a finished design. We can work from concepts and references, and build your design alongside you, using our highly technical knowledge and experience. We can also provide future trend direction.

Yes, we pride ourselves on our in-depth product knowledge and sampling facilities to provide a top-tier product development service.

You can book a detailed one or two hour consultation call through our website. This is useful to bounce ideas around, and iron out potential sticking points before you decide to go into full design and product development.

Yes, we frequently work with existing brands who are looking to refine their current products, whether that is sizing, fabrication or any other way we feel we can improve the existing offering.

Yes, our highly skilled pattern cutters are able to take an almost direct pattern from a sample that already exists.

Yes, we advise all clients to begin with a highly detailed flat drawing, or 'CAD', with an annotated design specification, to begin the pattern cutting and sampling stage. The tech pack is then developed through the process, as the sample is being developed. The technical pack will be production ready once we reach the end of the development stage.

Yes, we offer sourcing as part of the full design and development process. This can also be offered as an individual service, if you only need assistance with sourcing.

Each project requires a different amount of development, so we tailor each plan accordingly. However, we usually follow this process:

• An initial consultation to understand the viability of the product, and advise on potential changes before any design work has begun
• Initial designs and CADs are created based on the consultation and agreed design
• First samples are created based on the agreed CADs, then fitted and assessed. This is usually the first stage where any major changes are applied
• Amends are made where needed, and a further sample is constructed

This process is repeated as needed, and refined as we go through the project. We will always advise on the viability and workability of the product before any design work has been paid for and conducted.

We can meet you where you are. Even if you only have a concept and an idea, we can help you bring that to life. Below are examples of information that helps with the initial process, but none of it is essential or expected.

• Sketches or images
• Moodboards
• Reference garments
• Intended customer
• Intended use
• Target market
• Desired fabric or material
• Target retail price
• Target production cost
• Expected quantity
• Size range
• Target launch date
• Intended sales markets or countries
• Branding requirements
• Sustainability requirements
• Any existing patterns, artwork or technical information

Once you approve the initial design, we go into stage 2 (pattern cutting) and begin drafting the 2D pattern of your product.

This depends entirely on the complexity and technicalities of the individual product. For example, a standard t-shirt will usually only require one sample, whereas a 16-piece wired bra would require 4 to 6. This is discussed and confirmed in detail before the project begins.

We have high-tech, in-house sampling facilities, where we produce all samples, right through to production samples. The sampling process begins once we have signed off the initial design specification and have all the materials and trims we need to produce the first sample. In most instances, we can provide basic sampling fabrics and trims to produce the first sample while we wait on decisions, or for bulk fabrics and trims to arrive.

Each sample round is fitted and assessed by us and the client, and relevant amends are made before any further sample is produced.

Yes, absolutely. There is no required production commitment at all. We can spend as much time as needed on initial research and development, to ensure your product is commercially viable and ready for market.

A fit sample is usually the first sample made in fabrics and trims replicating the desired production fabrics and trims. Its main purpose is to test the initial fit of the product, and it is especially useful when the product is more complex or technical.

A pre-production sample is made with all the required bulk fabrics, trims and labelling, and to the correct production spec. These samples are sometimes referred to as photoshoot samples, as they are made to the exact spec needed for bulk production.

Responsibility for approving final samples falls almost entirely on the client. However, where needed, our team will advise if further amends or changes are required.

A detailed product specification is created and finalised before any production samples are made, and the production sample is then made to that spec. That is how we know it is ready. We also need to ensure all bulk fabrics, trims, labels and packaging are in house and ready to go, and that any garment decoration (embroidery, screen printing etc.) has been approved.

A technical pack is an 'ingredients' booklet mapping out everything needed to create your product. It should also include a fit workbook, which is a set of documents showing the product being fitted throughout the development process, with all amendments and changes recorded.

Typically this can include:

• Technical flats
• Bill of materials (BOM)
• Fabric specifications
• Trim specifications
• Measurement and specification chart
• Points of measure
• Tolerances
• Construction details
• Stitch and seam specifications
• Label requirements
• Packaging requirements
• Artwork, print and embroidery files
• Grading information
• Colour references
• Testing requirements

Yes, each product will need its own technical pack. This includes sets, so if you have a lingerie set or bikini, the top and bottom should each have their own technical pack, as they will both have individual technical specifications and requirements.

We treat a tech pack as a working document, which is amended and added to throughout the sample development process. We would usually start by translating your sketch into a workable design specification, which is included in your tech pack. The design spec is also used to start the pattern cutting and sampling process.

Yes. Whether or not you are producing with us or through our network, we can create a fully production-ready tech pack based on your design and requirements.

Yes, the tech pack fee includes rounds of amendments, depending on the complexity of the garment. The number of amendments will be clearly communicated in the initial project proposal.

As stated in our standard contract, once all relevant fees have been paid in full, the client has full ownership of all digital and physical assets relating to the project and product.

Doing your own research and looking at similar products on the market will help you choose the right fabrics and trims. We will of course help you with this at the beginning and throughout the process, and we also offer a full sourcing package.

Yes we can. This is at an additional cost, which is agreed before the project begins.

Yes we can. We always establish your target retail price and market position at the start of our consultation, which allows us to source fabrics suitable for your exact product.

• Fabric composition: the exact fibres the fabric is made from
• Fabric weight: the weight of the fabric in grams per square metre
• Fabric construction: whether the fabric is woven or knitted, the type of machine it is knitted on, the gauge, and what type of weave it is

Yes we can. We have a large range of fabric manufacturers and suppliers in our network.

Yes, there is always the option of knitting or weaving a bespoke fabric. This does usually come with high MOQs of around 500m per fabric.

This is always determined before we reach the production stage. We would not allow a product to go all the way through development and then not be produced because of a lack of availability.

Yes, all trims can also be sourced.

As we do not produce fabrics and trims in house, this is determined by the supplier. We have a range of large and smaller suppliers in our network to suit the size of your project.

Yes, fabric and trim testing is offered, and certifications are shared with the client.

We have an in-house fit model, who is a UK size 8 sample size. Unless you want to sample in a different size, or you are designing for a specific body shape, we can conduct fit sessions in house, with the client present.

Our sample sizes for the core sizing range are:

• Womenswear: UK size 8
• Bras: UK size 34B
• Menswear: UK size Medium

For bulk production, we can grade to whatever sizes you require. If the complexity of the product and its grading requires it, we will advise testing the grading by creating fit samples across the size range.

There are industry-standard grading rules, depending on the style of the garment. We can also modify the rules based on your target market, target body shape and any other specific requirements that may affect the sizing.

Yes. We will have established your target market in the initial consultation, and can develop the initial sample and the subsequent size samples to fit the required body type.

It is expected that there may be fit issues on the first sample, especially if the garment is complex and highly technical. We will fit the garment, note down the changes, and apply them to the pattern and the next sample.

Projects range in price depending on the complexity of the garment and how much development is required. Over a 4 to 6 month development period, you can expect to spend £3,000 to £5,000. This is a ballpark estimate and should not be taken as a definite cost.

To produce a sample, we need a detailed design specification as well as guidance on the kind of fabrics you want to use. You should expect to pay between £250 and £1,000 for a first sample, depending on how complex the initial process is.

Each tech pack is tailored to the specific design, but you should expect to pay from £200 to £500 for a fully developed, production-ready tech pack. This price includes multiple revisions as the development progresses.

This is estimated once we have the design specification and an understanding of your target market, fabric, trims and all the elements required to produce the garment. It also depends on how many garments you wish to produce.

In our in-house facility, our MOQ is 20 pieces per style. We can also facilitate orders of over 1,000 pieces per style. The smaller the production quantity, the higher the unit cost will be.

Yes, there is no obligation to produce once we have developed the product.

There are a number of factors to consider when manufacturing in bulk, for example:

• Fabric
• Garment construction
• Number of components
• Trims
• Printing and embroidery
• Labour
• Finishing
• Packaging
• Order quantity
• Testing
• Shipping

Yes, absolutely. We always establish your target retail price and market position before we begin the development process. This guides us on upfront costs and material costs.

We can do both. We have an in-house production facility and a wide range of third-party manufacturers in our network.

Our factory is located in Leicester, UK.

Yes. Through our wide network of suppliers and factories, we can pair you with the most suitable factory for your product.

Yes, in our in-house production facility we can offer an MOQ of just 20 pieces per style.

Yes, we can facilitate orders of over 1,000 pieces per style.

Yes, whether it is in house or through a third-party supplier.

Yes. We manage the project from start to finish and communicate with the factory on your behalf.

Yes, we work with clients globally.

We have a stringent quality control policy, under which we inspect the bulk production at random throughout the full process.

Yes. During the pressing and packaging stage, garments are inspected before being packed, and any defective garments are put to one side and amended as required.

Yes, we check the garments against the required spec throughout the sampling and manufacturing process.

Yes. Our standard contract states that all designs and assets related to the project remain confidential, and can only be shared with the written consent of the client.

Yes, we are more than happy to sign NDAs before any designs are discussed or handed over.

Once the fees are paid in full, all intellectual property rights lie with the client. Blossom claims no ownership over any designs, patterns, digital assets or any other assets relating to the project.

Yes, this is no problem. There is no commitment to manufacture with us or through us. We always recommend seeing the process through with us, for clarity of communication and our knowledge of the project and product, but there is no obligation to do so.

We work with a range of brands, each of which has a tailored contract legally obliging us not to share or copy designs, assets or branding with any other brand or third party, unless we receive written consent from the client.

Timelines depend entirely on the complexity of the garment, but you should usually expect to spend at least 4 to 6 months developing a product and sourcing the bulk materials to produce it with.

From sign-off of the initial design specification to the first sample, you should expect 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the availability of the fabrics and trims and the current capacity of our design studio.

We always advise starting at least 6 to 9 months ahead of your target launch date. More time will be needed the more products you are looking to launch with.

The supply chain for any new product is always vast, and is 99% human run. People make errors, get sick or have circumstances that affect their ability to complete tasks. Problems with machines, dyes and other processes can also occur and affect lead times. We account for delays in the critical path.

Yes, we can work to a reasonable and workable launch date.