For Project-based work, including consultations, tech-pack projects, fitting consultations, sampling reports, or process/system training, we charge AUD $150-$180+GST per hour, with a 1-hour minimum for remote consultations and a 2-hour minimum for in-office consultations.

For Retainer Service customers, the price varies depending on your service selection, ranging from AUD $180 to AUD $200+GST per hour, with no minimum requirements for consultation time or bookings.

We offer flexible payment terms, including instalments, depending on the scope of work and the selected service.

For our full price list and payment terms, please feel free to book a discovery call with us so we can create a service proposal for your brand or project.

The total cost of your collection can vary significantly based on several factors, including design complexity, materials, production methods, and quantity. It's difficult to provide an accurate estimate without understanding your specific designs. Once you complete the design development with us and provide detailed information about your collection, we can offer a more precise quote. It’s essential to factor in costs for sampling, production, logistics, and any additional branding services you may require.

The lead time can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your designs and the production process. On average, it can take anywhere from 7 to 12 months from the initial design phase to final production. Here’s an approximate timeline:

• Design Brief, Range Plan, Preparing for Techpacks: 2-6 weeks
• Tech Packs: 1-2 weeks
• Sourcing Suppliers or Fabric/Trims: 1-2 weeks (If required)
• Sampling: 30-90 days (depending on the number of samples required, number of sample rounds, and country of manufacturing)
• Production & QC: 1-3 months (depending on country of manufacture, time of year and customisations)
• Logistics / Freight of Bulk: 2-6 weeks depending if air or sea freight

Please note that we are not able to control unforseen delays with custom manufacturing's essential to plan accordingly and build flexibility into your timeline.

Yes, we offer flexibility in our service proposals, allowing you to choose the level of assistance you need. We have options like an End-to-End Retainer, which is suitable for startups needing comprehensive support, as well as a Build Your Fashion Brand Program that offers more DIY elements. If you prefer, you can also engage with us on a project-by-project basis for specific tasks such as tech packs or sampling.

Yes, even though Spec to Sample is representing on behalf of your brand, final decisions will still be made by you and you are still on CC with our communication if you prefer to keep in the loop at all times! We will always be here to guide you and give suggestions and options to help you come up with the most feasible and commercial decision for your business.

Yes, we do. However, this offering is exclusively available for clients with an established brand or industry background. The one-time connect package includes a referral to our trusted factories, along with a minimum number of retainer hours if required. If you are a new brand this ensures that you receive continued guidance from our team of experts and successfully navigate the entire process with our extended supplier family.

The one-time connect is a service where we refer you to our trusted factories. Once you pay the fee, we handle the introduction email, and then you can communicate directly with the factories for your manufacturing needs. This service is designed to simplify your process of finding reliable suppliers without having to navigate the complexities alone.

Our white label service provides you with pre-developed tech packs and specification sheets at a more competitive price than custom-designed options. This service allows you to incorporate ready-made designs into your collection, keeping costs lower as you scale your brand. If you’re on a retainer with us, you can also make minor design amendments or change the fabric within the white label designs as part of your agreement.

Yes, once the quotation is accepted our manufacturers will provide samples to ensure the product meets your expectations before proceeding with bulk production. However if you are requesting customised trims, hardware or materials, your samples will be in substitute colours until you are ready to place your bulk production deposit.

Manufacturing costs depend on several factors, including fabric selection, trims, labor, and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs). The costs typically include design development, fabric sourcing, sampling rounds, production, and logistics (freight). Sampling costs, in particular, can vary based on the number of sample rounds needed to perfect your product. Additional costs might include custom packaging, labeling, and any testing requirements. We’ll help you understand the breakdown of these costs, so you can budget effectively. Costs can vary significantly depending on the complexity of your design, the materials used, and the country of production.

Yes, when the production costs are quoted, they typically include the estimated bulk fabric and trim costs. This is calculated based on the specifications provided in your tech pack. However, additional costs such as shipping or custom labels may be quoted separately.

This genuinely comes down to trust between yourself and the manufacturer. We have long-standing relationships with our suppliers and all of them take cofidentiality very seriously as on-selling designs can also ruin their reputation.

Spec to Sample offers an in-house fabric library to assist with faster material selections, however manufacturers usually offer a variety of fabrics, including silk, tencel, modal, cotton, viscose, and blends depending on the suppliers garment and manufacturing speciality. Consider your garment's intended use, feel, and cost when selecting materials, and review swatches to evaluate options within your budget and vision.

Yes, our suppliers can definitely accommodate custom sizes and fits. Custom sizing can be particularly important for niche markets such as plus-size or petite collections. We’ll work with the supplier to ensure your specific fit requirements are met, from adjusting grading across different sizes to ensuring the correct silhouette and proportions for each size range.

Our suppliers manage quality control through sampling submissions for feedback, testing of materials before commencing production and regular inspections in the middle and final production lines. Our suppliers have dedicated quality assurance teams and are able to thoroughly answer the process and inspection procedures they conduct.

While issues are rare with our suppliers, our manufacturers will provide you with their trading terms and conditions. This document includes how they work with customers to address any issues, whether it’s defective items or deviations from the agreed purchase order. They may offer solutions like re-working, credit or refund depending on the circumstances. It’s important to remember that your technical documents need to be accurate for us to be able to assist with any claims.

Reference samples are not used for copying designs but rather serve as a visual guide to help communicate your desired fit, silhouette, and construction techniques. They assist our designers and manufacturers in understanding your vision more clearly. We emphasize the importance of using reference samples appropriately and ethically to maintain originality in your designs.

Yes, you can provide your technical drawings for us to review. However, we will ensure that these drawings meet the industry standards required for tech packs. We may need to adjust them to ensure they include all necessary information for production, such as construction details, materials, and measurements.

A brand style guide serves as a comprehensive rulebook that defines every aspect of your brand's visual identity, including logo usage, colour schemes, typography, and tone of voice. Having a well-defined brand style guide ensures that your branding is consistent across all platforms and materials, which helps build brand recognition and trust with your audience.

Yes, we can facilitate the sourcing and production of your custom packaging solutions. Our team is knowledgeable in various packaging materials and techniques and works with a network of reliable partners to ensure you receive high-quality packaging that meets your brand's standards and requirements.

If the fabric, trim, or product you were interested in is out of stock, reach out to your supplier to explore alternative options they might have available. Additionally, checking with other suppliers may yield similar items. If necessary, consider other alternatives or options that may fit your design specifications while maintaining your project timeline.

Yes, it is recommended to request both sampling and production quotes from the factories you contact. Providing them with details about your desired production units per style or color will allow them to give you accurate quotes based on your specific requirements.

All of our factories sign NDAs with us to protect our clients' designs. For external suppliers, it's up to you whether to request an NDA. Some may not respond to such requests before they are engaged in a formal sampling or production process, but it’s worth discussing with them to ensure your intellectual property is safeguarded.

Yes, going through the sampling report process is crucial as it helps ensure effective communication with the factory. Most factories require these reports to document any changes made during the sampling rounds, helping to avoid mistakes in production.