General Client Overview:
What aspects of development and production can Michigan Fashion Proto help you with?
What do these services cost?
Sourcing fabric and supplies
Sourcing is $150 per hour, and most clients find what they need in the first hour. We have an extensive swatch library and can help you find something that works for your project. Once you have chosen a fabric you like, we can connect you directly with the vendor. If you book a consultation, sourcing is included in your consultation.
Tech Packs
Tech packs start at $250, the price increases depending on the level of difficulty and detail.
Patterns
Patterns start at $125 each depending on the level of detail/difficulty.
Sampling
Samples start at $125 each, and like the patterns, increase depending on the level of detail/difficulty.
Grading
Once the initial pattern and sample are created and approved for fit & detail, we offer pattern grading starting at $35/size. Most clients then choose to make a sample in each new size to test for fit.
Production
Once the pattern and sample are 100% approved for fit and detail, we can give a quote for production. It is common to need more than one sample with pattern revisions before a sample is considered 100% approved.
Regarding minimums: We will make between 1 and 300pcs. 1-24 pieces are subject to sample pricing. We do offer discounts for multiple samples of the same style- for 6+pcs on the same invoice.
Production pricing starts at 25pcs, and we offer price breaks for quantity. The tiers for quantity are as follows: 25-49, 50-99, 100-249, & 250+. Our minimums are 25pcs per color/per style, which breaks down further to a minimum of 5pcs per size/per color (SKU).
How can the consultation help me and what should I bring?
During consultations, we focus on the details of the product(s) that you wish to make, so it is essential to come with a good idea of what you want to produce and what your selling price point will be. Our goal is to create a step-by-step path to take your product successfully to finished production.
At the consultation, we will go over our development process, suggest fabric swatches, make a list of needed supplies, and advise on strategy. We can answer specific questions about your project, go over your project's timeline, and discuss project expenses including how to calculate product costing.
Consultations are $250/hr and payment is needed upfront to book the appointment.
Consultations can be the following:
Educational/informative meeting, focused style review, line plan, technical aspects review, costing, etc.
Industry review, marketing dates, how the fashion calendar works.
Development and production do’s and don’ts, review of plan options, costs to expect.
Design collaboration meeting where we help to sketch and finalize your silhouettes and line plans.
Fit and finalization of projects previously started.
Please prepare anything that you would like us to see or reference during the meeting (reference garments, sketches, examples of design details, fit, fabric type, notion type, etc- anything at all that you would like us to see or leave with us for next steps or reference). Also be prepared with any questions you may have about the general development process, or any specific questions about your designs or process.
How does fabric & trim sourcing work?
MPF can help you find fabric and trims to use for your sample that you can use when ordering for production.
MFP provides sources and/or swatches - you choose what best suits your needs, we connect you with the vendor so you can establish your own relationship with your sources, and you place all orders to fill sample and production needs. MFP can also provide source information for trims, finishing services, wash houses, main labels, size labels, and care labels.
Testing is the responsibility of the client. Testing may include: washing, printing, torquing, shrinkage, etc. For more info on testing, please see below - How can I test my fabrics for shrinkage?
Sourcing is $150 per hour. We suggest booking only 1 hour to start, if we find it in the 1st hour, no addition time is needed. Paid for 100% upfront, and if a consultation is booked, sourcing is included.
What are tech packs? Why are tech packs the first step in the design process?
Tech packs (aka technical packages) are documents similar to blueprints for clothing. They contain all of the information needed to create your product- technical sketches, details, measurements, stitch types, machines required, materials, colorways, and all aspects of your design. Together with the pattern and sample, the tech packs help to communicate your project’s details to us or to any future manufacturers.
Tech packs are an essential place to start because they determine how to make the pattern and sample, how it should fit and be constructed. The tech pack is considered a “living document” and continues to evolve throughout the development process, and all changes should be noted. Therefore, if properly kept up to date, the tech pack is a complete history of the product. Once the details in the tech pack are approved, creating the pattern and sample should be a smooth process.
What information is needed to complete the tech packs?
Our first step will be to gather specific information about your product and send technical sketches for your approval. We will need to know what size range you’d like to offer, what size the original pattern/sample will be, and a list of specific garment measurements. The measurements that are needed will depend on your design, but generally, we will need information on the flat dimensions and details of the garment.
The tech pack is an evolving document that either you or MFP can continue to update throughout the development process.
Once the tech pack is 100% approved by you, we will be ready to move on to the pattern.
What does pattern-making entail?
MFP creates a traditional paper pattern for your product.
Direction will be needed for style, measurements, and shape, as well as the construction of all seams and fabric prior to the pattern being made.
Pattern-making is paid for 100% upfront
How does the sampling/prototype process work?
First Prototype/Sample
Once the pattern is made and all construction materials are received, MFP will be ready to start the first prototype.
Pricing is based on style and detail.
Materials include (but are not limited to): Fabric, trims (buttons, hooks, zippers, interfacing, elastic), thread, main label, size label, care label, etc.
MFP generally asks for 3 weeks for sampling. That timing might be longer depending on the current workload and season.
Samples are paid 50% prior to start, and 50% upon completion- before shipping or at the time of pick up.
MFP requires a shipping label to be sent for all shipping. You can send us a shipping label by going to the website of the carrier of your choice and going though the steps to create an account - you will need the box dimensions and weight. Instead of printing the label, save it as a PDF and attach to an email and send it to us - we will print it and get the box shipped to you ASAP.
Style review
Once you receive the garment, it is your responsibility to confirm that all style aspects and fit is correct.
If labels are not present in the sample, the direction is then required during review.
NO pattern changes are included in MFP’s pattern price, so any style or fit changes will be charged according to the level of detail.
All pattern changes must be submitted to MFP in writing, email is preferred.
All style testing should be done after your fitting. That means washing, testing for shrinkage, torquing, and elasticity, as well as any finishing treatments like screen printing, should be tested. All treatments can affect the overall fit of a garment.
After you approve the garment, MFP can give production quotes.
Grading
Grade rules are the responsibility of the designer/client.
Once fit is finalized, your pattern is ready for grading. MFP can do grading for a per-size charge.
Grading is due 100% upfront, includes digital files.
Size set samples
A size set of samples is strongly recommended to test the grading and to make sure you are comfortable with the fit of all sizes.
If you decide to skip this step, understand that you are taking a risk at your own expense. It is often more affordable to have a mistake corrected at this stage than after a production run.
How much material should I send for my samples?
As a general rule, we require a minimum of 2 yards of fabric for each sample. Depending on the cuttable width of the fabric, there will be fabric remaining after the sample is completed, and we will return anything that remains to you with the finished sample, or we can hang onto it for an updated sample, or, after grading, for a sample in a new size.
Why do you need to create a sample before you can offer production pricing?
Prior to going into production with any style, we will need to produce one for you to approve for quality, detail, etc. During that process, we write the flow for production and collect information on how many people machines, how much time, etc is needed to most efficiently produce the piece. Once you have approved the sample for quality, detail, etc, we are able to offer production pricing in the quantities of 25-49, 50-99, 100-249, and 250+ pieces.
Can you tell me the production pricing for my design prior to sampling?
We are able to advise on construction and details during development for best production pricing, but until the sample is approved by you for fit and detail, we’re not able to confirm production pricing.
After all of the information from the sampling process is collected, we can provide accurate production pricing- all quotes for pricing are good for 30 days.
Production
Once the grading and size settings are approved, you are ready for your first production run.
Markers are often used- this is the layout of pattern pieces to make the most out of fabric yield.
Production runs require an average of 8 weeks lead-time, depending on current workload and season.
All production time starts after all pattern/grading is complete, all materials are received (materials include: enough materials to complete the order. If enough is not provided, MFP reserves the right to alter the completion date in accordance with how much time is lost and how much time to takes to receive the required materials), and down payment has been made.
Production is paid 50% upfront and 50% upon completion, prior to shipping or at the time of pick up.
Rush orders may be possible but are not guaranteed. Rush charges will be applied to pricing, and the charges may vary depending on order details.
How do I send you a shipping label?
Please send us a shipping label by going to the website of the carrier of your choice and going through the steps to create an account- you will need the box dimensions and weight. Instead of printing the label, save it as a PDF and attach it to an email and send it to us- we will print it and get the box shipped to you ASAP.
How can I test my fabrics for shrinkage?
Why test for shrinkage: Shrinkage is very common in all fabrics- knowing how your fabric will react to normal wear & tear, laundering, etc. will help you to create a quality product with accurate care instructions. It will also help determine if fabric should be washed prior to being cut, if it is colorfast, has a torquing or pilling issue, or a myriad of other possible issues.
How shrinkage can occur: In either knit or woven fabrics, shrinkage can occur on the length grain, cross-grain, or both. How your specific materials will react will depend on their content, structure, and wash instructions.
Important to follow the care instructions from the mill: The mill or vendor where you purchased the fabric will be able to advise on the suggested was instructions for your particular fabrics.
Here’s the testing method that we suggest:
Start by cutting a 12”x12” square from your fabric.
In the center, draw an arrow to indicate the grain-line (parallel with the selvage).
On this 12” square piece, use a sharpie to draw a 10”x10” square.
Now launder the piece according to the care instructions from the mill.
Once the piece is dry, lay it flat and remeasure. The edges may have rolled or frayed (or both, depending on the fabric), so just ignore the original 12”x12” dimension- but take note if you intend on having raw edges in your design.
Use a measuring tape or ruler to check the dimensions on the 10”x10” square that you drew (refer to the arrow in the center of the swatch to indicate grain-line).
If the lines are longer or shorter than 10”, you will know if your fabric grows longer or shrinks on the length grain, and if it gets looser or tighter on the cross-grain. You will also see if the square is still the correct shape or if the fabric torques, or if there are any other issues like fabric finishing problems, color fading, or other issues.
Knowing how your fabric reacts to laundering can help you decide if your fabric should be pre-washed prior to production, if your patterns should be altered to accommodate the fabric, or if you need to choose a new fabric altogether.
Can you help me design infant or children’s apparel?
For any children's apparel or sleepwear, you will want to get your product tested, approved and follow all federal safety regulations see the following links:
Federal standards and regulations:
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/185629/ChildrensApparelProductsTrifold22014LinkUpdated82015.pdf
https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Clothing
For infant and children wear, it is essential to have all testing done on your own as well as source from vendors who guarantee Child Safe products. You may want to get in touch with: