Continue looking for other factories to work with. Good luck! Hi Tracilyn- this post should answer your questions about samples and the sample-producing process.
Thank you for the article posted. It was very informative. My largest obstacle has been the funding for production. I have setup all of the business aspects of the company.
My production is all I need. What is your recommendation in finding an investment? Hi Deena- We actually just published a post about a few different funding options and hope you find it helpful! My situation is slightly different. Would the pricing example you provided apply to one style? How does one go about finding a company to do the sampling? Would it be accurate to assume that every brand basically uses the same source for fasteners zippers? I am in the process of creating my own brand! Now I have to do my patterns and samples.
There will be a very high-quality leather plus exotic. What do you think about it? Congratulations on starting your own brand! It is hard to comment on the pricing for a pattern without seeing the intricacy of the style. Hi, my name is Antonio Taboada,I own a small leather goods design studio; I specialized in low MOQ orders mostly totes if you have any questions please contact me:. Oversees manufacturers are more reputable and I was wondering if it would be possible to contact a few as I have no idea how to reach them.
Please assist in this regard if possible as to what are the most important elements to start off on a solid basis.
My target market is Japanese men, late teens to older gentlemen. The bag idea I have is unique and I have not found anything that is exact. I am an American and do not see this bag being utilized in the West U. It will serve Japan well because of the culture. Korea and China do not have such a culture as to allow this bag however, when it becomes fashionable in Japan, the other countries tend to follow suit.
Do you have any advice for me on possible costs involved with marketing? I plan on having this bag be high-end leather bag so my est. I plan on making a B2B business to business sale not a B2C business to customer sale. I hope to target high department stores with a large distribution chain. My website, when up and running will only be for information not for online sales due to brand integrity. Currently working on design specs. Still early stages for me.
Hi Christine, thank you for a very helpful post. Looking for a very hight quality craftsmanship type of manufacturer. Would you have any recommendations by any chance? Thank you! Prices for samples can fluctuate wildly depending on whether they are Made in US or overseas. Another determining factor is how complex your style is. If the style has a lot of handwork then the price is increased of course. You can then make the sketch more detailed with pen and colored pencils, or use a computer program to create a digital sketch.
Because pencil marks can be easily erased, this low-pressure tool will give you the freedom to draw and create without worrying about messing up. Use cheaper materials for cost-effective prototypes. Prototypes are early-stage products that allow you to make changes to bags before you mass-produce and sell them.
Make careful revisions to perfect your bags. The best part about prototypes is that they let you refine a concrete product. Is there a way to make it sturdier? Is it comfortable to carry? Does it fit all the essentials, including a phone, a wallet, and some makeup?
Manufacturers quickly produce lots of products using your exact specifications for design and material. Prototypes help you revise and fix your design, while samples get products ready for mass production. The samples allow you and the manufacturer to estimate the costs of production and pricing, to provide an example bag to give to marketers and buyers, and to have something to photograph.
Start by searching for producers in your area, and expand your search depending on what you need from your manufacturer. Price your product carefully. You and your manufacturer will likely spend a lot of time discussing the costs of production and the best price to make a profit off your bag. Contact local and big-name retailers and have your samples ready to send out. Do some online research about your potential sellers to make sure your product fits with what they currently offer to their customers.
Retailers want products that customers want to buy. Part 3. Write a business plan to keep track of your goals. Create an online platform to gain customers. Make a website or write a blog documenting your entire process. Start an online store through a website like Etsy. This already-established platform is easy to use and reliable. It can also give you some good exposure.
Use Instagram to share great photos of finished products or the production process. Use Twitter and Facebook to send out fun messages to give your brand personality along with the products.
Use LinkedIn to develop the professional side of your business. People may use LinkedIn to see if they can work with or even for you. Look for a weekly market in your town or city. Especially during the summer months, these fun, outdoor exhibits are staples in most localities around the United States. These are great spots to test your your early designs. Starting small allows you to keep your initial costs low, since you can probably make the first several batches of bags on your own.
Even if no one buys your stuff, craft shows are perfect for getting good, honest feedback. Create a portfolio with professional photos. Your bags deserve pictures that show them off in all their glory. If good photos are really out of your budget, ask your friends and family if anyone owns a nice camera. Lots of people do photography as a hobby, and close buddies may be willing to lend a hand for a free or heavily discounted bag.
This goes for your website, too. Nothing makes a website look unprofessional like bad pictures. Look for PR and sales agents to represent your work.
PR and sales agents help you market to more customers and get better deals from retailers. Show your work at fashion shows and exhibitions. Having your work appear at fashion shows means that fellow designers, celebrities, and models will get to see your work.
While some fashion shows may ask emerging designers to present their work, you can also pay venues to allow you to exhibit your bags. Give your work to charity shows for increased exposure. Offering your bags as gifts or raffle prizes at charity events not only allows you to get involved with causes you believe in, it also introduces your work to new people. If you're not in a place that has fashion design schools, go online! Use pinterest and Etsy to get ideas from other designers, and to learn how to sew and create your bags.
Not Helpful 2 Helpful If I'm selling my bag online, how can I keep my business safe from credit card scammers? Set up your shop with an established online site, such as Etsy. These websites have lots of protections in place to ensure that you don't get scammed. Not Helpful 3 Helpful Craft or Home Decor fusible interfacing is easiest for beginners. Other options include crinoline, thermal mylar like bubble wrap , vinyl, flannel backed rubber sheeting the old fashioned stuff for baby cribs or any other stiffener, Interfacing for dresses is lighter weight if you want a softer bag.
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8. Almost anything; outdoor fabrics have a good weight. Tweeds and boucles work if you use fusible interfacing. If you're in school, you can take some classes for free. Otherwise, you may be able to go to a community center and learn. Sometimes, you can learn through volunteering. Not Helpful 4 Helpful 8. Not Helpful 7 Helpful What material is used to form a bottom that won't fall apart if the bag is washed?
You can also make a flat bottom that comes out. I've used plastic needlepoint scrim and covered it with thin fabric for something really stiff but waterproof. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7. How can I sew a purse when I'm not experienced at sewing and have very little equipment? If you are not experienced, then practice! When you are just a beginner at sewing, you can search up sewing lessons online or go to classes. When you start out, a needle and thread is really all you need. As you get better and better, save up money for more advanced equipment.
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0. Can I become a handbag designer by hand? How do I sell them all over the world? You can! I am a handbag designer and I sew by hand. However, it will be hard to do that if you want to sell them all over the world. Try using online platforms like Etsy and ship them around the world. You can charge the shipping. Just make people aware it takes time to make the bags by hand but that they're getting great quality for this.
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