PASSPORT TOGLOBAL SOURCING

CREATE THE PERFECTSPEC SAMPLE

GlobalSourcing

“Bringing the world to you.”Fits Group

When you’re dealing with apparel, sizing can be a real stickler.

2SET EXPECTATIONS Determine a price point using physical productsamples. If client doesn’t have a specific item they want to replicate, show them good, better, and best options to really understand their expectations. What fabric weight will they find acceptable and affordable? Is a basic polo sufficient, or do they want something befitting an executive level uniform?

Arm yourself with lots of samples when youmeet with a client to discuss their custom product.While words can be descriptive in terms of size(large and small) or style (modern or vintage),and photos are inspiring, nothing is more exact thana physical item to match. If your client already has asample product they’ve seen at retail, such as a branded shirt, they’d like to replicate. If so, buy it and share it with your global sourcing partner. Shirt details such as fabric content, stitching, color, cut andfinishing items like buttons, are all pieces of a complete story. If any details’ like button color or shirt length doesn’t get discussed, the spec sample won’t be what the client is expecting.

1SHOW AND TELL

he room’s alight with excitement. After waiting weeks to receive a custom jacket spec sample from your supplier, you’ve got it in hand and can’t wait to show your top client. When you remove it from the box, your client points to the purple underarm mesh, saying, “That’s not exactly what I wanted!” And the air goes out of the room.

Let’s face it. Nailing down exactly what your clients want in their custom product isn’t easy - and you risk wasting weeks of production time youcan’t get back if the sample isn’t right. Plus, you need to be able tocommunicate your clients’ requirements to your sourcing partner soyou don’t get a spec sample that misses the mark. We’ve got five proven ways to hit that perfect spec sample bull's-eye on your first try.

T

Make Brand-Name

Apparel AffordableUse custom apparel to save money on uniform programs. If your client sees a brandname garment available at wholesale but can’t afford it, consider replicating it.That’s what one distributor did withthe help of Fits Group Global Sourcing for a national automotiveclient. A sample of a polyester hooded sweatshirt was custommatched to add into the clients uniform program. Thegarment covered a full range ofsizes at a much lower cost thanordering from the brand name provider. However, when odd sizes were needed, the distributor ordered from the industry supplier to keep the client happy.

One of the key benefits of having an in-hand sample is having the exact desired color. Be sure it’s put to good use – your manufacturer can color-match it. Ask for a lab dip before a whole dye lot is done to be sure you’ve got the right shade. That way the spec sample will be color-matched perfectly.

When you’re dealing with apparel, sizing can be a real stickler. Getting a spec sample sized right from the project outset is imperative. Manufacturers’ size specifications on their websites aren’t always exact. If your client has a brand-name shirt they want you to match with a custom product, get two size samples staggered (for example, a medium and an extra-large). A global sourcing partner can take those samples and recreate the whole size scale.

Ensure the custom product that you and your client are planning, will meet the program needs. With uniforms, for example, understand the work environment, such as a restaurant. Waiters and cooks work in stressful, messy,hot conditions. Their workwear needs to be comfortable, breathable and stain resistant. A good fabric choice would be polyester. In general, good questions to ask include: • What are the demographics of the audience using the product?• What’s the working or activity environment of the people using the product?• How frequently will it be used?

3BE COLOR CORRECT

5ASK ABOUT THE AUDIENCE

SIZE IT RIGHT 4

Fits Group Global Sourcing has decades

of hands-on experience in overseas importing and manufacturing. It

has a proven multi-step, goofproof process to

complete every single order, providing a trouble-free

import experience.

fitsGroup.com

GlobalSourcing

“Bringing the world to you.”Fits GroupPlease contact us if we

might be of service:

Steve Robertson4716 W. 152nd. St.Leawood, KS 66224Cell: 913-488-4788Email: srobertson@fits group.com

Thomas L. Hanish5612 Interna�onal PkwyNew Hope, MN 55428Cell: 214-729-4918Email: tomhanish@tlhgroupllc.com