THE JOURNAL

Frequently Asked Question

Insights and expertise from a decade in the clothing industry. Your blueprint for building a successful brand starts here.

Do I need design experience or a fashion background to work with you?

Not at all. Most clients come to us with an idea or a mood board with no technical experience needed. We handle everything from concept to finished product and translate your vision into garments, so you can stay focused on your brand.

Can you help me if I only have a rough concept, no sketches or artwork files?

Yes. A rough concept is all we need. During your consultation, we'll ask the right questions and gather references. From there, our designers take over and you don't need to bring anything other than your ideas.

What should my budget look like before I reach out?

Product development starts at $1,495 CAD per product. Manufacturing costs are separate and depend on factory, materials, and quantity. If you're unsure, reach out anyway  we'll walk you through realistic numbers during a free consultation.

Do you only work with Canadian brands, or can international clients apply?

We work with brands across North America and can accommodate international clients. Consultations can be done virtually, and our deliverables meet international industry standards, so location is rarely a barrier.

How do I get started? What's the very first step?

Submit an inquiry through our Contact page. We'll follow up to schedule a consultation  in person at our North Vancouver studio or virtually  and map out a plan from there.

What is a tech pack and why do I need one?

A tech pack is the complete digital blueprint for your garment,  construction specs, sizing, materials, graphic placement, labelling, and more. It's the universal language between your brand and any factory. Without one, manufacturers are guessing, which leads to costly mistakes. Every product we develop includes a full tech pack.

One important thing to know: tech packs should always be created at the end of the design process, once your garment design is fully finalised. Some people try to cut corners by creating a tech pack at the beginning, but this leads to constant revisions and inaccurate specs. The tech pack needs to reflect your final, approved design to be effective.

Do you produce physical samples or just 3D renders?

We use 3D renders as the primary review tool during development. This speeds up the process, reduces material waste, and gives you a realistic preview before bulk production. Physical pre-production samples are made by your chosen factory before your bulk order is confirmed.

How many revisions am I allowed during the development process?

Your first 3D render includes up to two revision. Additional revisions are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Our thorough upfront consultation means most products are approved with minimal changes.

I already have designs ready. Can I skip straight to manufacturing?

Possibly. If you have a completed tech pack and graded digital patterns at industry standard, you may be able to go straight to manufacturing. If you have sketches or graphic files but no spec sheets or patterns, you'll still need to go through our development process. Send us what you have and we'll advise.

Can I bring my own fabrics or specify custom materials?

Yes. We can source or develop specific fabrics through our partner mills. You'll receive physical swatches and lab dips to approve before production. We also work with a full range of sustainable materials certified under GOTS, OCS, OEKO-TEX, BCI, and more.

Where are your garments manufactured?

Primarily in Portugal, which is one of the most advanced and sustainable production hubs in the global apparel industry. We also have factory relationships in China, Canada, Bangladesh, and Morocco depending on the product, budget, and timeline.

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for manufacturing?

It depends on the type of order. For merchandise and screen printing orders, the MOQ is 50 units per design. For overseas production, MOQs start at 150-200+ units and vary depending on the specific product and region. If your volumes are lower, reach out anyway,  we can sometimes find a solution depending on the product.

Are your manufacturing partners ethically and sustainably certified?

Yes. Our facilities carry internationally recognised certifications including GOTS, OCS, RCS, OEKO-TEX, BCI, TENCEL, Lenzing, and Control Union. We'll advise on which certifications are available for your specific product and factory.

How do I know the quality of my bulk order will be consistent?

Every order goes through a pre-production sample stage before bulk production begins. Your factory produces a fully finished sample  tagged, labelled, and packaged as the final product will be  for your approval. Bulk production only starts once you've signed off.

What happens if my bulk production doesn't match the approved samples?

Pre-production approval exists to prevent this. If a genuine discrepancy occurs, it's addressed directly with the factory. Our long-term partner relationships mean this is rare, and when it does happen, it's handled professionally. Thorough sample review upfront is the best protection.

What's the difference between screen printing, DTG, and embroidery  which should I use?

Screen printing is best for bold graphics on larger runs, vibrant, durable, and cost-effective at scale. DTG (direct-to-garment) suits detailed, full-colour artwork and smaller quantities with no screen setup. Embroidery stitches directly into the fabric and gives a premium finish, ideal for logos. We'll help you choose the right method based on your artwork, garment, and budget.

Can I split my minimum order across multiple designs or colourways?

The MOQ is 50 units per design. Splitting across multiple colourways of the same design is also straightforward. Everything gets mapped out on your merchandise order form before production begins.

Do you provide the blank garments, or do I need to supply my own?

We provide everything. You'll receive our curated catalogue of quality blanks to select your preferred styles and colours. We do not accept client-supplied blanks at this time.

How long does a merchandise or screen printing order take from start to finish?

Approximately 4-6 weeks from the date your invoice is paid. The pre-production process,  artwork approval, mockups, and order confirmation, happens before invoicing, so building in time for that stage upfront keeps things on schedule.

How much does it cost to start a clothing line from scratch?

Product development starts at $1,495 CAD per product. Manufacturing costs are separate and depend on factory, materials, quantity, and garment complexity. We always recommend a free consultation first so we can give you a realistic cost estimate based on your specific goals.

Is full payment required upfront?

For merchandise and screen printing orders, yes  full payment is required before production begins. For product development, payment terms are discussed at the start of your project. Nothing moves forward without your written approval of a detailed quote.

How long does the full process take  from idea to finished product in my hands?

The full timeline from consultation to completed bulk production is typically 18 to 26 weeks. R&D takes 8–12 weeks, fabric sourcing 4–6 weeks, pre-production samples 4–6 weeks, and bulk production 6–8 weeks. Some stages overlap. We'll map out a specific schedule with you at the start of your project.

What if I'm not satisfied with the direction during development?

We keep you involved at every stage  consultation, 3D render review, and sample approval are all checkpoints where you can give feedback before any major costs are committed. We don't move to the next stage without your sign-off. Our goal is for you to be completely satisfied before production begins.

Do you offer ongoing support after my first production run is complete?

Yes. We work with many clients on repeat production runs, new collections, and ongoing merchandise drops. Once your tech packs and digital patterns are on file, future runs are significantly faster. We're invested in long-term relationships, not just one-off projects.