Fashion Manufacturing FAQ

Is your factory ethical?

We follow labor law strictly and treat our team with care and respect. Our salaries are above the minimum salary set by the government and we only work 5 days per week. Overtime is only worked if the team agrees that they would like to take the OT order. All staff are entitled to annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave. We have flexible working arrangements so people can deal with emergencies and family situations.

Do you allow factory visits?

Yes we do. Please let us know in advance if you would like to see the Atelier in Phnom Penh so we can arrange for you.

What are your services?

We offer pattern making, prototyping and sampling. Once a sample is approved we also can take care of the grading and the production of your order. If you only have your fashion sketches or photos we can create a tech pack for you. If you do not have your own designs and are just looking for blanks or white label products we have a separate catalogue with these items that you can order.

What types of clothing do you manufacture?

We specialise in making garments in woven fabrics - mainly women's dresses, blouses, skirts and pants. We can work with complex fabrics including silks and laces allowing us to work on women's evening or bridal wear. We have the capability to work with simple jersey fabrics so we also make basic t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. If you are not sure if your product would fit into any of these categories then send us a message and we can let you know.

What categories do you specialise in?

Our area of expertise is in working with woven fabrics. We are good at making women's fashion garments and prefer more complex designs. We can make wedding and evening gowns and work with difficult fabrics.

What products do you not make?

We do not make swimwear, lingerie, activewear, baseball caps, socks, polo shirts or products that require specialised elastication.

What are your minimum order quantities (MOQ'S)?

Our MOQ for an order is 50 units, but within that you can order 20 units per style.

Do you have fabrics?

We can source fabrics for you from the local markets here in Cambodia where we find a great range of roll ends and factory remnants. We also have access to handmade fabrics in silks, cottons and linens. If you need something special ask us to help with sourcing for you.

Can you make samples and patterns?

Our in house pattern maker can work from photos, sketches or an existing sample to create your style. We also make prototypes and production samples.

Can I order samples before ordering in bulk?

Yes! And we recommend that you do this to make sure you are happy with how your design is working and fits.
If you are ordering from our Positive Fashion collection we also recommend you order samples to make sure you like the design and fit.

Can I get samples made for every size?

You are welcome to order samples of every size but we would not do this until you have approved the first sample and you are ready for grading and production. Ordering samples of all sizes is mainly for you to check the size and we would not be making any design changes at this point. 

How much do you charge for samples?

If we are making samples according to your design and tech pack we will provide you with a quote for making you a sample. For a guide on how much samples cost please download our price guide from the Service page pricing section. If you would like to order from our Positive Fashion collection please check the catalogue for the prices of samples.

What if I don't like the samples you sent me?

If you receive your samples and they do not meet your expectations for some reason then we are happy to have a conversation to try and resolve the issues. Generally though, if the sample is per the specifications of the tech pack but you don’t like the sample then we are happy to update the tech pack with your changes and resample the design. We do charge fees for this - USD50 for a tech pack update, USD50 for a pattern update and then the price of the sample again.

Would you keep the designs so that I can order more in the future?

Yes, we always keep the patterns and tech packs on file so products can be reordered easily.

Are you able to create designs for me?

We do not have a design service but we are happy to recommend some design services that we know and have worked with before.

Are my designs protected?

We take care with your designs and they will not be shown to or used for any other client. Additionally, our staff are not permitted to remove anything from the workshop.

Do you offer drop shipping?

No.

How does the process work?

Check out our “PROCESS GUIDELINES” page on our website.

What is the quality control process?

For quality control we follow the agreed measurement chart in the tech pack and make sure all the measurements are within tolerance. The sewing and fabrics get checked for any defects. The garments are trimmed and pressed at this time also.

What should I prepare before requesting a quote?

If you can send us your tech packs with your fabric requirements and order size, we can provide a quote. If you also need screen printing or embroidery we will need to receive fully colorised, editable pdf files in the correct final size so we can get accurate pricing for these as well. For any labels you need (brand, size, care etc…) we will also need full artwork and details for quoting.

What are Tech Packs and why are they required?

A Tech Pack is a blueprint for a final garment. It contains all the technical specifications and design details that define your product. It helps us to understand exactly what your product should look like, and it is the reference for the quality check at the end of production.

Can I provide my own Tech Packs, patterns and samples?

Yes we are happy to check your tech packs to make sure they have all the information we require. If they don’t we can let you know what is missing. 
We can use your patterns but we charge an extra sample fee to cut and make a test to make sure the pattern is good.
If you already have samples of your product this is very helpful - but we will still charge a sample fee to make one first so you can approve the construction and quality.

What is grading?

Grading is where we take your pattern and make it larger or smaller to create the other sizes that you need. You will need to provide guidance to us on how you would like your grading made as well as what sizes and size steps you will need. While we can advise you on best practice for how grading is performed we need your input as the brand creator.

Can I use reference products?

Yes, you can send us products which we can take for reference, but we don’t copy any product 1:1.

What is the lead time for the entire process? From sample to production.

The lead time starts from when we receive your payment. When we are sending your sales note we will also send you proposed delivery dates for your samples or production. For one sampling round, it takes about 4 weeks. If you go for another sampling round, it takes another 2-4 weeks. Afterwards, for production, the lead time is 6-8 weeks. So, from start to finish, it may take you 12-16 weeks. This is also dependent on fabric availability and if there are any extra processes involved such as printing or embroidery.

Common issues with timelines to be aware of:

There are many national holidays here in Cambodia as well as sometimes logistical issues with transport or importing of materials which can cause delays. As well there are power outages that can also delay production. These usually do not continue for a long time and may only add a few days to the production time. In these cases we would advise you as soon as we know.