IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCE

IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Through our partnership with a major Hong Kong manufacturer with factories in six countries, as well as long-term agreements with business owners in Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan, Style Source ensures full-service, headache-free import clothing sourcing. First Samples & Sample Runs The import sourcing systems and strategies used by Style Source are designed to make sure that your import shipments are to specification and meet or exceed your expectations. Our sample process begins with first samples, which are constructed from like fabric for fit and construction evaluation. Fabric and color swatches as well as findings samples are submitted for standards approval. Once prototypes are approved and orders are placed, we produce fabric for sample production (and in some cases for order production). Upon fabric approval, we make a full-size run, again prior to cutting production, and submit for approval.Our process ensures that all materials, fit, construction, and grading are to your satisfaction prior to production. ShippingDuring this approval phase, you are solely responsible for the cost of shipments of samples. Unless otherwise requested, Style Source uses FedEx for the movement of packages. You may provide us with your account number for direct billing from FedEx, or we can bill you. Most shipments are first delivered to our offices for documentation and quality certification. Style Source requires a $500 deposit for each style we are requested to develop. We deduct freight charges from this deposit as they occur. If you do not order production, the balance on hand will be applied as a development fee. If you do order production, your balance will be applied to your order. Unless otherwise arranged, Style Source ships product FOB the port of origin (on certain programs we may offer LDP not including freight). Production lead time is typically 90 days (excluding holidays) from order date (Asia) and 60 days from order date (Latin America or Canada). Ocean freight is typically 20 days from the Far East, 30 days from Vietnam or Cambodia, and 7-10 days from Latin America. Customs clearance is typically 2-5 days, but could take longer and is beyond our control. In the event that your shipment is on a container that is selected for an intensive exam (or selected on its own), any charges related to warehousing or customs fees are at your jeopardy. It is important that you understand that the U.S. Customs Service has absolute authority over shipments and that their actions are outside of our control.Possibilities like acts of terror or natural disaster may also delay your shipments. The liability of late delivery due to circumstances outside of our control is your risk. Customs Brokerage You will be required to select a customs broker (we can help you if you do not have one) and to become an importer of record by placing an import bond. Your broker will require a power of attorney in order to file clearance papers on your behalf. Your broker will also handle the direct billing of bulk shipment freight.TermsStyle Source's terms are either LOC or 50% (plus freight estimate) deposit at time of order and the balance upon notification of scheduled shipment from port of origin, whichever you choose. We fully warrant all products to your satisfaction of compliance to specifications, coloration, construction, and manufacturer's defects. All orders are subject to a plus or minus 5% variance in order quantity.
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Import Clothing DevelopmentIn order to develop our sewn product overseas, Style Source must provide our production partners with as much information as possible. In order to do so, we utilize technical specifications (spec packs), which detail construction, critical measurements, and packaging and also define all findings (snaps, zippers, labels, etc.). Our partners then provide us with pricing estimates for consideration.If our pricing estimates are accepted, Style Source will produce first samples from like fabric for construction and fit. We will also begin submitting lab dips, findings samples, strikeoffs, CADs, etc. You will be responsible solely for the cost of freight to the USA and to your facility. Our sampling process will evolve until all aspects of your styles are approved. Once approved, sales samples may be ordered and pricing finalized
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Costing Import ClothingYou would be surprised at how many people call Style Source asking for a price on an item while providing no product specifics. They ask for a "general idea" and often try to base their decision-making process on a guess. Style Source will NOT provide generalized pricing without knowing the basics (fabric type, weight, and content; colors; quantities; size range). Specific pricing requires a full spec pack and a sample if available. Swatches of the fabric in correct weight are also very helpful. If you do not have one, please find something close and submit it with any necessary comments (softer, heavier, drapier, etc.). For colors, we prefer that you use a PANTONE number or submit a fabric swatch. If you know your grading, please define it for us. If you are unsure of the grade, we will be happy to make recommendations.The final piece of information Style Source requires for accurate import pricing is quantities per color. Quantities dictate where we will place production and strongly influence pricing. Production at our minimums (1200 per style/600 per color) will not yield as favorable a price as a 10,000-piece order. Any samples submitted will be sent overseas, so please understand that they will not be returned
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Sampling Import ClothingStyle Source is not a sample house. We only develop samples for customers who understand our production minimums and who have the immediate capability to support production orders upon sample approval. We will submit fabric swatches, lab dips, findings samples, etc. leading up to prototypes for construction and fit. We will do this free of charge as long as you place a production order within a month of sample approval. The only expenses you will incur are freight charges (typically $40-$70 per package from Asia). For each item to be developed we will require a $400 deposit. We will deduct freight charges from your account funds. In the event you do not order from us, you will forfeit your deposit balance as a development fee. (For larger programs, please inquire as to required deposit fees.)At Style Source, we expect our customers to provide as much information regarding production as possible. A fully developed "spec pack" is ideal. Click here for a sample spec pack. If you do not have the internal capabilities needed to develop a spec pack we can do it for you ($150 per pack). It is essential that we provide as much information as possible to our overseas vendors. Information we will need includes:
Size range
Critical dimension measurements
Findings details (zippers, buttons, etc.)
Thread colors
Fabric criteria (content, construction, weight, color, etc.)
.Jpg of art needed for printing or embroidery
Placement specifications
Labeling information
Packaging requirements and materials
Technical drawing or samples Typical lead time for first samples is 20-25 business days. First samples will be in like fabric and will be designed for fit and construction only. Sales samples may be ordered once fit/construction is approved. The ability to produce sales samples is predicated on availability of textiles. If your program mandates custom colors or fabrics a commitment will be required against the minimum fabric that must be produced. Sales samples are billed at 2-1/2 times quoted price
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Brokerage of Import ClothingStyle Source will be happy to provide price estimates for specific programs. We can give you a very "rough" idea on commodity items once we are informed of quantity, colors, sizes, fabric types, fabric weight, fabric content, and purchasing requirements. In order to provide a "true" price we need either a "spec pack" or a sample (or a combination of both). We will then forward these to our overseas resources for pricing. Please bear in mind that your sample will not be returned unless you specify and agree to pay freight on the return. A fully developed spec pack is ideal. Click here for a sample spec pack. If you do not have the internal capabilities needed to develop a spec pack we can do it for you ($150 per pack). Apparel Pricing & LogisticsImport apparel pricing is dependent on many factors besides the cost of materials and labor. The country of origin is selected based on quantities, turn time, freight considerations, quota, quality criteria, etc. We will quote either FOB port of origin or LDP exclusive of freight with a freight estimate. We work exclusively with our broker, E. Besler & Company, for logistics. You may contact Debra Romero at 847-364-0300 if you are planning to work with us. Simply mention that you are setting up an account with Style Source and she will walk you through the process of becoming an importer of record.
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Specification Package for Import ClothingDirections for filling out a spec pack:
Click on the link for the appropriate spec pack item.
You will be given the option to "Open" or "Save" the document. Choose the "Save" option and save the document to your computer.
The file will download as a Microsoft Word document. Double-click on the document to open it, or open Microsoft Word and select the document using the "Open" command in the "File" menu.
Complete the form by typing the data for your project. You can navigate from field to field using the "Tab" key on your keyboard or by clicking on a the appropriate field.
Save the document upon completion and e-mail the document as an attachment to geoff@style-source.com. If you need to attach any .jpgs or other files to your e-mail as well, please do so. You may also print the document and fax it to 610-740-5860.
IMPORT CLOTHING SOURCING

Production of Import ClothingStyle Source quotes all import production at 90 days ex factory. This allows for the makeup of textiles and findings as well as the actual approved production. We sample all fabrics, colors, and findings for approval prior to ordering. We will also receive production swatches prior to cutting and findings samples prior to their application. Upon cutting, top of production samples are sent to us for quality review. Style Source would be pleased to accommodate virtually any form of required packaging and will typically ship one SKU per box unless otherwise requested
PATTERN MAKING AND MARKING

Style Source Inc offers a full range of pattern making services to the trade. Our decades of manufacturing experience affords us a technical perspective difficult to duplicate. We can devise first patterns from conceptual drawings and produce first samples and specifications. The level of expertise required is offered incrementally so your costs are dictated by the depth of the service required. Call us for a quotation on your specific needs. We offer:
First Patterns
First Samples
Sourcing of fabrics and findings
Grading
Marking
Plotting
Material utilization analysis
Specification development (measurement)
Construction sequence and seam types
Overseas specification packages
Size sets
Additionally, we offer consulting services covering the range of sourcing, start up manufacturing, CAD usage, implementation of Quickbooks or Quickbooks PRO, material utilization, fabric identification and quality parameters (shrinkage, defects, yield,coloration, etc) and in process quality control.Please consider that our deep history and experience as garment producers provides us with a skill set that many similar services do not have. We will advise you if your product type fits within our area of expertise and will refer you to additional sources if we feel you are best served with another company. Our objective is to offer the range of services necessary to get you up and running and successful as quickly as possible.