Custom Design

Custom Apparel Design Request

Custom Flag Info

Design Template - Create a sketch of your vision to share with us.

Swatches - Reference our fabric swatches for design direction.

Our goal is to understand your team’s needs and successfully fabricate your vision, on budget and on time. This involves extensive communication, preparation, and planning. It is essential we have your help in meeting due dates to keep your project on a structured timeline. The development process will take 8 weeks from the approval of your design sketch to shipment of your order (12 weeks if the garment requires custom printing and/or appliqués). We recommend you allow a minimum of 12-16 weeks from the initial submission of your design request to shipment of your custom apparel. Time frames will vary depending on the complexity of your garment. If you need your garments in less than 12 weeks, please contact your customer service representative and we will do our best to fit your timeline. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the process please contact us. We are here to assist you! The Sample Timeline below offers an example of expected time frames during the custom process.

*Client responsibility

If you have the following applications or adjustments to your design, ADDITIONAL TIME may be necessary. Please note these descriptions to manage your expectations and plan accordingly.

What would expedite or delay my order?
Expedite:

• Basing your design on an existing 'AWCT' style
• Clear and specific design ideas and communication
• Approving emailed photo of physical sample
• Including visual examples with your design request
• Quick approval of your design

Delay:

• Unclear about specific design ideas
• Redesign or need for multiple illustrations
• Remakes of prototypes/samples
• Physical sample be sent for approval
• Extensive fabric swatch requests
• Failure to meet identified due dates
• Complex patterning/transition costumes
• Adding vinyl appliqué(s)

The calendar is a guideline for planning and each custom design project is unique. It is not uncommon to encounter unexpected delays in the process. We are committed to working through minor delays. However, to make sure you get your finished garments on time, we need your help in making sure that delays do not exceed 5 business days. If this occurs as a result of a delay on your part, your ship date will be adjusted one day for every day we are delayed.

What is the first step to creating a custom design?
The first step of the design process is completing a Custom Design Request. Within three weeks, your concepts will be illustrated by our design staff and emailed to you with pricing information for your approval and feedback. You will have one weeks to approve/edit the design. If a major redesign is needed, the design timeline will start over.

What is the fee for a custom design?
Our design services are complimentary and our staff will provide you an illustration of your initial idea. Once you have approved the design illustration and projected price, your $150 non-refundable pattern fee is due for your custom design to proceed. If you are unsure about what you are looking for, need significant changes to the design created or change your theme/concept; design services are then billed at $50.00 per redesign. If we fabricate a sample garment for your order , but an order is never placed, you will still be charged the total cost of the sample ($100-$200 or more depending on your specific sample).

Once your design illustration is approved you will be asked to complete a Purchase Agreement. This form needs to be signed and returned within 5 business days of receipt to keep your scheduled ship date. The development of your custom garment will not proceed until the Purchase Agreement is completed. Please note, your Purchase Agreement is an estimate, not an invoice. You will not be billed or charged until your order is placed. You will be issued an invoice after your order is placed, which will outline all final pricing and include any shipping/additional fees that apply. You will be required to include credit card information on the Purchase Agreement. The credit card information provided here will be used for any outstanding design or sample fees if, for some reason, the custom order is cancelled.

Download a Purchase Agreement

Once your custom design illustration is approved and your Purchase Agreement is completed and returned, we will create a sample of your garment. For simple color, fabric, or slight alteration changes a sample will not be made. We will email you a photograph of your sample garment on our custom sized mannequins for final approval. If you require the physical sample be sent to you for approval, we suggest you add 1-2 weeks to your timeline. We require the sample be returned to us within 7 days. We will not begin production until the sample is returned and not returning in a timely manner will result in a delayed ship date.

Can I make changes to my design once the sample is made?
Yes, minor changes, like color adjustments, skirt lengths, etc can be made without delaying your ship date or incurring extra costs. If major pattern changes need to be made, a new sample will have to be created which will extend your timeline 2-3 weeks and require an additional $150 pattern fee. Changes will affect the final cost of the garment.

Production will take approximately 4 weeks after your final sizes and quantity needs are received along with your deposit and sample approval. If all due dates are met, your order will ship on the given ship date on your Purchase Agreement. If you require rush shipping, please inform your customer service representative. Additional fees will apply.

Provided the fabric is still available, reordering your custom garment is simple. If fabrics or trims in your garment have been discontinued, we will do our best to find a suitable/approved replacement. Reorders will generally take 4-6 weeks to produce depending on the time of year. The price of your reordered garment could change based on current material and manufacturing costs. Reorders must be a minimum of 3 pieces and a $100 fee will apply. If you know you plan to reorder a style in the future, please alert the design team at the time of design creation. This way we can plan to use fabrics we know will be available.