You have a dream of starting your brand with a unique bag design. The next step is to turn your idea into reality by creating your first sample. But how can you do that?
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At The Clutch Made Factory, we pride ourselves on being an accessory design and maker's one-stop shop. We work with our clients on consulting services as well as productions, website development, and custom hardware. However, the sample development is where the core of the design development proves itself with your product and speaks for your brand. Here are 5 steps to turn your idea into a sample with Clutch Made:
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1.    Our Online Course:
"How to Get Started Making Accessories in the USA"
The best way of getting started is by getting to know how the industry works and the basic steps of the process. With our online course on "How to Make Accessories in the USA", you will have a quick overview of tech packs, sourcing, sample development, patterns, and production. The course also illustrates how to marry your branding with your product and get that out there to the world!
2.   Accessory Design Consultation
Once you have taken the online course, the 1-hour design consultation with our principal, Laura Dotolo, is the next best step. She will go over the bag design and the ideas you have for your brand, making sure the design and brand are aligned and you have the correct accessory design for the demographic you want to reach. Most of this information you will have gained in the online course, so in the consultation, you have more to discuss regarding your direction and design.
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If after the Accessory Design Consultation, you still feel like you need some help fine-tuning your details, measurements, and/or materials, the Tech Pack Consult is a great answer for that. In the TP consult, you get to go over all your design ideas and ask questions about the final design and options to what you might have thoughts on.
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3.   Tech Pack Development
The tech pack is part of our bundle #3 which includes our full sample development, all material sourcing, and the sample/pattern. The tech pack is an international document that contains the illustration of all views of your bag and all measurements and details of the entire design. It is the best method of communication among the designers of the CM Team, the client, and our sample makers. It is also the best way for you to see what your bag will look like and make changes before making the actual sample.
This is also a great time for you to develop logo artwork, custom prints for lining/leather, custom hardware, and other optional custom items. We can also start developing your website and working on setting up your social media, then working on your social media maintenance. if you were to choose some of these services as well.
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4.   Material Sourcing
Once you approve your tech pack file, we start sourcing materials for your sample. We will ship SUBMITS of your requested exterior material options (leather, vegetable-based leather, canvas, nylon…), requested swatches of lining materials, and requested samples of hardware options for you to choose from. This submitted package will allow you to feel the texture and weight of each material that will be on your bag. Additional color options can be requested and received as digital/virtual submissions.
If you would like to have logo stamps, woven labels, or hangtags designed and fabricated for the application of your sample, this would be the stage when we would be working with you on those.
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5.   Sample/Pattern
It’s time to let our sample makers shine. They will develop a pattern for your product based on the tech pack you approved. Then, with the materials you chose, they will make a high-quality sample that you can use for your approval as well as for pictures to get your product out there in the world.
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Once the sample is approved by you, then at that time, we can send you production quotes to get the next stage of your journey started.
Book a call today and turn your idea into a sample with Clutch Made!