– ABOUT OUR MATERIAL SOURCING SERVICE –

 

Material sourcing is one of the most complex and time consuming aspects of sampling and manufacturing fashion accessories.
We created this service to support our customers and help them in finding suitable, feasible and reliable solutions.

What you pay for by using this service is:

– The time that it takes us to understand the full extent of your needs and to answer all of your questions
– The time to explain to you what is possible and what is not in relation to your budget and project requirements
– The time that it takes us to explain the options you have and the pros and cons of each of them
– The time that it takes us to contact suppliers and gather all the information for you (calls, emails, etc)
– The time that it takes us to organise all of this information and clearly communicate it to you so you can make your choices
– The time that it takes us to place the orders, to chase the supplier for updates, to contact the shipping company if needed, to be available to receive deliveries and keep you posted along the way

 

COST OF THE SERVICE AND WHAT IT INCLUDES

The cost of the service includes:
Our expertise – With our 20 years of experience in the industry, you can trust us to know what you need for your project. 
Reliability –  Over the years, we have built relationships with a portfolio of reliable suppliers (manufacturers, retailers, or wholesalers) both in the UK and EU that offer different levels of quality and price ranges.
Our dedicated work – We will take the time to understand your requirements and show you what we think is suitable for your project. We will then contact the supplier(s) to check availability and updated prices. If needed, we will send you pictures, samples and the information you need to make your choice.
Support with orders and deliveries – If and when you decide to proceed, we will take care of the order and have the material(s) delivered to us. You won’t need to worry about anything and we will keep you posted on the delivery updates.

HOW CAN I REVIEW THE MATERIAL(S)?

At our studio: If you are coming for a consultation, we can show you our material portfolio and advise you on the best options. After the consultation we will continue the research independently and get back to you with the outcome and all information about the materials you have selected.
Remotely: If you are not coming for a consultation, the whole process is carried out remotely. We will communicate with you through pictures, tables containing all relevant information and sending samples, when possible and/or required.

WHO IS THIS SERVICE DEDICATED TO?

We reserve our material sourcing service for customers who are using our product development, prototyping and/or manufacturing services.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SOURCE THE CORRECT MATERIALS FOR ME?

We will need to have as much information as possible about your requirements (if you have any) such as: pictures of similar products, references for the colour, thickness, temper, measurements, performance, sustainability, etc.

HOW MUCH DOES THIS SERVICE COST?:

LEATHER/VEGAN LEATHER/FABRIC SOURCING

 

SOURCING SERVICE COST:
£60 per type of material

 

ORDERING SERVICE COST:
£28 for each order/supplier

 

HOW DOES IT WORK:
We will provide you with up to three choices (whenever possible) for you to choose from, together with all relevant and available information about the materials.
Once you have made your choice in selecting materials, we will provide the name of the manufacturer/supplier and you will be able to order by yourself or we can take care of the order for you.
If you order the materials independently, you will need to calculate the quantities needed (we will provide you with the estimated quantity of fabric/leather needed for each piece) and let us know when the delivery is due to arrive with a minimum of 24 hours notice. In this case we will not be responsible for delays due to mistakes in the calculation of the material quantities.

 

SAMPLES
Whenever possible, and if you cannot review the materials in person at our studio, we will send you samples of the materials (UK only).
Alternatively, we will send you pictures and clear information about the specifications of the materials.

 

WHAT IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CHOICES?
We will provide you with a list of a few reputable suppliers that you can contact directly to continue your research independently.

FITTINGS AND TRIMMINGS SOURCING

 

SOURCING SERVICE COST:
£40 per type of fitting

 

ORDERING SERVICE COST:
Handling is free of charge

 

HOW DOES IT WORK:
We source fittings from different UK and EU suppliers, agents and manufacturers which we have created a relationship with over the years.
We will research up to 3 style options (when possible) of fittings and trimmings that best fit your budget and requirements.
We will send you a pdf with relevant information, such as pictures, measurements, prices, and lead time so that you can make your choice.
Once you have made you choice, we will order fittings and trimmings on your behalf.

 

SAMPLES
Our fittings/trimmings suppliers do not offer a free sample service. If you wish to see the fittings before we start making your prototype, you will need to place an order. In some cases, a MOQ will be required.

 

WHAT IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CHOICES?
We will provide you with a list of a few reputable suppliers that you can contact directly to continue your research independently.

FITTINGS SOURCING: IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

 

QUALITY/DURABILITY OF FITTINGS
We supply from a portfolio of reliable suppliers (manufacturers, retailers, agents and wholesalers) that offer different levels of quality and price ranges. We will select the fittings that best fit your budget and requirements.
Brass or steel are the most suitable materials for dog leads and collar fittings. Of course, the fabrication and construction of the fittings also define their durability, but traditionally these two materials are the most recommended for dog accessories because they are the strongest. Please note that there are fewer choices in these materials and unless the product is custom made, usually they come in more classic and arguably less trendy styles. 
Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee the suitability and durability of the fittings and trimmings supplied. Should this be a concern for you, we suggest you place a small order (a MOQ might be required in some cases) and test them on your end.
BESPOKE FITTINGS/TRIMMINGS
Our materials sourcing service does not include bespoke fittings or trimmings except for zips.
If you wish to have your fittings or trimmings customised, we can suggest a trusted company that can take care of it but, unfortunately, we won’t be able to follow the process for you.  Please note that this option requires significant investment and, sometimes, long lead times.
In general, we recommend our customers stick with existing stock for the prototype and then, if necessary, consider the bespoke fittings and trimmings for production.
FITTINGS COLOUR MATCHING
Colour matching for metal and plastic fittings can be an issue because different manufacturers use different materials and plating components/techniques. We will order from the same suppliers whenever possible and/or select fittings from our physical catalogues to verify the colours in person. However, please remember that this won’t always be possible.
If colour matching is a priority for you and it is not possible for us to source from pre-existing stock, you have the option to have your fittings coated. We can refer you to companies that can help you with this but, unfortunately, we won’t be able to follow the process for you. Please note that this option requires significant investment and, sometimes, long lead times.
In general, we recommend our customers stick with existing stock for the prototype and then, if necessary, consider this option for production.

TO KNOW MORE: T&C

 

UPDATES ON YOUR ORDER
We will always keep you updated about the state of your delivery. Once we receive your parcel, you will be notified before the end of the day.
If you don’t hear from us, it is because we have no updates, so we kindly ask you to be patient. 
DELAYS WITH YOUR ORDER
The London Leather Workshop does not take any responsibility for any delays with the delivery of materials and any consequent missing of a deadline.
In this unlikely scenario, we can’t ensure that we will be able to start or complete your project within the agreed timelines, as we might be booked with other projects.
DELIVERY/IMPORT DUTY
Import duties when ordering from outside the UK will be calculated after shipping. We will inform you about any additional costs and you will be asked to make your payment before we start working on your project.
RETURNS
Returns are subject to suppliers’ policy and you are responsible for return postage expenses. If you wish to return one or more item please let us know within 5 working days of its arrival at our studio.