You want to explore possibilities?
To expand the design options, creatives need to understand what’s possible, have an idea of costs related to processes and expert guidance on ‘design for manufacture’ with a targeted price point.
DEVELOPING UNIQUE TREATMENTS
Many of the designs we work on are a route to increasing sales or profit margins, which makes the development process unique to the client, specific brief and application. In working on projects we operate under a premise of non-disclosure, as it often provides a competitive edge. Working on this basis means we need to quickly develop a level of trust and transparency, which is why we have set out how we work, and why we work this way.
How we classify briefs
A Closed Brief Project – This is where a logo, graphic or pattern is simply replicated, but with a level of innovation which is in excess of any standard treatment or manufacturing process. The innovation comes from a combination of developments, combining the digitisation process, thread and consumable selection through to adapting machines to optimise the embroidery or quilting process. Work is approved after a single physical sample is produced. This evidences the finished production quality for the target unit price.
An Open Brief Project – This is where a design, often a recognisable symbol or pattern, is used as the inspiration for the creative team to develop into a combination of decorative treatments. Typically this is a collaborative process between your creative team, who provide the initial concepts; and the Q&E design team. The Q&E development process pushes the initial design concepts, translating their essence into a decorative solution; whilst adhering to the specified requirements and the target unit price point. Here the output is more subjective, and often results in several samples, demonstrating both different creative interpretations and treatment approaches.
IP, Sampling and Costing
We’re not a standard embroidery house, so what we produce isn’t standard – which is why we are happy to take on work speculatively on certain occasions, subject to a few simple conditions. Because what Q&E offer is a combination of technical knowhow, creativity and manufacturing wizardry. As leaders in what we do, our solutions provide a template for others to follow, which is why:
1) Creative Samples
When we produce creative samples for you to touch, feel and inspect, we are happy for photos to be taken of the decorative ‘A’ surface. However, we do not part with the physical creative samples without a fee being paid equating to at least 50% of the initial production run. If you choose to then use another supplier, we will have been paid for our development time. If you place the order, then half the fee is already paid. This is because in producing the creative samples we have solved the problems, added creativity to the thinking, and invested the highest levels of expertise to produce a unique solution.
2) Benchmark samples
Match samples are developed from the approved designs upon a production order. The ‘approved benchmark samples’ replicate the manufacturing process of the production order. Which means we will always require enough material to produce at least two sets of benchmark samples. This ‘benchmark sample’ will be approved before the first production batch to ensure we are able to deliver on our promise, and match the quality of the initial creative sample on every unit throughout a volume run.
3) Intellectual Property Rights
The solutions we apply often incorporate a brand signature which obviously remains yours. However the combination of quality, unique brand differential, and price point remain our IP. Achieving the creative samples and matching every unit throughout a volume run is the result of our Q&E team’s collective experience and creative flair. As in many industries, at some point a lower price point may be desired and alternative suppliers possibly sourced. Q&E appreciate that once the service has been delivered, the finished product is yours. But, as the samples are always designed to run on our machinery, with our expertise, we are not responsible for the output of others should you choose to move manufacturing elsewhere.
We’re happy to discuss any of the above in more detail but we’ve developed this process because it works.