Case Study: Custom Oxford Fabric for a Workwear Distributor in Saudi Arabia
Source:Hand Lettering Supplies /
Time:2026-09-18
Oxford Fabric for a Workwear Distributor in Saudi Arabia
A Workwear Distributor approached us with a oxford fabric requirement for the Saudi Arabia market. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive freight and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- Lead time quoted without the plating or dyeing sub-process
- Shade drift between the approved lab dip and the bulk lot
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
What we specified
| Item | Oxford Fabric |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Workwear Distributor |
| Market | Saudi Arabia |
| Order volume | 50,000 pieces across 2 specifications |
| Base material | Stainless Steel |
| Standard size | 210 gsm |
| Finish | Gunmetal Finish |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 8 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | EN 71-3 |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Stainless Steel and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Yarn-Dyed Finish after strike-off tests showed better durability.
- A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
- Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
- Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and ratio specification.
Result
- 50,000 pieces delivered inside the 8-week window.
- Unit cost held within 4.5% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 2.0%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Keep one accountable owner on both sides. Most delays come from hand-offs, not from machines.
Planning something similar?
Share the programme details and we will propose two alternatives — one optimised for unit cost, one for lead time — and let you choose.
