Case Study: Custom Seam Tape for a Sportswear Brand in Kenya
Source:Elegant Pearl Barrettes /
Time:2026-09-18
Seam Tape for a Sportswear Brand in Kenya
A Sportswear Brand approached us with a seam tape requirement for the Kenya 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
- Shrinkage that only showed up after the first wash
- A trim that passed sampling but failed in-line because it was never cycle tested
- Cartons packed to the factory ratio instead of the buyer's size ratio
What we specified
| Item | Seam Tape |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Sportswear Brand |
| Market | Kenya |
| Order volume | 100,000 pieces across 2 specifications |
| Base material | Brass |
| Standard size | 38 mm Width |
| Finish | Matte Black Coating |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 8 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | CPSIA |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Brass and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Piece-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
- 100,000 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?
Tell us the item, the quantity and the delivery window. We will quote it with the sub-processes named, so the lead time you approve is the lead time you get.
