Case Study: Custom Oxford Fabric for a Sportswear Brand in Japan
Source:Custom Bust Sculptures /
Time:2026-09-18
Oxford Fabric for a Sportswear Brand in Japan
A Sportswear Brand approached us with a oxford fabric requirement for the Japan 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
- A spec that lived in an email instead of a tech pack
- A trim that passed sampling but failed in-line because it was never cycle tested
- Shade drift between the approved lab dip and the bulk lot
What we specified
| Item | Oxford Fabric |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Sportswear Brand |
| Market | Japan |
| Order volume | 100,000 pieces across 3 specifications |
| Base material | Stainless Steel |
| Standard size | 280 gsm |
| Finish | Antique Copper Finish |
| Sampling rounds | 3 |
| Delivery window | 6 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
| Compliance | GB 18401 |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the specification around Stainless Steel and locked the tolerance before bulk.
- The finish was moved to Antique Copper 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 6-week window.
- Unit cost held within 1.5% of the original quotation.
- Inspection-related rejection stayed under 1.0%.
- 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.
