Client profile – Elegance combined with streetwear
Our Client is one of the leading Polish clothing brands specializing in online sales. By combining elegance with elements of streetwear, the Brand has gained significant popularity among a broad audience. It offers high-quality clothing such as t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and accessories, characterized by minimalist yet expressive designs. The brand’s products are valued for their comfort and attention to detail, which encourages customers to return for more purchases.
Challenge – Precisely understanding the Designer’s intentions
Despite its strong market position, our Client lacked extensive experience in knitwear design, which posed a challenging task:
- How to convey information to a young Designer about types of weaves, thicknesses, and fabric finishing methods?
- How to understand the Designer’s intentions, who excels in drawing, color selection, and current trends, but lacks experience working with knitwear?
- How to translate sketches into a real product, taking into account details such as the appropriate type of yarn or weave?
- How to deduce the type of machine needed to create a prototype from a sketch?
- How to present the Designer with fabric color options when only a catalog with small 2 cm x 5 cm samples is available?
Communication primarily took place over the phone, online, and via courier shipments. The stakes were high – any misinterpretation of the Designer’s intentions would result in us being responsible for an incorrectly made pattern. This would entail additional costs, time for corrections, and doubts about further collaboration.

What actions did we take?
Detailed phone consultation
After receiving the sweater sketches, we started with a phone call with the Designer. We asked about specifics regarding the weave, fabric thickness, and finishing, aiming to understand their vision as clearly as possible.
Sending material catalogs
After an initial selection, we chose several material catalogs that could match the project. The catalogs were sent to the Designer for review.
Online meeting to showcase solutions
After the Designer reviewed the catalogs, we scheduled a video call. We wanted to show the Designer samples from our showroom and present various technical solutions and weave types. The meeting was partially successful – we understood the general concept, but challenges emerged that complicated further collaboration:
- Weave: The Designer proposed a braid weave, which we did not have in our showroom.
- Fabric feel and thickness: Difficult to convey during an online conversation.
- Color: The Designer struggled to decide based on a small color sample in the catalog.
We considered two solutions:
- Creating a prototype based on general information – a high risk of errors requiring corrections, generating additional costs and time.
- Producing fabric swatches in the chosen colors and proposed weave.
What solution did we choose?
We came up with the idea of creating a 25 cm x 25 cm fabric swatch instead of a full prototype. We ordered three yarn colors chosen by the Designer. After receiving the yarn, we created the swatches and sent them for the Designer’s evaluation. This allowed the Designer to easily assess the material, select the preferred color, and make minor adjustments to the weave. After implementing these adjustments, we proceeded with the prototype, which aligned with the Designer’s vision.
From that moment on, we started offering the Swatch Sample service to all clients who want to see a fabric sample before deciding on a prototype.
Benefits of Swatch Sample
By creating fabric swatches, we managed to:

- Ensure the Designer consciously selects the color and weave – practically guaranteeing the Client’s vision is accurately reflected.
- Avoid additional costs and time loss associated with prototype corrections.
- Slightly increase project costs. The cost of producing fabric swatches is minimal, as the material for the prototype must be purchased anyway.
- Slightly extend project completion time by only a few days, which is still shorter than the time needed to correct a full design (around four weeks).
We always recommend the Swatch Sample service to clients who are unsure if they’ve clearly conveyed their vision.
What did we learn?
Precise communication with designers, especially regarding weaves, fabric thickness, and colors is essential. We realized that a well-planned sample process, like Swatch Sample, significantly reduces the risk of errors. It also allows us to precisely replicate the client’s vision while minimizing costs and time spent on corrections. Additionally, we understood the value of continuously improving communication in apparel design, enabling effective collaboration with designers who often have limited experience working with knitwear.
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