Bridge and Stitch Ltd – Disclaimers

Tech Packs

Every effort will be made to ensure the content of all specification sheets are correct. This is inclusive of, but not restricted to, design specification sheets, manufacturing specification sheets, PACART sheets, grading sheets and colourway sheets. It is the customer’s responsibility to look through the information for errors or omissions. Bridge & Stitch will not accept any responsibility for any errors on the sheets once the customer has approved them. We strongly recommend that all sizes are sampled before production. Measurements are only a guide and are subject to change upon sampling. We will not accept responsibility for any ill-fitting garments where samples were not produced, amended and approved first.

Tech packs are quoted and carried out based on the client’s brief. Our designers will produce the designs to the brief and send to client for approval. Changes can be made to the tech packs where information has been misinterpreted or for small adjustments to fit and look of the design. Where the client changes their mind about any detail on the design, the time it takes to amend these changes will be charged on top of the original quotation. These charges will be agreed with the client before the changes are made.

Upon completion of tech packs, the client will be supplied with a PDF digital copy. The technical pack will be produced to industry standard and Bridge & Stitch give the client the right and the licence to use these technical packs worldwide, if the client chooses to manufacture their products outside of the United Kingdom. The tech packs contain a copyright to help deter others from trying to copy our clients designs and also to protect the work we have produced. It is an offence to manipulate or change the technical packs that carry our name and branding on them. Bridge & Stitch will not supply the original raw files as these are produced using our expertise and knowledge through the latest computer software programmes. Any changes that need to be made to the technical packs can be done through our design team.

Pattern Cutting

All patterns are produced as accurately as possible based on the set of measurements provided in the technical packs. Although every care is taken to ensure the patterns are correct, due to the nature of these being produced by hand, there may be some discrepancies. It is important that all sizes are sampled before production as this gives the factory the opportunity to check all the patterns. Any mistakes or fit problems that are discovered through sampling will be altered free of charge. Any changes made due to the design being altered by the client will be charged per hour to cover our pattern cutters time.

All patterns produced are the property of Bridge & Stitch. Charges for patterns cover our time and expertise to produce the patterns, in order to make the client’s garments. If the client wishes to own the patterns and in turn secure a worldwide licence of the patterns, please contact us in writing with a request, and we can quote for this additional charge.

Fabric

Due to the nature of the processes that fabrics go through, each roll of fabric produced can react differently. We recommend that all fabrics and samples are wash tested for approval with shrinkage, dye fastness etc. being checked before production begins. It is common for fabrics to shrink up to 8% which can be allowed for upon testing the samples, through pattern adjustments. Dyes for fabric are mixed by hand using traditional methods with powder and weighing scales. When dyeing fabric to a custom colour you will be provided with a lab dib to approve before full fabric dye takes place. The ingredients and method for dye are recorded and upon approval, the ingredients are duplicated on a mass scale to dye your fabric lot. Due to the hand methods still used in dye houses, there cannot be a complete guarantee of exact colour match where the colour may be a slight shade darker or lighter for production.

Fabric is produced with yarn which is bought on cones. The length of a fabric roll is determined by the amount of yarn on a cone and the fabric manufacturer will always produce a roll using the full cone of yarn. Thinner fabrics use less yarn per metre and therefore the roll lengths tend to be longer e.g. 80 – 100 metres. Thicker fabrics such as sweatshirting use much more yarn per metre due to the dense nature of the fabric. Roll lengths are therefore usually between 40 – 50 metres. As an average, rolls are between 60 – 70 metres. When Bridge & Stitch order custom fabric for a client’s project, we can place an order of our preferred fabric length, however due to the nature of producing rolls of fabric, the total fabric length that will be received will be to the nearest fabric roll length which could be higher or lower than what we requested. The client is committed to pay the total of the order, even if this is more than the requested length.

Fabric can sometimes have faults within the roll. This is not unusual, particularly when using natural fibres. When the cutter lays out the fabric to cut it, they will check the fabric for any faults and make every effort to ensure that any faults are cut around and do not fall on garment panels. This does however sometimes mean that it can effect usage calculations and lay plans. Bridge & Stitch would expect fabric faults to not exceed 5% of the fabric total.

Printing

Artwork – All files must be 300 DPI or vector format. The design should be sized to the correct dimensions you would like it to print. Text must be converted to outlines. Printing can only be as good as the artwork. Bridge & Stitch will not be responsible for poor quality printing due to poor artwork. We are also not responsible for any misspellings, errors, or issues in your art file. We do our best to catch these errors and point them out to our clients, but we may not catch them all. If it is in the art file and on the client’s approval, that is how we will print it.

Art Approval | Order Proofing – All artwork is to be approved via PACART sheets sent digitally to the client. Artwork must be checked for spelling, colour, sizes ordered, placement of the artwork and accuracy of artwork by the client. It is very important to look over every detail of the mock-up, as this is how the garments will print. Bridge & Stitch will not accept responsibility for corrections not implemented and/or requested after artwork approval. Any modifications requested after customer approval will result in production delays and could require additional expenses. Any delays in the approval process longer than 24 hours after receipt of the mock-up could result in production delays.

Collar & Seam Printing – Although the latest equipment available is used, inconsistencies may occur in registration and ink coverage when printing near or over the collar, seams, zips, pockets or any other edges or uneven surfaces. Any large prints may run the risk of going over the sleeve seam or hem stitching. These are all considered acceptable goods and will not be considered for reprints.

Specific Measurements When Printing – If you request a print that is 10cm down from the collar, for instance, we will use that as a guide and do our best to make sure that all shirts hit that target. Due to the nature of each garment being loaded onto the press by hand, not all shirts will hit exactly at 10cm, they may, on occasion, be off by as much as 2cm in either direction. This will not be considered a misprint and Bridge & Stitch will not reprint or refund these shirts.

Spoilage – 5% spoilage is deemed acceptable. Anything over this amount will require a refund on the spoiled panels or replacement.

Washing – Due to the nature of printing methods, particularly with discharge and waterbased inks, the ink forms a layer on top of the fabric. Certain types of inks, such as these, therefore need to be washed to remove the top layer of ink and leave behind the finished print with a smooth feel. The garments are not pre-washed before delivery of production and therefore it is important that all samples are washed before approving print and that the end user is notified of the need to wash the garment before wearing it.

Colour Variation – Colour is mixed by hand with the use of ink and weighing scales. The ingredients and method for colour matching is recorded and upon approval, the ingredients are duplicated on a mass scale for print production. Due to the hand methods still used in printing, there cannot be a complete guarantee of exact colour matching and the colour may be a slight shade darker or lighter for production.

Sampling

Sampling is a fundamental stage of the production process and must not be rushed. Tech packs and master patterns are produced as accurately as possible however they usually require a certain amount of alterations depending on the fit that the client requires and the complexity of the garment. Sampling is crucial as it allows the client to make alterations before production, approve fabrics and quality of manufacture at the chosen factory. It is a chance for the factory to familiarise themselves with the client’s design, work out any difficulties and perhaps suggest alternative processes that could be more cost effective. Although every effort is made to communicate all aspects of the design to each of the suppliers, sometimes information can be interpreted incorrectly and mistakes can occur. Sampling allows for any mistakes to be resolved before proceeding with production and it is unrealistic to expect samples to be perfect. Bridge & Stitch usually expect at least two rounds of sampling for new styles, though depending on the complexity of the garment and the changes made, more could be needed. Due to the nature of this process, we are not able to offer refunds on sampling.

Sample size sets should be produced before going into production. This process takes place after the first sample is approved and the client’s patterns have been graded to all the sizes within their collection. It is important that this stage is not missed out so that the increments in between sizes are checked and approved. It is also a chance to ensure that all labels, prints and any other features on the garments are positioned and sized correctly. If the client decides to miss out this stage, Bridge & Stitch cannot be held responsible for any ill-fitting garments or wrong placement and sizing of features in production.

Production

When production is ordered, final quantities of garments can vary +/- 5%. This is due to fabric faults, production errors, fabric variations e.g. usable width or perhaps embellishment faults e.g. printing. Usually the cutter will try to cut 5% over the production order if there are no fabric faults and enough fabric is ordered so that as errors occur, quantities will not drop too low. This therefore means that final quantities will differ slightly from what was ordered. This is usual standard practice throughout the industry and you will be expected to accept any variations in quantity +/- 5% of what was ordered.

Bridge & Stitch work on behalf of their clients to project manage the production process from concept through to completion. Bridge & Stitch will therefore not be held accountable for any delays or errors incurred at a factory or supplier however we will work on behalf of the client to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible to ensure the best outcome for the client is reached.

Carriage

If the client requests that our carrier dispatch the goods, Bridge & Stitch cannot be held responsible for any consequential loss due to any carrier service failure. All delivery charges incurred throughout the client’s project will be subject to VAT and charged on to the client.

Repair, Replace, Refund

Any faults or discrepancies of production need to be highlighted to Bridge & Stitch within 72 hours of receiving goods. All products that are being disputed need to be returned to Bridge & Stitch within 7 working days. Bridge & Stitch will work on behalf of the client to go through the following process with the factory:  The factory is first given the opportunity to repair the products, if this is not possible then replacement is the next step. If this too is not an option, the factory would be required to issue a refund on the products or a discount depending on the discrepancies. If no issues are reported to Bridge & Stitch within 72 hours, it will be presumed that the goods have been accepted and we will not be able to rectify any issues after this point.

Materials, Stock and Storage

Any materials or stock left with Bridge & Stitch where the client has not been in touch, will automatically become the property of Bridge & Stitch, from 12 months from the last point of contact. Bridge & Stitch reserve the right to sell, use or dispose of the stock however they see fit. Any materials and stock that are taking up space within the Bridge & Stitch offices, may incur a storage charge. The client will be notified of this – if they do not agree, the goods will be delivered to a given address with carriage being covered by the client, or if the client fails to respond to the charges, Bridge & Stitch reserve the right to sell, use or dispose of the stock, one month after contacting the client when it will become the automatic property of Bridge & Stitch.