Frequently Asked Questions FAQ(s)
Shipping Questions FAQ(s)
Q: What is your shipping Address?
ATTN: Alejandro Esparza
Company Name: Smart Pattern Making
6129 Fountain Ave # 3
Los Angeles, CA 90028
IMPORTANT: To ensure that your package is delivered to the intended recipient and not left unattended or delivered to the wrong address, all packages that you send to us must require a signature before dropping off a package to us. Thank you.
Q: Are you an online company or physical location company?
Answer: We conduct business strictly ONLINE ONLY. All products and services we provide are online services only.
Q: Can I visit you or pick up a package from your shipping address?
Answer: No, You cannot. As stated above our shipping address is strictly a shipping address and not a drop off or pick up location.
Q: Do you offer FREE shipping for USA clients?
Answer: Yes, we do. We offer FREE UPS expedited shipping to 48 Continental United States Only.
Q: Do you offer international shipping?
Answer: Yes, we do. We offer international shipping for These countries
Q: What shipping carriers do you use?
Answer: We use FedEx and UPS carriers
Q: Do you work with start-ups?
Answer: Yes, we do.
Q: What is your phone number?
Answer: Our support telephone number is 323-839-1720
Q: What Is You Contact/ support email?
support@smartpatternmaking.com
Consulting FAQ(s)
Q: Are you open to new clients?
Answer: Yes, we are. New clients are always welcome.
Q: I have no clue where to start I need guidance!
Answer: No problem, please feel free to schedule a consult with Alejandro here so that he can reserve a time to speak with you and so that you can learn about the essential elements needed to create a successful fashion product.
Q: Can I book Alejandro for 2 hours?
Answer: Yes, you can. Please make sure you select the total amounts of hours you need to speak with Alejandro when booking an appointment. You can schedule an appointment with Alejandro here
Artwork and Design Services FAQ(s)
Q: Do you offer Artwork or Logo Design Services?
Answer: No, we do not offer artwork creation or artwork design services. For the best possible results, we recommend pursuing someone with a specialty in art, design, and logo creation.
Q: What is the difference between a sketch and a flat?
Answer: When it comes to fashion design, a sketch is a more artistic representation of the designer's vision, while a flat design is a technical representation of the garment. A sketch captures the overall concept and aesthetic of the garment, often focusing on the worn appearance. It may not include all the technical details. On the other hand, a flat design shows the garment as if it were laid flat on a surface, providing a more technical and detailed representation. It includes specific elements such as seams and top stitches to accurately depict the construction of the garment.
Design And Product Development FAQ(s)
Q:What does PD and MF stand for?
Answer: PD: Product Development
MF: Manufacturing/ Production
Q: Do you design based on sketches, pattern blocks or samples?
Answer: Yes, we can help with the design ideation of your collection. We can work with ketches, pattern blocks or samples.
Q: I do not have a Tech Pack but I have a physical sample, what do I do now?
Answer: The best solution is to ship us your reference garment in double copy (if possible) for our team to study, analyze and evaluate. Make sure you specify what the garment is a reference for: pattern, fabric, etc.. Please keep in mind that your garments won’t be returned to you at the end of your product development.
Q: What are the benefits of using your services?
Answer: If you delegate to us the development and the production of your collection you will have guidance by an expert team, with years of expertise and experience. We will be taking care of everything (From pattern development to digitizing, File Conversions to resizing, marker making and printing, etc.). You will be guided towards the best cost-efficient and quality solution in the shortest time possible. This allows you to focus on other areas of your business, like growing your brand by focusing your time on leadership, marketing, PR, and sales.
Q: Do you provide full package pattern development services?
Answer: Yes, we do. Please see below a list of all the services available to you.
Pattern Making
Digitizing
DXF File Converter
Printing
Resizing
Marker Making
Clothing Alterations
Fabric Shrinkage
Women Fashion Sketches
Men Fashion Sketches
Q: Can you create prototype patterns?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can I make a pair of jeans with you?
Answer: Yes, you can.
Pattern Making and Resizing FAQ(s)
Q: Can you work with digital pattern-making software?
Answer: We do work with digital pattern making software, yes. We kindly ask you to provide us your pattern in .ZIP or .DXF format. In case you decide to send it in DXF kindly export it in AAMA format and do not change the file name once exported (this could DAMAGE the file) If you want to provide us directly with the marker please send it in one of the following formats:
HPGL (if ready to print)
PLX (if needs to be modified)
Q: I have paper patterns, should I send them over to you?
Answer: Yes, we will be happy to digitize them for you. Please make sure the seam allowances and the straight grains are expressed. IMPORTANT: please send us only copies or duplicates of your original designs. We are not responsible for keeping your original designs.
Q: What is a Size Chart?
Answer: A size chart is a visual representation that displays the specific measurements of different body parts. It provides information on the anatomical dimensions of the body, without taking into account the variations in fit that may occur with different styles of clothing. For example, a garment in size S is designed to fit a woman with the corresponding measurements indicated on the chart.
Q: What is a Garment measurement Chart?
Answer: A garment measurement chart is a chart that displays the actual measurements of a garment. It takes into account the fit and wearability of each style, as different styles may have different measurements. Typically, this chart is accompanied by a technical flat, which includes arrows indicating how to take the measurements on the physical garment.
Q: What is a FSR?
Answer: FSR stands for Full Size Range. In pattern making, it refers to grading the pattern to obtain multiple sizes for production. For sample making, it means creating samples in all the sizes that will be produced.
Pricing FAQ(s)
Q: What are some upfront costs?
Answer: The initial cost of garment development including: 1st pattern, cut & sew sample, fittings, grading, marking, and pattern corrections are all upfront costs to begin your pre-production sample. These costs vary per style, and must be paid in full before we begin start working on your project. The cost of the 1st prototype pattern is paid upfront and later rebated or applied to your total production order.
Q: Can you give me a price quote via email or by phone?
Answer: Giving quotes by email or phone is taking blindly and not a reliable way to get a true cost estimate. We need to have actual sample or design(s) you would like to create for us to be able to provide you with a cost estimate that makes sense and is a more realistic cost estimate.
Q: I have images of what I want. Is that enough to get a quote?
Answer: Unfortunately, not. A precise quote can be provided just once the garment has been defined in all its details: from the pattern to raw materials, from construction to finishing.
Q: Do you have a price list for Services?
Answer: We do not have a price list or brochure, unfortunately, as all of our pricing is custom made tailored to our clients’ needs. However, most of our products and services pricing is listed on each product/service that we offer on our online Store.
Q: How much money does it cost to create a design?
Answer: It is unpredictable to say how much as a rule companies spend in the creation of a given design since they are obligated to pay all the salaries of their design team members and problems always arise in the pre- production process causing companies to delay the design process and spend more money. Typically speaking around the 6 to 8 thousand for a basic design if not more.
Q: I want cheap but quality clothes, can you help?
Answer: Of course! You will just need to let us know what your goal is, in terms of garment type, market to approach and price level. Based on that we will provide the best solution for your project. Just remember, garments are still hand made and quality is not cheap. You get what you pay for!
Cut and Sew FAQ(s)
Q: Do you provide sample making services?
Answer: No we do not. Making samples requires you having the correct machinery to sew your particular product or design. Having a sewing contractor that can help you sew your samples and production garments would be the ideal scenario to start creating your own fashion garments.
Q: Do you provide production sewing services?
Answer: No, we do not. Searching for production sewing contractors to sew a particular design or fabric type is a job in itself. We recommend looking at our fabric cut and sew resources list available for sale here to get you started and to increase your network connections list.
Q: Are you a manufacturing company?
Answer: No, we are not a manufacturing company. We are strictly a full package pattern making and design service company. We can help you with the most difficult process before manufacturing your design which is creating all the jobs needed to create a ready for production design.
Fabric Sourcing FAQ(s)
Q: What is the difference between natural or synthetic fiber?
Answer: Natural fabrics -such as cotton, silk and wool – are made of animal or plant-based fibers.
Synthetics are man-made and produced entirely from chemicals to create fabrics like polyester, rayon, acrylic, and many others. Those fibres are known for durability.
Q: What is the shrinkage?
Answer: Shrinkage refers to the phenomenon where fabric undergoes a reduction in size after its initial wash. This is measured by two values, expressed as a percentage, which indicate the amount of shrinkage in both width and length. It's important to note that fabric shrinkage can also occur after ironing, printing, or other processes that the garment may undergo.
Q: What is Spirality or Skew?
Answer: Spirality or skew is a term used to describe a phenomenon that occurs in fabric after it has been washed for the first time. It is measured as a percentage and refers to the twisting or torsion of the fabric.
Q: Do you do fabric sourcing for my designs?
Answer: No, we do not sell or do fabric sourcing for any of our clients. Fabric sourcing is a job in itself and is done usually by the designer or company that wants to create a design.
Q: Can I purchase your fabric, cut and sew resources list?
Answer: Yes, you can. We currently have a list of resources available to you that many of our clients use to create their fashion products and that you might be able to use for your fabric, cutting and sewing needs. Please follow this link to purchase our fabric cut and sew resources list here
Software CAD Conversions FAQ(s)
Q: Can you do rush orders!
Answer: Yes, there is a rush fee applied to your purchase order for all rushed items. Please note: rush fees are non-negotiable fees.
Q: Do you use Gerber Accumark?
Answer: Yes, we do. We use the latest state of the art Gerber Accumark CAD Software
Q: Can I email my designs overseas?
Answer: Yes, you can.
Q: Can you convert Gerber file to PDF format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you convert Gerber file to DXF format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you convert Gerber file to Illustrator format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you convert DXF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you Tukatech DXF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you Optitex DXF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you PAD DXF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you StyleCAD DXF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you Convert PDF file to Gerber format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you Convert DXF file to PDF format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
Q: Can you Convert DXF file to illustrator format?
Answer: Yes, we can.
