Case Study: Custom Cycling Sock for a Cruise Line in the Netherlands
Source:Cycling Sock /
Time:2026-09-18
Cycling Sock for a Cruise Line in the Netherlands
A Cruise Line approached us with a cycling sock requirement for the Netherlands. The brief was specific: a defined look, a hard launch date and a unit cost that had to survive shipping and duty. This case study records what was specified, what went wrong in sampling and how the bulk order was delivered.
The challenge
- No reliable way to track a order once it enters production
- Inconsistent sizing between production runs
- Packaging that arrives crushed and unsellable
What we specified
| Product | Cycling Sock |
|---|---|
| Client type | A Cruise Line |
| Market | the Netherlands |
| Order volume | 3,000 pieces across 3 colourways |
| Base fabric | Canvas |
| Decoration | Reflective Printing |
| Size range | Custom grading |
| Sampling rounds | 2 |
| Delivery window | 5 weeks from PO to ex-factory |
How it was resolved
- We rebuilt the tech pack around Canvas and locked shrinkage allowance before grading.
- Decoration was moved to Reflective Printing after strike-off tests showed better wash 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 size ratio specification.
Result
- 3,000 pieces delivered inside the 5-week window.
- Unit cost held within 2.0% of the original quotation.
- Return rate linked to fit or workmanship stayed under 0.5%.
- The specification is now on file, so reorders reproduce the approved sample.
What we would repeat
Fix the size ratio early. Changing the ratio after cutting starts is the single most expensive change a client can request.
Planning something similar?
Share a reference photo or a sample garment and we will reverse-engineer the specification for your own label.
