Case Study: Custom Shorts Softball Wear for a University Athletic Department in the United Kingdom

Shorts Softball Wear for a University Athletic Department in the United Kingdom

A University Athletic Department approached us with a shorts softball wear requirement for the United Kingdom. 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

• Color drift between lab dips and bulk fabric
• Packaging that arrives crushed and unsellable
• Long lead times that miss the selling season

What we specified

How it was resolved

1. We rebuilt the tech pack around Slub Cotton and locked shrinkage allowance before grading.
2. Decoration was moved to Applique Embroidery after strike-off tests showed better wash durability.
3. A pre-production sample was approved and retained as the golden reference.
4. Production ran with in-line inspection and a mid-run photo report.
5. Cartons were packed to the client's own barcode and size ratio specification.

Result

• 1,200 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 1.5%.
• 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?

Send us your tech pack or even a rough sketch — we will come back with fabric options, a costed sample plan and a realistic production calendar.