Example: A DTC Brand’s Seasonal Sandal Drop
A worked example, not a real client. It traces how a small DTC brand takes a sandal from brand files to a launched private-label drop, with the steps and the cost lines laid out.
The order at a glance
- Quantity
- 2,000 pairs
- Colorways
- Two
- Sizes
- EU 37-43
- Build
- PU strap, EVA footbed
- Branding
- Screen-print logo
- Packing
- Printed box + polybag
- Sample
- ~10 days
- Launch
- May
The brief
A DTC apparel brand wants a summer sandal in two colorways: a PU-strap slide on an EVA footbed, their logo screen-printed on the strap, in a printed retail box for shelf and a polybag for online orders. 2,000 pairs total across EU 37-43, US and EU markets, with a May launch.
How it develops
First we match both colorways to their Pantone codes and print the logo on the actual PU strap, so they approve the real thing, not a screen mockup. We lay out the box and polybag artwork for sign-off at the same time. Sample round takes about 10 days. Bulk runs in 30-35 days with color-consistency checks between the two colorways so they do not drift apart.
How the quote breaks down
The quote separates sample development, the per-pair price at 2,000 pairs, the print screen setup, the printed box (which is why the box version needs the higher quantity), and the export packing. Lead time is dated backward from May. With every line visible, they can see their landed margin before committing a cent to bulk.
