By Private Label Leather · Published · 6 min read
Launching a leather brand is less about finding "a factory" and more about making a series of clear decisions before you contact one. This checklist follows the order most successful first launches take.
1. Pick one hero product
Start with one product type — a jacket, a bag or a wallet — rather than a full range. A focused first order keeps minimums, sampling cost and risk manageable.
2. Work back from your retail price
Decide where you will sell and at what price, then work back through your margin, shipping and duties to a target factory price. This tells you which leather grade and construction are realistic.
3. Write a simple brief
You do not need a full tech pack to start. Reference photos, rough measurements, leather and colour preferences and your logo are enough for a first conversation. See preparing a tech pack.
4. Shortlist manufacturers and request quotes
Send the same brief to two or three manufacturers. Compare how well each one understood it, not just the price. Check that each quotation states sample cost, minimum order and lead time.
5. Sample, then approve in writing
Expect one or two rounds of changes. Once you are happy, approve the final sample in writing — it becomes the standard for your bulk order.
6. Plan a first order you can sell through
Keep colours and sizes tight for the first run. Fewer variants mean lower minimums and less unsold stock. Read sampling and MOQ.
7. Branding and packaging
Decide how your logo appears (debossing, foil, metal badge, woven label) and how products are packed. These details are what make a private-label product feel like your brand. See branding and packaging methods.
8. Inspection, shipping and duties
Agree defect criteria and an inspection before shipment, choose trade terms, and check import duties for leather goods in your country before you confirm the order.
Ready to start? Send us your brief for a quotation and sampling plan.
