Last Updated June 5th, 2026. Please ensure that you read the Terms & Conditions carefully.

Scope of Services & Development-Only Policy

LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA LaFrance Studio) operates strictly as a Design, Technical Engineering, and Development Studio. 

No Commercial Mass Manufacturing: We do not offer commercial mass garment manufacturing, factory sewing, or cut-make-trim (CMT) mass production runs.

• Focus Areas: Our services are strictly focused on high-end creative direction, technical pattern engineering, tech pack architecture, prototype draping, and professional sample fabrication.
• Budget Alignment: Our technical development infrastructure is built for serious independent designers and apparel brands investing in manufacturing-ready assets. We do not discount our specialized consulting or engineering fees to accommodate low-cost retail garment margins (e.g., fast-fashion or low-tier retail items). All prototyping fees are charged at a flat professional development rate per style.

Our Realistic Pricing Strategy

At LS Custom Manufacturing, our pricing reflects the precision, expertise, and personalized attention that goes into every single project. We’re not about cutting corners; we’re about delivering superior quality and efficiency for clients who truly value craftsmanship and reliability.

Important Notes on Pricing:

• Custom Quotes are Key: These are realistic estimates. Every project is unique. We’ll always provide a detailed, custom quote once we review a client’s specific design, material, and quantity requirements.
• Client-Provided Materials: Our pricing generally assumes the client will provide main fabrics, specific trims, and labels unless “Full-Service Production” includes sourcing. We’ll always clarify this upfront.
• Rush Services: For clients with tight deadlines, we can offer expedited services at a premium (e.g., +25-50% surcharge).

Pattern Making

• What it is: Taking a design concept and turning it into a precise, production-ready pattern. This is foundational and requires deep technical skill.
• Pricing Approach: We’ll typically use a flat rate per pattern, adjusted for complexity. For highly iterative or complex design consultations, an hourly rate might apply.
• Realistic Price Estimates (per pattern):
  • Simple Complexity: $150 – $600
  • Moderate Complexity: $600 – $1,200
  • High Complexity: $1,200 – $2,500+
  • Hourly rate for revisions/consultation: $75 – $125 / hour

Sample Making

• What it is: Bringing the pattern to life as a physical garment for fit analysis and design refinement. This is a crucial step for quality assurance.
• Pricing Approach: A flat rate per sample, per style. This accounts for the focused attention and potential adjustments needed for a single piece. Fabric isn’t typically included in this price.
• Realistic Price Estimates (per sample):
  • Simple Complexity: $150 – $350
  • Moderate Complexity: $350 – $700
  • High Complexity: $700 – $1,500+

Grading

• What it is: Scaling the approved pattern accurately across various sizes, ensuring consistent fit and proportion.
• Pricing Approach: Priced per size, per pattern. There’s a base fee for the initial sizes, then a per-size charge for additional sizes.
• Realistic Price Estimates: $50 – $150 per size (for basic garments), with rates increasing for more complex styles or a larger range of sizes.

Marking

• What it is: Optimizing fabric utilization by creating a precise layout of all pattern pieces to minimize waste.
• Pricing Approach: Often quoted per linear yard of fabric, or a flat setup fee plus a per-yard rate.
• Realistic Price Estimates: $2.00 – $7.00 per linear yard (depending on fabric type, width, and complexity of pattern layout).

Disclaimer

Intellectual Property and Originality

LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA Lafrance Studio) is committed to upholding the highest standards of intellectual property rights and ethical design. Our policy is designed to protect both our company and our clients from legal issues related to copyright infringement.

• The client is solely responsible for ensuring that all designs, patterns, tech packs, and materials provided to us are original and do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights, trademarks, or copyrights of any third party.
• We will not replicate or duplicate any existing design from another brand. While we can use existing garments or inspiration for reference, we require the client to provide a design that is a distinct reinterpretation. The final design must contain a minimum of 50% difference in key elements such as silhouette, seam lines, or construction from the original reference.
• LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA Lafrance Studio) reserves the right to refuse any project that, in our professional opinion, appears to be a direct copy or a clear infringement of a copyrighted design.
• By submitting a project, the client agrees to indemnify and hold LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA Lafrance Studio) harmless from any and all claims, damages, or legal actions that may arise from the use of the materials provided by the client. The client assumes full legal and financial responsibility for any intellectual property disputes related to their submitted designs.

Intellectual Property and Privacy

At LS Custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio), we prioritize the confidentiality and intellectual property of our clients.

• We do not use client-provided tech packs, proprietary patterns, or branded finished garments for promotional purposes, marketing, or social media content without express written consent. Your designs are your property, and they remain private within our secure digital and physical environment.
• To maintain transparency in our technical process, we occasionally share “in-house work-in-progress” content on social media (e.g., TukaCAD grading demos, general sewing techniques). This content utilizes Standard Industry Blocks and generic templates.
  • Standard fit blocks (e.g., a basic T-shirt sloper, standard trouser block, or generic slopper base) are fundamental tools of the trade and are not considered the proprietary intellectual property of any specific client.
• We strictly adhere to a “No Likeness” policy. We will never use a client’s brand name, designer likeness, or specific proprietary design details in our portfolio or marketing materials unless a formal mutual promotional agreement has been signed.
• All digital files are stored on secure, password-protected servers and are never shared, sold, or distributed to third parties.

Delivery of Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property rights (patterns, graded files, tech packs) only transfer to the Client upon Final Payment for the specific phase of work.

• If a phase is finished and paid for, the client is entitled to the final industry-standard exports (e.g., PDF, DXF, or ASTM).
• In the event of an abrupt termination mid-phase, Lafrance Studio is not obligated to export, convert, or deliver unfinished CAD data. Raw, proprietary “working files” internal to TukaCAD are the property of the studio until the final export stage is reached and settled.

Exporting CAD files into multiple formats (DXF, RUL, etc.) is a billable technical service.

• If a project is terminated mid-workflow, any request for file conversion or data “hand-off” will be subject to a File Preparation & Administrative Fee of $150/hour.
• We will not “batch export” unfinished work without a formal settlement of the time required to prepare those files for a third party.

Any files delivered following a mid-project termination are provided “As-Is”. Lafrance Studio assumes no liability for the technical accuracy or production-readiness of unfinished patterns that were not allowed to reach the Final Quality Control (QC) stage due to client termination.

Sampling Process

To ensure a successful partnership and maintain a clear understanding of the project scope, the following policies regarding design and sampling are in effect:

• Design & Budget Alignment
  Clients are responsible for designing and developing products within their specified budget. LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA Lafrance Studio) will not reduce its service fees for a design that is beyond the client’s financial capacity. We are committed to providing the highest quality of work, and our pricing reflects the true value of our craftsmanship and expertise. If a design’s complexity or scope exceeds the client’s budget, we will provide guidance on how to simplify the design to meet their financial goals.
  
• The Sampling Process
  The sampling phase is a critical part of product development. Clients must understand that this is an iterative process. It is a standard industry practice to require multiple samples, often two to three, to achieve the perfect fit and style. Each sample is a new step in the development process, and our fees are based on the work required to produce each new version. This process is essential to ensure the final product meets the highest standards of quality and fit.
  
• Design Changes After Sampling
  Once a design is in the sampling phase, any fundamental change to the design is considered a new project, not a simple alteration. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in the silhouette, construction, or key design features. Such changes will require the creation of new patterns, tech packs, and samples, and will be quoted and billed as a new design. This policy ensures that the value of our time and expertise for each unique design is accurately reflected.
  
• Design Complexity & Pricing Philosophy
  The definitions of “Simple,” “Medium,” and “High” complexity, as outlined in our Design Complexity & Pricing Guide on this website, are foundational to our service pricing. Our fees reflect the specialized skill, time, and resources required for each complexity level, ensuring a fair valuation of our craftsmanship and expertise. Prices will directly correspond to the determined complexity of the design. LS Custom Manufacture LLC (DBA Lafrance Studio) will not adjust the value of its services or lower prices for designs classified as Medium or High complexity if they do not align with a client’s budget. Should a client’s budget not accommodate the cost of a complex design, we are happy to work collaboratively to simplify the design to fit within their financial parameters without compromising core aesthetics.
  
• Initial Sample Use and Liability
  The First Prototype (or Fit Sample) provided to the client is a developmental tool intended solely for internal review, fit assessment, and correction of technical specifications. It is explicitly not a final or production-ready garment. LS Custom Manufacture bears no responsibility or liability for any aesthetic defects, fit imperfections, or perceived poor quality resulting from the client’s decision to use the initial prototype for public-facing purposes, including but not limited to, website photography, e-commerce listings, marketing campaigns, or photoshoots. The client assumes all risk associated with using any sample that has not been mutually approved as the Pre-Production Sample (PPS) for commercial display.
  
• Scheduling and Client-Driven Rush Requests
  LS Custom Manufacture processes all projects based on an agreed-upon, sequential development schedule designed to uphold our standards of quality and efficiency. Any client request to expedite a project timeline or prioritize an order ahead of the current development queue must be mutually agreed upon in writing and will be subject to a Mandatory Rush Fee, which will be quoted based on the severity of the timeline compression. Furthermore, LS Custom Manufacture reserves the right to decline any rush request that compromises our commitment to quality. The client acknowledges that by requesting an expedited timeline, they accept an inherent increase in risk, and LS Custom Manufacture is not liable for any defects, quality degradation, or fit issues that may arise from a rush development schedule.

Fit Verification & Modeling Policy

Standard fit & pre-production samples are provided on a professional dress form/mannequin for visual silhouette and construction verification. High-resolution photos of these “Form-Fittings” will be provided to the Client prior to physical shipping.

Upon receipt of the physical sample, the Client is responsible for conducting their own “Live Fit” evaluation. All feedback, requested adjustments, or design changes must be documented on the provided LS custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) Sample Evaluation Form.

LS custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) does not provide or subsidize live models for fittings. If the Client requires a live fit-model session supervised by our team, the Client must:

• Provide the model at their own expense.
• Pay a separate “Fit Session Supervision Fee.”

Resampling: If a second or third sample is required due to Client-requested design changes (not due to construction error), each iteration will be billed at the standard sample rate plus shipping.

Material Submission & Identification Policy

To maintain the integrity of our development schedule and ensure technical accuracy, LS Custom Manufacture enforces a strict “Ready-to-Process” policy for all client-supplied materials.

Mandatory Labeling

Before any sampling, all fabrics, trims, and notions must be clearly labeled by the client. Each material must include:

• Style Code/Project Title: Which garment this fabric is intended for.
• Face Identification: A clear indicator of the “Right Side” (Face) vs. “Wrong Side” of the fabric.
• Material Content: (e.g., 100% Organic Cotton, Silk Charmeuse, etc.) to ensure proper needle and heat settings.

The “Stop-Work” Clause

LS Custom Manufacture will not commence any cutting, pattern-making, or sewing until all materials are identified. If materials arrive unlabeled:

• The project will be placed on a “Technical Hold,” and the client will be notified.
• A project restart may be subject to a rescheduling fee if the delay pushes the project out of its original development window.
• If a client insists on proceeding without clear face/side labeling, LS Custom Manufacture is not liable for garments constructed with the incorrect fabric orientation.

Submission Format

We recommend using a “Fabric Header” or “Trim Card” (a small swatch stapled to a card with the above information) for every individual material sent to the studio.

Point Blank: We take pride in high-end engineering. Clear labeling ensures your vision is executed exactly as intended.

Pre-Production Sample (PPS) Mandate

Following the final fit approval, We (LS Custom Manufacture LLC) will create and supply a Pre-Production Sample (PPS). This PPS serves as the definitive, physical standard and must include all final, approved components, specifically:

• The exact, approved production-ready fabric and material.
• All final trims and notions (e.g., buttons, zippers, labels, thread).

We send this PPS to you to send to the chosen production house alongside the complete Technical Package (Tech Pack). The production house, must use this PPS as the mandatory physical guide for quality, construction, and aesthetic integrity, ensuring the finished bulk order precisely matches the approved standard.

Shipping & Logistics Policy (Outbound Goods)

All work completed by LS custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) is shipped F.O.B. Origin. The Client is responsible for all shipping, freight, insurance, and handling costs for both raw materials arriving at our facility and finished goods/samples departing from it.

Clients must provide a valid FedEx, UPS, or DHL account number prior to the shipment of any fit/pre-production samples.

LS custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) will only cover shipping costs for items explicitly deemed “Outside of Scope” or for internal administrative requests initiated solely by our team. We are not responsible for delays, loss, or damage once the carrier has taken possession of the shipment.

Billing and Sample Development Policy

Labor-Based Billing (Non-Refundable Services)

All billing for sample making, pattern drafting, and prototyping is based on technical labor and machine time. Once a sample has been constructed, the labor costs are incurred and are non-refundable and non-negotiable, regardless of whether the Client performs a live fitting. Payment covers the physical creation of the garment to the specifications provided at the time of the order.

• Work on all current and future projects for the Client will be immediately suspended if any invoice remains unpaid 48 hours past its due date.
• During a suspension, the Client’s “spot” in the development queue is not reserved. Work will only resume once the balance is paid in full, and the project will be rescheduled based on the studio’s current availability, which may result in significant delays.
• LS Custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) is not liable for any missed deadlines, launch dates, or secondary costs incurred by the Client due to a payment-related work suspension.

“Fit” vs. “Construction”

Client acknowledges that textiles are flexible materials. Measurements may vary based on fabric stretch, recovery, grainline behavior, and mechanical shrinkage during the sewing process.

For accurate pattern testing and sample verification, the Client must provide the actual production material or a “like-kind” substitute that matches the weight, stretch percentage, and drape of the final fabric.

• Woven Muslin is used for silhouette verification only and cannot accurately reflect the fit of knit, stretch, or specialized technical textiles.

• We are not responsible for fit discrepancies or “marking errors” resulting from the use of substitute mock-up fabrics that do not behave like the intended production material.

We guarantee construction according to the provided/created pattern; however, a standard “Tolerance” of +/- 0.25″ to 0.5″(depending on the seam location and fabric type) is considered acceptable within industry standards.

We are responsible for Construction Accuracy (matching the tech pack math). Subjective “Fit” on a specific body type is the responsibility of the Client’s design team. Failure by the Client to source a model or perform a fitting does not exempt the Client from the obligation to pay for the labor and materials used to create the sample.

LS Custom manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) utilizes proprietary master fit blocks and slopers developed internally as the foundation for all drafting. While final custom patterns developed for a client are the property of that client upon full payment, the underlying master blocks and foundational drafting logic remain the intellectual property of LS Custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio).

Prototyping is Not Production! The Clients acknowledge that the prototyping phase is an iterative R&D process. Each physical iteration requires a full restart of labor and resources and will be billed accordingly at the current sample rate.

Termination of Agreement

LS Custom Manufacture LLC (Lafrance Studio) reserves the right to terminate the business relationship if the professional environment becomes untenable or if there is a breach of communication protocol. Upon termination, all digital and physical assets (patterns, fabrics, samples) will be returned to the Client at the Client’s shipping expense, provided all outstanding labor invoices are paid.

We execute all development based on the technical documentation (Tech Packs) provided by the client. In the event of a discrepancy between verbal/email communications and the provided Tech Pack, the Tech Pack shall be treated as the final authority. Lafrance Studio is not liable for fit issues resulting from inaccuracies or ‘manual overrides’ within client-provided technical data.

In the event of contract termination, physical assets will be returned only upon settlement of all outstanding invoices. We do not engage in the witnessed destruction of unpaid samples; items not retrieved, settled or shipped back (at client expense) within 30 days of termination will be discarded. We do not provide ‘certificates of destruction’ for development mock-ups or test garments produced during the iterative design process.

Studio Membership Pass

Independent Designer Studio Pass & Equipment Access

For local apparel professionals and independent designers requiring access to industrial manufacturing infrastructure, the Studio offers a structured Professional Studio Membership Pass subject to the following strict operational boundaries:

Service Nature (Non-Tenancy): The Studio Pass is a non-exclusive, revocable equipment and facility access service provided by LS Custom Manufacture LLC. It does not constitute a property lease, sublease, or tenancy agreement of any kind. Members do not hold property rights or independent key access to Suite 205.

The Package Terms: Access is granted at a flat monthly rate of $500.00, providing a maximum allotment of 16 production hours per calendar month. Unused hours do not roll over to subsequent months and are non-refundable.

Dedicated Scheduling: Members must lock in a recurring, dedicated weekly time block (e.g., 4 hours per session on a specific designated day) at the start of the month. This ensures dedicated equipment availability. Missed sessions without 48 hours’ prior written notice are forfeited.

Material & Supply Boundaries: The Studio Pass covers heavy facility infrastructure only (use of specialized Juki industrial straight-stitch/overlock machines, industrial gravity-fed steam irons, commercial dress forms, and professional drafting/cutting tables). Members must provide 100% of their own production materials, including specialized threads, bobbins, pattern paper, drafting tools, fabrics, and cutting shears. Studio-owned supplies are strictly reserved for Academy students and internal development clients.

Equipment Capability & Liability: Prior to initial machinery use, members must undergo a brief competency orientation on industrial equipment. Members assume full financial responsibility for any physical damage to industrial machinery caused by negligence, improper threading, or forcing unauthorized heavy materials (e.g., unapproved leathers/heavy plastics) through standard apparel feeds.

General Liability Waiver: Members utilize the physical studio space, rotary cutters, industrial needles, and high-temperature steam machinery at their own risk. LS Custom Manufacture LLC holds zero liability for personal injury sustained within the facility during independent pass hours.