CUSTOM WORK
Some ideas should not come off a shelf.
Custom work begins when the standard product line is not quite the right answer. A commission may start with a fit problem, a functional need, a specific use case, or an idea that simply deserves to be built differently.
The goal is not to decorate an existing pattern until it looks custom. The goal is to understand what the piece needs to do, who it needs to fit, and what design will best bring that idea to life.
THE COMMISSION PROCESS
Start with the idea. Build toward the function.
01
Start with the desire
Tell us what you want the piece to make possible. That might involve fit, movement, restraint, connection, presentation, comfort, accessibility, attachment points, or a concept that does not exist in the standard collection.
02
Define the function
We identify what the design actually needs to accomplish. Fit, movement, pressure, attachment points, reinforcement, materials, wearer contact, and intended use all influence the final form.
03
Design & prototype
Custom Royal Star Leather designs are developed in CAD before leather is cut. This allows dimensions, geometry, placement, and construction details to be revised quickly and accurately before committing material to the final build.
04
Build around the wearer
Measurements and body geometry are incorporated into the design so the finished piece is built around the person who will actually wear it.
05
Choose materials & finish
Leather, lining, hardware, color, stitching, and finish are selected around the function of the piece and the aesthetic you want it to carry.
06
Approve scope, quote & deposit
Before production begins, the design direction, project scope, pricing, and applicable design costs are confirmed. A deposit secures the project and authorizes the build to move forward.
07
Build & completion
The final piece is constructed, finished, inspected, and prepared for delivery. Any remaining balance is due according to the terms of the approved commission.
DESIGN & PROTOTYPING
Custom work includes real design work.
Every custom Royal Star Leather piece is developed in CAD before it is built. This makes it possible to adjust dimensions, refine geometry, revise attachment points, evaluate construction relationships, and prototype changes before expensive material is cut.
That process is a major benefit of custom work, but it also represents a significant amount of time and technical development.
Design, CAD development, and prototyping are billable parts of custom work.
Depending on the complexity of the project, those costs may be included in the project quote, charged as a separate design fee, or applied toward the final build when appropriate.
Significant redesigns, multiple revision rounds, exploratory concept development, or changes that materially alter the approved project may require additional design charges before production continues.
Submitting an idea does not begin free design work. Custom design begins after the project scope and applicable design costs are agreed upon.
WHAT COUNTS AS CUSTOM?
Custom begins where the standard product stops.
Custom work may include:
- New geometry outside an existing product design
- Unusual fit requirements or body-specific design changes
- Major changes to attachment-point placement
- New connection systems or structural configurations
- Combining functions from multiple products
- A one-off concept that requires original development
- Specialized construction or material requirements
Usually not custom:
- Standard sizing within the listed product range
- Choosing an available leather color
- Selecting an available hardware finish
- Choosing from standard product options
- Normal personalization already offered on the product page
BEFORE YOU INQUIRE
The more useful information you bring, the better the starting point.
You do not need to arrive with a finished design. You do need to be able to explain what you want the piece to accomplish and anything important about how it will be worn or used.
Useful information includes
- What you want the piece to do
- Who will wear or use it
- Fit or mobility concerns
- Reference images or sketches
- Preferred leather, colors, or hardware
- Known dimensional requirements
- Any existing gear it needs to work with
You do not need
- A professional drawing
- A CAD file
- Complete technical terminology
- A finished pattern
- Every construction detail already figured out
That is what the design process is for.
PRICING & DEPOSITS
Custom pricing follows the work involved.
Custom commissions are quoted individually based on design time, prototyping, materials, hardware, construction complexity, and finishing requirements.
A deposit is generally required before production begins, with the remaining balance due before delivery or shipment unless otherwise stated in the approved project terms.
Changes requested after design approval may affect both price and completion time.
START A COMMISSION
Bring the idea. We will figure out what it needs to become.
If your idea falls outside the standard collection, send the details and we can determine whether it is a good fit for a custom Royal Star Leather project.