Most custom woven bag projects that reach us start with a picture: a screenshot, a sketch or a bag a buyer found on a trip. Turning that picture into thousands of identical handwoven bags takes a clear sequence of decisions. Here is the step-by-step process we follow at TruGrain Style, with our real sample cost, lead times, MOQ and payment terms, and a project that went from an original design to 12,000 bags in two months and is still in production on repeat orders.
We are a family-run, handcrafted woven leather bag manufacturer in Dongguan, China, with more than 230 weavers, nearly 30 years of leather weaving and capacity for about 7,000–10,000 bags a month. We work with new handbag brands and established labels alike. See how we work.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Sample cost | US$150 per style, credited toward the order payment on a bulk order of 100+ pieces of the same style |
| Sampling lead time | About 2 weeks for a regular style |
| Sample shipping | Air courier, usually 3–7 days; cost agreed per project |
| Pre-production sample | About 1 week, charged as quoted |
| MOQ | 50 pieces per style, per color |
| Bulk production lead time | 1–3 months |
| Progress updates | Every 1–2 weeks |
| Payment | First order: 50% deposit, 50% before shipment. Repeat orders: 30% deposit, 70% before shipment. Paid by T/T. |
| Shipping terms | FOB |
The 9 steps from reference image to bulk order
Step 1: Send us what you have
You do not need a finished tech pack to start. Many buyers send reference images; others send a physical sample bag. Sketches and tech packs work too. If you only have photos, send several angles: the sides, base, opening and lining. A single photo usually is not enough to identify the material or the internal construction.
Your design stays confidential. Only the team members directly involved in your project see your files, and we can sign an NDA before you share them.
Step 2: Technical review and quote
When your reference arrives, we review the style and dimensions to work out how the bag is built and woven, then prepare a quote. For an accurate price, we need:
- design images or a sketch
- dimensions
- materials
- order quantity
- hardware, logo and packaging requirements
If something is missing, we tell you what we need rather than guessing.
If you need a budget figure early, we can give you an estimated price range from your reference. The firm quote comes after the sample is confirmed, when every detail is fixed, so it is more accurate. The sample fee itself is fixed at US$150 per style.
Step 3: Confirm the design drawing
Before we cut any leather, we prepare a design drawing for you to check every detail: size, weave, colors, hardware and construction. Changes made at this stage are far quicker than changes to a finished sample, so this is the best moment to be thorough.
Step 4: Sample development
Once you confirm the drawing, we make the sample, your first prototype, in one go. A regular style takes about two weeks. Special materials, complex weaves or custom hardware can take longer.
The sample fee is US$150 per style, and we credit it toward the order payment when you place a bulk order of 100 pieces or more of the same style. If the sample is not right, we revise it until you are satisfied; the cost of further rounds is agreed case by case.
We send samples by air courier, which usually takes 3–7 days. Shipping cost is agreed for each project.
Step 5: Order confirmation and deposit
When you approve the sample, you confirm quantities and pay the deposit: 50% on a first order, 30% on repeat orders. Our MOQ is 50 pieces per style, per color, and colors cannot be combined to reach it. We then buy the leather for your order quantity.
Step 6: Pre-production sample
With the leather for your order in hand, we make a pre-production sample in about one week, charged as quoted. You confirm it before bulk production starts. From then on, bulk production reproduces the approved sample 1:1, with variation kept within normal tolerances for handwoven leather.
Step 7: Bulk production, with updates
The bulk production lead time is usually one to three months, depending on quantity and complexity. We send progress updates every one to two weeks, depending on the production stage, to confirm production details with you, with photos or video, whichever is more convenient for you.
Step 8: Final inspection
Before packing, every bag is inspected for workmanship and quality: the weaving details, whether assembly meets the approved standard, surface defects in the leather, color variation and any other detail that affects the finished bag.
We welcome third-party inspections and factory audits. You can send your own QC team or an inspection company before shipment, or audit our workshop.
Step 9: Balance and shipment
The balance (50% on a first order, 70% on repeat orders) is paid by T/T before shipment. We ship on FOB terms.
Case study: a Seoul-based fashion brand
In 2025, a Seoul-based fashion brand came to us with an original design for a medium tote. During development the design was revised three times to refine the weave and design details, and the brand supplied its own hardware. Each round, we went through every changed detail with their team before moving on. It took about one month from first contact to an approved sample, and about two months from sample approval to delivery of 12,000 bags.
The brand has since placed about six repeat orders of 3,000 to 15,000 bags each, and production for them is ongoing. Two things made the first order work: the revisions happened at the design stage, before bulk leather was cut, and once the design was locked, the volume fit our capacity of about 7,000–10,000 bags a month.
What slows a project down
The most common delays we see are avoidable:
- Sample details left open. A sample waiting days for a decision on color or hardware holds up everything after it. Name one person who can approve.
- Incomplete specifications. Missing dimensions, materials or quantities mean more back-and-forth before we can quote or sample.
- Late design changes. A change after the sample is approved can mean a new sample. Settle changes on the design drawing.
FAQ
How much does a woven bag sample cost?
US$150 per style, credited toward the order payment when you order 100 pieces or more of the same style.
Can you make a handbag from a reference image only?
Yes. Most of our projects start that way. Photos from several angles help us quote and sample accurately.
What is the lead time from sample to delivery?
Sampling takes about two weeks for a regular style. Bulk production takes one to three months after the pre-production sample is confirmed.
What are your payment terms?
For a first order, a 50% deposit when you confirm the order and the 50% balance before shipment. For repeat orders, a 30% deposit and the 70% balance before shipment. Payment is by T/T, and we ship on FOB terms.
Will my design stay confidential?
Yes. Only the team members directly involved in your project see your files, and we can sign an NDA before you share them.
Can I start with a small first order as a new brand?
Yes. Our MOQ is 50 pieces per style, per color, so a new handbag brand can test a first collection without committing to large volumes. Colors cannot be combined to reach the MOQ.
Do you offer private label and branded packaging?
Yes. We make bags under your brand with your logo, and we can customize packaging such as dust bags, gift boxes and hang tags.
Start your project
Looking for a custom woven bag manufacturer for your next collection? Send your reference image or design to us on WhatsApp and we will review it with you.
Prefer email? Submit an inquiry or download our catalog.